Contract

Knock. Knock.

" Announcing the arrival of Her Majesty, the Empress."

"Let her in."

"Greetings , Your Majesty."

Violet greeted the Emperor as soon as she entered.

She was slightly nervous as she entered his regal office.

The Emperor was seated on a chair behind his working desk.

He looked distinguished and imposing as he read the document in his his hand.

There was a pile of documents yet to be read and signed on the left side of the desk.

On his left stood the Emperor's aide Robert and on his right was his personal Knight Marco.

Robert was a fairly lean man of 5ft 11 inches , with brown hair and brown eyes . He was 25- years old and unmarried.

Robert had trained and studied with the Emperor since he was three years old.

Marco had very clear blue eyes with flaming red hair. He was tall. 6ft 2 inches.

He looked slightly more playful and outgoing than Robert.

They both bowed to greet the Empress.

"Greetings to you , Your Majesty the Empress , Moon of the Empire."

Violet simply smiled and nodded to acknowledge their greetings.

"Have a seat , Empress."

"Thank you , Your Majesty".

Violet took a seat opposite the Emperor.

"I assume that the contract is ready , Your Majesty?" , Violet asked straight to the point.

The atmosphere in the office was quite stiffling and Violet wanted to escape the room as quickly as possible.

"Hmm. Here." Marcelo said as he passed the written contract to Violet.

"Check to see if any amendments is needed.", the Emperor remarked.

Violet was quite satisfied with the agreement written down in the contract.

She knew that there was only so much she could ask from the Emperor.

There was no way the Emperor would permit any amendments in Violet's favour even if she mentioned any.

'As expected of the Emperor. Meticulous.'

" Your Majesty has made sure to include all the points I mentioned yesterday. I can sign it immediately."

Both the Emperor and Empress signed the contract , each taking a copy of the contract that was signed.

"Excuse me ,then , Your Majesty. I shall take my leave. " , Violet said as she stood by to leave.

"Empress."

"Yes , Your Majesty."

"She wants to meet you." , the Emperor replied.

'She? Who is she? Don't tell me....'

" Do you mean Lady Olivia, Your Majesty?"

"Yes."

Robert and Marco looked shocked.

Though impolite , they stared at the Empress wide-eyed.

They did not expect to the Empress to already know about the presence of the Mistress.

'The Empress knows.'

They simultaneously thought.

'She must have been hurt. She's just 15. She must have had expectations when she married the Emperor. ' , Robert silently thought.

Having watched the Emperor grow up, Robert knew that the Emperor trusted almost to one one.

He was extremely effective as the Emperor but not so much as person who would be affectionate or sympathetic.

Marco felt bad for this young Empress as well.

The Emperor and Marco were childhood friends.

So he already knew about the Emperor having a lover.

Marco and Robert had always advised the Emperor to either stop meeting Olivia or publicly declare her as his lover.

However , the Emperor did not heed their advice.

Also. Marco and Robert knew that it was not uncommon for the nobles or the previous Emperors to have a mistress by their sides.

That was how the society worked .

Thus it was not strange that the Emperor would simply stare at them coldly before dropping the discussion.

Marco and Robert did not have much good feelings towards Lady Olivia.

Something about her just did not feel right.

'Did the Emperor not feel it? ' , they always wondered.

" Let her send me an invitation first , Your Majesty."

"Empress!"

"Yes , I am the Empress , Your Majesty! And she ! She's just a Mistress. She may mean the world to Your Majesty, but in the eyes of the world, she is but a mistress and a commoner. If she wishes to meet me , let her send me a letter to request for a meeting. That is the formal way of doing things among the nobility. I shall grant her my time if I have time to spare."

Violet knew it was her pride that refused to be disrespected by the Emperor and Lady Olivia.

She knew that there was nothing she could do about the relationship between the Emperor and Lady Olivia.

She had no power nor the courage to do so.

The Emperor looked pissed at the Empress's defiance.

He knew that she was right.

There were procedure to be followed in accordance to the codes of nobility and royalty.

Yet , he did not like to have his beloved be slighted.

" Empress! How dare you! You are to stay confined in your Palace for a week for such display of disregard. "

" I shall do as Your Majesty ordered.

If that is all , I shall take my leave."

"Alright. You may leave."

The Empress bowed and left as soon as she received permission to leave from the Emperor.

'Wow. She's quite fiery. I like her.'

'The Empress is a stronger woman than I thought.'

Marco and Robert mused.

" Your Majesty, why did you tell the Empress about Lady Olivia?", Marco asked the Emperor the moment the Empress left.

" It isn't something uncommon in high society. And it was something that had to be done anyway." , the Emperor replied.

" But she's just 15, Your Majesty.She just turned of age , Your Majesty. I am sure the Empress felt humiliated and devastated at the news." , Marco replied.

" If she cannot handle even this and let her emotions take over , then she doesn't deserve to be the Empress of Iretonia.'

" I understand, Your Majesty. I am sure the Empress had already anticipated that such a situation would arise sooner or later in the marriage. But it is true that the Empress is still very young. For the stability of the Empire , I hope Your Majesty will be kinder to the Empress." , Robert replied to the Emperor who had done back to reading the documents.

" Stop idling around and go back to your work. Do you have so much free time to interfere in the matters of my marriage?"

" No, Your Majesty. I apologise. Please forgive me."