5 The Council

"Your Lordship, the Lord Ezekiel has sent his apologies for his absences on today's council meeting..." A young lad wearing an outfit to those of Shakespearean times reported to a man sitting on an engrande chair with scrolls of documents at hand. His hair was white as fresh snow swept to the back, he's about in his mid 30s or so but burning passion could clearly be seen at his striking purple eyes.

"I wonder what had happened to Ezekiel... Have you notified my daughter? Will she be attending?" he said shiftinghis eyes from the document to the young lad.

"I will send one of the Council Guards to go to Sangria to get her," he said.

"That's not necessary," an angelic voice was heard.

"Elliana. I was so sure it will take a whole battalion to separate you from the Hall of Sangria..." the man said as he saw his beloved daughter. The resemblence was quite apparent between them, both have hair of snow and eyes like high grade Amethyst.

"The Marquise and Dukes are already here, what right does a mere Countess refuse to attend," Elliana answered.

Soon the father and daughter went to the Council Room as one staff announce their presence, the nobles present stood up in respect.

"The Grand Duke Alphonse, Lord of Clair."

With a grand entrance like that, the Grand duke acted humbly. One last clearing of his throat he began.

"Gentlemen, and ladies. As you all know, the Crown Prince would soon reach 21 and would be choosing his bride..." but before he could utter more words, whispers engulf the entire room. Pointing out that one of the High Lords were absent at such event. Even they were able to make time for this despite their busy schedule.

"Lords please. I know we are all occupied with are Duchies and Provinces and I hope that you understand that our priorities are sometimes tested such is for Lord Amber. This only an initial event before our discussion with the Royal house so please forgive him," he said silencing the wave of unease with the other noblemen.

"On his highness birthday, would be the start of the Tribunal. Today we will discuss all of your suggestions for challenges and test for this generation's trial for the Crown."

"How can we ensure the fairness of this generation's Tribunal. If the current Queen, Queen Adelaide herself is from your house, you her brother is Grand Duke. Isn't this only increasing the chances for your own daughter?" one of the Lords spoke out.

The Grand duke was about to rebut but a glance at his daughter was enough cue for him to let her show her worth.

"Truly appreciated your insight, Lord Agneya. But I must politely point out flaws in your conclusion, first isn't me elected as the youngest countess through my help in improving the security of the whole of Terascene be enough to show that I do not need push to have the crown. Second, you just insulted the Queen, for you to say that she would do such underhanded means for me. With your words you just challenge the House of Platina, the most Noble." she calmly pointed out. Her aura impossing, displaying power and incomparable charisma.

"Young Lady, what makes you think you would be handed the crown so easily? There are a number of prestigious ladies in the whole of Terascene. The Mistress of DianMu, Lady Leishen for example, the Lady Stanna, the Baroness Zafkiel, the Lady Vanadis. We could enumerate promising ladies all day."

"Exactly. There are a lot of heiress of the Noble and High Houses who could possibly take the crown. The exact purpose of this day is to ensure that the Tribunal's Trials are enough to let the real gem be found. We are the Council of Terascen it is our job to have crowned rightful Queen." Her words were fair and strategic that she was able to place the whole plot back to the reason why they are all gathered there.

After all the drama, the Council members agreed to the posed suggestions and to finalize everything a weel from now hopefully with all the members present before they submit the programme to Specter. All the noblemen and women began to take their leave. The carriage to Sangria is already waiting outside the Council Fortress. With the Father and Daughter safely inside, the convoy of guards began to head back to the Province of Clair.

"If I remember correctly, you said 'I will not marry my own cousin's what's with this sudden defense?" Alphonse told his daughter.

"I still think I should not. I just said what I did back there to fizzle out the issue."

"Zhurong's temperament is really something even by Agneya's standards."

"We can't have the Council in chaos not with the brewing war in the West." Elliana nodded.

"How was the West by the way? Is this the reason why Lord Ezekiel was absent?" Alphonse asked in concern for his long time friend.

"If war truly had broken out, we would hear it from the Royal Family. Besides I've checked, the moment I've heard. He seems to be terribly ill, Lady Stella was by his side and Lady Sophiel was the one managing the Duchy's affairs..."

"What could have happened?"

"Father. I've looked the whole of the Silver City through my ability but I still haven't seen the Lady Zafkiel and Young Lord Ethan. If something serious happened to the Duke, shouldn't the first daughter be the one managing the affairs?"

Zafkiel has been one of Elliana's childhood friends. She's well aware of the former's capability both as a titan and as an heiress to a Noble House. If anything, seeingthat the second daughter actingas proxy to their father seem so strange. Of course, Alphonse is aware of the reason of the absence of the first daughter but he couldn't share this information with his own daughter. This was highly confidential information.

What they should focus on now is the Tribunal. Even though Elliana has no interest in being Queen, what's best for Terascen is still the priority and the objective of the Tribunal is to select the créme de la créme to be wed to Caleb, the Crown Prince of the

Kingdom of Terascene. To rule beside the Phoenix heir in equal right and power.