Chapter 141: Chapter 141

When I looked at him blankly because of his unexpected statement, he smiled intriguely.

He said with a softer voice, No, let me correct it. The crown prince is very unfortunate. Even though he has such a beautiful fiancee like you, he cant touch your body as you are too young.

Your Eminence!

Your hair that bears the cold moonlight is sacred, and your golden eyes that look like the sun are shining so brightly. Im sorry to mention blasphemously about your body given by Vita, but I feel like Ill lose my eyesight if I continue to look at you.

I couldnt think of how to respond, so I was just listening. After staring at me, he smiled, raising his eyes, Oh, I guess you are immature in other aspects. Hmm. Then, that s it for today. Praise the beauty given by the Father of Life. I would like to convey Vitas blessings to you.

A white light shone around his hands. Everywhere was full of flower scent, and pink petals began to fall around me.

What the heck is he doing now?

I was embarrassed. Although I was very skeptical about Gods will these days, I felt God gave him the divine power to use it for this kind of occasion.

As I was so dumbfounded that I was going to retort, I felt refreshed now , even though I was very tired a moment ago.

Is this what he means by blessing me?

Although I felt somewhat uncomfortable, I slightly bowed to him.

Thank you, Your Eminence.

Youre welcome.

By the way, why did you ask me to see you?

Oh, well, I just wanted to see the child of Gods prophecy up close, but considering what happened today, I think Vita led me to see you.

Hummmyou wanted to see me only for that reason?

When I looked at him with a suspicious expression, he said feebly, Well, Im done talking to you. Shall we go out? Id like to escort you to your house, but in that case, Im afraid I have to pay the price for that. Im sorry, but let me escort you to the front door.

Thank you for your consideration, Your Eminence.

Youre welcome. It was my honor to have a beautiful lady here.

Then he stood up and went out first. I stared at the young man walking with long hair rustling over the floor.

Why the heck did he bring me over here? Why did he keep calling me the child of Gods prophecy when he already heard Gods prophecy about Jiun? Why did he disclose that I heard Gods prophecy?

If you stare at me so intensely, Ill get embarrassed.

The High Priest, who was walking ahead of me, smiled faintly, looking back at me.

Sighing at his smile, I walked after him to the outside of the sanctuary.

Oh, welcome back, Lady Monique. Im glad you have come back safely.

Its been a long time. How are you all?

Yes, nothing particular happened. Did you keep well, too?

Yes. How about my father?

Well, he sent me a message that he will not return home today because something urgent happened.

Really?

Maybe its because of Gods prophecy.

He was supposed to notify the imperial palace, so by now the emperor was briefed about what happened.

The name Graspe sent by God with the modifier, a woman sent by God.

I let out a deep sigh unconsciously.

Her middle name. It meant that Jiun also had the right to succeed the empress. Judging from what the emperor said to me a few years ago, it was evident that the emperor would never let her go, as long as she also had the right to succeed the empress. From now on she had no choice but to get entangled with the crown prince in every way other than death.

Graspe, the one who seizes fate.

Does Gods decision to give Jiun such a name mean that He wants to give her a chance to seize her fate as the empress again? Or does He have some other intention?

I carefully reflected on my dialogue with the high priest, but couldnt find a proper answer to my question. I felt tired again, although I felt refreshed from fatigueness thanks to the high priests blessings.

I dont know. Let me think about other things tomorrow.

I changed my dress with Linas help and threw myself onto the bed.

As soon as I opened my eyes the next morning, I received something like a letter.

It was a summons to attend the political meeting in the afternoon.

Is this the beginning? With a sigh, I folded the summons. When I was thinking of practicing fencing before I went to the meeting, Lina came in and gave me a small note.

While feeling a bit strange, I read the postscript again.

My father gave me a gift?

At first glance, it seemed like he asked me to bring something he had forgotten, but I couldnt really understand what he meant. When he mentioned the other day, he probably referred to the outing with me before he went down to the summer palace.

Is he talking about the formal dress he gave me as a gift at that time?

There was no chance that he wanted me to bring the formal dress as a spare.

Then, does he want me to wear it when I attend the political meeting?

Ah! I suddenly found out what he wanted.

He wanted me to wear the formal dress, not my usual knight uniform, to the political meeting this afternoon.

Oh, I see. Thats what he wants.

I knew how political affair meetings usually took place. I also knew what I was supposed to do at the meeting. As requested, I changed into a formal dress and headed for the Imperial Palace in time.

Given the importance of the agenda, it looked like they convened a big conference, which was held only twice a year. Even though the meeting started, I had to stand by in the waiting room for some time before entering. The conference room was really spacious.

I slowly stepped inside, looking around the conference room. Numerous nobles sat in front of several rows of tables on both sides of the platform where the emperor and the crown prince were seated.

I see. Thats why my father sent me such a message.

Sir Monique, please take a seat here.

The seat I was shown to by an attendant was facing the platform. It was also the seat reserved for the defendant when a trial was held at this place, which was sometimes used as a courtroom.

You guys want to treat me like this from the beginning?

I walked up to the seat by clicking my heels on purpose. Then, instead of sitting on the chair, I looked up at the emperor at the platform. I saw him smiling at my dress slyly.

Just as I suspected, my father seemed to have sent me the message with the emperors tacit approval. My father didnt give the noble any excuse to find fault with me, so he just used a figurative expression in the message.

Anyway, as the emperor tacitly approved my formal dress, let me see what happens.

Only

I, Aristia la Monique, am honored to greet you, the Sun of the empire, and the Little Sun of the empire.

With one hand on my chest and the other hand holding the hem of my dress slightly, I leaned forward to show due manners to them. I noticed Jiun, who was looking at me in front of the platform facing me.

However, I opened my mouth, totally ignoring the black-haired girl that I saw again after in five years. I couldnt afford to look at her or spare a thought for her because not only the pride of my family and the pro-emperor faction but also mine was at stake in this place.

Your Majesty, can I ask you one thing before I take a seat?

Sure, go ahead.

Am I sitting here as a criminal defendant today?

No. What are you talking about, Monique? said the emperor.

I see. Then, I, Aristia la Monique, would like to use the legitimate right to formally raise an objection to my seating here.