Potato now, you later.

Hours later, all the candidates headed to the grand dining hall of the Hyacinth Palace. The table was long, with a chandelier sparkling on the top. There were a few small chandeliers to add more elegance to the place, and windows opened for ventilation, filling the air with a mild breeze and the scent of flowers from the garden. 

Since there were no proper arrangements of the seats, those who came first sat nearest the head seat where the emperor would surely sit. Aries and her group came last. Hence, they sat on the farthest seat away from the emperor. 

Silence dominated the dining hall as everyone sat down, waiting for the emperor. Aries could not help but study the ladies sitting around the same table. 

'We haven't talked yet, but I'm already tired.' Aries moved her shoulders in a circular motion, which no one noticed. 'Seriously. Can't he have any other methods? Why is he making our lives more complicated than it already has?'