Good Karma

The lunch with the emperor went well. At least, it ended peacefully with no one speaking a word. The candidates didn't speak since Abel was speaking; it would be rude to speak without being asked in the presence of the emperor.

"That is so satisfying." 

Aries turned to Veronika when the latter snickered. They were walking through the hallway, on their way back to the Hyacinth Palace. 

Veronika smirked at Aries. "Don't you think, Lady Vandran?"

"Your Highness —"

"Veronika." She corrected. "You can just call me Veronika, my lady. After all, I am simply a princess in the land I came from, but in this empire, it is nothing but an empty title."

"A title is only empty when its holder considers it as empty," Aries argued with a subtle smile, treading carefully. "I'm certain Your Highness is proud carrying that title and the soil she came from everywhere she goes."