Chapter 123 - Emperor's Decision

"I heard enough of all of you so now rest your mouths and I must say you all are very hot-blooded cuz of which you don't even care about your life." The Emperor said as his voice sounded angry at the end.

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"Giving up your life and taking others life. You all are so young and yet you have such thoughts that make me wonder about how your future would be....Lady White your anger is right at your place and we all are well aware of your loss and we sympathise with it but still, that doesn't give you the right to take an innocent life. 

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And Ethan as a Knight you must know your duties and to say you will give your life to them but have you forgotten the ought your age to this nation? Ethan Balor White, you don't belong to anyone but to yourself and this empire! You are a Knight who is born to protect not beg! 

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And Lady Carot and Lady Winter I thank you for stepping in between them and stopping them although Lady Carot you protecting your saviour is understandable protecting someone doesn't always mean to eliminate the other." The Emperor said as he came down from the pedestal and patted Ethan's shoulders.

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"Life is long with lots of burdens and choices ahead but if you start to lose hope just at the start....I am afraid to say this but my dear you all might never reach the end. So, take your hatred, sorrow and gratitude as a lesson and work on yourself for the time that is coming ahead, brace yourself instead of letting all those negative emotions eat you up inside." He said as he went back to his seat and with a clap, their voices came back.

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"I hope you all understood my views and will think about life once again....now for the punishment, although raising even a finger against a knight can lead to major consequences but looking at the situation I will make compromises and as a punishment Lady white will have to pay for the medical dee of Lady Carot and she will be officially be disqualified form the candidate's lists." The Emperor said as he looked at Lady White who didn't seem to care much about all this so she just nodded her head and accounted for everything the emperor said.

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"I accept everything His Majesty said and once again I apologize for the chaos." Lady White said as she bowed and left the room without a singer sound.

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"Now Ethan although you were the victim here and I should not punish you but because of you the honour of knight has been tarnished today so as a compensation of it you must receive the punishment..." The Emperor said as he looked at Ethan who took looked fine with anything as long as he could be forgiven.

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"I am ready for any punishment given by the emperor." He too said as he bowed.

"Good then form on onwards to the next 2 weeks you will clean all the horses at the stable and clean every knight's armours." The Emperor announced his punishment which didn't seem much hard but only the ones in the palace know how strong the horses were and how many knights there are in the palace.

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"As you wish, Your Majesty," Ethan said as he bowed and was about to pick up his sword but the crown prince stopped him.

"Ethan that punishment was just by the emperor but as the crown Prince I confiscate your sword and you are not getting it back unless and until you know your worth. Because a Knight who doesn't care about himself is nothing but a puppet and we don't want that." He said as he picked his sword with his dominating red eyes fixed on him.

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"(Taking away his sword. That is too cruel for a knight his sword means a lot to him especially to Ethan as his sword is the only thing his kate mother left behind for him....and the crown Prince is well of the fact so still why?)" Irene thought as she was about to speak up but even before she could say something the crown prince turned down Alferd who had the same thing in mind as her.

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"Brother this---" 

"Alfred I have taken this decision as the crown prince and I don't want anyone to interfere with it." 

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"The Crown Prince is right. Second Prince just respect his decision." The Emperor said as he looked at the bigger picture.

The second Prince was still reluctant to this but he still agreed to it and respected their judgment.

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"Now Ethan tell me...Do you accept your punishments?" The crown prince asked as he looked at Ethan who looked gloomier than before and he was not very happy with his sword being taken away but being powerless and guilty he could do nothing but accept what he was given and reject what wasn't for him.

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"I will not reject you, Your Highness," Ethan said as he clenched his fists with a hurt expression on his face.

"Good then, Ethan please take Lady Carot along with you and treat her wounds. As for Lady Winter, I would like to talk with her for a moment alone." The Emperor said, and both the princes exchanged glances as for Violet her eyes twitched a bit as she glanced at Irene once who looked as calm as the ocean.

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"We understand then please excuse us," Ethan said as he along with Violet bowed towards the emperor and exited the room followed by the Princes.

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"Your Majesty, Why did you stop me?" Irene asked in her usual calm voice and facial expression.

"What does the Young Lady think I stopped her?" The Emperor asked as he looked at her with a neutral expression.

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"I am not that good at guessing but I think it would be anything else but catching up?" Irene said as she raised one of her eyebrows and the Emperor ended up laughing.

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*sigh* "It has been 3 years but still you are the same as usual.Always one step ahead of me."

"Well, the Emperor is the same as usual too because no matter how many times you try you can never make an intimidating face in front of me, let alone scare me~" 

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"Well is that something to be proud of?" 

"For me it is." 

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Both of them talked not like a subject and Ruler but like two friends who haven't seen each other for ages.

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"Lady Winter, You know what I like the most about you?" The Emperor asked as he got down from his pedestal.

"....My Nature?" Irene replied as she smiled.

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"That's correct, Lady Winter's nature is like the sun warm and giving happiness to all but today ...I saw guilt on your eyes...and that too for something that was nowhere related to you..." The Emperor said as he touched her head.

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"Your Majesty....." 

"I don't know if Lady winter remembers this or not but...you once told me that, life is much more than regrets and memories. And today I am saying this back to you, that lady winter life is more than the sack of responsibilities and others opinions. And this is the age where you should realise it." The Emperor said as he patted her head.

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"I understand...." Irene said as she smiled a bit and left the courtroom with a dazed expression.

She was soo lost in her thoughts that she didn't even realize that there was a pillar in front of her and was about to hit her hand but luckily someone pulled her back and also she was now even back to her senses.

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"Can't you look at your surroundings before you lose your mind?" The crown prince said as he looked at her.

"Crown Prince...." Irene said as she smiled.

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Her smiling face made Alan's heartbeat rise as their faces were a little too close. So, he pushed her a little backward so that they could talk properly.

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"What's with the sudden smile? And are you fine?" The Crown Prince asked as he checked her forehead.

"I am fine and I am just happy to see you!" She said again with her heartfelt smile.

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"Really?" Alan asked as he smiled and started to walk down the corridors.

"Yes, I swear! After all, it has been almost 2 or 3 months since I last saw you...and I was worried as I kept hearing about you being busy all the time...I was worried about your health. But looking at you now, my all worries are gone." She said as she walked alongside him.

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The Prince hearing that stopped in his tracks and turned around to face her, his red eyes fixed at her face which seemed to be made just for him.

"If you were so much worried about me then...can you hug me once?" He asked mustering up all of his courage.

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Irene was taken aback by the sudden request, the fact that he wants a hug wasn't that surprising but the way his eyes were looking at hers and the look on his face made all her blood rush to her face and as her heartbeat rose, her hands and legs too went near him and without a singer hesitation, she embraced him in her tiny shoulders while tiptoeing.