The Blessings

Jane hiccuped.

She quickly gave the slightly crumpled letter to Nesrin and curtsied to the head maid.

The letter scattered into crimson shimmer as it was stored inside the system's inventory. Nesrin masked her nervousness on instinct.

Lady Croff watched the two inside with suspicion but there were more important things to do now so she simply entered the room and swept past the large carpet towards the wardrobe.

Her nonchalant voice gave quick commands as she scanned through the gowns,

"Jane, pull yourself together, you have one minute. Then, prepare the vanity, the cloak, and her gloves. Her highness has to receive the blessings today."

Nesrin looked at her in confusion and asked,

"Are we going to the temple?"

"No, you are to receive blessings from the elders."

Lady Croff pulled out a silver gown with embroidered flowers, laid it on the top of the bed and looked at Nesrin.

"It's a post wedding custom, the newly weds go to receive the blessings of family elders. But...well as you might already know. There is only the grand emperor."

The House of Waelyn had been in the empire for centuries, they are a big powerful family but Izekiel had lost the favor of his relatives long ago, his mother had been presumed dead, he had no blood siblings, and now only his father remained.

The head maid and the young maid were quick and precise, soon Nesrin was dressed up in her silver gown. Her hair was half tucked on the back with a silver comb and the cloak of Waelyn House was draped around her.

Nesrin noticed the way Lady Croff's eyebrows were tightly creased as she helped her wear gloves,

"Why are you in such a hurry?" she asked.

"His majesty sent the order out so suddenly, we have no time to do the other preparations." the reply was quick and dismissive,

"Was this custom not planned?"

"Earlier his majesty had cancelled this because he said he is too busy." Jane replied.

"It is time now, your highness." Lady Croff said while making sure that Nesrin was properly ready.

There was a knight waiting for Nesrin outside her chamber.

He escorted her through the hallways, then across a few gardens, and a small pond before they reached a different palace.

It was situated in the middle of a vast garden, and was humble compared to every other building here, trees bloomed with peach petals even in winter and this area was very less crowded.

Nesrin could understand which place this was. The residence of the grand emperor was one of the important places in the novel and so it was described well.

It was the place where the grand emperor was being treated, the place where Ophelia had to stay for some time...and the place from where the chaos would begin...

Nesrin clasped her skirts tight as her eyes fell over a certain someone.

Near the distant tree, a young girl was sitting with her knees folded. She was very silent, but it stirred a heavy emotion inside Nesrin. She remembered this scene too well.

After Ophelia was brought into the palace with the healers, she was made a palace slave. Those few days were very harsh for her, they started to change her to someone that would bring great changes to this world.

The girl suddenly lifted her dark tired gaze, and the look in her eyes pierced straight through Nesrin's heart. As recognition dawned upon Ophelia, a conflicted emotion appeared on her face.

Nesrin froze for an unknown reason.

"Princess Johanna."

The voice made her flinch and she quickly turned around.

Izekiel was accompanied by Jeremiah, dressed in his formal suit while his knight was wearing armor as usual. Nesrin bowed to both of them out of instinct.

"Good morning, your majesty."

"Good morning..." he raised an eyebrow, "Does the princess prefer manly greetings?"

"..."

Jeremiah suppressed a laughter at Nesrin's dumbfounded expression. There was a small amused smile over Izekiel's lips as he said,

"We shall not delay,"

The room of the grand emperor emitted a faint scent of herbs and incense. Jeremiah and the other knight waited outside, as Izekiel and Nesrin entered through the muslin curtains.

Nesrin was surprised to see a rather plain looking room, it was probably the most plain thing in the whole palace.

There was a round table, the grand emperor sat on one of its sides as he plucked leaves from a small branch.

[New Character Introduced: Alastor Waelyn, the grand emperor of the Elysian Empire.

Age: 56

Spouse: Empress Dowager

Queen Aznora <<+169 more>>

[Would you like to open a detailed character file?]

[Yes/No]

Nesrin's eyes hovered over a certain number in astonishment before she declined the system.

Alastor Waelyn seemed to be just the kind of man that can be expected to live in a humble atmosphere like this. He wore simple robes, his hair were white and long and his eyes carried a soft, though sad, look.

He seemed unbothered by the new arrival and continued to do his work as nothing else mattered.

Izekiel said nothing and simply stood in front of the table.

Alastor continued to do his work.

Nesrin cleared her throat to break the awkward tension,

"Ah...your majesty..."

However, she could not recall a proper way to greet the grand emperor,

"Um, good morning!"

Alastor's fingers paused and he slowly lifted his eyes. There was a slight confusion and then slowly realization dawned upon him. He smiled warmly,

"I am so glad to see you!"

Izekiel nodded indifferently in acknowledgement.

"Take a seat, why are you standing?" Alastor frowned, "Do you plan to leave now?"

Nesrin glanced at Izekiel, he silently pulled a chair and sat down. She followed and asked Alastor.

"How is your health?"

"Have you two consummated?" Alastor asked casually,

"He can not hear well," Izekiel quickly added.

"O-oh...."

Nesrin smiled politely in reply, but her cheeks were getting warmer by each second.

"I only long to see a grandchild before dying." Alastor sighed, there was a sad smile upon his lips as he continued to pluck the leaves, "I fathered so many but none of them granted my wish. Eugene is still young, but Severnus should at least...."

Nesrin's polite smile turned doubtful.

-system, is the grand emperor suffering from any diseases?

[The health scan of Alastor Waelyn is successful.]

[Alastor Waelyn is affected by the following:

Unknown Poison - Status: Recovering

Alzheimer's Disease - Status: Worsening

Hearing Loss - Status: Worsening.

PTSD - Status: Recovering.]

An old maid entered the room, there was a copper glass in her hands. Alastor drank the contents of the glass and closed his eyes as if resisting a troublesome feeling.

There was a slight tremor in his hands before he opened his eyes.

"How have you been, father?" Izekiel asked,

It seemed like the potion was to aid in the grand emperor's hearing.

"The healers you brought are cruel." Alastor shook his head, "All they give me are bitter things. Nora would have never been like that."

Nesrin noticed a sudden darkness in Izekiel's eyes, but the smile on his lips didn't faltered as he replied to his father,

"I suppose your health is improving."

"I would have completely recovered if my son wasn't so fixed upon neglecting me."

A maid arrived at that time and served them tea and pastries. The grand emperor only took the tea as he continued,

"If he neglects you too just tell me, I know some eligible-"

"Someone more eligible than me? How is that possible?" Izekiel asked as if it was a genuine concern,

Nesrin suppressed her laugh, and replied without a second thought,

"His majesty is rather nice."

She said that only as a formality, but the words were not really fake. Nesrin hadn't forgotten how dangerous Izekiel is but a small part of her heart was slowly changing.

He was written as a cold hearted man, Nesrin didn't doubt that but...

Izekiel glanced at her doubtfully.

"It is said that the Awington house has descended from the ancient oracles," the emperor looked at her with interest, "Can you tell when will I recover?"

Nesrin thought for a while, but there seemed to be no harm in telling the truth. She can simply use the 'oracle lineage' as a cover. Not to mention that patients feel better when they are given hope.

"On the first full moon of the new year," she replied.

"You are confident." the emperor chuckled, he then blinked as if something was making him confused.

"We should leave," Izekiel placed his empty tea cup down,

"It's sad that Nora couldn't come." Alastor creased his brows and stood up, "But she said something....something important. She made me promise..."

Alastor limped towards his bed, he paused for a while before turning away and approaching the dresser on the opposite side. He muttered something to himself while fumbling through the things inside.

"You seem nervous." Izekiel commented,

"It's nothing."

"You already know what's wrong with his majesty," though his voice was casual, his eyes carried an inexplicable look.

"I...I studied medical things for some time. Psychology also interested me so ah I know a few things," Nesrin rubbed the side of her nose.

Alastor returned with a small wooden box.

"Nora said to give this to the bride..." he placed the box in front of Nesrin, "I hope that you two live a happy life. My wishes will always be with you, Ezra and Lillian."

"..."

"..."

Nesrin watched the small ebony box in her hands with awe as they walked over the cobblestone path. The box was engraved foreign characters, carefully placed together to line the box.

"Shall I give this to Princess Lillian?"

"It's your decision to make."

Nesrin was reluctant to give this box to the future evil empress. Alastor had probably meant to give this to her, but his memory was not good.

She brushed thoughts away and decided to keep the box herself.

[Treasure acquired: Mysterious Box.]

A dark something was over a branch of the tree, but when Nesrin blinked it melted into black smoke.

[Warning: System had detected an unforeseen variable.]

'I know who you are.'

There was a deep frightening voice that echoed in the back of her mind.