Chapter Twenty-Six
_ The Woman Who Captured the Emperor's Heart: 2
The nobles stepped forward according to their status, of course, after they were called to present their greetings to the Emperor. The chamberlain began calling, feeling puzzled and hesitant, but he finally opened his mouth:
"Duke Philip Silviano and his companion ... Baron Elena Brion .."
Philip smiled, took Elena's hand, and they moved toward the Emperor.
"Philip Silviano, Duke of Silviano, greets His Majesty and the Sun of the Empire .."
"Elena Brion greets the Sun of the Empire ..."
Raphael stood up and said with a welcoming and cheerful face:
"It is beautiful to see you together; your presence is the pride of Cassian..."
"It is a great honor for us"
The nobles were in a state of wonder; the Emperor's face was smiling like someone meeting a friend. All the rumors evaporated into thin air...
"Silviano has contributed to protecting the Empire, and in the recent expedition, your achievement was unparalleled. Since it is a happy day, I have decided to grant you a wish. You may wish for whatever you desire at any time and I will fulfill it ... invest your wish well .."
"We thank you, Your Majesty"
They bowed with genuine respect; they seemed surprised by the Emperor's gift but were truly happy...
The chamberlain began to complete the calling of names as usual. What was different was that the Duke of Silviano was normally called third, but this time the Emperor started with him. The Emperor's action was a direct way to restore the Duke's status without the need for a direct apology. When they reached the Marquis...
"Marquis Albin Silas, Young Master Elliott Silas, and Young Lady Ariana Silas"
The father and son greeted the Emperor as usual, but Raphael was indirectly looking at Ariana with admiration..
'She is always beautiful, but today ... she is enchanting ..'
"Ariana Silas greets His Majesty, the Sun of Cassian and its protector ..."
The greeting was perfect, with nothing added or omitted. Raphael smiled at her distinctive style and said quietly:
"I greet the family of Marquis Silas"
* * *
Finally, the official greetings to the Emperor ended, people began returning to their places, and the music started. No one moved to dance because the first dance was reserved for the Imperial family, and since the Emperor had never danced, it was customary to skip the first song..
Raphael descended to wander around the party, which was a rare occurrence. He moved toward Ariana, who was talking to a group of young noblemen. It was clear she wanted to escape, but they were shocked by the Emperor's approach and greeted him awkwardly.
"I am happy with your presence ... Miss Silas, will you dance with me?!"
He smiled at the young men with artificial kindness and then looked at Ariana. Ariana felt her ears burning and looked around; everyone was in a state of shock. She was completely ignorant of the meaning of their reactions. She bowed politely:
"It is an honor for my first dance to be with Your Majesty ..."
She placed her hand on the Emperor's hand while feeling extremely embarrassed. He moved holding her hand toward the center of the hall, and the nobles instinctively made way..
"The song sounds beautiful, let it begin anew"
The musician, who was focused on his work, was surprised by the Emperor's words and became flustered, but he composed himself while looking at his assistants and they began again. They bowed as the start of the dance, then Raphael placed his hand on her waist, positioning it with more tenderness, and the two began to dance..
There was a plan, but dancing together was not part of it. She looked at the face of the man she loved with a feeling of happiness and confusion and asked in a whisper:
"It wasn't planned to dance together, I mean .. I fear it might ruin .."
"Don't occupy your little head with these complicated matters, my dear .."
"But ..."
Ariana looked toward Elliott and the Duke, who were standing far away, in an attempt to ease her embarrassment. But Raphael placed his hand under her chin during the dance and said in a deep whisper saturated with possessiveness...
"Do not look at a man other than me, for it provokes my fragile heart, my lady"
Blood rushed to Ariana's face and she turned red. She swallowed the words echoing inside her and moved in perfect harmony with Raphael. She tried to process his words...
'It's jealousy ...'
Raphael had not planned to ask Ariana for a dance despite his desire to do so, but when he heard one of the young men offering her a dance—and it was clear they were salivating over her—he did not hesitate for a second to ask her...
* * *
The Emperor and the young lady of Silas shared a dance in harmony. People looked at each other because it was an undeclared announcement that the girl the Emperor chooses to dance with is the one he has chosen for the position of Empress. Philip and Elena looked at them, and Elena whispered in Philip's ear..
"They don't look like a man and woman who just met .."
"Do you think they knew each other before?!"
When he replied in a whisper, she pointed to everything around her and said with a whisper and a cunning look:
"Is it a coincidence?!"
"It doesn't seem so, and I won't say that Miss Silas is an ordinary person .."
Elena shot him a "what do you mean?" look.
"She looks kind at first glance, but she is a cunning person. It's an intuition .."
"Even I felt that"
The first song ended and the second began. Raphael and Ariana continued dancing, and people started joining the dance; Philip and Elena had joined as well..
There were those who danced to look at the Emperor and his partner closely, among them Philip and Elena. Elliott offered a dance to one of the young ladies to stay close to his sister, as he felt a sense of danger..
"Don't you think they are trying to eavesdrop on His Majesty's conversation with me?"
"I expected as much .. Do you want to end the dance to rest? Your body is tired .."
"That seems right"
When the song ended, Raphael took Ariana's hand and they left the dance floor, followed by Elliott. Before she could excuse herself to go rest, Elliott spoke:
"Sister, are you okay?! .."
"I am fine, I will rest for a bit ... "
She looked with kind eyes at her brother and then moved toward the lounge. Elliott looked at Raphael with burning glares, forgetting that the one before him was the Emperor. Raphael responded with a cunning look:
"Doesn't the young Marquis think that excessive protection is not a solution .."
"What do you mean ... Your Majesty?!"
Raphael laughed and exchanged a strong look of possession and a side smile; it seemed Elliott would forget who he was facing when it came to Ariana...
"What kind of feelings does the young Marquis harbor for his sister? ..."
"I didn't know Your Majesty spoke nonsense about family relationships .."
"It is a curiosity stemming from my heart .."
"She is my sister, and I will not hesitate for a moment to kill whoever tries to hurt her ..."
"Even if it were your father?!..."
Elliott jolted at Raphael's question. Before he could speak, Raphael placed his hand on Elliott's shoulder, patted it firmly, and whispered:
"I have taken a liking to her. Perhaps what they call love at first sight ..."
"..."
Elliott froze and looked at the Emperor with complex feelings.
"I fear someone might try to exploit the matter for their benefit. If you want to protect her as a brotherly duty, then it has become a national duty to protect the future Empress. Show me your talents, Marquis Silas ..."
Raphael left Elliott in a state of shock, not only from the clear declaration that he wanted Ariana but also because he addressed him as "Marquis" and not as the heir to the Marquis...
'Is he exploiting my sister because he knows of my father's betrayal?! I no longer understand anything. Why is the Emperor doing this?! ... Is he exploiting her or does he wish to protect her?'
* * *
"Embarrassing, so embarrassing...."
She was walking back and forth in the suite trying to cool her cheeks. She hadn't thought about dancing at all and was going to refuse Lorenz's request, but Raphael's arrival completely confused her. His behavior was crazy even if there was a plan between them, but the matter was very confusing for her. She barely composed herself and thought with excitement:
'Perhaps he harbors feelings for me. Raphael is not someone who manipulates those close to him .. I am embarrassed, I cannot control my heart ... When the right time comes, I will confess'
She clapped for herself at the idea with excitement, and her face brightened..
"It seems my sister is happy .."
Ariana turned to Elliott, who seemed to have entered without her hearing his voice, and she felt flustered...
"Brother ... I .."
"It seems my sister has fallen into the Emperor's trap .."
Ariana tilted her head in confusion. Elliott sighed, took his sister's hand, sat her in front of him on the sofa, and said pleadingly..
"Sister, they are manipulating your kind heart to achieve their interests .."
"Do you mean that when the Emperor told me he loved me at first sight, it was a trick? Brother, please ..."
Ariana showed a sad face with a tone of plea. Elliott sighed for the thousandth time; he never imagined the Emperor was crazy enough to tell a girl he just met that he loved her. He didn't want to tell her, but he recounted the dialogue that took place between him and the Emperor...
"Does the Emperor suspect that Uncle is a traitor?!"
"The Marquis is a traitor; he is working for the Temple to destroy the current Emperor ... This is information that even my father doesn't know I know. Perhaps the Emperor is trying to exploit you to uncover the Marquis's weakness .."
'He knows because I told him. Raph, you are crazy'
"But I am happy with His Majesty's feelings ... and I feel that I also might share the same feelings"
It was a genuine statement for Ariana, which made her look into her brother's eyes with insistence. Elliott felt helpless; he loves his sister very much, and if she declared her admiration for anyone, he might have kidnapped them for her sake. But the Emperor was a problem; he didn't want to drag his kind sister into a war with no outcome other than his sister's tears and a broken heart...
'If His Majesty is truthful in his desire to make Ariana the Empress, I will not hesitate to pave the way for her even if I pave her road with the heads of traitors to ensure her future. But the problem is, I fear this is just a facade to hunt my father only ...'
"Sister, I will always support you ..."
Ariana hugged Elliott happily and said:
"Brother, you are the best .."
* * *
"Why did you tell Elliott Silas about the matter?!..."
Raphael felt he was being scolded by Evan, but he realized his mistake and said like a child trying to prove his point:
"I felt it was the right move ... Do you doubt his loyalty?!"
He finished his words and looked at Evan skeptically. Evan sighed and said absently:
"Elliott Silas, he is obsessed with protecting his sister. I wouldn't be surprised if he betrayed his father"
Raphael laughed mockingly and said with surprise and disbelief:
"To that extent?!..."
"To that extent ... He is a stubborn man .."
"Not more stubborn than me ... "
"Huh?!..."
'Is it a challenge of who is more stubborn? Isn't His Majesty acting like a teenager ..'
Evan was puzzled why Raphael was trying to prove his stubbornness, but he moved past it because his master was a straightforward person—if he wanted to tell him, he would...
"Alright, we must return to the party ... Ah .. Evan, you will be the one to preside over the marriage of the Emperor and the Empress ..."
"What are you saying now..?!"
Raphael left his lounge and returned to the party, while Evan remained feeling like he was being manipulated...
'Why is he so attached to the daughter of Silas?! Even in the previous life, he kidnapped her child to force the Duke to hand over the Saint, and in the end, he handed the Empire to that child. Everything related to her is strange ... '
"Mr. Evan, are you here?!"
"Mr. Marshall ..."
Marshall had just entered and was surprised by Evan's presence. He smiled kindly and spoke to him:
"Why didn't you join the party?! Even the Head of the Temple is present .."
"It seems I will return home. I feel tired and sleepy as I've had a lot of work lately"
"Everything is fine, take care of yourself .."
* * *
Ariana was standing near Elliott, and many people were surrounding her. After her dance with the Emperor, she became the center of attention. Elliott remained close to his sister to help her and ensure she didn't fall into trouble...
"It seems His Majesty the Emperor has become very attached to Miss Silas .."
"Pardon?!.."
A noble lady pointed to Raphael, who came with Casper and Bryan walking behind him with imperial majesty. Ariana's face flushed; it was a spontaneous reaction but it was perfectly timed. Raphael stepped forward, and before he arrived, people moved toward him, and Ariana was among them. Raphael greeted them with a cheerful smile, and they spoke with him about several matters. Despite all this, Raphael showed his admiration for Ariana indirectly when he directed most of the conversation toward her..
"Miss Silas, why are you standing far away?! Come closer ..."
Ariana's face colored; she was used to Raphael but only within their boundaries—her, Maryan, Bryan, and Casper or Evan. Speaking with him in this crowd was embarrassing...
She hesitated for a moment, but Raphael extended his hand for her to take. When she took his hand, he pulled her elegantly to bring her closer to him. Everyone opened their mouths in surprise; their Emperor was explicit in expressing his admiration. In fact, the girls whispered that he was impulsive in love, romantic, and seemed considerate of his partner. Some were excited, some were surprised, and there were the hateful and the envious...
The whispers reached the ears of Raphael and Ariana, but he was completely enjoying it. As for Elliott, he watched the situation calmly and smiled if necessary...
'For a moment I feel like I'm meeting a man madly in love ... but caution is necessary'
"Miral Pons is happy to meet Your Majesty ...."
Ariana felt a chill. Someone was staring at her intensely. Quietly, the way was cleared for a group of girls who greeted the Emperor and Ariana enthusiastically. Suddenly, the beautiful girl Miral, with golden hair and blue eyes, approached Raphael and Ariana. She almost fell on the Emperor when she accidentally stepped on her dress, but Casper caught her smoothly and looked with a smile that seemed kind but was fierce:
"The young lady should be careful while walking ... for touching the Emperor without permission is a sin punishable by death .."
He whispered the last part in her ear in a cold and terrifying voice like frost. Her body shivered. She retreated quickly and bowed...
"Thank you, sir .."
"I did nothing, Miss Pons .."
His face was very kind, not belonging to someone who had issued a threat full of cruelty. Miral retreated and fled. When Casper returned to his place, Bryan spoke in a whisper:
"How did you realize she wanted to touch His Majesty?!"
"The same way you did. Besides, I've seen many of this kind; they are devious and obsessed with themselves, so I acted accordingly .."
"This suits you perfectly. You know, it seems we are all starting to learn from Her Majesty's style ... you didn't see what she did earlier ..."
Casper laughed and said:
"She is majestic ..."
* * * Raphael has very good senses; the whispers of Bryan and Casper reached his ears, and he felt a sense of euphoria. His decision was correct. He had expressed his feelings to her directly and was enjoying her kind and spontaneous reactions. Then, after he felt there was no point in talking to the nobles gathered around him and felt bored..
"I will steal Miss Silas from you for a bit ... enjoy your time"
He didn't finish his sentence before gently pulling Ariana with him and bidding them farewell. Ariana looked at him as they walked past the crowds and whispered:
"Where are you taking me?!"
"To my favorite place, come with me .."
When they reached the end of the garden, Raphael looked at Casper, Bryan, and Mir, who had followed them as well, and said:
"Were you behind me?!"
The three felt shocked because their master, known for his extraordinary senses, had not felt them. Mir wanted to open his mouth, but Ariana spoke with a kind and resonant laugh:
"You act foolishly sometimes .."
"I was somewhat excited ..."
Raphael scratched his head in embarrassment and looked at her. Bryan and Casper were somewhat used to the matter, but Mir felt confused by his master's spontaneous and very kind behavior with her. When he looked at Casper and Bryan, he found them unperturbed, so he knew it was normal for them to see the Emperor with this kind face..
"I was just following them; we will return, Your Majesty ..."
"Mr. Roalf, it seems you have something urgent .."
Mir felt embarrassed and moved his hands indicating it was nothing. Raphael looked at Mir and said quietly..
"Take it out .."
"Huh..?!"
"You have something to say, so take it out ..."
"It is a personal matter, Your Majesty ..."
Mir's face turned red and he turned away in embarrassment..
"Is little Miss Emily okay?!"
Mir looked at Ariana and her persistent question and felt nervous and thought:
'Is she so close to His Majesty that he tells her the smallest details?!'
"Emily is fine. It's just that she wanted to give His Majesty this"
He shook his head in denial and said while taking out a cute pink envelope and extending it to Raphael. Raphael looked at Mir, felt embarrassed, and looked at Ariana, who smiled encouragingly, making him take the envelope and open it, only to be surprised by a small, kind phrase in shaky handwriting:
[ Happy Birthday, kind Emperor
Signed, Emily Roalf ]
It was a description he had only heard from Ariana. He let Ariana read the message, and she said enthusiastically:
"It seems the little lady has started learning to write; she is very cute ..."
Ariana realized that Casper and Bryan felt curious, so she showed them the kind message with pride. They looked at each other and smiled kindly. Raphael was puzzled, for he felt happy at the words of the sick child and said:
"Tell little Emily that I am happy with her message, and I wait for her to recover and grow up. I think she will become something great ... she is a strong and brave child .."
Mir bowed deeply and said:
"All my lineage will serve Cassian and the Imperial family with all sincerity .."
"I count on you ..."
...... To be continued ......