Chapter 413: Star, the Prezias (5)
Sadalmelik. Are you with the Second Prince? Chang-Sun asked.
Th-th-thats right. Morgan Hornan wasnt even aware that Chang-Sun was disrespectfully referring to his Guardian by her real name. All he could think of was getting out of this place right now.
Go tell the Second Prince that well visit the Imperial Palace soon.
Morgans eyes wandered, unable to understand what Chang-Sun meant. Was Chang-Sun going to persuade the Prezia Family to offer the Dominion Seal or was he threatening Morgan that his next terrorist attack would be against the Imperial Family?
You dont understand, do you? Im saying that were going to meet the Second Prince in private the next time were in the Imperial Palace, Chang-Sun added.
U-understood, sir! Ill send someone to escort you when you visit the Imperial Palace. Morgan bowed as his face brightened up, thinking that Chang-Sun was subtly implying that the Prezia Family was willing to offer the Dominion Seal to them.
Yeah! Even a violent terrorist would need a place to rest in peace! He wants to make a deal with us through the Prezia Family, which means if I use him wisely Morgan thought, hope growing within him.
It was common to see yesterdays enemy becoming todays ally in the world of politics. Hence, Morgan had a feeling that he would have the upper hand in the imminent outbreak of civil war. It was still naturally suspicious in some ways, but he concluded that no bad would come out of this meeting. He quickly walked away, worrying that Chang-Sun would change his mind.
After watching Morgan for a moment, Chang-Sun chuckled and went deeper into the manor. Hes gotten himself busy thinking about a rosy future that will never come.
* * *
Greetings to you, Sir Jin. My name is Sietle Prezia, and Im the current lady of the Prezia Family. Instead of being moved to tears for finally reuniting with her son, who had just come back from the brink of death, Sietle introduced herself formally after listening to the narrative of Trivelles group.
Watching her had given Chang-Sun a very strong impression of her. Shes a warrior.
He was listening to the conversation between Sietle and Morgan before their fight against the Hornan Familys knights. Morgan threatened her with her sons life, yet she didnt even blink.
Sietle calmly adjusted her dress when she heard about her new guests, befitting the polite host that she was. She looked as if she had no emotions at all. Treville even described her as an iron lady.
My mother? Ever since I was young, my mother has always been composed Im a sentimental type of person, so I respect her a lot. I think thats why when Father passed away and all the vassals left, she still managed to endure and maintain the empty family all on her own, Treville said.
But
Theyre trembling. Chang-Sun didnt miss Sietles trembling fingers as she held her dress to bow.
With his heightened senses, he could also hear her racing heart, showing she was both quite surprised by Morgans blackmail attempt and relieved to see Treville again. She was likely as sentimental as the next person or even as much as Treville but was simply doing her best to hold herself back from expressing her emotions.
She had to be strong to protect her young son and her family from the hyenas, Chang-Sun speculated, finding Sietle even more remarkable now. Despite being initially weak, she became a completely different person to protect her family.
Youre Jans daughter-in-law, yes?
Thats right. Sietle nodded.
You must have gone through a lot.
Did Jins warm voice melt her heart, which had to freeze up a bit to survive? Her lips seemingly quivered a little.
I heard that his grave has been relocated near the manor. I would like to say hello to him, so can you point me to him?
It has been a while since you returned to the manor, so Im sure that you would find a lot about the manor unfamiliar. Ill show you.
Sietle guided and showed Jin around herself. Although it wasnt the same as the main manor of the Prezia Family, it also had a long history. Sietle and Jin exchanged several conversations about it and talked about everything else in their hearts. Jin got to hear about Jan and his familys lives while he was away, and Sietle learned about the parts of the Prezia Familys history that she wasnt aware of.
During dinner, Sietle listened to Chang-Suns plan. It surprised her so much that she couldnt help but show her emotion for the first time.
Youre going to take over the Imperial Palace? But that place is protected by the Arcadian Imperial Army and Inspection Bureauah! she exclaimed as a memory popped into her mind. The reason you told the Second Prince that youre going to pay the Imperial Family a visit is
Chang-Sun nodded. It will give us the chance to get the Emperors leash. The Emperor is known as the incarnation of a Celestial who walks among mortals. He would surely be a valuable hostage.
Sietle chuckled dryly. Since the desire to worship the Emperor was extremely strong in the Imperial Palace, everyone would certainly panic if he was taken hostage. Isnt that too dangerous? You might be able to somehow take down his guards, but the Star Signs are immediately going to interfere
The Star Signs would have no time to care about what is happening in the <Saha World>, Chang-Sun interrupted, dismissing her concern.
If the <Anti-Star> Alliance were to make a move as the two Star Signs conflicts intensified, interfering with Arcadias state of affairs would be the last thing in <Horoscope>s mind.
Lord Chiront will soon ascend to the throne, and I, Morgan Hornan, will become the Prime Minister! Muhahahaha!
Morgan found Chang-Suns participation in the parade suspicious, but he was far too blinded by his greed to pay it any mind.
The horses neighed as the Prezia Familys parade to the Imperial Palace began.
Oh, my goodness! The rumor about the Prezia Family giving up their Ducal Family title is true!
Its said that the family is going to offer all their wealth and retire to the country to repent for all their crimes.
Is the man in the front the current head of the Prezia Family? Hes young.
Isnt the parade too small? They should have done a better job! What is that?!
Having heard the news about the parade, people crowded the streets. Morgan had worked in the shadows to earn as much attention as possible.
The more people see this sight, the quicker the news about the Prezia Familys loss of power would spread. Once Treville offers the seal, Ill be replacing the Prezia Family! Morgan guffawed, thinking everything worked out in his favor. His happiness quickly died out, however.
Im Hanus from the Creta Family. My apologies for the late arrival, but I wish to join the parade.
Im Tanata Oxyville, here to be in your attendance. May I have your permission to join you?
The other families who didnt show up earlier began to join the parade one after another.
Would it be really okay for them to go to the Imperial Palace like that?
Considering how much the Imperial Family persecuted them, its worrisome
That is it. Im going to follow them.
What can you do even if you follow them?
Anything! The Imperial Family cant possibly do something funny to the Prezia Family if many people are watching them. Considering all the grace that my parents received from the Prezia Family, the least I can do for them is make the parade less lonely!
H-hold on! Im coming with you!
Concerned about how small the parade was, the crowd joined in. Some of the spectators came out to the street without any specific purpose, but they found themselves following the parade out of curiosity when they saw people walking with it in big groups. The size of the parade snowballed, growing hundreds of times bigger than before.
Wh-what in the world happened?! Morgan tried to take action when he realized that something odd was going on, but it was too late.
M-my apologies for the late arrival! I had business to take care of at home Im Kaont of the Pegasus Family. Would it be okay to join the parade now?
Welcome, brother. The Prezia Family always welcomes their people. Treville smiled gently.
Even the vassals who didnt answer the summon hurriedly joined the parade when they noticed something was up. Some of the vassals even brought hundreds of their family members in confidence.
I'm from the Pollan Family
The Cenube Family
The Hosant Family
Many of the old vassals assembled. The parade was now composed of tens of thousands of people.
N-no! Morgan gradually turned pale.
Hold up the flag now, Treville ordered.
The butler, who was waiting for Trevilles command, held up a new flag several times bigger beside the Prezia Familys flag. The red flag had a symbol of a spear and a sword crossed in front of a shield. They now paraded under the Twilight Flag, which Divine Twilight always held up in times of war.
Sunset-colored light spread throughout the crowd.
[The Celestial Divine Twilight is blessing his people!]