Ch. 3

"You have finally arrived. I'm relieved to see you here, Sona~" The Emperor says in return, but his words just now caused a huge shock in the hall.

he- he- did he called me by my nick name just now!? No way! Wasn't nicknames only to be used by one's family or lovers or some close friends?! Did he purposely make it seems like we are close? But why? What benefits does he gains by doing this??

Sona groans in her head although she doesn't looked effected at all from the outside.

She could feels many pricking glares are stabbing her from all sides. It's from none other than from the fiancée candidates in the hall. Some of them are quite angry.

"... I am greatly honored to be at Your Majesty's present. How could I decline your invitation, Your Majesty? Of course I will come." Sona replies after some moments of silence.

She knows that even though it will brings her troubles, she can't do anything with it, since it's the emperor himself who called her like that.

"How dare she appears in the day when the crown prince will choose his fiancee?!"

"She must have been sluting over to the Crown Prince, thinking she can be his lover just with her beauty."

"But she is really pretty."

"What is she doing here anyway?"

"She must be doing this on purpose!"

Voices and small talks as well as whispers from the ladies all pass through Sona's ears. But being taught to be calm, stay pretentious, and to have a high self esteem, Sona acts indifferently, never really effected by any of those remarks. She would only glances once at them and ignores them the next second.

"Your Majesty, with all due respect, may I ask why do you want to meet a subject like me?" She begins to ask. Ignoring the atmosphere from the ladies. The emperor then forms a smile on his face. He seems to be watching Sona's behaviors.

"Sona, do you know that it has been a month since the crown prince's fiancée candidates entered the palace? And do you know what day is it today?" The emperor asks, still smiling.

Sona stays quite for a minute and nods.

Sona's face shows discomfort, she doesn't intends to actually hides it all, but she also only reveals her emotions just a tiny bit, since she would be disrespectful towards the royals.

"... Yes, I do. Today is the last day for the esteemed candidates to be in the palace for the selection for The Crown Prince's spouse, and also in other words, the day for The Crown Prince to choose among the candidates so he can take her as his wife... On such a day... Why-"

"Hahah, well, it is indeed an important day, and that is exactly why I want you to join the event today as well, so please, as the daughter from a good friend of mine, could you be the special guest that will attend this eventful occasion?" The emperor says, cuts her words before she could finished her sentence.

"..." Sona widen her eyes, surprised by the sudden request. She blinks for a few times. Then closes her eyes and slowly opens them.

"If Your Majesty is not bothered by my presence and is even asking your subject to stay, it would be my greatest honor to fulfill your request." Sona says as she forms a smile with her unpressured face.

Sona, being not able do anything about it, just obeying her Emperor. The Emperor nods and gestures her to be besides The Crown Prince.

Sona nods slightly and walks up some stairs to head to The Prince's side. They both stay in silent.

Is this even allowed...?

As the event then continues, Sona just stays quietly and watches the whole scene. Then she glances at the two royals.

The Empress is not present? Is this event not that important for her not to come?

And The Crown Prince... I pity him. He can't decide about his own future love ever since he was forced to find his spouse when he was ten. For two years, he has been rejecting everyone but The Emperor keeps bringing new ladies? Well, it's good that His Majesty didn't forced The Prince into a girl without giving any chance to choose... but still, I would be depressed if I were him.

Sona stares at The Prince with pitiful eyes, who then notices her and glances at her too. She flinches a little but then bobs her head slightly as a small voiceless greeting, but her eyes are still pitying His Highness.

"...?" The Prince, who glanced at Sona, moves his eyes back to his front.

The crown prince is now 12 years old.

In Oondora, the average year to get married is 18 for boys, and 15 for girls. Or to put is short, when they have their coming of age.

It's quite unique, but in our empire, it is okay to choose a fiance at the age of 10. Even father once told me to find one... So The Prince is just too pitiable.

"So, my son, who would you like to choose?"

The emperor asks.

"None." The princes sturdily answers in return. The same answer he has been given all these years. He doesn't even glance at any of them at all.

So that's how fast he rejects, I was doubtful when I heard the rumors about his speed. Anyway another failure this year too. Now it has been like 3 years since the emperor brought candidates for the prince and got rejected. That Prince is tough alright...

"Ho-how come?! I was so sure he would pick me!"

"Noo, which part of me is wrong?"

"Is it because of that girl?"

The candidates chatter along and also vent their angers on Sona, who has a hint on her face, saying "Oh? why me?"

"It is unfortunate, but, it seems that the crown prince have made his decision." The emperor says as he still maintains his smile.

All of the candidates fall into sadness and disappoinment. But since that means the event is all over, the candidates will have to leave the palace, even if they are unwilling to.

it's another disappointing rejection, but why is his majesty's face are not gloom at all?

Sona asks to herself.

Is it because his majesty already knew the outcome?

As the last person left the hall, there are just The Emperor, The Crown Prince and Sona, also some servants. Sona soon realizes and walks back to face The Emperor once again.

"Now that the event is finished, should I take my leave as well?" She asks.

"No, actually, there is another reason why I called you here." The emperor chuckles, noticing that Sona actually wants to leave as soon as she can.

"... What may that be, Your majesty?" She asks again.

In her inner self, she is screaming desperately.

"Nothing serious. I just want to check on you since you fell to that lake in the west palace right?"

"Ah...? Yes..." Sona replies, a little embarrassed about that incident.

"Are you really feeling alright? I am glad that you are safe and sound but that was a rare occurrence for someone to survive after fell to that lake."

"I am perfectly fine, your majesty. Instead, I am sorry for causing such trouble in the palace."

I was very reckless back then, wasn't I? To be curious on something dangerous like the the deep water lake... ahh... past me, why did you do that...

"Sona, you do know what the deep water is, right? Even an adult will have a difficulty to fight its gravity, yet you're only ten and you survived, it was a miracle that you are alive. It's a blessing for us." The Emperor says and laughs. Joy is actually spotted perfectly on his face. Which makes Sona a little confused.

"you have quite the luck. Now, since I know you are fine, let's skip to the main reason you are here, shall we?" He smiles which makes Sona had a bad feeling.

"... Please go on." Sona answers after some seconds of confusion.

didn't you say the reason to call me is for asking that and just that?!

is what she thinks behind the kind smile of hers that is displayed.

"I had my eyes on you, ever since your father, the duke, started to praise you openly. He had always mentioned you and said a lot thing about you. Which leads me to my curiosity. But since you haven't even debut yet, I began to wonder how wonderful you may be." The emperor says, his smile then turns into a grin.

"And since now I know just how good you are, I am hoping, that you would be my daughter-in-law. What do you think?" He asks. His finishing sentence makes both Sona and The Crown Prince startled in shock.

So sudden?! That doesn't make any sense! What was that again about not shoving a girl to the prince's face? I want to take it back!

Sona exclaims in her thoughts.

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