TKWTR 027

After a few minutes of walking, Rowena and Prince Helios arrived in front of the Emperor's work space. Prince Helios slowly opened the door, from outside Rowena could see the Emperor who was already overwhelmed with the several documents that had been piled up into several piles.

The two of them entered the large room. The emperor who noticed their arrival immediately lifted his head and looked at the two of them who were already standing right in front of his desk.

Rowena bowed gracefully as she had done a few days earlier. "Greetings to the Imperial Sun. May you always be blessed by the Gods."

"Raise your head, Grand Duchess Erica," the Emperor said.

Rowena raised her head at the Emperor's command. "I would like to apologize in advance, Your Majesty. But can you just call me Rowena. I feel uncomfortable being called Grand Duchess Erica."

The emperor laughed after hearing Rowena's complaint. "You really are a very unique woman. Usually if other people get a high title like yours, they would expect more people to call her by her title. But if that's your wish then I'll comply."

"Thank you for agreeing to my request, Your Majesty the Emperor."

"Well, the reason I summoned you here was to give you an important position in the palace. It seems there is something missing if I only give you the title of nobility and territory. Therefore, from now on I will give you the position of Chief Commander of the Blue Army," said the Emperor firmly.

In military power in the Sunverro Empire, the Imperial army was divided into three namely the Blue Army, the Red Army, and the Black Army. The blue army, which will be led by Rowena, will be tasked with maintaining the security of the imperial family, the Red Army led by Sir Cedric will be tasked with maintaining the stability of the Empire, and the black army will serve as the Emperor's shadow. The military setup in the Sunverro Empire was simpler than in other kingdoms.

"Wow, after giving me such troublesome domains and a very high peerage, now that you're giving me a rank that will make people want to kill me even more. If you want to tie me up in Sunverro, can't you use other means than bribes me with a certain amount of wealth and power," said Rowena boldly.

"My intentions were immediately known to you! You even analyzed the reason why I gave you wealth and power. That's why I really want to bind you in Sunverro so that you and your descendants will be able to help the emperors in the next generation to lead this country," said the Emperor. .

"You're exaggerating, Your Majesty. Instead of boasting more, you'd better finish your paperwork that's already towering over your desk."

The Emperor was again made to laugh by Rowena's answer which seemed very blunt. "You really are a very unique woman, Rowena. From me being the Crown prince to the emperor I am today, no one has dared to speak openly or rebuke me except for my wife and one of Odelette's princess."

"What you mean by Princess Odelette must be Queen Erica Odelette de Edelle," said Rowena.

"How did you know?" asked the Emperor looking surprised that Rowena knew about it.

Rowena stepped out of the room and winked at the emperor. "That's a secret, Your Majesty the Emperor."

~•~

Now the sky is dark and the full moon has also been seen which indicates that night has come. As per the schedule that had been conveyed by Prince Helios, now Rowena would have dinner with the imperial family.

Rowena was ushered by a servant into the dining room. When she got there, she saw that the Emperor and Empress, Prince Helios, and Prince Diego were already there. Looks like she came a bit late. Rowena immediately sat between Prince Diego and Prince Helios.

"I'm sorry, I seem to be late," said Rowena.

"No. You're not late, we were the only ones who came early," replied Prince Helios.

"Hi, Grand Duchess Erica. We meet again for the second time," said Prince Diego.

"Wow, it's a shame that I have to meet you here again," said Rowena with a smile.

"Hey, stop talking so bluntly! You hurt my heart so much," Prince Diego whined.

Rowena didn't respond to Prince Diego's childish whining at all. The silent dinner began. The waiters served the food one by one on the table. All the food looks very appetizing. After all the food was served, they all began to eat the food.

After dinner, Rowena decided to stay at the palace. Prince Helios also suggested him to stay at his palace. Without thinking Rowena immediately agreed. Finally Prince Helios ordered the courtiers to prepare a room for Rowena because it was impossible for the woman to sleep in his room. If that happens, it is certain that the next day the red Army will storm his palace and stage a coup.

While waiting, Rowena and Prince Helios stood on the balcony to enjoy the evening breeze. The moonlight shining on that beautiful night made Rowena so calm when she saw her that she forgot that Prince Helios was standing beside her.

"Are you having a problem, Helios?" Rowena asked.

"How did you know?" said Prince Helios who had just woken up from his daydream.

Rowena tried to imitate the expression on Prince Helios' face just now. "You've known this look on your face. During our time together I realized that when you look like that it means you're having trouble or stress."

Prince Helios patted Rowena's head lightly and smiled. "You really are very sensitive to circumstances. I'm just feeling dizzy with an important task given to me by my father."

"An important task from His Majesty the Emperor to you?"

"Yes, father ordered me to remove Duke Carabell as much as possible from his position because as an Emperor, my father cannot arbitrarily demote someone without clear and concrete evidence."

"Just what mistake did Duke Carbell make that His Majesty the Emperor wanted to get rid of?"

"As long as you know Rowena, Duke Carbell is a noble who is a source of evil. There isn't a single crime that they haven't committed. Even the family's way of determining the next heir is that all children must kill each other, whoever can survive then he will be crowned heir to the next Duke Carbell title."

"Duke Carbell is now committing many murders, harassment, looting and other crimes. Therefore my father really wanted to eradicate him but so far he has committed crimes so neatly that there is nothing that can be used as evidence for his crimes," added Prince Helios.

Rowena held Prince Helios's hands and looked him in the eyes intensely. "You don't have to worry. Now I'm here to help you."

Now it felt like Helios' heart was about to explode after Rowena's encouragement. His cheeks and earlobes started to turn red. "Thank you for wanting to help me."

For the umpteenth time Prince Helios was made to fall in love by Rowena. Even though Rowena never realized his love for him, Prince Helios still didn't want to stop loving her. There was no guarantee that Rowena would reciprocate his feelings, but for now it was no problem for Helios.