Prime minister residence.

Scene 31

Location: Prime Minister's House, Dining Room.

The dining room exudes elegance, with rich mahogany paneling and soft lighting emanating from ornate chandeliers. At its center is a grand, dark oak table—10 feet long and 2 feet wide—intricately carved and surrounded by velvet-cushioned chairs. Luxurious silk curtains frame large windows, casting a warm glow over the stately atmosphere.

Prime Minister Mulak, a middle-aged man with glasses and a deep black mustache, sits at the head of the table. A noticeable scar runs over his left ear, a mark of valor from when he saved the current king from an arrow. Seated to his left is his daughter, Marina, and to his right, his son, Evander. As servants serve dinner, the family engages in conversation.

P.M. Mulak (taking a measured bite of food): "Have you completed all the preparations for your coming-of-age celebration, my daughter?"

Marina (smiling at her father): "Yes, Father. Almost everything is ready, just waiting for the dresses to arrive."

Evander (teasing): "Ah, girls are so lucky! They get grand 'coming-of-age' parties while we boys just get knight ceremonies."

Marina (side-eyeing him): "It's an honor for someone like you, who can barely wield a sword." (She humphs.)

Evander (feigning offense): "Hey! Don’t say that. You know how well I fight among the knights. People are practically dying to learn from me!"

P.M. Mulak (glancing at his son): "It’s not about how well you fight; it’s about how smart you fight."

Marina (pouting slightly): "Dad, tell him to stop teasing me. I'm not a little girl anymore to brush it off."

Evander (grinning): "Oh, come on! Since when have you ever brushed off my teasing? If I say one word, you make sure I hear at least a hundred in return. And you call that 'brushing it off'?"

Marina pleads with her father through her eyes, her frustration evident.

P.M. Mulak (firmly): "Enough, Evan. Stop troubling your sister."

Evander (raising his hands in mock surrender): "Alright, alright, I’ll stop." (He leans toward Marina and whispers.) "If you can’t refute, just run to Dad, huh?"

Marina smirks, feeling victorious as her trick works. She takes a bite of her steak before turning her attention back to her father.

Marina: "Father, when will the Crown Prince return to the capital? Will he attend my party?"

P.M. Mulak (smiling warmly, placing his palm on her cheek): "If he returns, I’ll be the first to know, my dear, and I’ll inform you right away. Rest assured, the Crown Prince will attend. Even the King and Queen are expected—who is he to decline?"

Marina (thoughtfully): "The Crown Prince seems a bit rebellious. He doesn’t strike me as someone who follows orders easily."

P.M. Mulak (with quiet resolve): "I’ll ensure he listens to you. I’ll make you the most powerful woman in Theomov. You will rule this continent."

Marina (blushing slightly): "But what if he doesn’t agree, Father?"

P.M. Mulak (with a knowing smile): "Don’t worry, I have my ways."

Evander (playfully interjecting): "Let’s say, for argument’s sake, he doesn’t like you. What will you do then, Marina? And more importantly, what will you do, Father?"

Marina (narrowing her eyes): "If he doesn’t want to be with me, I’ll let him go. There's no point in holding on to someone who doesn’t want to stay. I know my worth."

Evander (grinning as he turns to his father): "And you, Father?"

P.M. Mulak (calmly but with steel in his voice): "I’ll discover the reason, and I’ll eliminate it. He won’t have a choice."

Marina (beaming proudly): "See? That’s how much Father loves me." (She sticks her tongue out at Evander.)

Evander makes a teasing face in return, and despite the playful bickering, the family enjoys their dinner. Afterward, Marina and Evander excuse themselves, heading to their rooms, while Prime Minister Mulak retires to his study.

...----------------...

Scene 32

Location: Prime Minister's mansion, hallway.

The hallway echoed softly with the footsteps of Marina and Evander as they walked side by side. Marina seemed lost in thought, her brows slightly furrowed, while Evander cast a glance her way, curious.

Evander: "What's got you thinking so deeply, sister?"

Marina (her voice low but tense): "What do you think Father is trying to do, Brother?"

Evander (with a knowing smile): "Isn’t it obvious? He wants to rule Theomov through you. You will ascend the throne as Empress, and he will guide your reign."

Marina (frowning): "That’s treason, Evan. If word gets out... we’d all be beheaded."

Evander (calmly): "The king is kindhearted. He can see the difference between those who act with malice and those with good intentions. Don’t worry too much."

Marina (her voice a whisper of concern): "Our loyalty should lie with the Crown Prince. We have to make Father abandon this idea."

Evander (softly squeezing Marina’s hand in reassurance): "Loyalty is all that matters, and we will never betray ours."

Marina looked at her brother, still uneasy. Her mind replayed their father’s words from earlier.

Marina: "I can’t shake this feeling, Evan. When Father spoke, it was clear—he has a plan, something beyond what we understand."

Evander (firmly): "Don’t strain yourself over it, Mari. You’re going to meet the Crown Prince soon. Pledge your loyalty to him, and we’ll take all the precautions before anything spirals out of control."

Marina (nodding slowly): "We have to prepare for the worst. We’ll protect Father, and we’ll protect our family."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of commotion from the back of the mansion. Marina’s gaze shifted toward the noise, and she motioned to a passing servant.

Marina: "What’s going on at the back? Did something happen?"

Servant (bowing slightly): "New slaves have arrived, my lady. They’re being brought in through the rear entrance, which is causing the noise."

Marina: "I see. You may go." (turning to Evander) "Let’s head to bed. We need a clear mind tomorrow."

Evander (smirking): "Yes, or else my handsome face will wrinkle, and no lady would dare look my way."

The two shared a light laugh, momentarily easing the tension. They then headed to their respective rooms, their minds still lingering on the weight of their conversation.

...----------------...

Scene 33

Location: The back side of the Prime Minister's mansion.

The atmosphere was tense but orderly as newly acquired servants, brought from an auction, were herded through the back entrance of the mansion. A few overseers barked instructions at the group.

Random Overseers: "Move along, no trouble now. Slowly, slowly. Keep going."

Among the group of servants was Faris, the same slave who had been named by Astraea. His hands were bound tightly, and a thick rope was fastened around his waist—just like the others. It was common practice for new slaves to be restrained this way, to prevent any chance of escape.

As Faris walked through the back door, his eyes scanned his surroundings—taking in every detail of the mansion's back entrance, its decorations, and the grandeur even hidden from the public view.

Faris (thinking to himself): "So, this is where I’ll be... until I meet Artha again. I don’t know when it will happen, but I can feel it—it’s not far off." He couldn’t explain how, but something in his gut told him their paths would cross soon.

He continued walking, following the group but lost in thought. His determination was steeled. "Whenever that moment comes, I’ll be ready."

His daydreaming was abruptly cut short by the sharp voice of the Head Maid.

Head Maid (shouting): "These slaves are filthy and covered in dust! Take them to the bathhouse. They must be properly cleaned before the master sees them."

Servant: "Yes, Head Maid!"

The slaves, including Faris, were quickly ushered toward the bathhouse. Once there, the Head Maid gave stern instructions.

Head Maid: "Clean yourselves thoroughly and make sure you're presentable. We’ll return in half an hour."

With that, she and the other overseers left, leaving the slaves to bathe and prepare themselves. The group began to wash, each one knowing that their appearance might determine how they were received by their new masters.

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