40

"Glory to the beautiful flower of Empire."

"Ara ara. This man knows how to flatter. Hm, I like your glib tongue young man."

Christopher elegantly responded. He knew that this woman was hard to crack. Compare to the second Prince, Empress Maria was the hardest person to talk to. She would praise you first after that she would use her position to bind them. Maria was like a snake that would eat anything that she could. She reached her position by using everything, she even sacrificed her child just to be the Empress.

"I'm happy that the Empress finds this humble man as interesting. "

He lowered his standing so that he could easily leave this place. He knew that many nobles were eyeing him. The Marquis was not here because he's talking to Alphonse about the possible impending doom. Right now, Edson couldn't help him. He was lucky that the invincible Princess was with him.

" Empress, I believe me and Christopher needs to talk. Could you please let us leave? The banquet is full of perfume which makes my head hurt. The odor lingers and I need to get some fresh air. "

Women crazily glared at her, they gasped thinking that what she said was a humiliation to them. As a noblewoman, they bath themselves to perfume because it's embarrassing to attend the party if they smell foul. Yet, this move was actually wrong.

For a Princess who inherited the bloodline of the Emperors, she had a strong sense when it comes to fluid. Her eyes see the ugly color of the odor inside the banquet. She couldn't control her nose from twitching.

Christopher stiffly smiled. This woman was so damn strong!! She face-slap the people here. Even the three Prince reacted.

Julian shook his head and Augusta crackled a laugh. They knew what she meant, after all, they inherited the blessing of the Goddess of Sea. They were forcing themselves not to scrunch when they talk to the nobles. The fragrances hit their sense of smell in a bad way.

"Is that so… I guess you need to leave. Do you want me to call a physician? I'm worried that you're suffering from trauma."

"No, you don't need to. I just want to leave."

"Yes, you can. "

The Empress grinned. She peeked at Christopher.

"But I think Christopher doesn't have the reason to leave with you. Perhaps you're forcing the young man to follow you."

Empress showed a depressed expression. She pitied Christopher because Aria was famous for bullying aristocrats. Aria's eyes became red, it's like this b*tch is saying that she's forcing herself on Christopher.

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"You…!! Are you saying that I'm-"

"Your Majesty, I think we have a misunderstanding. Princess Aria wants to talk to me because she likes to take me to the garden to see the scenery and tour me inside the Palace. She wants to express her gratitude. I agree with her because I found her decision as benevolent…"

Mikael stopped the Princess from making a commotion. He didn't want to worsen the already destroyed image of Aria.

Empress Maria glared at him for a second but her hatred quickly disappeared.

Teresa, who was close to them, tried to open her mouth but Katie stopped her. She glanced at her friend and saw her gloomy gaze.

The two left the party. When they were far from the nobles, Aria and Christopher sigh in relief. They looked at each other and giggled. Their happiness echoed in the garden.

"Pfft-haha. Did you see that b*tch face? It looks like she wants to vomit."

Aria slapped her legs, her stomach was aching because of too much laughing. Christopher smiled but he didn't speak, saying bad things about the Empress could cause him to visit the court-martial. Aria paused when she detected his expression.

"Why are you not answering?"

"Your highness, it's traitorous to gossip about the Empress."

"But we're alone. You don't have to do that. Besides, I can talk to my Father if something happened to you…"

He chuckled, as always, Aria would depend on her father.

Christopher was sorry.

It would be tragic if the Emperor would die, he would leave Aria alone. The two Prince was fighting for the throne. And another ruckus would cause them misfortunes.

Aquila may have looked strong but he's already old. His fangs were lost because of his age.

"Princess…"

"Why? Do you have something to say?"

"No, nothing."

He blocked his thoughts. It's not good to agitate the Princess.

Aria stared at him, she bit her lips. No matter how many times she cracks his emotions, Christopher always wears his mask and returns to being a man who puts distance.

"Christopher, you said that you want me to be safe. You said that you're contented as long as I'm healthy and happy. "

"Yes, Princess."

She gulped, she already revealed her obvious feelings but this man always put the topic to the side. She talked about it when they're in Marquis Manor and she told her feelings when Christopher almost died from the assassination. However, he always evades the topic.

"Then why were you doing this………?"

Her voice was shaking, she wanted to know why Christopher was turning away from her.

The man was silent.

Christopher remembered the child, he knew that Princess Aria and his little sister Aria were two different people. He felt familial love to her little sister but to the Princess, it was unknown.

That's why he couldn't accept the Princess's feelings. He didn't want to hurt Aria, because even he was confused by his emotions.

"Princess, I'm not worthy. I-"

"F*ck that. As if I care! You……!! You just protected me from the nobles earlier, what's that? You're saying it's part of your duty? You're gonna say that you feel nothing!?"

She said while her eyes were blurring and shed tears

The roses sway, the air hits the flowers just like the tears that came from her sadness. Christopher felt guilty, he didn't know what feelings he had. Is this familial or romance? Right now, he's not sure. That's why he couldn't answer her feelings because he was afraid of hurting her.

Princess Aria wiped her tears. She hates the fact that Christopher never answered, she carried her beautiful dress and left. The heels tacked on the floor, Christopher ached whenever he hears the melancholy tunes.

Christopher was alone in the garden. His heart was hurting but he didn't have the privilege to follow her. For now, he needs to greet the incoming person. He steeled his emotions. He erased the frustrated feelings and change his expression.

"Aahhh, how sad, you let the woman go. It's so sad. You should have told her that you love her or something, after all, you will die here."

A man holding a scimitar appeared.

(Note: Bonus Chapter cause I gained another patron!!! Thank you!!

'Payfortunate' and 'Ausner Gentil')