Age of Heroes

The ladies all crowded near the empress and ask her to teach them to play while the men praised and admire the Empress talent.

The Empress is an open person and of outgoing personality entertained the noble ladies and treats them courteously even while refusing.

Even though Arial himself was very much entranced by the song, he stood near the empress with silent indignation, to the exclusion of every conversation near him, his eyes staring at Rhyssa like a hawk as he begins feeling curious …. of her.

'What a charming lady the Empress is!' Charles said to the Emperor. 

In the palace, as the emperor vassal he would not dare to even say anything but this is an open occasion and while titles are not forgotten in such settings, it is permissible to speak even with those of higher station than oneself.

'Do you not want to dance with your fiancé, Your Grace?'

'I am not adept in it. You saw me dance at the last ball. I was terrible, Charles.'

'Yes, indeed. And while it is not pleasant it was not at all terrible. There might still lie a dancer in you Your Grace.'

'You jest with me.' 

All the while Arial eyes does not leave Rhyssa. 

He watches as Rhyssa promises the nobles girl to teach them playing, most of whom she rejected in the beginning who have begged the Empress again, and then seeing Rhyssa moving towards them, Lord Charles wanted to help the two betrothed, is struck with an idea of doing a very gallant thing and called out to her.

Arial on the other hand is very startled by this sudden act of Lord Charles and unprepared in mind and heart.

'Your Grace Rhyssa, why are you not dancing? Your Grace Arial, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance; I am sure when so much beauty is before you.' Said Charles smiling with meaning

And, Charles taking the empress hand, he given it to Arial who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it. 

It must have been known that there is some sense of familiarity between Lord Charles and Empress Rhyssa because of their relatives. 

Lord Charles is a minor lord in Machin, one of the hundreds of cities in the Empire of Eden but Charles mother side is related to House Aragorn, Rhyssa mother and them can be said to be related by blood. 

But Lord Charles father is a Caelum so when they married, they moved to Dukedom of Alan and serve under one of the High Lords. 

Then during the War of Succession, his family serves King Adrian during his rise, and then served Lord Arial during his meteoric rise and eventual ascension to Emperor. 

Though they are not one of the great families of the realm, they have survived the turbulent years, the wars and the instability which could not be said the same for all the mighty houses like House of Orleans, House of Roth of Zettel and countless of other great houses in Vangua and Arrandy who have been exterminated or weaken to the point of having no standing in the realms.

It is for that reason Charles dare take the Empress hand.

But Charles was greeted by shock in the Empress part, when she instantly drew back, and said with some discomposure to Lord Charles.

'Indeed, my lords, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.' 

Her voice was cold and her displeasure is obvious by her tone.

'Allow me a dance, my lady' Arial said with grave propriety, requested to be allowed the honour of her hand, but in vain. 

Rhyssa is determined; nor did Lord Charles at all shake her purpose by his attempt at persuasion.

"Forgive me your Grace but Lord Arial stares at you most intently'

'Out of spite, maybe' Rhyssa said as she glares at Arial.

'How could Lord Arial see you in such way? He must be watching out for Your Grace because you are his betrothed.'

To other people, they do not know the silent war between Rhyssa and Arial.

'You excel so much in the dance, my lady, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you dancing; and though Lord Arial dislikes the amusement in general, he can have no objection, I am sure.'

'Lord Arial is all politeness, of course' said Rhyssa smiling sarcastically.

'He is, indeed; but, considering the inducement, my lady, we cannot wonder at his complaisance--for who would object to such a partner?'

'Then it would not be a problem for him to dance with another lady would it?' and Charles is stumped while Arial expression turned hard.

'Fine, so be it' Arial said.

'Good' Rhyssa said her eyes glaring.

'Great' Arial reply defiantly.

Rhyssa looked archly, and turned away. Then Kyle clearly just finished talking with Isabelle come to Arial.

'The Empress is talented in playing instruments. Isabelle cried listening to the lyrics.'

Arial just nodded. Arial just look at the fading image of Rhyssa.

'What are you thinking?'

'I have…. been thinking on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.'

But then he added

'And how such eyes in the face of a scorned woman look very much terrifying'

Kyle immediately fixed his eyes on Arial face, and desired he would tell him what lady had the credit of inspiring such reflections. 

'Who is it?'

Arial replied with great intrepidity

'Rhyssa Renasi'

'The Empress!' and Kyle is clearly overjoyed.

'I am astonished, how long have you been feeling this way and pray…when am I to wish you joy?' Arial snorted in indignance

'You are like my mother. Already jumping to marriage. I was only admiring her…. of her beauty and her temper.'

All the while his heart is unconsciously beating, his eyes cannot leave her, and he could not help but missing her already.

He does not yet realize it…. but he was in love.

Stars above is shining brightly and if there is a certain Elvenan that could read the stars, she would rejoice because the Star of the Conqueror is shining very brightly

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ACRO, ARRANDY

EDENIAN EMPIRE

The day was busy in the city like always. Traders and merchants can be seen in their caravans while peddler can be seen selling on the side of the roads.

A man is seen drinking wine in one of the establishment in the city. Across him there is a man covering his face with some black cloth.

'Does such disguise necessary, friend?' The man that is drinking said. Sometimes his eyes would dart off to his knapsack. 

There is nothing valuable in the sack, only books. To a thief it doesn't count for much but for Mikael it is the most precious things. 

It takes great effort on his part to get this book fro, the upper echelons of the Dark God Church in Arakath, so hard that he need to ask help from King Azrael.

The Thirteen Tribes of the Living Isle, The Story of the Apostles, the Laila Book and many others, anything that can help Arial in his quest for his own truth.

'The Inquisition still hunts me, you know this.' The man in the black cloth answered, his eyes darting of left and right.

'They have no power in the Empire dominion.' The man sipping the wine reply

'It pays to be careful, Mikael. They have their secret ways, as we have ours. The Church has stand for a long time. And now with me declaring war to the Round Table, my enemies multiplied. I hope I could convince the Chosen One to choose our side.'

'Hmm' Mikael said as he exhales his breath.

'Will he?' Mikael said

'He must.' The man in disguise reply

'Must? Emperors don't like responding to the word must.' The black clothed man replies nothing. 

'I just hope we are not too late.' The man in disguise then said. 

Mikael nodded in agreement.

'It is a stroke of good fortune that he called me himself. Though I don't know why, since we must meet him, this could be called fate'

'This is what we called destiny, it is something that could not be denied'

Saying this he takes another sip and look at the busy street of Acro. And anxiety grew in Mikael heart.

'Arial, my friend, your destiny is greater than you think' he mused as he smiles bitterly.

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