The Tyrant's Pet

When half of the candidates who remained in the great throne hall took up the space on the left side of the place, Conan continued to brief everyone. Apparently, the candidates would be eliminated throughout this journey since there was only one spot for the empress.

Each candidate was selected based on their birthright, the noble family they came from, their reputation, upbringing, and their achievements; every candidate couldn't be underestimated. They were all women with not just grace and elegance, but with minds capable of leading an empire.

Their performance and the results of their work would be the basis if they were worthy of the crown.

As Aries listened to Conan's explanation, she couldn't help but glance at the ladies around. She didn't know whether to admire these ladies or feel ashamed of herself. To break down Conan's remarks, what they were looking for was someone who could help the emperor in maintaining the peace and prosperity of the Haimirich Empire.

Never did Conan indirectly or directly say they should love the emperor or capture his heart. Not that she wanted someone to fight for Abel's affection, but the remaining candidates seemed to have no intention of claiming the emperor's heart — most of them, perhaps.

"That being said, you will receive a district that will be under your care temporarily in the following days…" Conan continued while Aries shifted her attention to the man sitting on the throne.

Abel was still sitting in a lazy posture with his jaw propped against his knuckles, ankle on top of his leg, eyes on her. From this distance, he looked like he was simply zoning out and not staring at a particular candidate, but Aries knew he hadn't taken his eyes off of her.

'I wonder what is he planning now?' she wondered, lowering her eyes.

"You are scheduled to join the emperor for luncheon. The servants will escort you to the Hyacinth Palace to rest," Conan instructed. "You will stay in the Hyacinth Palace throughout your stay on the imperial palace grounds…"

"Something wrong?" Conan trailed off when Abel's lazy voice came through. He looked back at the emperor, only to see the latter staring in a direction.

The candidates slowly followed where Abel was staring and landed in the first row on the left. Alas, they were unsure who was the recipient of that question.  Aries and the rest, who were standing in the first row, looked at each other in puzzlement. After several seconds, all of them looked back in the emperor's direction.

"Your Majesty, who are you asking to?" Conan asked nervously, watching Abel point a finger in Aries's direction.

"Her." Aries's breath hitched, only to heave a sigh of relief when Abel added, "the one on the back. She looked like she's about to pass out."

"Ahh…" Conan stretched his neck up, catching a woman behind Aries, who was sweating profusely with a pale complexion.

"Summon a physician and get her checked. You had only arrived in the imperial palace and I understand you were exhausted from a long journey." Abel peeled his foot from his leg and straightened his back. His expression was solemn, and from everyone's perspective, he was untouchable, distant, and intimidating. "Escort them all to their lodging. Move the luncheon from the inner palace to the Hyacinth Palace."

As soon as the last syllable slipped out of Abel's lips, he planted his hands on the throne's armrest and pushed himself up. Without a word, he turned on his heel and sauntered off wordlessly.

Conan let out a deep exhale and faced the candidates. 'I guess he already had the daily dose of his wife.'

"You heard the emperor and his consideration," Conan spoke louder, his voice echoing. "Take care of your health. The empire needs a strong and healthy empress."

He didn't ramble on and on as he ordered the knights to escort the candidates to the Hyacinth Palace, where they would dwell throughout their stay. No one cared about the lady who passed out on their way to the Hyacinth Palace. Aries didn't bother since there were knights with them who took the poor lady to the infirmary.

The candidates were led to the spacious sitting room to rest. They were split into four groups — five ladies each — so it wouldn't be too crowded.

In the sitting room Aries was in, she sat around the oak table with three other noble ladies. Since one of the ladies passed out, there were only four of them in the room.

Aries sipped her tea silently, glancing at the ladies around her. They had been in here for five minutes now, but none of them ever spoke a word.

'I feel like I'm in a harem,' she thought, placing the teacup back on the saucer. 'Well… I never plan to befriend everyone. I am here for another reason.'

"I didn't have the courage to speak with you earlier, but I had heard a lot about you, Lady Vandran."

Suddenly, the lady sitting right beside Aries broke the prolonged silence in the room. Aries turned to her left, her eyes landing on the lady's beautiful smile. The latter had curly ginger hair, freckles all over her face, a small nose, thick eyelashes, and deep brown eyes. She looked like a sweetheart, bubbly and easy to get along with.

"Allow me to introduce myself." The lady giggled, seeing the puzzlement in Aries's eyes. "I am Suzanne Calarook, the 16th daughter of the King of Topia."

Aries stared at Suzzanne's bright grin. "It was a pleasure to be your acquaintance, Your Highness."

"The 16th daughter of the king of Topia…" a lady from across from them snorted. "... I heard a lot about you too, Your Highness."

Aries and Suzanne looked at the lady across from them. There, a lady with long jet-black hair looked at Suzanne with apparent ridicule in her eyes. Her eyes were thin and sharp. She had a small and almost pore-less face.

"How rude of me to jump into your conversation without an introduction. The name is Veronika Barkridge, fourth daughter of the Chivisea Dynasty and also the overseer of Phicia District under the orders of the crown prince," Veronika introduced herself proudly, keeping her eyes directly at Suzanne. "It's nice to meet you, Your Highness."

She then shifted her eyes to Aries, smiling amicably at her. "It's an honor to sit at the same table as you, my lady."

"I'm… I'm… Sybil Denholm from the small land, Nuirus." Aries, Suzanne, and Veronika turned on the other lady around the table, only to see Sybil smile awkwardly at them. Her voice was meek and shy. "I thought we're doing introductions… I'm pleased to meet everyone."

"..."

Aries opened and closed her mouth, casting the three princesses a quick look. From her perspective, each of them was unique, but there's only one common in all of them. They were all princesses from small kingdoms.