CH 126

“Well then, I look forward to working with you,” Yuliana smiled. After two hours of deliberations, she accepted Kalia’s extended hand. They had reached a compromise. Kalia insisted she dared not covet the emperor’s favor, and only sought to assist Yuliana in strengthening her standing within the empire and reap the benefits that followed. Her sights were set on the money, not on love. Yuliana was satisfied with Kalia’s clear objectives, as it was something she could easily dispense. It would be no issue once she was crowned empress. The princess thought it a cheap investment, considering the support she’d receive in solidifying her position within the empire.

Kalia brought over the two new noble ladies, who bowed as they offered greetings to Yuliana.

“My name is Aryl, daughter of Viscount Illinati.”

“I am Karin, daughter of Earl Heint.”

“I am Yuliana of Aswan. It is a pleasure to meet you both like this,” Yuliana replied, standing, and politely accepting their greetings.

The two ladies appeared deeply moved to see Yuliana stand up and greet them. Kalia laughed and explained, “These two young ladies will be doing their best to assist you from now on, Princess Yuliana.”

A triumphant smile bloomed on Yuliana’s face, but a shadow hovered over her as she recalled the words of the guardian witches from the other night. “You’ll never be able to beat Cecile.” The memory caused her to gnaw at her lips. The same question kept circling in her head. Why not?

Yuliana felt that the guardian witches spoke as if they were acquainted with Empress Cecile, but when she questioned them, they flipped their vessel, disrupting the connection formed by the water scrying ritual. It was a clear message that they had nothing more to say on the matter.

‘What’s so special about Empress Cecile!’ Originally, Yuliana had thought the empress would be easily dealt with. In comparison to herself, she judged the empress as weak and foolish. Albeit, with a slightly pretty face. Yet, nothing seemed to play out as intended. Even the power of the Archwitch was spotty. Yuliana’s taste of defeat quickly morphed into fury. She swore that she would drag Cecile down no matter what. Even the guardian witches who had declared she could never come out the winner weren’t exempted from her wrath. ‘All of you, just wait and see.’

A fire sparked in Yuliana’s eyes. She would have those witches groveling at her feet once she ascended as the Archwitch. How dare they mock her? Dare to suggest she was no match?

“Then, we should begin by sending an invitation to the empress. As for the location…”

Yuliana recalled the sight of the busy hotel lobby she’d passed through on her way to the meeting place. They were preparing to open a casino, or so she was told. A dangerous smile crept onto the princess’s face, as she suggested, “I think this hotel will do.”

* * *

The Ailsa Hotel in the imperial capital was crowded with delegates from all over the continent eager for the chance to hold court with Estian and glimpse the rumored dragon. When the emperor paid them no heed and set off on his campaign against the dukedom of Etia, many complained that the palace could at least offer up the dragon for viewing. Instead, said dragon remained securely hidden within the confines of the imperial palace, with nary a glimpse of a scale nor wing.

Despite failing to achieve any of their initial objectives, none of the delegations were in a rush to return to their home countries. The reason was that each had received a numbered ticket. A quarrel had broken out due to the sheer number of delegates jostling to enter the imperial palace and be granted an audience with the empress. Even envoys of smaller countries, who normally would have deferred according to national power, would not budge on this matter.

Dragons—a race that had all but vanished into history, had reappeared in the empire. Not only that, but it had emerged in the emperor’s presence and had been overpowered by him, too. It was a fact that struck dread into the hearts of all that learned of this news. The emperor was monstrously powerful in his own right, but now he’s even obtained a dragon. Was there anything left that could stand in his way? There was only one thing left for the delegations to do. ‘We must prostrate before them, and beg mercy from the emperor and the dragon!’

While they waited with a strong determination to beg, a certain rumor soon reached their ears.

“It’s said that the empress has the dragon tamed like a dog.”

The delegations quickly revised their thoughts on the spot. ‘We must prostrate before them, and beg mercy from the emperor, empress and the dragon!’ After all, what difference did it make to prostrate in front of one more?

Still, as the situation stood, before they were given a chance to prostrate, they had to patiently wait their turn. Envoys that received numbered tickets were considered lucky, as those without remained in a limbo of undetermined wait times. While the situation remained grave for many, good tidings finally reached their ears.

“Her Majesty has accepted Princess Yuliana’s invitation!”

“What? Is that true?”

“Indeed, it is! She will be visiting the opening of the casino at Ailsa Hotel.”

The eyes of every envoy shone. Entrance to the imperial palace was difficult, but the casino was a different matter! The only hiccup being that the opening day of the casino was limited to guests of Ailsa Hotel only. Delegations without a numbered ticket swarmed the hotel the moment the news broke, and those lodged at other hotels immediately attempted to transfer their bookings, sparking a bidding war for vacant rooms. Each delegation was desperate to not let this opportunity slip through their grasp.

“Don’t push!”

“Don’t cut in line!”

For that reason, the entrance of the casino was rowdy from the swelling crowd gathering in anticipation of the empress’s arrival. Royals and nobles flung aside all formalities as they fought to occupy the best spot possible. Amid the commotion, a loud trumpet was blown near the entrance. Shortly after, the clip-clop of horse hooves could be heard, as an extremely large coach drawn by a single white horse pulled up to the hotel lobby. Everyone was awestruck that such a magnificent coach could be pulled by a single steed.

Etiquette dictates that the number of horses drawing the coach was proportional to the status of its passenger. Based on the size and the magnificence, the coach was undeniably befitting of the empress. If it indeed belonged to her, expectations dictated that the coach be drawn by at least ten horses… yet why was there only a single steed? That wasn’t the only perplexing matter about the scene before them. No matter how they looked at it, the coach was so large that it would require the strength of at least six great steeds to pull it. How had a single steed managed to attempt this feat?