Emperor's Reckoning

Inside the grand palace was a huge room that could contain hundreds of men. The ceiling was adorned with a painting of 'swallow piercing the blue sky' with the wall as its canvas. The glimmering lights from the chandeliers illuminated the place as the clean clear floor reflected its light. Three windows on the east side of the room were opened to reveal a balcony with the sea as its view.

Two long tables made from an ancient wood was covered by a white royal tablecloth each. They were placed paralleled at each other in the middle of the room, creating a space in the middle for the people. On top of them were gourmets made by the imperial kitchen, only the finest from the country were placed. Despite so, the smell in the room was that of an orchid combined with the breezes that the wind from the sea sent with the butlers and the maids, stood respectively on the sides to provide the necessary service for the guests to come.

The door on the south side was opened as guests coming one by one. Just from the material of their clothing differentiate themselves from the commoners. Many young influential figures could be seen in this place, either they were popular because of their deeds or because of their ancestors.

"Oh, it looks like the party has not started yet," said a youth with his hand behind his back.

"Well, being punctual is not a bad thing brother," said another.

With this, the chain of conversation began. Business, trades, relationships, the youngsters sought an opportunity to gain something out of this chance. They may be from a different banner but in this banquet, everyone smiled at each other.

"Hmm, I heard the four candidates would be present today? I wanted to see the first prince," a girl was sighing as if she lost her love life.

"Ah sister, the banquet has just begun just wait a little bit, they will come," said another girl.

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The sound of hooves hitting a pavilion filled the air as a familiar white carriage drove by. The horses neighed as they stopped at the entrance. With a bow, the butler opened the carriage door as a red heel touched the floor.

Though the sound the heel made was quiet, the young men nearby couldn't help but stretched their necks to look.

The moonlight shone above the carriage as the figure revealed herself.

Wearing a tight red dress adorned with a black fire pattern on the edge plus a split on the left side she walked up the stairs with confident. Her black hair was resting on the right side of her shoulder to her right breast as her bright complexion further beautified it. Her occasionally revealing thigh could rip a virgin's soul as her sharp eyes looked at the entrance unperturbed by the crowd's gaze.

"Is that?" one of the young men recognized the beautiful woman.

"No doubt, that's lady Biane one of the top beauties in Luderia, many want to take her hand and all of them failed," said a friend of his.

"God, even her fragrance is mesmerizing," said the young man.

"It's not over yet, look behind her."

The onlookers noticed that there was another figure coming out from the same carriage.

In contrast to the earlier woman, this time the figure was clad in blue. Wearing a short pleated skirt with a knee-length silhouette of an A-line type dress, her cool demeanor was further enhanced to the next level. The blue phoenix applique and her half-sleeve were the perfect combinations along with the mandarin collar style plus the illusion back. With her black hair bang across her forehead, she let the rest of them rest on both her shoulder.

"Ah, lady Clemora, the sisters of beauties are here!" even though they were nobles, they were still young men.

"Yes, yes, but I heard an amusing rumor of lady Clemora,"

"Ah, that's right, the one where she snuggled up on her driver? I think it's not the current driver though."

"Oh, you have heard of it too?"

Clemora walked past by them, ignoring their chatter. Her calm footsteps proved that she didn't mind about the rumors at all. With a smile, she finally entered the banquet along with her sister.

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The sisters' duo immediately brought the attention in the ballroom. The two of them stood side by side as they radiated something called 'beauty'. Different tastes, different styles, different bearing, equally beautiful. Some women were jealous some women were in awe, but the men were obviously charmed.

Mane of the young men had the idea of approaching them, but they felt lacking. Only the high status might have the chance to talk to even one of the beauties.

*tap*tap

A sound of footsteps approached Clemora and Biane as a figure suddenly offer a glass of wine, "Lady Biane and lady Clemora, how about a drink?"

The young man was wearing a golden robe and looked dignified.

"Hey, isn't that Marques Raynoldus? Son of Duke Armand?" a group was gossiping from afar.

"Yes, that is him, I heard he has been interested in courting both of the sisters for quite some time."

"With his father's power, I don't think Elgome wants to refuse this."

Biane and Clemora looked at the young man before accepting his offer, "Thank you, Marquess Raynoldus."

The young man was all smile, "Just Raynoldus is fine, besides we will be a lot closer in the future haha."

Both of them furrowed their eyebrows as they remembered that their deceased father set an arranged marriage for them.

Biane was about to flare up before Clemora tugged her dress, "I see, are you the one that our father mentions?"

Raynoldus nodded, "I believe so, my father met yours a couple of weeks ago to discuss the arranged marriage, but on the other hand, I heard some bad rumors about lady Clemora."

Clemora made a bewitching smile, "Oh what rumors?"

Raynoldus frowned, "That when you arrive this morning, you snuggled up to your driver's chest? Is this true? Is he your lover?"

The onlookers looked at Clemora as they waited for her verification. Despite so Clemora was calm and keep her smile as she answered,

"Yes."