chapter 54 : Arguement

' During the way home from the palace after meeting the emperor, the Soleil carriage had a broken rode, hence they used the carriage of duke Konrad with the young daughter of Konrad, lady Sylvia. Unfortunately, there was an attack aimed at her on that night . '

' The accident occurred when the horse carriage, speeding up at a dangerous pace to try to keep the assassin away, overturned. '

' The grand duke Soleil couple were said to died while embrace the young lady as if they were trying to protect her from the accident. '

' The grand duke couple carried out their duties as the imperial most noblest family until the end, to save a lady from an enemy families life, what a kind heart..'

' Lady Sylvia currently were staying in Konrad mansion to get a treatment. Fortunately, she's just got some wounds on her arm from that accident. '

' Isn't this accident make their family name will rise more in status? they will get a great position in the near future and the Konrad household may come to their side at this rate. '

' But, doesn't that make the grand duke family become a little dangerous? The emperor might get more caution with their next actions. '

' Well, even though, the duke couple past away at the same time, their first son can't become the next grand duke because of his current title as the captain of paladin. So it may become an empty title only. '

' But the young lady can be more dangerous than Lord Cassius though. I heard she was a president in the Evelyn academy for four years already. She's already suitable to be the next grand duchess with her knowledgeable and influence in this empire as a child of prophecy even she's still young. '

Crystelle in her black dress stood up in front of the temple entrance door in daze. She doesn't have encouragement to step in forward more than she currently does. As her ear heard all the murmur from every mouth in the temple talk about their family fortune in a pity, she doesn't shed any single tear even though she's feel so sad.

' Hey, doesn't her fiancee was missing too? I heard it had been 1 year already. ' whisper them suddenly.

Crystelle flinch at turn at them in shock. ' How did they..! '

' What? you mean the first prince is currently missing? such a misfortune for her at that young age.. her parents were gone in one night but her fiance was already missing for a year! so unfortunate..'

Crystelle tremble in anger. ' Those bastard people..!! '

' Elly. ' call Cassius suddenly from behind her.

Crystelle flinch and quickly turn at him. ' Yes? '

' You can go and take a look at Cryst now, I will take care the matter from here. ' said Cassius with a forces smile while pat Crystelle head to ask her to rest.

Crystelle sigh and nod. She slowly walk toward Crystopher that was sitting alone on the bench in the temple while cover his face with a trembling hand.

' Cryst.. '

Crystopher doesn't even raise his face to look at Crystelle. ' What is it? ' cold him.

Crystelle take a seat beside him and gently pat his back. ' Princess Larissa scared if she might bothered you if she appear before you when you're in this stead, so she some to me and ask me to take care for you in her stead. '

Crystopher still bend his head not interested. ' Mm. '

Crystelle force a smile and look at the the god statue in the center of temple.

' I'm sorry... Cryst... I couldn't save our parent..' mumble Crystelle while her hand tremble in fear.

Finally Crystopher look at her in a big frown, can see his eyes redden because he had cried to much. ' What do you mean? '

Crystelle glance at him. She's starting to get teary.

' I've got a dream yesterday, it's about mother when the accident were occurre, but I couldn't understand what she's trying to say to me. She say she love me while looking so anxious.. her face look so scared and her eyes full with tear. if I were to know.. if I could understand what mother wanted to say.. I-I could save them.. but I.. ' tremble Crystelle in tear.

' He-hey, sister! look at me! '

' If.. if I were to know how to use my po-power.. we might can save them, Cryst! if I know.. '

' Sister! ' shout Crystopher in worried.

Crystopher quickly pull her face to look at his. His face was full with worries when his view came into Crystelle rubies eyes.

' This is not your fault, Elle. Don't blame yourself like this. it's not your fault that you doesn't understand what that dream mean. '

Crystelle sniff and place her face on Crystopher chest. Crystopher suit get wet by her tears.

' Father.. mother.. they didn't died yet, right? I couldn't met them for one month and how could they dared to leave me like this.. Cryst, please..'

' Uhuk...ple-please ask mother and father to come and embrace me like they always does whenever I get back home.. please..' tremble Crystelle in sorrows.

Crystopher frown in sadness and tight his embrace more to comfort Crystelle. ' Sister.. '

'.. Elle.., Cryst.. duke Konrad want to get back now.. let's go and send them out. ' ask Cassius before them.

Crystopher look at Crystelle and stroke her head. ' Elle.. let's go.. '

Crystelle nod and get up from her seat in lifeless. Her rubies eyes look seem doesn't have any soul in it anymore.

Crystelle hand get drag by Crystopher to head toward the entrance with their brother.

' Duke Konrad.. ' call Cassius.

Duke Acheris Konrad and his wife, duchess Roella Konrad look at them in a soft smile. Duchess Roella pat Crystelle arm gently.

' Our Konrad family will owe your family forever because of this accident, no matter what cost we'd give you, it would never repay your parents kindness to save our youngest daughter's life. We promise to help you no matter what is it. it's going to be tough for a while. but you must to remain strong for your family, Cassius. ' smile Duke Acheris toward Cassius, they shake their hand for a while.

' If you need any help, just let us know. Our children are also worried about you children. so, please contact us whenever you have time, come and bring them along to visit our mansion too, Cassius. ' said duchess Roella gently.

' Lady Crystelle, I hope you can depend on us more from now on. Just ask me if you have any question about some political matter. ' bow Duke Acheris and his wife toward Crystelle.

Crystelle bow back at them and hold Crystopher hand again. ' Thank you for your concern, duke Konrad. Please take care of me... '

Cassius frown as he look at Crystelle.

Duke and duchess of Konrad leave them alone to rest.

****

Crystelle take a look at Cassius that was sitting on the bench in exhausted. He seem to lost on his thoughts. She slowly take a seat beside him in silence. ' Brother.. '

Cassius look at her and slowly pat her head gently. ' Where Cryst? '

' Cryst take a walk at the outside of temple. he must to get some fresh air, I told him to do so. '

Cassius nod understand and lean on the bench in sorrow. Crystelle does the same as his actions.

' Brother Cass.. ' call Crystelle in a low voice.

Cassius glance at her. ' Mm? '

' Does I will be the next grand duchess starting now..? ' hesitate Crystelle in tremble.

Cassius hold her hand and caress for it. ' you don't have to take the responsibility in this young age.. I will take care for it from now on, you just need to graduate and follow your own dream, Elly.. '

Crystelle shed a tear and shake her head in disapprove. ' But.. you couldn't be the grand duke, brother.. you will be overwork and get exhausted.. just let me take the responsibility, brother.. I'm already 17 years old.. I'm an adult and I can manage it myself.. '

Cassius smile in pain and pat her head.

' You will take the role once you're ready, Elly. Until then, I will be the one to become the head of our family. ' firm Cassius.

Crystelle teary. ' I'm sorry.. I can't be any help for you, brother.. I'm sorry because I'm being a burden for you.. '

Cassius smile and pull her into his embrace. ' You're not, Elly.... I will do everything just to protect you and Cryst, so just sit still and keep watch on Cryst for me in my absence, Elly.. '

Cassius look at Crystelle and caress for her face gently.

' Tomorrow, I need to meet the emperor about this title matter, please watch the mansion in my stead, Elly. '

Crystelle nod in tear. ' Yes, I will.. '

****

' You can't become the grand duke, Lord Cassius! we object. ' anger the member of parliament in the meeting room.

The crown prince smirk on his chair while silently look at their arguments.

' You've already had a title as the captain of paladin. you couldn't take more title than that or your body can't manage to hold such a big burden, Lord Cassius. Even your youngest brother were to become the head of west tower. then it's only lady Soleil that left to take the role on your stead. '

Cassius tremble in anger. ' But, she still young to become the next grand duchess! That small shoulder can't bear the heavy role as grand duchess of Soleil! '

' She's already is 17 years old! she's an adult yet why did you thought her as a young child?! she's the most suitable as the next grand duchess! '

Cassius frown. ' Even so, I'm object! she's even didn't graduate yet from Evelyn academy! '

For a while, they argue with each other. Some were defending Cassius and the rest were wholeheartedly object his statement.

' I will not retract my statement no matter what you say. ' firm Cassius while stand up in confidence.

' But, Lord Cassius! '

' Enough already. ' said the emperor in front of them.

Count Alford, Count Siel, Count Riley, marquess Keith and the rest of parliament get silent suddenly. Only duke Konrad that remain calm.

Cassius look at the emperor in hope.

' Do you all forget that I'm still here? I know that we were currently here to discuss about this matter but this is the Soleil family matter, let's hear what he want to say and then we would decide what the best solution for Ophelia empire future. ' decide the emperor in that chaos calmly.

Airel frown as he feel annoy with his father words while Cassius smile in relief. ' Thank you your majesty. ' bow Cassius politely.

' As you heard, the emperor ask for my opinion because this is my family matter. As for myself, I can manage to take the role whether it's hard or not. My sister, Crystelle, she still in her adolescent stage. She had so much thing to figure out herself in this world. If she were to become the grand duchess, I'm scared that she doesn't enjoy her life. I beg you, please reconsider this matter again. ' bow Cassius.

All the parliament speechless with his words. Airel lean on his chair in bored. ' Such a waste of time to talk about this matter.. he will never could manage all the responsibility on his own..'

Emperor Albert smirk with their sudden silence in the meeting room.

' It seem there's no other objection? very well, Lord Cassius. '

Cassius look at the emperor. ' Yes, your majesty? '

The emperor Albert sit still on his chair and look at all the member of parliament.

' As Lord Cassius say, I will approve it. '

All the parliament stunned in speechless. Airel shock and look at his father in disbelief.

' Father, I am really object it. ' firm Airel desperately.

Emperor Albert look at him in frown. ' Do you've got any other idea to dare to object my decision like this, my son? '

Airel flinch with his father warning and lean back on his chair in annoyed.

Cassius smile in relief.

' But, in one condition. ' continue the emperor suddenly.

Cassius frown in dumbfounded. ' What it may be, your majesty? '

The emperor smirk and lean on his chair. ' You will take the role only for one year, Cassius. As I'm were inform to, the young lady Soleil will graduate this year and when she's turn 18, she will gradually become the grand duchess and that's all. '

Cassius speechless. ' But, your majesty.. '

' I will consider you as talk back to me if you say any word more, Cassius Soleil. ' firm emperor Albert.

Cassius freeze and slowly bend his head. ' I beg your pardon for my insolence, your majesty. '

Emperor Albert laugh and get up from his seat. ' then, this discussion ended here, I will announce Cassius Soleil as the next grand duke. if anybody have some objection, you may come and talk to me privately. '

Everyone in the meeting room silence. ' Hm? it seem there's no objection. you may dismisses. '

Emperor Albert head out from the room while Airel get near Cassius.

' Captain Cassius. '

Cassius look at Airel hand that raise toward him.

' Congratulation, grand duke Cassius. I hope for your cooperation in the near future as the grand duke of Ophelia. '

Cassius smile and shake his hand. ' Thank you, I would never dissapointed you, your majesty. '

Airel smirk nd leave Cassius in annoyed.

' Your majesty ' call his personal assistant, sir Luke.

Airel take a glance at him and head toward his office in anger.

Pang!

Luke flinch when Airel suddenly punch his desk in upset.

' Ask for someone to kill the people that being the assassin that night! ' order Airel while sit on his chair in anger.

Luke shock. ' Pardon, your majesty? '

Airel glare at him. ' How did you does your work? I said, ask for someone to kill the assassin from that night!! I said at them to kill that bitch girl Konrad and they killed the grand duke couple instead! how could they get call as professional murderer? '

' And now, that the grand duke has gone, that damn son of him get the title instead of Crystelle! it become more dangerous to get near Soleil influence if he's become the head now! he was so sharp with his surroundings, I can't get near him more than I am now. That bastard father! he dared to approved it in front of me!!! arghhh! ' shout Airel in anger.

Luke bend his head in fear. ' I-I will ask for someone to kill them as soon as possible, your majesty. Please take a rest first. I will clear your schedule for today. '

Airel cover his face in frustration. ' Kill them tonight. '

Luke flinch. ' Ve-very well, your majesty. I will take my leave now. please pardon me. '

Airel lean on his chair while look up at his office ceiling.

' I need to change my plan. '

' Luke.' call him in bored.

Luke appear from the door in a flash. ' Yes your majesty? '

' Ask count Siel to meet me now. I've some urgent matter to talk with him. '

Luke nod understand and bow. ' As you wish. '

' Count Siel.. '

Smirk Airel with a plan in his head.