Cinderella is a Coquettish Green Tea (12)

"Cecilia!"

Their father stepped through the threshold and slammed his hands against the wall, reprimanding her severely,

"How can you be so crass and vulgar!?"

Cecilia flinched at her father's tone, shocked that he would actually raise his voice at her for someone else, she glared at Cinderella with fierce eyes before rushing up the stairs, knocking Cinderella hard on the railing as she passed by.

Cinderella bit her lip but didn't dare to call out in pain, he whole body trembling. She looked at them with a tired smile that inevitably made one pity, "I didn't mean to make Cecilia mad, I just.."

"It's been a long time without my mother..."

Their father once again felt a smudge of guilt for this child and was a little bit angry at Cecilia. He simply reached into his pocket and pulled out a delicate necklace, originally meant for Cecilia. He handed it to Cinderella graciously,

"Take it. Treat it as an early birthday gift, "

Cinderella took the emerald necklace with a thankful smile, but only she knew how hard her teeth were clenched. Was she supposed to be grateful for such a worthless necklace given to her by the way?

She felt deep resentment.

She always knew her father was biased and useless, but at this moment, the hatred in her heart was overflowing.

She couldn't help but think of the priceless antiques she inadvertently glimpsed at Victoria's manor, and the resolve in her heart to leave was even stronger. She would do absolutely anything to make it happen.

Anything.

No matter what she thought of in her heart, it never spilled over into her smile.

The atmosphere was broken by Xie Han's cough, his father stripped his gaze away from Cinderella and unto his son, "The fog and dust in the capital are heavy during at this time, quickly go change and come down for dinner and call your sister.

"Cinderella, hurry up and bring the food from the kitchen."

Xie Han tapped his fingers against his thighs and the eyes he used to look at Cinderella were filled with scrutiny, for a moment, he seemed to sense dark energy but it was gone in a flash before he could fully identify it.

He didn't know if it was his illusion.

Cinderella clutched the necklace and left first, Xie Han dragged his eyes away and went up the stairs.

---

Faraway in the palace, inside the emperor's private study, heated voices could be heard vaguely through the door. The people sitting at the conference table are all important figures in the Kingdom. Whenever they appear, there must be some major event happening.

There was a cacophony of opinions being thrown around as the ministers tried to be louder than each of their colleagues.

One exaggerated voice yelled loudly, "Your majesty, the people have been restless in recent years, I fear that if they are not reassured, a rebel uprising will form amongst the pe

Others echoed noisily, "The crown prince's marriage is auspicious and proves that the Kingdom is thriving, I oblige your majesty to grant the Crown prince a wedding."

"Your Majesty, the marriage of the princes is of great concern to the people and must be decided early !"

"Not only the crown prince, but it is also time for the third and fifth princes to choose wives!"

"Your Majesty, please choose wisely, "

"There have also been rumors of demons roaming the streets of the capital. which alarmed the pope in the far west. He is coming to the kingdom from the Lebianthan Kingdom and will organize a large-scale cleaning ritual:

One of the marquise' sneered coldly, disbelieving."What nonsense is this? Where did the demons come from? The demons have already died out a long time ago."

"It's obvious that someone is stirring up rumors in the capital and disturbing his majesty."

"The Holy Pope is sacred and pious. He cares for the people and has made a special effort, your majesty. The pope also carried the tributes of the church to present to Your Majesty."

"I implore that he is greeted at the gate of the kingdom upon his arrival within two days,"

A few others in the study room also sang praises of the pope. These few nobles were known to be devout believers in the church.

The emperor sat amongst the noisy nobles, each with their own ulterior motive. Having sat on this one for so long, he could see the surging undercurrents amidst his courtiers. not many things could be hidden from his eyes,

His face was cold, and no one could see through what he was thinking. The emperor pressed his temples and. closed his eyes amidst the chatter,

"That's it, go down, and I will ask each of the princes their opinion."

"Long live Your Majesty"

The nobles bowed to leave. When they retreated to the door, the emperor's voice came vaguely, "Send a list with all available marriageable girls to me in the capital city."

"And summon Prince Edward."

"Yes, your majesty."

There is a tall and opaque screen in the study room, with only a few hollows on the wooden frame for people behind the screen to see clearly into the room, but no one could see inside.

When all the nobles and ministers retreated and the study room returned to silence, an indifferent voice spoke up,

"The Pope's appearance this time is not simple. There must be some other reasons why he came to the capital city."

"Keep an eye on him."

The voice paused as if thinking of something and asked the emperor, "Do you think it's related to the prediction of the high astrologer."

The emperor tapped his hand on the, "We can only wait and see. "

The voice continued to report.

"A dead noble was found in the Horan estate. However, none of the ministers mentioned this incident today and seem to want to wait until the investigation is over."

The emperor frowned thoughtfully. At this moment, there was a knock and a frivolous voice following the servants' announcement,

"Prince Edward has been summoned to stand before Your Majesty."