Episode 5

It wasn't long before a maid arrived to inform Ariana that the Emperor had summoned her to the throne room.

Ariana simply nodded and followed the maid to the main palace, which was only a few minutes away from hers. Once there, she was guided to the throne room.

The two enormous doors opened, and Ariana was announced.

As she entered, everyone fixed their gaze on the beautiful girl with bright red hair adorned with two braids that connected in the back and some flowers, her two golden eyes shone like the sun but showed no emotion, adorning her angelic, expressionless face that remained held high as she walked, and lastly, that beautiful, simple dress with pastel yellow lace that matched her eyes perfectly, making Ariana look like a delicate and angelic porcelain doll.

No one could deny the fact that the little princess was beautiful, and everyone admired her every time they saw her because she was a very sweet and beautiful child, except for her family, but this was a fact that the nobility did not know because the Emperor always maintained appearances.

Although this time they noticed something visibly different, the princess at this point should have already run towards their majesties with that sweet smile that characterizes her, but instead of this, she walks elegantly with her forehead held high, maintaining an expressionless face, causing some bewilderment.

Even the Emperor, the Empress, and her two brothers present could notice it, although they immediately thought it was just another trick to get attention, which was completely wrong because at this moment Ariana cares least about those miserable people who call themselves her family.

Ariana walks towards the throne, standing in front of it, then makes a perfect presentation, greeting their majesties the Emperors coldly.

And the fact that she didn't call them father and mother with that immense joy that characterizes her, and instead did it so coldly, did not go unnoticed either. Definitely something happened, the nobles think, although the Emperors and brothers continue to maintain the position that everything is a show to attract attention.

Ariana subtly observes those present, the Emperors on their respective thrones, Princes Stephan and Yosef on each side of them, on the left side are the Imperial Council and also the Archduke and Archduchess of Sia with Morgan who has his gaze fixed on her. And on the right side are the professors.

When they arrived, the Emperor was in a meeting with the council and the Archdukes of Sia. The professors first reported to the Empress, and she immediately took them to the Emperor, since the fact that they suddenly arrived saying that the princess was a genius of knowledge with a dozen definitive exams of each subject perfectly solved and in a time of less than five minutes each as proof, was something that could not be missed, a genius in the imperial family would bring them more prestige, the Empress thought that Ariana turned out to be not as useless as she thought.

Upon hearing everything, both the Emperor and the nobles present were surprised and immediately sent for Ariana.

"Your professors have informed me of everything" spoke the Emperor, looking at Ariana coldly as usual "I have summoned you to confirm for myself the fact that you are a genius of knowledge, the professors will give you an oral exam right here in front of everyone and you must answer each question correctly in a maximum of 20 seconds. If you succeed, I will recognize you as a genius, but if you fail, you will be severely punished for wanting to deceive the Emperor" the Emperor finishes in a cold and terrifying tone, looking at Ariana, but she doesn't flinch.

"I understand, Your Majesty" says Ariana "but it seems a bit unfair to me that the reward is so unbalanced compared to the consequence of losing, the reward for winning is very unfair" says Ariana coldly, looking the Emperor directly in the eyes with an expressionless look that surprises him a little because that is not the look that a girl should have, and that daring is not something characteristic of that useless girl.

Although this only made him give a slight smile for the attitude and the daring that this useless girl is showing today.

And it is not only the Emperor who was surprised, everyone was, they would never imagine that the princess would show such an attitude and daring in front of the Emperor, looking directly into his eyes while expressing her discontent with the Emperor's word in a blatant way.

Because even if she is right, no one would dare to contradict the Emperor's word unless they are not afraid of death.

"Insolent!!" Stephan suddenly shouts, taking a step forward looking at Ariana angrily for her attitude towards the Emperor "You should be grateful for the opportunity that father is giving you and not complaining, apologize right now!!" Stephan demands her.

"Why should I apologize?" asks Ariana, looking at Stephan coldly, leaving him perplexed by her answer.

He thought that when he saw him angry, she would start crying and begging as she always does, but what he doesn't know is that those are dead times for Ariana, and now she is different and will not be left by anyone.

"What?" asks Stephan in shock.

"I asked why should I apologize, Crown Prince?" says Ariana with her expressionless face looking at Stephan fixedly, surprising him.

"It's obvious!!" he reacts "You have just been rude to father!! You have to apologize!!" he says, pointing at Ariana with his finger.

"Tell me please in what part of my words have I offended His Majesty Prince?" Ariana asked again, looking at him fixedly, but this time she continued "I don't remember doing that, I just pointed out a fact that is obviously very unfair in a matter in which I am the only one involved, if I will be severely punished if I fail the test, I demand that the reward for passing the test be equivalent to the consequence of the loss. I have not committed any offense Prince" says Ariana calmly and then looks at him coldly "So now stop pointing at me with your finger, besides being very bad manners, it is an insult to my person Prince" says Ariana with a cold and emotionless voice improper of a girl, making Stephan shudder.

Stephan trembles red with anger upon hearing the murmurs from those present who support Ariana and reproach his behavior improper of the Crown Prince. Furious about this, Stephan is about to say something but is stopped by the Emperor.

"Enough Crown Prince!!" roars the Emperor causing absolute silence in the room. Stephan swallows saliva and steps back in silence trembling with anger, glaring at Ariana.

"Well" the Emperor speaks again "I find your point valid princess. I must be fair, and that is why, apart from recognizing you as a genius, if you pass the test successfully, I will grant you a wish that will be fulfilled by myself as long as it does not exceed the limits princess" the Emperor finishes, looking directly into her eyes with those golden eyes that shine like the sun but are colder than an iceberg. Although he cannot help but feel strangely pleased to see how that useless girl does not look away, instead she also looks at him with that cold, firm and intimidating look, causing a strange satisfaction to see that she no longer behaves like a useless immature begging for his attention.

Ariana makes a perfect bow while thanking the Emperor leaving him strangely satisfied with her cold words devoid of emotion, it was like seeing a doll move and speak.

Very entertaining, thought the Emperor.

Although he was not the only one pleased with Ariana's aptitude. A pair of golden eyes were watching her ecstatically for her attitude, thinking that she had found something very fun. While another pair of blue eyes, as clear as the sky, look at her in disbelief thinking that this was not the Ariana that he remembered...

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