Emperor's Reckoning



Cecile smiled warmly at Esmeralda and said, "Ah, Esmeralda, it's an honor to finally meet you. I've heard whispers among the masses about your exceptional skills with poisons. They say you're unmatched in the art of venom. Quite an intriguing reputation you have!"

Esmeralda chuckled playfully, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh, those rumors tend to spread like wildfire, don't they? But I can't deny my affinity for poisons. They're just so fascinating and versatile. You know, a well-crafted poison can be an artist's masterpiece.

Cecile nodded, intrigued. "Indeed, the intricacy and precision required to create potent poisons are nothing short of an art form. I must admit, I'm quite curious about the secrets of your craft."

Esmeralda's smile widened, appreciating the genuine interest. "Perhaps someday, I'll reveal a few of my tricks to you. Poison-making, after all, is not something to be taken lightly."

Esmeralda revealed a playful smile as she mentioned how Cecile's husband had a strong resistance to poison. "You know, Cecile," she began, "I've to admit that the poison I gave to your husband was by no means a weak one despite being freshly brewed, yet, only the hallucinogen traits that affect him. His breathing, his movements, they hardly put a finger on him, quite fascinating really."

Cecile chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with pride. "Yes, he's always been quite resilient to such things."

"He's been through worse," said Selena before her eyes gleamed with the essence of coldness. She leaned and passed her before speaking softly, "Esmeralda, I hope you understand that Lyon is not just my husband, but the center of my world. If anything were to happen to him, I would unleash the wrath of a thousand storms upon anyone responsible, even if it means obliterating your entire clan."

Esmeralda had her eyes wide open. For a slick second, her snakes got petrified from the words seeping out between Selena's lips. The silent killing intent tightly grasped her entire muscles before she heard Selena's steps trailing off.

Cecile smiled wryly, "I apologize on her behalf, She can be a bit overbearing at times but her intention is always true."

Esmeralda returned to herself before smiling back at Cecile, "Oh, that's alright, I just wonder what did Lyon do to have such a devoted wife."

Cecile shrugged, "Though, please take it to heart."

"Huh?"

Cecile's eyes sharpened, "I have the means and resources to ensure Lyon's safety, as well as destroy those who hurt him."

Under Esmeralda's shocked face, Cecile drank from a glass of wine before her ears twitched sensing an irritated glance. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the wine.

"Ah Seer Lily, Esmeralda, and... what's your name again?" said Ning as she approached the three of them.

Esmeralda quickly caught the deliberate tone that Ning gave. She smiled, "Ning."

"Good evening, Miss Ning," said Seer Lily as she bowed her head in respect.

Ning nodded at Lily, "I'm sure you have many interesting visions and insights, Seer Lily."

"In that, I harbor not much doubt," said Cecile as she returned her glass to Assid and gestured him to move away.

"And who are you, speaking such a high tone against the seer?" asked Ning.

Cecile raised an eyebrow, catching onto Ning's little game. She decided to play along, pretending not to recognize Ning either. "I'm Cecile," she replied, feigning innocence.

"Oh, Cecile!" Ning said with mock surprise. "Nice to meet you. I'm Ning. You know, the young mistress of Red Lotus?"

Cecile couldn't help but smile, finding amusement in Ning's attempt to playfully irritate her. "Oh, of course, how could I forget?" she replied with a teasing tone. "You're the young mistress with a knack for getting on people's nerves, right?"

"Woah..." Esmeralda had to take a step back. She never thought that Cecile would say something like that in public. 

"Oh my..." Lily was not expecting such development.

As the words left Cecile's lips, a playful glint in her eyes, Ning's expression shifted from irritation to surprise. She was not accustomed to being challenged or talked back to in such a light-hearted manner. In her role as a young mistress, she was used to being respected and obeyed by her peers, and seeing Cecile respond with confidence caught her off guard.

"What did you just say?" asked Ning.

The onlookers were looking over to see what the fuss was about before they noticed who were the actresses playing. One was a famous young mistress of Red Lotus but the other was a figure they only saw once, and rumor spiraled that she was actually Lyon's wife.

"You've heard me, little one," said Cecile as she smirked down at her.

Azleid who was watching from afar, frowned. He glanced around, scanning the area before finding Mavis talking nonstop with Yuri. He decided to come up to him.

"I'm telling you—"

"Mavis, I think you should check this out," said Azleid.

"Huh?" Mavis turned around before noticing that the guests were all looking at one spot. "What's going on?"

Yuri sighed and gave silent thanks to the heavens for having Mavis stop talking. 

Mavis frowned before he stepped away to get a view of what was going on. "Oh no..."

"Yeah," Azleid nodded. "It seems like that accident in Alchemy Union left a bitter mark."

"What is it now?" asked Yuri before he caught a glance of Cecile and Ning having a standoff.

Suddenly Lyra stepped in, "Let's all calm down for a se—"

"This is none of your concern," said Ning without averting her gaze away from Cecile. "Do you realize who you are speaking to?"

Ning's Red Lotus aura flared to life, the atmosphere around them tensed, and the surrounding air seemed to crackle with energy. The onlookers felt a surge of power emanating from both young women, and they held their breath, anticipating what would come next.

Cecile met Ning's gaze with a calm and unwavering expression. "Do you?" Her eyes sharpened, and the faint shimmer of a sword tattoo on her nape hinted at her formidable strength. The aura of a war goddess surrounded her, exuding power.

Ning's Red Lotus aura flared up, a display of her own prowess. "I am Ning of Red Lotus, and you should show some respect!" she retorted, trying to assert her dominance.

But Cecile didn't back down. "Respect is earned, not demanded," she replied evenly. Her voice remained firm, unaffected by Ning's attempt at intimidation. "And if you want to play this game, you should know that I am Cecile, wife of Lyon, and I won't back down from anyone."

As the tension escalated between Ning and Cecile, Old Gu, the principal of Nirvana School, found himself in a difficult position. He had always prided himself on maintaining a sense of order and decorum during school events, but the clash between the two powerful young women was beyond his ability to control.

As the seer, Lily, stood nearby, she observed the unfolding events with a calm and collected demeanor. Her piercing amethyst eyes seemed to hold a depth of understanding as if she could see through the layers of tension and emotions.

"Crap, if we don't stop them now, then he will—!?" Mavis's glance caught the young man that he feared would join the conflict. He saw Lyon walking confidently to the center of the ruckus. "Fuck... Yuri, I think we're going to nee—"

Azleid and Mavis looked over to see Yuri was going to the center of the ruckus as well.

"What...?" Azleid frowned. "What is he thinking?"

"I have no idea, but I know him, he should be able to de-escalate the situation," said Mavis giving a sigh of relief.

"I think that you should show respect to Miss Ning," said Yuri. "Please apologize to her, as a show of respect toward Red Lotus and the other five clans, including my own."

Ning and Esmeralda were surprised to see that Yuri sided with her. Then again, they were from the Sixth Heaven, and there was that sense of camaraderie.

Mavis's face was petrified as he heard the words coming out from his dear friend, Yuri. He put his hands on his face as he sighed.

"Apologize, you say?"

Karina and Kyoko already shook her head by the side. They somehow knew the banquet would involve his being.

The crowd immediately opened the way for the familiar voice. His presence alone seemed to command attention, and an air of authority surrounded him. With a calm demeanor, he glanced at Yuri, his eyes carrying a mixture of arrogance and confidence.

Cecile smirked before she turned around and saw her husband standing by her side. His arms crossed as he looked down on Yuri.

Yuri and Lyon exchanged sharp glances and the former failed to notice that Selena already joined Lyon.

Esmeralda playfully stood beside Yuri, "Now that's an even number."

The room was filled with a palpable energy. The air seemed to crackle with anticipation, and even the soft murmurs of conversation fell to a hushed silence as the heated moment approached.