The moment my brothers and I went out, I realized that there were many carriages parked outside the Guest Palace.

“Dang, we have to greet all of them?” I asked, squinting in the sunlight.

“Well, we can split up in political positions or by places. Like Aurelia can go and greet the Dukes and the really Important guests. Ian can greet the Marquessess and the Earl’s or something. And I’ll just greet the other people.” Aeson suggested.

“Sounds good to me.” I said.

We went in different directions.

I went up to the exit of the VIG. (Very Important Guests) I hurried just in time before the Wrenn Marquess household.

“I greet the Wrenn Household. I wish you a safe trip!”

They smiled and bowed, as the carriage drove them away.

“Your Imperial Highness!” The king of the Halio kingdom waved his hand as his carriage came next to me.

I quickly took out the contract I had to sign. I remembered the light background check Ian did on the Second Prince. Apparently he was an Imperial Knight in group B. Maybe he moved here because he can become an Imperial knight or maybe because he wasn't treated well in his Kingdom. Afterall, he was the Second Son.

Besides, if he becomes my consort and if he's not bad at killing people, or not bad at his skills, then maybe I can appoint him as my loyal knight, to do tasks so I can either work, assassinate or to rest. It wasn't such a bad deal so in the end i signed the contract, in the whilst of talking with Ian

The King opened his carriage as he handshook me. I glanced inside the carriage to only see the Crown Prince. He seemed to be closing his eyes.

I handed the King the contract.

His eyes sparkled. “Very well! I will immediately start the trading business You Majesty!” he seemed to notice the fact that I was staring at the C.P.

“Ah, my second son is, you see, an Imperial knight working here. So today he has his shifts. He isnt coming with us.”

“I see.” I said feeling a little disappointed.

It’s fine, besides if he’s good enough I’ll see him officially at the Knight’s competition, I told myself. Besides, maybe I can just see him if he’s going to live in the Palace as my consort… Wait, nevermind. He’s probably busy.

“If things work well with you two then,” The King winked. “I guess I’ll see my daughter-in-law soon eh?” the King laughed.

I totally cringed but managed to keep my polite smile. ‘I have no plans for marriage Sir.’ I wanted to protest. But maybe that might offend the King and he might cut off the deal.

“Father, we must go now. We have urgent matters at hand.” C.P Basilio Jude said, tapping his arm.

“Yes, yes.” the King’s expression became suddenly dead serious. He settled back in and waved as they went off.

I was glad that the King was all nice and easy going but suspicious at the same time because he was easy going. Then again, it won't be proper to not be easy going when you are the one who invited to be someone’s friend or trying to make an alliance.

The next carriage rolled in. The Choud Duchy. They are the most powerful Duchy from the Eastern Side of the Empire. I think they had their own knights and there were a lot of knights there.

They might seem like a threat to a throne but they have a deep connection with our family sp I don't suppose they will betray us. Plus they were nice people.

“We greet the Imperial Highness.”

“How was your stay at the palace?” I asked.

“Well, it’s been such a long time since we visited, but I have a feeling that it was more comfortable than before.” Duke Choud said, chuckling.

“Oh oh, and invite us for a tea party, Your Majesty!” said the first daughter, Amira. She had chestnut brown hair with dark eyes with perfect arched eyebrows. She truly was the beauty of the Eastern Side.

“Me too!” the son of Duke Choud chimed in. I think his name was Alarick or Lucian. There was a slight chance it could be James but I wasn’t so sure. I kept on forgetting people’s names since I wasn’t so bothered to remembering their names.

“Alarick, don’t be rude!” Amira swatted his hand.

Ah bummer. His name wasn’t Lucian or James.

“Ah, I apologize Your Majesty.” Lucias bowed.

“It’s fine. And of course, I’ll host a tea party and you guys will be the first people on my list. I’ll apologize beforehand that I might not be able to attend the tea party until the very end, since I’m busy, but you guys can be the host when I’m gone. Anyways, you are welcome anytime in the palace. Just send me a letter 2 days beforehand, so that we can be prepared.” I smiled.

The kids, who’s age wasn’t so different from mine, stared at me in awe.

The Duke coughed in his fist. “Ahem. I thank you for your hunting competition and the stay. May Arlene give blessings.”

“May Arlene give blessings.” I replied as they left

The next carriage rolled in. I decided this would be the last carriage since I was half tired.

Ah, the emblem of the Lune Duchy. I think it was the oldest and powerful family who had a big influence in the fashion trends.I think that one of their daughters came into our Royal Family decades ago. Plus, the Lune household were the more rare ranking ones. It had a matriarch. They were famous for their silver hair, blessed by the great goddess Arlene, Goddess of the Moon. I think one of their descendants was a high priest at the temple.

“I greet Aurelia Helena Asterias.” she said. She was in her late 60’s maybe. I wondered when she’ll retire. She only had a grandchild, although her grandchild is already at age I think. Maybe she’ll work until she dies.

“I formally greet the Lune Duchess, the lady I look upon to.” I curtsied.

“You dearly flatter me, young Emperor.” she chuckled.

My heart warmed up as I was enjoying the way she laughed.

“Truly, I did not expect a young Queen who went missing for a couple of major years to come back and immediately start conquering countries and becoming an Emperor.”

“Thank you.”

“Your…. Ancestors are for sure, proud of you.” Close cal.. I had a feeling she was going to say ‘Parents’ but I guess she knows that my parents totally dumped their duties and made the nobles do their work. My ancestors did a much better job than those scumbags.

The carriage shifted. The young Duke started moving.

“I greet the Imperial Highness.” the young duke greeted. He seemed to want to get out of the carriage to formally greet me. I raised my hand gesturing him to stay put. He settled down.

“I greet the young duke, Lucian Asterias II.” Apparently he was the same age as my brothers, 17. He’s in the same class as my brothers and they are more or less good friends, with occasional fights, which was just a symbol as friendship I guess.

“Ah, I heard you are the same class as my brothers? I hope they don’t bother you.” I really meant this from my heart. It was not an ad-lib.

“No, they aren’t at all Your Majesty.” he said politely.

Liar, I thought. Or maybe my brothers were actually nice to other people.

“Well, nice meeting you, Young ruler. We will hopefully meet again. Soon.” I waved until they left the gates of the palace.

I walked away.

Ian spotted me and came over.

“Leaving already?” he asked.

“Yeah. I mean i have to sort out the paperwork while I was gone. So i need to catch up.”

Ian nodded and he waved his hand gesturing the knights to escort me back to the palace.