Chapter Thirty
_ Crack
* * *
A few days before the party
"I want to meet His Majesty, urgently now."
Mayer felt the crisis; he could neither refuse nor agree to the request of the young Marquis, Elliot Silas. Mayer sighed and asked calmly:
"Is it urgent?!"
"Very urgent, and cannot bear any delay."
Mayer knew who Ariana was, but he also knew that no one from the Silas family knew of her true relationship with the Emperor except for her personal maid. It was impossible for something to be that important, but Elliot's sharp and steady tone made him think for a moment.
"Wait a moment."
Elliot nodded and waited in front of the door leading to the Emperor's private office. After minutes, Mayer came out and allowed him to enter. When Mayer left, Elliot gave a very brief salute.
"The matter is serious."
"Please, let us speak clearly."
Elliot sat on the chair opposite Raphael, sighed, and said:
"The Temple is planning something dangerous for the engagement ceremony."
"And why are you so sure?!"
"I have my own sources. I don't know the exact details of the matter, but they are planning to launch a direct attack, and the goal is to cast doubt on His Majesty and his rule..."
"The Ruler's Wrath, as they call it."
"Yes, Your Majesty, something like that."
"And why are you telling me and trying to help me?!"
Raphael looked at Elliot with a look of skepticism, but it was more of a provocative look. Elliot exhaled patiently and said as calmly as possible:
"For my sister's sake, nothing else. The time of execution will be at the engagement ceremony, so I will not put my sister's life at risk."
"We have common goals, so I think we will agree."
Confusion appeared on Elliot's face at the Emperor's calm response. Elliot opened his mouth after a long hesitation:
"I will not be lenient in the matter."
"Fine, let's discuss the plan then."
"A plan?!"
"In your opinion, isn't acting like fools and manipulating your enemy better than showing caution?"
Elliot was confused and thought that the man in front of him was cunning to the extreme. How would his poor sister act in front of him...
'Ariana is truly amazing, no wonder her brother, who does not know his sister's strength, is this worried about her. He does not know that she is the one manipulating everyone in the palm of her hand.'
Raphael thought and looked at Elliot's hesitant face, feeling true pity for him, but he trusts no one, so he must proceed with caution...
"You must be behind your father on the day of the party. I will accompany Miss Silas and will not leave her side. My knights will be ready. I will inform you tomorrow morning of the details... Isn't it a simple plan?"
"I hope for Your Majesty's cooperation."
Elliot nodded in agreement while thinking about the matter, then left. Raphael sighed and summoned the magical bird and wrote a message:
[ Aya, we must meet tonight for an urgent matter... Raphael ]
He went back to finish his work. Indeed, in the evening, a message reached him telling him it was okay. He didn't waste a moment; the office background disappeared to reach behind the hidden door, because he thought it was wrong to disturb and frighten her by entering her room directly. After knocking twice, the door opened and Marianne received him and bowed:
"Greetings, Your Majesty. The young lady is currently in the bathroom."
"It's okay, Marianne, I will wait for her..."
"I will prepare the tea."
"Thank you."
Marianne left the room and Raphael sat in his usual seat waiting for Ariana to come out of the door. Finally, Ariana came out while drying her face with a towel and was surprised to see Raphael...
"I didn't expect you to arrive this quickly."
"The situation is urgent."
He was eager to see her but thought of the other excuse. Ariana sighed and sat in front of him with a worried look:
"What is the matter?!"
Raphael finally opened his mouth and said in a cold tone:
"The Temple is planning an attack at the party."
She looked at him with a serious gaze and said:
"I fear it will endanger people's lives; they are monsters in angels' clothing."
Raphael began to tell Ariana everything that happened and what Elliot had told him in detail, while Ariana listened with all her senses. When he finished, Raphael adjusted his posture:
"This is all I know, and I have sent spies here and there to find out greater details..."
"So that the consequences are not greater, let us look for help. Someone you trust who has power. Also, Cardinal Jerome must be with Elliot and go deep into the research in the Temple during the matter. They won't expect it at all..."
"...?!"
"They must enter the Temple. The Temple will be in a state of relaxation, if only for a moment, and they must exploit the matter. The more we know the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, the better. Two are better than one."
"What do you think about asking Duke Silvano for help? If I asked for the help of the Duchy of Rathan, which is expected by the Temple, I fear the situation there would become more catastrophic..."
"...."
"The matter is perfect, right? Especially since Miss Brion is grateful for Evan's help in removing her power seal and helping her integrate with it..."
Ariana's expression brightened as if she had found hope in the midst of despair. Raphael felt a sense of achievement, grabbed a strand of Ariana's hair and kissed it. Ariana's face flared up so much that she felt steam coming out of her ears. Raphael laughed at her shy and sweet reaction. When she frowned, he straightened his face and suppressed his laughter, saying with a warm and charming smile:
"The ideas of my future Empress are always worthy of praise. Cassian and I are lucky to have her."
There was a mixture of surprise and shyness on Ariana's face. She felt overwhelming happiness. She felt the sincerity of Raphael's words and placed her hand on her heart, perhaps to soothe its mad beating. She smiled gently:
"And I am lucky because I took the risk of getting to know Raphael."
The pet name was wonderful in her mouth, but his full name was full of magic and splendor. Her simple words were, as usual, precious, but he wanted big words, a clear confession...
'Not now, I want to create a beautiful beginning for us... '
"I must leave now, I will keep you updated with news first hand."
"Take good care of yourself."
Raphael stood looking at her and smiled at her warm farewell. He laughed a little and took a big step toward her, placing a light kiss on the top of her head, and stepped back quickly. When he saw the surprise on Ariana's face, he laughed mischievously:
"See you soon... my dear."
Splash!!!!
Raphael disappeared quickly from before her, leaving her in her confusion. Indeed, everything began as they planned. Raphael requested help from Silvano, and the Duke attended the party alone while Elena joined Silvano's knights stationed in various areas secretly. Brian took command of a unit of Ghost Knights, and the mission of Kayden—who knew the plan—was to lead the Imperial Knights, and they had to act as if nothing was happening. Indeed, the plan proceeded in this manner...
* * *
"Your Majesty, how has your health become?!"
"I am fine. Is there any news about Marianne?!"
"His Majesty informed me that she is with Sir Karos."
"Thank you. I will go out now."
The maid who helped her change her clothes bowed to her, then opened the door for her to exit. When they arrived at the Imperial Palace, Raphael looked at her condition and the others and asked them to rest and get treatment first before speaking. In the Imperial Palace, where no one is allowed to move freely, three guest rooms were opened, the most luxurious of which was for Ariana; this is what she learned from the whispers of the maids when they entered to help her. Because she was not used to anyone's help except Marianne, she refused for them to enter to wash her body and allowed them to help her put on the rest of the clothes. She felt their disappointment but ignored the matter, because she knows she is now in an important position where she cannot be tolerant of mistakes...
She sighed secretly and looked at herself in the mirror before heading out. A spring dress in apricot color with a simple but luxurious pattern, with short sleeves and a high neck. It was exactly her size. Her hair had been washed and combed well, and she thought that putting it up was better. The necklace Raphael gave her was back around her neck, so she wore nothing but two very simple pearl earrings. Despite her simplicity, her appearance was very dignified. Even her calm and steady steps as she walked to the Emperor's office caught the eyes of all the servants who saw her...
"Miss Silas, excuse me, Your Majesty."
Ariana turned to the source of the voice, and its owner was none other than Elena Brion, who approached in a light apple green dress, elegant and also with fewer decorations. It seemed that Elena, who walks with discipline like a knight more than a noble, made walking in the dress more embarrassing. She tried to give a greeting, but that made things worse...
"I am not used to this. At the party, I was holding onto the Duke, but walking like this is embarrassing. I apologize."
"It's okay, act as you please. Or let it be.. let's become friends."
Elena choked at Ariana's suggestion, which she said with a face smiling with pure and sincere kindness. There were no intentions in her request, but Elena's caution urged her:
"It might be an insolent act, but what is Your Majesty's interest in a friend like me?!"
Ariana laughed with a gentle and sincere face and tilted her head, still smiling:
"Miss Brion is cautious, which is something I don't loathe. But in truth, I really want friends around me, friends I can trust, and Miss is someone I feel I can trust..."
"... That is possible, although I know well that my friendship with you will not benefit Your Majesty with anything. Perhaps my own status will rise, but..."
"For now, this is enough. I have no problem. Maybe in the future we will need each other as friends more, not as noble ladies. As long as you accepted, let's first move away from formality. Call me Ariana if you like."
Elena swallowed her surprise. In her opinion, the woman in front of her was very strong and very cunning despite her fragile body, but she was also very sincere. Elena automatically extended her hand for a handshake:
"Elena, call me Elena too..."
Ariana held Elena's hand with enthusiasm and said:
"I am happy to meet you, Miss Elena."
Despite Elena's stern and harsh personality, she had less interaction with others, so she was very sensitive and shy toward Ariana's friendly and sincere actions. Her face turned very red, but Ariana broke the awkward atmosphere with a laugh, and said when Elena turned to her:
"We must hurry, they will find an opportunity to bother us, right?"
Elena nodded yes and sighed helplessly but smiled at the spontaneous Ariana who acted comfortably. They continued walking; unlike Ariana's small and fragile body, Elena had a graceful and toned body and was slightly taller than the average woman, so the height difference was clear between them...
* * *
He was putting his hands under his chin thinking deeply and did not even notice the person sitting in front of him, and the other person did not show any reaction to alert him. He finally sighed after deep thought and said:
"I knew the Temple was very evil, but involving this amount of innocent people in this mess... it is pure evil born from hell..."
"Your Majesty, the Silvano lineage over the years has tried to convey this, but..."
"My ancestors were cowards. They were worried about rebelling in the face of the Temple that held their leash..."
Philip was confused and looked at Raphael with a look of "what do you mean?!", but he held back the question, relaxed his back, and said:
"And why is His Majesty different from his ancestors?!"
Raphael spoke with a sense of comfort and confidence and leaned his back:
"You could say that I found my salvation, and I tore the collar that was around my neck.."
"The current generation of the Emperor has been liberated from the Temple, is that what you are saying?!"
"Certainly. Currently, I am still in the final stage of liberation. We will rid the continent of the Temple's authority..."
"How will you do that?!"
It was a tone full of anticipation and wonder, but Raphael gave him a cunning look and said:
"Will you help me?!"
Knock knock knock!!!!
"Come in."
It was Philip who almost opened his mouth to answer Raphael's question, but he retreated because of the sound of knocking. After permission to enter, Marshall entered and bowed:
"Your Majesty, Her Majesty and Lady Brion request permission to enter."
"Allow them."
Raphael's expression brightened and he turned to Philip and said:
"We will play with the Temple in a good way, rest assured."
Despite his intelligence, Philip felt confused. How did Raphael possess this confidence? He looked at the door as Elena and Ariana entered and bowed quietly. Raphael spoke to Ariana in an endearing way:
"Aya, come here."
The wide sofa Raphael was sitting on was enough for three grown men, but he pointed to the spot right next to him. Ariana felt embarrassed but she moved forward and sat next to him. As for Elena, she found that the sofa Philip was sitting on was large, but he looked at her as if to say "are you going to run away?". She swallowed her saliva and sat near him while keeping a small space... if Ariana was shy, Elena was doubly shy...
"Since everyone is present, let's talk."
Ariana's voice was the one that broke the atmosphere of tension. She, who did that to break this strange atmosphere, sighed and looked at Raphael who said:
"Before you came, we were talking about complete liberation from the Temple."
"It sounds for a moment like something big and beautiful, but it is a lie, Your Majesty..."
"What does Your Majesty mean by that? Do we allow the Temple?!"
Philip was confused by Ariana's words, which seemed more stern than her fragile and delicate personality...
"No, but not all religious people are evil."
"I didn't understand."
"We will liberate the empire from the Temple's power. People will have the right to choose, but first we must purge the Temple of the wicked."
Philip and Elena were surprised by Ariana's suggestion, and Philip looked at Raphael who seemed used to it. Raphael spoke in a playful way:
"This is my Empress.."
Elena looked at Philip then at Raphael and the embarrassed Ariana and said hesitantly:
"Your Majesty, do you and the lady know each other from before the party?!"
Raphael opened his eyes in surprise and looked at Ariana, who smiled that it was okay and said:
"I didn't know it was that obvious. Perhaps it will be a problem if the Temple discovers the matter... the plan will fail."
Philip and Elena looked at each other in surprise and confusion, and Elena said:
"Was there a plan?!"
"Raf and I have known each other for long months. We were planning to pull the Temple."
Philip and Elena realized that their relationship was not ordinary. Philip, who began to connect the events, said:
"Does the matter have a connection to Your Majesty's liberation from the Temple?"
"You are right. Ariana is the person who helped me get rid of the Temple's authority."
"Cardinal Jerome has a hand in it as well."
After the long confusion, Raphael and Ariana explained some facts to Elena and Philip, and it seems they are more aware than they expected...
* * *
Darkness covered every point in this place. The air was somewhat thin, which indicates that this place is at a very deep depth...
"Mr. Jerome, what is this place?!"
Elliot was dusting the dirt off his clothes after the unexpected fall into one of the secret passages. His eyes had begun to get used to the darkness when he found that Evan was still silent. He stepped forward to see him in a state of shock, looking at a specific spot.
........... To be continued ............