As I walked towards the pavillion I was breathtaken by its beauty. It looked like a pavillion from the Victorian Era. And the flowers surrounding it.. Seriously this setting is awesome. I really thank the author for this.. This world is extremely beautiful.

As I entered the pavillion I noticed a handsome man with sharp features Golden hair and eyes.. Damn he's hot.

He was sitting there immersed in his thoughts but smiled when he saw me.

To think Salvarina didn't pay any attention to the emperor and only thought about the trash prince. Look at his Majesty's face! I can't even find a wrinkle even though he's in his 40s.

I did a curtsy to his Majesty... Emperor Reynold Remere Rultaz. Even though he's a good monarch he couldn't successfully control the nobles faction. The reason is his idiotic son. Seriously that trash prince should've managed the aristocratic faction but due to his idiocracy the nobles faction has currently split into two one which sides with the imperial family and the other which opposes it. Of course there are some who stay neutral as well.

"Take a seat, lady Salvair" He spoke while having a mysterious grin plastered on his face.

"Thank you, your majesty" I sat down and glanced sideways... There wasn't a single person there except us, not even guards..

"As you can see it's just the two of us here So, you can put your guard down" He spoke while pouring tea for me.

"Ah yes, your majesty"

"You used to call me uncle when it's just the two of us"

Wait did she??... I don't have any memories regarding that.. What should I do?

"....." I didn't say anything and kept looking at the tea in my cup.

"I can see that you're quite distressed" He spoke further.

"I'm alright your majesty. Thank you for your concern" I spoke while smiling.

Unlike prince Alexander this guy's quite cunning.. The reason he called me here is probably because he's scheming something.

He then stared at me and then looked.. He began to speak but was hesitating for some reason.. Finally he spoke up..

"I apologize for what my son did..." He said while looking down..

I was flabbergasted at that.. The emperor is apologising for his son?

"You needn't to your majesty. Besides I have already let go of the past" I smiled.

The person who should be apologising is your son and not you! I was screaming internally.

"That kid.. I don't know what goes around his head nowadays..Ever since he met that baron' s daughter he's been neglecting his duties.. It's true that he's been like that since the beginning but now it seems to have gone too far" His majesty said.

Ah.. The disappointment of a parent.. I thought to myself while slowly sipping the hot tea.

"I don't know what to do with him.. Rebuking him isn't going to work either..." He sighed and continued to speak again.

"Salvarina, when you were still engaged to him it brought me great relief to know that the future of my son and this empire is in good hands but now... I don't know how to feel about his lover.. That girl is not at all suitable to be the mother of the empire "

Did he call me here just to complain?... Let's just bear with it.

" So I was thinking what if you become the empress and she can be the queen "He said while looking up at me with beaming eyes.

This sly old man.

" No thank you, your majesty. Though I appreciate your gesture "He looked surprised when I said that.

" What makes you decline like that? "He asked.

"From what I've learned.. Great power comes with great responsibility and great responsibility can turn into shackles.. Although being an empress is quite an honour but the pressure is tremendous.. Palace politics and assassinations, keeping the nobles in check, not showing your emotions, keeping your heart closed, marriage without love.. There are plenty of sacrifices to be made but now for me... the sacrifice isn't worth it especially since I've fallen out of love for his highness, the crown prince " l came to a halt.

Did I make a mistake?... I feel like I just insulted his power but all I said was the truth..Well, he asked me first so...

Am I gonna get punished for disrespecting the monarch?

I slowly glanced at his majesty but to my surprise he was smiling!

He smiled, the same smile I saw in my papa's face as well the Duke's.

" You've grown up just like your mother" He said while smiling.

Wait.. He knows my mother?.. I mean Salvarina's mother?!

"It seems so" l laughed it off.

" Fine then.. What do you think about the baron girl? " He asked.

" She seems quite naive but she can be a good empress by working hard" She's the heroine after all!

"You're right, Salvarina. Although I have assigned brilliant tutors for her.. Her naive nature is something that we should get rid of since it's going to bring her trouble. One cannot be naive while entering politics."

"True" I totally agree with him.

"Salvarina, can you promise me something?"

Alright.. What is this guy up to now?

"What is it, your majesty?" I asked curiously.

"The empire... Can I entrust the empire's as well as my son's future to you?"

What the hell?... Shouldn't it be entrusted to your daughter-in-law?!

"I will try my best to serve the empire as the future duchess Salvair"

"It seems that you have decided to inherit your father's position"

"yes, your majesty" I answered proudly.

"I'm sorry if I'm burdening you with my request.. It's just that I'm worried about the future"

"Are we talking about the 'Slavery'?"

I spoke directly hitting the nail. It's just that I don't want to drag this on any further.

"Yes.. But it just doesn't seem to end there, Salvarina"

"What do you mean, your majesty?"

"I am unsure myself.. But there seems to be something going on with Marquis Leiber"

Marquis Leiber, the head of the opposing faction. A cunning old man. He's also said to commit drudgery and nonstop abuse towards his servants. He also has plenty of casinos in the capital. It's clear that he aims for more power and he's been doing what he can to bring down the imperial family for years. In short he is a power-hungry fox.

"Does he have anything to do with slavery?"

"That is what I'm looking for..But from the recent reports it seems that he's upto something.. His movements have increased and he's been frequently visiting Viscount Truffaut.."

Viscount Truffaut, a man who doesn't stick to his words and keeps jumping from one faction to another like a monkey. That's right.. In front of his Majesty he seems to have unyielding loyalty to the throne but in front of other nobles he seems to be bickering about the monarch.. In short he's a coward, a flip-flopper and a turncoat.

" What's your opinion regarding this?"

Huh? Why is he asking me this?

"In my opinion, it is best to continue monitoring them rather than taking any rash actions."

"I am thinking the same"

"But your majesty, Why are you asking me this?"

"I needed an insight from someone since the crown prince is doing nothing but fooling around"

"So, prince Alexander doesn't know anything about it?"

"That's right.." He said while smiling brightly.

It's quite obvious as to how annoyed he is with his son's behavior.

We continued talking about the infrastructure and the economy of our empire. We also talked about some politics and just like that time flew...

"Salvarina, I'm thinking about hosting a banquet maybe next month to announce the engagement of my son and lady Melody" His majesty spoke while placing the cup down.

"That's indeed a wise decision, your majesty"

"I hope she'll be presentable until then"

"Surely we can only hope so since this matter cannot be dragged on any further"

"You're right and also do make sure to come"

"Of course.. Then, I'll take my leave, your majesty" I said with a curtsy.

"Very well. I had a great time chatting with you, Lady Salvair" He spoke.

Wow he switched back to his monarch mode real quick.

"Likewise, your majesty" I smiled at him.

♦️