Chapter 9 - Audience with the Emperor

The sound of water pouring outside room made Rosé tilted her head to look at the window. The sky looked a bit gloomy because the rainy season has arrived. Today she heard her father will go to the Royal Palace to meet with the Emperor. Her father didn't say much, but gave her a meaning look before he went inside the carriage.

"Brother, what will happen to father?" Asked Rosé in anxious tone.

Damon, her second brother gave her a gentle smile. "Don't worry, maybe there's something the Emperor want to discuss with our father." As the young officer, Damon knew why their father called to the Royal Palace. It must be because the Crown Prince interested in Rosé, although she used Roselia identity at that time. He only hoped this issue will not turned to be something troublesome later.

. . .

"Bless to the Sun of Zetas Kingdom," greeted Bernard Claymore to the Emperor. He bowed to the Emperor.

"Rise, sir Bernard." Said Mars with bright smile on his face. "I guess you already know why I called you to meet me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"My son seems like your little daughter. I just want to know if your daughter will agree to meet my son in the future as her suitor," Mars Villius Zetas placed his right hand on his chin, looked as if he had been thinking something interesting. The smile never leave his face that start having some wrinkles on it.

"That would be an honor to my family, Your Highness. Surely, my daughter would be glad to meet again with the Crown Prince." Bernard quickly replied with honesty. Now he started to think how to persuade Roselia to meet with the Crown Prince. He wants to keep Rosé existence a secret. He said to himself that he will keep Rosé safe as long as he is alive.

That time when the Constellation Master came and told him to let no one know Rosé existence, he thought it must be because Rosé is in danger. He doesn't want anything bad happen to his family. He already has a plan for Rosé future when she reach her coming of age ceremony. He hope Rosé will live a happy life outside the capital. He will let her marry with someone who love her and of course, it will be good if she also loves him back.

"Alright, alright. Now I'm relieved after hear that from you. As a father, I just want to help my son a little with some affairs that I could help with." The Emperor look pleased then afterward, he start to discuss some matters related to politics with Bernard.

. . .

After the carriage arrived at the Duke of Claymore mansion, Bernard immediately walk inside and seek his wife. He wants to discuss something that weighing in his mind after the talk with the Emperor.

"My dear, I have some urgent matters to tell you." Bernard took off his hat and put it on the hook. He then sit on the sofa inside the main bedroom.

"What's the matter, dear? You look anxious."

The man let out a deep sigh. He looked at his wife and said, "The Emperor said his son interested with our daughter. He will take a visit soon to the mansion."

"Oh my! But, the one he talked to was Rosé! What if he discovered Roselia is not actually 'Roselia' at the coming of age ceremony back then?!" Kylie show her concern and sit down beside her husband.

"That also what I have been thinking while sitting in the carriage back from the Royal Palace earlier. We have to discuss this matter to our daughters. Then, we shall know what we must do when His Majesty, the Crown Prince, visit us in the future."

The duchess agreed and call the head maid afterwards to pass on the message to both of her daughters.

. . .

Roselia and Rosé sit in front of their parents. If someone looked at both the Claymore's daughters for the first time, they would not tell which is Roselia and which is Rosé becase their resemblance face. It is like when someone looked at their self when the they looked in the mirror. But, after someone know them, they will instantly knew who is who.

Roselia carries gentle look on her eyes, she always show her little smile on her face. It looks like she developed it as her habit. When she moved, she will looks like a princess, very feminine and careful. The most different part was she always used vanilla soap fragrance when she took a bath.

Meanwhile Rosé, she always looked curiously at everything. Her eyes looked bright, showing her firm attitude. While Roselia used vanilla soap fragrance, she used rose soap fragrance when bathing. Like her name, Rosé, she was like roses in the garden, very beautiful and look daring.

"So father, you want me to meet the Crown Prince when he visit us in the future?" Asked Roselia.

"Yes, originally, Rosé only went to the ceremony as your replacement. So, you must meet him from now on."

Rosé nodded in agreement with her father. She know how dangerous it is if the Crown Prince know about her existence. Her family could be charged for deceiving the Emperor, if they know Claymore have two daughters instead of one. The perpetrator would be strip off from their title and more severe, they could also be exile out from the capital.

Roselia looked a bit hesitant. Then she answered...

"Father, I against this decision," said Roselia. This answer made her parents surprised.

"The Crown Prince is not a fool. He would recognize us immediately after I meet with him. I guess it would be better if Rosé is the one to meet with the Crown Prince."

"My dear, h-how could you said that..." Kylie want to reprimand her eldest daughter, but stopped when her husband hand touch hers.

"If in the future the Crown Prince want to marry with me, then Rosé could be married to the Crown Prince instead of me."

"Roselia Vinne Claymore!"

. . .

To be Continued