Lunch

The hallway echoed with the sound of Emelia's heels clicking on the ground. She didn't look elsewhere as she walked straight to the dining hall. While the other servants present lowered their heads as they greeted her.

The eyes filled with emptiness looked to the side when she noticed two maids talking to each other. 'How fun', she thought. Emelia grew up without friends on her side. Even the maid who always serves her doesn't talk much to her and wouldn't be counted as a friend. Growing up in the palace isn't as fun when the palace is filled with greed and corruption.

Many rebelled against the royal family. To include, some nobles did too, but in the end, their heads were cut off. Not supporting the royal family means instant death, especially for the nobles. There were instances where she wanted to live as a commoner and didn't mind having a bad ending to her own story.

She arrived in front of the dining room doors and signaled for the servant by the door not to open the door just yet. There are times where she wished family gatherings weren't a thing. She'll just be humiliated by them, and there she will sit on the chair, silent, and unable to speak out for herself.

Once she was ready, she looked back at the servant then he opened the door for her. Once the door was wide enough to see the people inside, she walked in and greeted the Emperor, then the Empress, and lastly, the Crowned Prince.

The platinum blonde man made a tch sound and looked away from Emelia. It looks like he's still angry about the fact Emelia humiliated him in front of the ladies. He deserves it.' she thought. 'There's no way he was gonna get a single apology from me', she thought as she took her seat, which was across the Crowned Prince, and placed the table napkin on her lap. As the servant laid her food down, Emelia looked at the food and continued to put on a straight face.

A small piece of beef was laid on her plate. While the other three had a big piece of beef on their plate. Definitely, this is an order from the Crowned Prince. The same expression was kept on her face, and she moved her hands, cutting a small piece of the beef. Then put the piece of beef into her mouth. Like there is no problem at all. But she will just need to starve for the whole afternoon.

Each minute the Crowned Prince would take small glances at Emelia, who he thinks could break that expressionless face of hers. But to his surprise, he failed. She didn't seem bothered by the fact she was given a small piece and enjoyed it as if it was a whole piece. No one would be able to hold their calm if they failed to bully someone.

"Have you heard of this father?" The Crowned Prince asked as he looked at Emelia with a grin. While the Emperor looked at the Crowned Prince in confusion. He then continued speaking, "The other night, three men were knocked down on the floor. Not to mention they were all stripped." Upon hearing this, the Emperor coughs out loud and proceeds to cover his mouth with the linen napkin.

"Who would do such cruel things to them?" the Emperor asked as he held the hand of the Empress. 'There goes their flirting session again.' Emelia thought while rolling her eyes internally. The Empress smiled as if she was in love with the Emperor, but in fact, she isn't at all. They say she only uses the dumb Emperor for her own use. To be exact, to have a luxurious life. She uses half of the budget earned by the people, spending it on useless items that she will only wear once then throw after.

The Empress spoke as she held the Emperor's hand, "Were the guards able to question them?" she looks at the Crowned Prince, who nodded his head. He looked at Emelia as if he was thinking she would get punished, saying, "Dear sister was the cause."

Dumfounded, the Emperor and the Empress both looked at each other. No anger entered them, but since this empire treats men as the best value, there was a need for her to be punished. It's pathetic how a princess is getting punished for doing rightful acts. It's like blaming a ball for bouncing when it is just doing its purpose.

"What makes you say?" Emelia asked as another piece of beef entered her mouth. And in her mind, she predicted the next few words spoken by the Crowned Prince.

"The noblemen said so. Are you implying that they were lying?" laughed the Crowned Prince as he slaps his leg. He laughed without knowing the truth, and he seems proud of it. She didn't mind humiliating him once more.

"They were harassing a lady, and to add on, they were drunk. I taught them a lesson not to do that in the palace. The palace isn't a place where men could flirt with women. This a place where only business-related things are held."

The silence was the response inside the dining hall. While the Crowned Prince felt humiliated by her answer. Breaking the silence, the Crowned Prince stuttered, "I-is that the case? I might have thought it was a different case." Under the table cloth, he clenched his fist and cursed her in his mind.

"If you have other more questions, I do not mind answering them, dear brother," said Emelia in a sarcastic tone.

The Emperor and the Empress couldn't bring any word to say and continued to finish their lunch. This is why eating with the family isn't fun. Nothing but arguments are always brought up on the table.

Peace will never come to her life.