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THE conference took place right away the next day. The location was Kophe’s state guest house located in the royal capital. Officially, the king and queen had invited Prince Richard of the Belktrius Empire to a luncheon meeting.
Under the blue sky, the beautifully paved capital brought back memories for me as it welcomed our carriage. I hadn’t been back since the day I received the directive to leave the Kingdom of Kophe quietly. That had been over a year ago now.
The royal capital maintained a completely different atmosphere from other cities I’d visited. In those, I was usually welcomed with open arms, though occasionally greeted with outright hostility. But neither was the case in the capital.
“It’s…so quiet here. Hardly anything like the lively city it used to be,” I remarked.
The streets were devoid of people. The only things that moved were forgotten banners and flags that hadn’t been taken down, fallen leaves from roadside trees rustling in the breeze, and squirrels racing down the streets to cross from one side to another. The city seemed to have stopped breathing, as if time itself had stopped.
Just when I finally thought I saw someone, it turned out to be holy knights standing at attention. They were positioned all along the streets, like imposing decorative objects.
I spied the bakery where Richard and I had our last meal in the royal capital. Though it had been a thriving shop back then, it was now permanently closed.
“Miss Monica, there’s something you need to know,” Richard began. “Right now in the capital, anyone who talks about the Empire is incarcerated.”
“What?”
“That’s why the streets are so deserted… Everyone’s desperate to survive,” Richard murmured quietly, a faraway look in his eyes. But in them I saw contempt and disgust for the so-called statesman who continued to engage in such foolish political acts.
Not long after, our coach finally arrived at the state guest house’s depot. Richard helped me down from the vehicle. Once outside, I stared up at the marble building from my memories. For me, the state guest house was both a source of pain and nostalgia.
“Let’s go, Miss Monica.”
“Yes.”
One of the servants led the two of us to a room deep inside.
It was chilly inside the building. Every step I took reminded me of the time I’d spent as Crown Prince Medaikonar’s fiancée. The tough, hectic days filled with lessons as part of my education for becoming the future queen. Back then, I had to wear high heels and walk without lifting the hem of my dress or scraping my shoes against the tile, my back straight, with my pace matching the prince’s all the while making sure my head didn’t bob. I had been desperate to perfect the walk.
Today, I wore the comfortable pumps that went along with the rest of my saintly attire. I could move easily in my outfit and the hem only reached my ankles, making it easy to walk. I kept pace with Richard by his side. The past me would have been overhauled at standing out like a sore thumb. But I was just fine now. My pure-white holy garb was more dependable than any dress in the world, which meant it was natural for me to walk with my shoulders back and head held high.
So I was just fine. I pushed away the kernel of anxiety that made me want to curl in on myself and encouraged myself instead. Look ahead and walk. That was all I had to do.
“Miss Monica, are you nervous?”
I shrugged at Richard’s quiet question. “You noticed?”
“I did.”
“A little, to be honest. Being here reminds me of all the lessons I had to take in training to be the future queen… Not to mention how they banished me too. But I’ll be fine.”
“Miss Monica, you’re beautiful and strong,” he said sweetly. “Don’t doubt yourself. Remember that and stand proud.”
Warmth bloomed in my body under his tender gaze and smile. I couldn’t believe it was reacting so feverishly even in these circumstances. Still, I felt myself relaxing as the ridiculous carnal response blew away my tension and anxiety.
We were led to a beautiful space called the “Purple Jade Room” with a purple crystal chandelier and table decorations. When we stepped inside, a coolness characteristic of rooms built out of stone enveloped us.
The Kingdom of Kophe’s royal couple and crown prince sat three across at the head of the table. The last time I saw them was the night my engagement was dissolved. His Majesty was a man of fifty years with deep wrinkles and sunken eyes. Whether it was sickness or fatigue that cursed him, he looked much older than his actual age. Her Majesty, a slender woman in her forties, wore a voluminous dress made with yards of material, her blonde hair coiffed up tightly on her head. Originally the daughter of a duke, she never interfered in politics, yet she nevertheless radiated a tremendously intimidating aura even when sitting down.
Then there was their beloved son, Crown Prince Medaikonar. As soon as he laid eyes on me, His Royal Highness tossed his perfectly ordered golden hair and glared at me, his face pale.
Other political leaders were also in attendance, but I noticed a lot of important faces were missing. Many more than I expected. It made sense that those who swore fealty to Richard weren’t here. Even so, the gathering was extremely small. This fact alone told me that Kophe was in much more danger than I ever imagined.
I discreetly swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth out of nerves. Next to me, Richard took a step forward and executed a supremely elegant bow. The rest of our entourage followed suit and bowed our heads respectfully.
Their Majesties stood up and greeted Richard with royal bows.
“Thank you for coming, Prince Richard of the Belktrius Empire.”
“I am delighted to meet you again, and glad to see you in good health. By the way, Your Majesties, if I may?” Richard maintained his statesman’s smile and continued without waiting for them to respond. “Please permit me to introduce to you both a few individuals I brought with me today. Do I have your leave to do so?”
A commotion stirred the atmosphere. Ignoring the agitation from those around us at his impudence for not following the proper protocols of a formal greeting, Richard signaled to the imperial knights with his eyes.