Chapter 27

27 “Foe Or Friend?”

Eleanora’s pov, A week later ~

My father, who postponed the summoning of me a weak later was dragged to the imperial hall by me today.

We can’t dely this any longer. I had feared the imperial palace but i really need to face it.

Specially the crown prince. I purposefully come today as i got to know that, he isn’t in the imperial palace now.

My eyes wondered around the meeting room where i frequently used to sit and complete my duties, where my father had pointed his swords at our emperor and was taken to the cells because of this.

What happened to my father after that? Was he also executed like me or imprisoned his all life?

I wonder how he had reacted after knowing that his daughter was killed for false accusation, the duchy he was so proud and protected his all life had fallen.

Sometimes i really want to know what happened after my dead. Did he knew the truth that i was really innocent?

Did he regretted killing me...and our child?

.....

But there is no way for me to know the answers. I just hope that the truth has came into light and i can avenge my past self in this life.

Investigate everyone who plotted this in my last life, give them the punishment that they really deserve.

As for the crown prince... it’s better to just stay away from him. I can’t just kill the future emperor and give the others a chance to covet the throne.

But that depends on how he behaves.

If he was the main mastermind and plotter behind everything, am afraid i can’t just let him be.

My father and me was exchanging greetings with Marquise Roselia, when emperor Valerian entered.

Everyone in the room bowed their head in respect.

We all waited as Emperor Valerian took his seat in his throne, which was in the middle of the meeting room.

“You may raise your heads,” Emperor said.

Everyone in the room lifted their gaze. Emperor Valerian was a kind man when compared to his son.

He was stern and intelligent but he could be very personable despite his sometimes tough demeanour.

The crown prince had the same black hair and red eyes as him, though greying and darking now in his old age.

He had a fearsome reputation throughout the world and was undefeated in every battle he had partaken in.

Because of this, many refused to cross him.

This allowed for the Valentino to remain almost untouched over the years since he would reward and respect people immensely if they remained on his good side.

I had always tread carefully to stay on that side of him, all the way up until the accident that had claimed his life several years from now.

In my past life, for pleasing this father and son pair, i took down every country, kingdom or empire on the map they desired.

“Our little princess Eleanora has been grown into a more beautiful lady now. It’s very nice to see you again. I only wish this was under better circumstances,” he started with a friendly tone.

“I, Eleanora Dalton, Greet the sun of our empire, Your Majesty, The Emperor, I am honoured to be in your presence,”

I said and quickly bowed respectfully again. Gosh! I just fucking hate this, when people stare at me!

“I knew Lady Eleanora was incredibly bright for her age, But you pronounced your own name wrongly.”

Augh... He caught me...

I did this on purpose because i don’t want to be related to your son!

“Please forgive my forgetfulness, Your Majesty. Am just not quite used to it.”

I bowed again and what is he doing?

Why is he not telling me to get up yet?

My back is breaking for all this bowing down!

“Raise up, it’s okay as it’s just been a week and you were not in a good health too.”

“Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty.”

I politely smiled before i stand up again and took a seat beside my father.

“Now,” Emperor Valerian spoke.

“I need to hear the details of this prophecy and the rumour of Lady Eleanora getting the saintess mark.”

So, it’s finally beginning...

I gritted my teeth. He hold this public meeting just to make me took the empress role in order to establish control.

“You are a smart girl, as we have all plainly heard the prophecy that day, here today. I assume you know what the prophecy meant, Lady Eleanora?”

His eyes were back to their speculative sharpness.

‘Friend or foe?’

I was sure he was thinking this. I wanted to curl away from his gaze but I held my own.

I knew that what he really wanted to know was what the Saintess mark meant to me and what I planned to do with it.

The reality was that the mark was not just a symbol of favour; it was a sign of higher authority.

I now possessed the potential to hold as much take over the Empire as the ruler. I was a living threat to the crown prince’s very future position unless I submitted to him.

This was why Emperor Valerian was pushing for me to become his son’s empress; possibly even by force if i refused.

He wanted assurance I would not call upon my new authority and disrupt his bloodline one day.

It was a double-edged sword, to say the least.

On one side, it meant that it would be almost impossible for the crown prince to publicly disgrace to the extreme degree he had once before.

Someone blessed by the Goddess and being a Saintess herself could not be convicted of a crime so easily.

Once my mark was confirmed by the noble heads of the imperial noble council, i will officially hold the position of “Saintess”.

Therefore, it was far more likely that I would now not stand trial for Jena’s poisoning in the future at least.

It was incredibly reassuring in that regard, but it didn’t completely guarantee my safety.

On the flip side, it opened me up to a greater danger.