Chapter 13
Michelle kept leaning against Ivona, pretending to be weak, while she observed as the Emperor Maximilian Wajana approached them with a dark face. He was angry at the Crow Prince Leonard Wajana. "Son, what is the meaning of this?" the Emperor asked sternly.
Hearing his father's voice behind him, Leonard Wajana knew that he was in trouble, but he still didn't know what happened. He didn't understand why everyone was staring at him with obvious and unconcealed disgust.
Leonard slowly turned to look at Maximilian Wajana. "Father, what do you mean?" he asked meekly.
But Maximilian just shook his head with a sigh. "Crown Prince Leonard Wajana, who are you trying to challenge by releasing such thick killing intent all over the banquet hall? As the future ruler, you should be considerate of your people, but you ignored the fact that people were fainting and released killing intent into the hall just to vent your anger on a helpless young lady! Are you trying to make me die of anger?!" the Emperor's voice got louder and louder in anger as he spoke at Leonard.
The Emperor even released some intimidating coldness, but he controlled it so that only Leonard felt it.
Before Leonard could react, Maximilian turned to Michelle and Ivona. "Young Lady Beltrez, Young Lady Grace seems exhausted. Do take her to rest," he spoke calmly, still carrying the grace of an Emperor.
But behind the calm and graceful facade, Michelle could see the anger and panic, hoping for the Archduke not to break off the engagement between Michelle and Leonard as that would mean that the Archduke would retract his support towards the Imperial family and return to being neutral.
Unfortunately, his worries came true. As Ivona led Michelle away to "rest", the Emperor turned towards the Archduke to appease his anger, but he was met with a dark face.
"Your Majesty..." the Archduke bowed his head down low, looking apologetic. "This subject apologizes, but this subject can't see his daughter in such a weak state. This subject is worried that his daughter is no longer suitable to be engaged to His Highness, the Crown Prince, as her weakness would only worsen if she had to carry out royal duties, and this subject is too selfish to see his daughter get weaker. Please, break off the engagement for the sake of the country and this subject's daughter."
The Emperor's face turned sour for a moment, but he quickly covered it up with a smile. "Archduke Grace, We understand your concern about your daughter, but since this is something concerning the children, let's wait for them both to be present before deciding." The Emperor basically brushed the Archduke off, hoping that Michelle was still love struck and would refuse to break off her engagement with the Crown Prince.