Chapter 24 - In The Palace

I looked at myself for the last time in the mirror with a satisfied expression as I walked out.

"You both will share a carriage, I will go with officials in the other one" my father spoke to me and Isabella as he pointed at the other carriage where three man were already waiting for him.

We both nodded together as he patted our shoulders and walked to the other carriage.

Isabella walked straight to the carriage without looking at me as I followed.

My eyes looked outside the window seeing the trees pass one after another as the four horses pulled the carriage through the forest. It was a 3 hour journey.

My tongue peeked out to wet my dry lips and I held my dress as my palms turned sweaty. I was expecting too much from the visit. But I still did not have a clear plan about how I would convince the crown prince to let me be around him.

I was so lost that i did not notice that the blowing air had ruffled my hairs that were loosely braided until Isabella's voice rung in my ears

"Just look at your hairs, it looks like you have come to the palace just after coming out of the bed. The royals in the palace would think we did not have enough respect towards them" she chided and I sighed.

"That will give them a good chance to talk, after all we all know that noble ladies are best in doing gossip since they do not need to work and sit idle all the time"

"You are talking like you are not one among them." she retorted and then giggled, "oh, i forgot that you are now a knight. Fighting and rolling in mud that you smell like a rotten egg. You should have looked at the faces of the moniker and duchess. It was turning red and blue as they had stopped breathing. They were afraid that they would catch any virus or infection if they shard air with you"

"Then I would have given them paracetamol and antibiotics, I even have given a shot of Afluria Quadrivalent, and then they would have been fine."

She looked at me with furrowed brows as if i have been speaking foreign language suddenly. Well I was, it was not foreign, just futuristic.

I rolled my eyes as I looked out of the window again. The whole journey went silently.

But I was still not sure how to get close to the crown prince without falling under his trap. After all, he has a famous personality all over the empire. Who did not know his quirks, many ladies were looking for a chance while many higher noble ladies were wary of him and one of them was me.

I have always despised him since the start. Now I wonder how I would stand and bear his presence.

When the carriage passed through vast doors, I saw leaves and creepers decorated the door which had turned lavender due to the colour of the flowers.

There was vast land covered with trees and the whole ground was filled with flowers. Even the flowers bloomed in Japan would fade in front of it. The lakes at the distance was shining with the sunlight dancing over it. Swans could be seen dancing on the water and the scene looked nothing but like a fairytale.

I suddenly felt a jerk and then stopped the carriage. No matter how soft the leather of the carriage was it could not compare to the car I used to drive, and it would only have taken 20 minutes to reach here instead of more than 2 hours even when we had one of the most luxurious four horse carriages.

"Come, what are you waiting for, standing and glaring at the carriage?" asked Isabella and I nodded.

We both walked and joined the father who was waiting at the entrance on the other side.

We both bowed a bit at the nobles standing with father and thy nodded appreciatively.

They passed through large doors which were almost touching the sky, the floor was covered by thick red and soft carpets which muffled every sound of footsteps.

The whole ceiling was carved with beautiful paintings that were turned alive by the chandeliers that have many candles in them and they have many diamonds engraved in them to reflect light better.

Both sides of the walls of the hallway were covered with paintings of the ancestor and the scenic view of distant places. The place was vast, it would be double of the duke palace where they lived.

Walking forward they entered a room which was vast just like other areas of the castle. It was covered with a gold layer at the ceiling and the walls were covered with fine oil paintings.

My steps halted as my eyes fell on the emperor who was sitting on his large leather chair which was made majestically to match up with his aura.

He had white hair and brows and broad face, with wrinkles showing that he was already aged, yet the aura he had was strong enough to make even the knights cower in fear. His eyes were sharp as hawks as he looked at them entering in. His face was still looking stiff, a cold yet a small smile bloomed on his lips as he looked at father.

Though he was aged, his broad and straight shoulders and his perfect posture depict his strength. He still could battle against 10 knights and win easily.

"Hail to the glory of empire, may the sun of the empire shine forever" everyone bowed and wished for the long life of the emperor who nodded his head in appreciation.

"You may rise" he said and we all stood up to face him.

"Your daughters have grown into fine ladies, George. You are lucky to get blessed with obedient and demure ladies"

He complimented and I pitied him in my heart. He truly was unlucky when it come to kids!