Chapter 199: Inside The Imperial Family

The awarding ceremony ended gloriously without any kind of mishaps.

Everyone was still in high spirits as they still have something to look forward to - The Winter Banquet!

There was still half a day before the Moonlight Hall opened its door for the attendees of the most awaited ball.

As such, everyone was so excited that they came to their respective homes early and started to prepare their appearances and outfits at the ball. 

The people were also excited to see the most prominent men and women attending the banquet.

This banquet was also the hope of many in meeting some prospective spouses in the future. 

Because of this, the young people couldn't help but become hopeful especially for the well known bachelors and young ladies that were now of marriageable ages. 

The most prominent ones are the Young Masters of the Cross, Farauld, Vesala and Astaze family. Even Randel, who was an adopted son to the Forgeworn Clan were on the list. 

There's also Leon, however, because of the tension between the First Prince and the Second Prince's factions, he was somehow thrown under the shadows. 

However, many young ladies still couldn't help but covet his cold yet ravishingly handsome face.

It was their desire to conquer him and make him fall to their beauties that makes them somehow adamant to get close to the renowned Blood Prince. 

For the young ladies, Alicia and Eli were among the list of women that were highly anticipated at the winter banquet. Especially now that Eli had made her stunning appearance at the palace square. 

This time though, there would be someone who would join the ranks after shunning several social gatherings in the past year, the ever mysterious Second Young Lady of the Vesala Clan, Arabella. 

But on the side of the prominent leaders of the aristocrats and other influential families, this event would be like a warzone to achieve their own political agenda. 

Just like how the Empress was now looking meaningfully towards her son, Kazimir in the sun room of her very own Empress's place. 

"Son, what do you think of the renowned inventor?" She asked in a light tone but her manner of speaking carried a lot of weight. 

During the last few months, she had already completed her recuperation period. Now she was able to walk around without the help of a wheelchair.

"I think she's quite good. It'll be nice to get to know her. I heard that she was able to make the unruly research branch obedient to her in just a few months."

Kazimir took a long sip in his tea cup and had a deep unfathomable look in his eyes. 

Seeing Kazimir's reaction, Empress Carolina nodded in approval, she was sure that her son was also at the same page as her in thinking of getting Eli into their side.

"How do you plan to do that then?" 

"There were still some vassals under the Vesala Duchy whom we could matchmake with her.." Kazimir thought. 

Even though he thought approvingly of Eli and her renown could never be defeated by any of the young noble ladies in the Empire, she was still of an unknown background. 

Being raised by Empress Carolina, his heart still believed that status mattered more than real abilities. 

Her status would not be enough to be married with his maternal cousin, Nikolai.

So he instinctively thought to match make Eli to one of the lower ranked nobles under their faction.

"Hmm.." Although a bit startled about her son's idea, Empress Carolina did not reject Kazimir's thought right away. 

She thought that it was better for Kazimir to keep Eli closer to his side, and by that she meant to suggest that her son take Eli as her secret lover. 

Like Kazimir, she also knew that Eli's status was not enough to match up with her son and even her nephew. But taking her as Kazimir's secret lover would let him control Eli and keep him close at the same time. 

For people of her status, it was already great that she was able to catch Kazimir's eyes. A status would be just a fleeting daydream.

However, Empress Carolina didn't bring up this thought towards Kazimir.

If she would always have Kazimir depend on him for everything, then his son would not be able to hold the Empire together after they successfully seize the throne. 

She decided to let him go with his own idea in order for him to be prepared in the future. For she couldn't wait anymore. 

Valentin has been posponing the succession process for a long time already, but he will not be able to prolong the matter any longer.

For both the Vesalas and Astazes have been pressuring him, especially with the 'victorious' ending of the matter with the Spectre. 

Valentin will no longer have any reason to delay the matter.

Meanwhile, it was seldom for Antoine to visit her Queen Mother.

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Her reaction towards Eli bothered him so much that he dragged his little family all the way to the Lily Palace, First Queen Lucia's place.

Queen Lucia was pleasantly startled by their visit. Everyone knew that the Second Prince Antoine had an estranged relationship with her mother for unknown reasons.

Somehow, he was even closer to the Empress rather than his biological mother. 

This followed even during the time he married and had his own family. He seldom allowed his family to visit his queen mother, so as to not feel frustrated about her. 

But now, holding his wife's hand and his young son on the other, he took the initiative to bring them to meet the first queen.

"Oh, my son, Evelyn, my little Zion…." Queen Lucia's eyes were moistened with tears as she saw them waiting in her lounge. She gave warm and affectionate hugs towards the three. 

Evelyn, Antoine's young wife and Zion, their son, also longingly hugged Queen Lucia back. The two didn't understand why Antoine didn't want them to have a close relationship with Queen Lucia. 

But behind Antoine's nose, the two would always find time to visit the lonely Queen in her palace and spend time with her.

Contrary to Antoine's aversion to his mother, the two were drawn to her pure and serene demeanor. 

Although they have received fair and amiable affection from the Emperor, there was something in the Imperial Family's shadows that made them feel suffocated. Especially, at the Empress's side.

Queen Lucia was like an oasis in the bloody cruel dessert - the Imperial Family. 

She was someone who didn't mind the complexities happening in the palace, nor would she be one who initiates the toxicity inside the monarchy. 

"I have been out on the battlefield for so long, I just wanted to know how you have been." Antoine awkwardly thought of an explanation on why he suddenly visited his mother without any prior notice.

Queen Lucia was happy that she got to see the family of three and didn't mind the unnatural behavior of her son. She beckoned them to come over and enjoy tea time with her, while ordering the servants to prepare a meal for all of them. 

Lily's place had been silent ever since Queen Lucia entered the palace. Antoine thought that with the most anticipated winter banquet ahead, he would finally see his queen mother get busy socializing again. 

However, the stillness of the palace made his heart disappointed.

"Mother, are you not going to attend the winter banquet?" Antoine couldn't help but ask, he was actually confused. 

He clearly saw Queen Lucia's interest towards Eli, yet why will she not attend the winter banquet?

Everyone knows that Eli would join the winter banquet as she was under Farauld's care in the past few months. 

Queen Lucia shook her head gently and answered, "The banquet is for you, young people. Go on and enjoy the event, I'm sure that the Grandmaster will not hold back organizing such a large scale banquet." 

"But mother, aren't you getting bored of this silent and deserted place?" Antoine immediately flared up and slightly raised his voice. 

What could he expect from his mother, who was unwilling to even make an appearance and help him raise his influence in high society!

"Antoine.." Evelyn tried to calm her husband down. However, she could feel that he was already frustrated.

As her wife, she vaugely understood why Antoine immediately flared up upon knowing that Queen Lucia refused to attend the banquet to socialize. Her husband also wanted to vye for the throne.

Queen Lucia moving to extend her influence, would help Antoine gain a lot of supporters after all.

Trying to calm the tense situation down and also so as to not scare little Zion, she tried to mediate between the two. 

"Queen Mother, I would love to have you accompany me at the banquet." She took Queen Lucia's hand and sincerely asked her a favor, 

"I've been raising little Zion for two years now. I have long forgotten how to mingle with the women in the social circle… I plan to make a comeback in the high society through the winter banquet. Can I ask Queen Mother to accompany me just this once?"

Queen Lucia looked at Evelyn's earnest and pleading eyes. She actually felt guilty for not being a good mother in law for her. 

As such, Evelyn's plea became effective to Queen Lucia, the family of three saw her finally nod in consent. 

Seeing her mother's approval, the tension in Antione's body tensed up a little. He looked at his wife, Evelyn with gratefulness. 

Evelyn was a sensible woman, she just smiled and told the queen that she would arrange the servants in preparation of her coming to the banquet. 

With little Prince Zion in tow, she exited calmly in the lounge and left the mother and son to talk for a while. 

"Queen Mother, I just have one thing to ask." He said in a rather cautious manner. 

"What is it son?" Queen Lucia curiously replied, there was some feeling of estrangement between the two. 

"I saw your reaction toward the Great Inventor earlier, tell me, is there something in her that you find interesting?"

Queen Lucia was startled by Antione's question.. She was also surprised at how Antoine was able to catch that subtle reaction she had the moment she saw Eli's face.

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