22 SAINTESS: PART I

Argenlès the Imperial Capital of the Empire. It is suitable in the middle of a beautiful crystal blue lake, surrounded by lavish greens. It was home to millions of the Empire's people. Outside the city walls, lived the rest of the Empires people living in small towns as they managed to take care of the farm lands.

Argenlès is bordered between a small mountain range to the north, forest and woodland to the south, a river, waterfall and more forest to the south and empty grassland to the west. Apart from the northern mountain range, the rest is quite close by.

Inside the palace, a dreadful news just arrived, which caused the Empress to go in rage.

"What do you mean she decided to go to the village? Have you forgotten which family that girl is from?"

"Your Imperial Highness, please, I swear with my life, I did everything. But, Lady Adolphus rejected all our help and left without even looking back at us. She won't even take the soldiers with her." The Steward explained as he trembled in fear seeing how in rage the Empress was and her aura was emitting without her noticing it.

"Please, your Imperial Highness, I'm sure Lady Adolphus is fine. We can send people to check on her." Suggested by one of her court council.

"It's already been a week since we sent her to the North, do you really expect a weak girl can survive the north without any of her servants by her side? She can barely walk. Yet, you didn't even see to it she got a proper shelter even if she stayed in the village." The Empress felt her head spinning as she realized the child could be dead. "You all better keep this a secret from the Emperor. I shall explain everything to him in person. If something has indeed happened to the child, not only is my neck on the line but also yours."

"Your Imperial Highness, she is a sickly child anyway. Sooner or later she would have passed away." One of the Imperial Court Mage said, who was dressed in a white robe whilst holding onto a wooden staff with a big white crystal on it.

"Even if she is to pass away, it would have been better if she did on her own, not because sent her to the north."

It surprised everyone when the Queen Consort suddenly entered the room with her ladies in waiting. She greeted the Empress and the rest as she continued what she was saying.

"Do you really think Duke Adolphus will not find out what happened to his daughter? If he finds out we sent his daughter to the North, there will be a war in which our beloved Empire might lose. Don't forget who the child mother is."

The room was silent and was turned into despair.

The Steward looked to the Empress and asked, "Then what should we do, your Imperial Highness?"

The Empress sighs, she too has no idea how this problem can be solved, "Pray that the child is still alive."

Everyone left except for the Queen Consort as she have matters to discuss with the Empress.

The Queen notice that everyone has left the Empress's office. He notices the steward that was assigned to send the child away and called for him.

"Tell me, what happened?" The Queen asked, seeing everyone's gloomy expression.

"Lady Athena decided to stay in the village, and who knows if she is still alive or not?"

The Queen looked surprised from hearing what the steward said and confirmed, "Wait, didn't Duchess Caelestis arrange everything for her? Didn't the Duchess ask the Empress to let her stay at least at their residence."

The Steward wiped the sweat on his forehead, "Yes, everything was arranged by the Duchess, but, for some reason Lady Adolphus decided to go on her own, and didn't even take the soldiers with her."

"The Empress is now upset knowing the child might not be alive anymore since she set off late that night in the village. The fact she can barely walk on her own, how would a fragile girl survive even a night without her servants."

The Queen did not expect such a situation to arise, she just needs to confirm everything for herself. "Very well then, I'll go see the Empress."

"Ah, the Queen Consort is there as well." The steward informed her since it is known that the two don't see eye to eye.

The Queen didn't care, she was one step closer to her plan and soon both the Empress and Queen Consort will be under her feet.

Her servants knocked on the door and opened it, as she step inside. Since she is a powerless person who does not possess a strong magic, she felt suffocated by how strong the Empress's aura was. "My dear sister, it is not appropriate for you to let your aura loose."

"Ha-" The Queen Consort looked at her disgust as she felt killing the woman for being the reason for all this chaos.

The Empress chuckled and glared at the Queen, "Are you happy? Didn't you wish for that child to die, since you despise her so much to be your son's bride. Now you got what you want and it will be my head that will pay for that price."

"I do not understand what you mean?" The Queen calms herself and keeps the same composure.

"I ain't a fool as what you think, I have not become the Empress, just because of my family, but because of who I am. Unlike you who climb the Emperor's chamber just to stand where you are now."

The Queen Consort felt the situation was getting out of hand, despite she despises the women. She can't let the Empress lose control of her emotions because of a silly woman. "My dear sister, calm yourself down. If you have nothing more to say, you may send yourself out. Unlike you, we official wives have court matters to handle."

The Queen clenched her fist digging her nails into her palm. Not only was she belittled one, but twice by both women. "If you excuse me sister, I'll let you rest for now."

As the Queen left, the Queen Consort comforted the Empress. "Sister, calm yourself, don't forget, the child is still the prophesied Saintess."

"Saintess?" A word that the Empress despises the most. For it was because of that, the child has been mistreated since that time. "Then, I hope she will be one."

"I've sent a message to the Holy Kingdom. I'm sure, his Holiness will give us some answers."

….

Queen's Chamber

When the Queen arrived at her private chamber, she threw the vase across the room. She was furious as she recalls all the horrible words they said about her.

"Climb his bed, that arrogant woman who does she think she is? Just because she's the Empress."

She quickly went to her desk and started writing something. Her expression was filled with hatred and malice as if something horrible is about to happen.

"Since you dare look down upon me, I'll make sure your head will be on the line."

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