Chapter 732 Private Audience With The Queen II

"There's no misunderstanding, I guarantee you with that. I told Gustav to take you here to get two things done at the same time." Ismael watched Aries move ever so slowly, peeling her back from the tub until she was sitting up in the middle of the tub. Her back was facing him. "I won't have much time later since many kings had set foot in the Mainland and I have to greet them one by one."

When he caught her planting her hands on rims, Ismael lowered his eyes as she stood bare. Aries extended her arms, and as if on cue, the maid standing on the side approached her. The servant helped her slip her arms inside the robe, sauntering away after fulfilling their duty, while Aries tied the front part of the robe.

Aries slowly turned around, smirking upon seeing him looking at the floor. "It's only been a while since we've last seen each other. I'm appalled at how you quickly became a gentleman."

"I am always a gentleman, Queen." Ismael mentally snapped his tongue, stopping himself from raising his eyes.

"Avoiding my eyes when I am talking is quite insulting."

Ismael lifted his eyes, only to see her standing beside the bathtub. Her green hair was damp, sticking to her slender shoulder, wrapped in a thin fabric. He could almost see everything through that robe if only he focus on her body. But Ismael kept his eyes on her pair of eyes that didn't bear the same clarity and righteousness.

Aries was just as stunning, but her aura felt different.

She felt dangerous.

"Apologies," he expressed monotonously. "Allow me to greet Your Majesty, the Queen."

Ismael threw all unnecessary thoughts and focused on his duty as a participant of the summit and also her ally. He was also an emperor, and he had people to protect. In this alliance, the Maganti were benefiting more. So it was only proper to act accordingly before her, even if she didn't want to practice even the slightest decency. Well, considering the person who 'mentored' her in the past had no notion of what decency was, it shouldn't be surprising it rubbed off on her.

He marched towards the other side of the room and stopped two steps before her, offering his hand.

"May I?" he asked, and she smiled before clasping his hand. "I, Ismael Imperial, the Emperor of the new Maganti, greet Her Majesty, the Queen of the incomparable Mainland."

Ismael bent over, planting his lips on her knuckles and getting a whiff of the rose aroma on her skin. He kept his eyes on her, seeing her smile back at him as a greeting.

"Welcome, my dear." As he carefully released her hand, Aries glanced at the head maid of the Queen's court standing in the corner of the extension of the room. "Gertrude, prepare us some tea."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Pleased, Aries faced Ismael once again. "Will you join me for a cup of tea, Your Majesty?"

"Ismael is fine, Your Majesty," he returned politely, lowering his head slightly. "And it is an honor for me to share a cup of tea with you."

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If Ismael didn't know Aries before and they didn't have this complicated history, he would deem her slightly offensive. Both of them were monarchs, and meeting each other, even if it was a secret meeting, required the slightest bit of etiquette.

And by that, he meant her clothing.

Aries wasn't in her robe anymore as she changed into a white chemise with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders and arms. While she was changing, Ismael sat down on the other side of the room near the fireplace, where she joined him and they were served tea.

Now that they were sitting across from each other, Ismael had to keep in mind to keep his eyes on her face. Good thing he had learned how to focus and not get distracted by the surroundings as the emperor of the Maganti Empire. Hence, he couldn't care less. Even so, her lack of clothes was inappropriate. Though he knew it was unnecessary to point it out.

"First things first. I am glad that you reached this land without any problems." Aries broke the silence between them as she reached for the teacup. "Many had voiced out their displeasure of the dangers before reaching this land. So, I commend all those who managed."

"The area surrounding this land and the sea are truly challenging to overcome. I thank you for giving me a forewarning and thus, I was able to anticipate what was ahead of us," Ismael expressed, clear at the line between them.

"I'm glad it helped." She smiled after gulping the tea. "Veronika had also arrived yesterday. She was looking for you."

"I hope no one had yet heard the news of my arrival,"

"Do not worry." Aries chuckled as she placed the teacup back on the table. "The arrivals of the monarchs were kept a secret. There were other kings and royalties who wanted to stay in their chambers until the day of the Summit. Hence, we want to respect that. Although it is out of our jurisdiction if they cross paths with people they do not want to see beforehand."

"That is understandable."

Her smile remained, assessing his face. "How are you, Ismael?"

"Hmm?" His brows rose, a little confused at that least expected question. "I've sent you letters, Your Majesty. I am well and quite preoccupied with the matters of the court. Although the empire had slowly adjusted and everything quieted down, I can't safely say it had stabilized. Changes need time, and the Maganti will need a lot of it until they break the bad practices and habits of our empire."

"I commend your courage and hard work. Thus, I and the Mainland were grateful that you still made time to attend this summit despite your busy schedule."

"I am not the only one who had people to look after, Your Majesty." His lips curled up into a subtle smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Everyone who came in here had matters to settle and people to protect. Perhaps not everyone, but most. Yet, we came in here because you sent us invitations."

"Are you insinuating I intimidated them?"

"No, Queen. We simply knew that when someone such as yourself invites us to come and visit, it is rude not to go." Ismael's smile slowly faded. "Though I have an entirely different reason why I came in here."

"Oh?" Aries propped her elbow against the armrest and rested her jaw on her knuckles. "And what is that?"

"Why…" Ismael drew a deep breath as he mustered enough courage to ask one question. "... why did everyone forget about the Haimirich Empire?"

****** AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hello everyone! I hope you are all alright.

Because of the typhoon, the area where I lived lost electricity for days. A part of our home got destroyed, but thankfully, I and my family are all safe. :) I hope nothing bad happened to any of you.