Chapter 7: Imperial Palace

As time of the evening banquet neared, the arrival of the Jinn Princesses was widely spread throughout the capital city. The whole imperial capital came alive with discussion and gossip of the two foreign princesses. The most widely discussed topic by the Amayan citizens in their homes and shops were the worthiness of the pauper princesses in marrying the two most eligible bachelors of the Empire.

"Princesses? What Princesses? They are nothing but two pathetic low-lives that scarified the national treasure of their own kingdom in order to marry above their station. If it was not for that, how could such beings from a backwater kingdom even catch a glimpse of our Princes' back?"

"Isn't it? Our princes' are the future emperor and first prince of the Amayan Empire. What are they?"

"Let's not even talk about marriage, even being the servants of the princes' would be above their status."

Such discussions could be heard almost in every household of the Amayan citizens, be it the commoners discussing in groups in teashops or lords and ladies in pavilions.

Inside a teal-blue mansion, stood a tall figure with shoulder-length ash-blonde hair, sharp blue eyes. Sitting beside this figure, was a majestic, dignified middle-aged man in golden robes, looking disapprovingly at the anxious young man.

"How many times have I told you before? In order to achieve great things, one must learn to have great patience and endurance."

"But Father Emperor, that Lail is going to turn eighteen in two months. According to the imperial decree left behind by Royal Grandfather, you are to pass the throne of the Amayan Empire to him on his eighteenth birthday. Once that happens, how am I ever to become the Emperor?" The man asked.

"At the right time, anything is possible. Look at me. Years ago, I was nothing but a weak prince under the shadow of his older brother's glory. And now, I am the Regent Prince of the Great Amayan Empire while my older brother is nothing but an ancient dust. Although I do not have Emperor in my title publicly, I make the final decision on any matter in this Empire. Now have patience, and everything will go as we desire." The middle-aged figure confidently assured.

These two people are the Regent Prince of the Amayan Empire and his son, Prince Noore.

As the evening banquet drew near, Prince Noore got apprehensive of the potential benefits the political marriage would bring to the Crown Prince Lail.

These past few years, in order to set the framework to take over the throne, he had made secret connections with more than half of the court ministers, garnering their support. However, at the moment, the crown prince's presence was too strong for him to confront him directly and obtain absolute victory.

"Even though it is only a myth that the 'golden bird' of the Jinn Kingdom blesses its bearer with prosperity and wealth, I cannot ignore any possibility of it being true. Rather than strengthening my enemy, I much rather prefer in cutting of any future path of retreat." Declared Prince Noore firmly.

"Alright, then what do you plan on doing?"

"I will inform you when the time comes, Father Emperor. Just be sure to intercede at the opportune moment and all will be well." Prince Noore laughed arrogantly.

"As you wish. Just make sure not to take any hasty step, so as not to ruin the whole plan." Ordered The Regent Prince, before waving his son away to drive him off as he went back to reading his memorials.

In the eastern palace of the crown prince's residence were streams of maids rushing to and fro preparing the crown prince's robes for the evening banquet. Although the servants felt the princess arranged to marry their Crown Prince was not worthy enough to even stand beside him, they did not dare to voice their opinions in front of the death god.

Instead, the whole eastern palace was lit up in celebration with a lively atmosphere. Bathwater was drawn into the inner chambers as robes of blue, green, red, and gold were taken in. As the hustle and bustle dropped before completely stopping, the doors opened and a figure walked out.

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Dressed in dark-blue robes, with his waist-long hair falling freely behind his back, Crown Prince Lail looked ethereal. His elegant and firm attitude displayed an awe-inspiring presence. He stood by the peach blossom tree quietly for a long time, gazing solemnly at the showering petals before turning to leave.

Outside an aquamarine mansion stood a golden globe. As the setting sun played upon its roof and walls, its entire body was wrapped in speckles of gold and orange.

Inside the mansion, two figures, one in blood-red dress with a blue belt, the other in dark-blue robe and veil with lavender crepe chain dripping pearls, emerged one after the other before entering the carriage led by Princess Nari's personal guard and the two right and left leaders of the royal guards.

As the carriage rumbled through the starlit night street, a group of crowd curious about the appearances of the foreign princesses chased after it.

Princess Nari peeked through the window outside, before sitting back down nervously. If this was the Jinn Kingdom and the crowd chasing her, her citizens, she would have laughed delightfully as she waved back at them.

However, this was no longer Jinn Kingdom, and going forward, she will have to find a place for herself in this foreign realm in order to live a good life. Because here, there were no longer powers to protect her nor was her status of a princess as important.

Thinking of what awaited her in the unknown future, she could not help feeling lost and scared. She secretly peeked at her cold cousin sitting across from her to determine her reaction before disappointedly turning away.

Her cousin, like always, looked cold and indifferent to everything happening around her. Princess Nari suddenly felt abandoned and all alone with no one to turn to and nowhere to seek comfort and assurance.

Unbeknownst to her, her cousin, Princess Qamari was feeling just as nervous. But unlike her cousin who had the shelter of her parents all her life, Princess Qamari was forced to face the world all on her own at a tender age ever since the passing of her parents. Therefore, in situations where she lacked the power to change her circumstances, instead of panicking, she learned to stay calm and remain alert until a solution showed itself.

The carriage slowly nibbled its way towards the imperial palace. Upon reaching the imperial gates, it stopped for a brief moment for identification before proceeding ahead.

As Princesses, even ones of a negligible kingdom who were soon to wed the Princes of the Empire, they were accorded the respect deserving of their status and did not have to get down from their carriage at the palace gate and walk the rest of the way.

As their carriage passed through the ginormous aqua walls, many curious, envious, and jealous gazes were thrown their way by the daughters of the high-ranking ministers who had to walk to the banquet hall.

At the intersection where the males and females separated, their carriage stopped.

"Princesses, you will have to walk the remainder of the way. This is as far as you can go on a carriage in the imperial palace." A royal guard in a green uniform stood by the side of their carriage and informed.

"Okay." Replied Nari who was obviously still unnerved.

"Calm down. We are just going for a banquet, so there is nothing to be scared of. Just think of it as a tour in a neighboring country." Princess Qamari soothed coolly.

Surprised, Princess Nari looked towards her cousin before nodding with a smile.

The two descended one after the other and were rendered speechless by the glamorous sea of flowers.

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