Chapter 1.2

The room became quiet. Everyone was surprised.

 “Oh well father, that’s heavy!” Utopia unconsciously said. Her informal speech seems to  awaken everybody inside the room but no one had mind as it was true! The petition for the ladies to be present at such event is so overwhelming. Aside from having multiple wives, the statuses of women below the royal family are  one step behind the men alive. That is what Utopia can't help but question. It was absurdity of the past ancestors to write such rule on the codes of fleur.

 “Can this little one ask  you a question, my uncle, king? “ the presumptuous girl, Csilla asked. 

How many times do they need to remind this girl of her position in the royal family?!  The servants on the side can only shake their heads in resignation.

They remembered the day the first prince had announced that he had sired a daughter from a lowly person. The late king and queen would still have been beaming even if the woman whom the prince had impregnated was someone who lived a simple peasant life, but the woman in question was a whore! A woman who serve men for money! It was such a scandal that the queen dowager fainted and almost lost her life in grievance.

Because of this, the crown was passed to the second son who was the duke of Bowery and instantly him and his little family was thrust to the chaotic life of royalty. 

 “Will I be participating on the banquet?” They were brought back by such ridiculous question spewed by the young.

 “How come? Does your family a member of the governing sect? “ Elysian asked her, his mocking tone didn't escape everyone's hearing. 

 “Her father is a prince! Your highness. She should be one the top list of the participating ladies. “ said a woman's voice. It was Cresilda. The mother. Donned with a bright red morning dress, she looked like a true princess if it wasn't for the fact that she was from a brothel and just seduce the supposed king of the city.

 Who would have dare give a helping hand to the young if its not the mother?  

Utopia thought in disdain. It was truly a great downfall of her uncle to be entangled with such scheming woman. If only he was levelheaded enough to know who he should have shackled when he was young. Regrets truly is the bitter end.

 “Have you read the codes of our kingdom? Of the holy temple? Ms. Cresilda?” Her brother batted another question.

 “Yes, I have, You highness” the said confidently.

 “ And which part of the code declares your daughter to be a daughter of a prince? “

The codes of Fleur was like the words that left the jaded mouth of the creator. On it were  thousands of rules and conducts that are needed to be accomplished in order to reach the highest level in the heavens! Amongst the tons of listed rules was the filial codes that the ancient had written in which only thus the biological child can only have the title inside a household. The eldest son or daughter shall represent their bloodline.

Cresilda was taken aback. She thought that the prince would stop if she deliberately said that she have read the codes when in honesty she didn't even budge to open such books or read rules as she was busy pampering herself with the prince's money. The luxury of life.

 “Please forgive this one as she has forgotten which part of the codes is it, your highness.”

 “It is on the second section of the family codes, Miss Cresilda. Only the wedded couple can declare a legitimate child. “ Utopia decide to help his brother. 

The hate of the siblings towards this mother and daughter tandem is really deep. If it is not because of them, they would have been free from the restraint of the royal rules. They could have been living simple. 

 “ In the case of the royalty, one must be recognized by the prince's parents, the monarchs shall be the one who will announced the legality of one's birth. And if I was not wrong, your daughter is quite young? Only sixteen? How come you wanted her to participate on the banquet? Are you, perhaps, losing your mind? “  Utopia and lady Kleir tried to muffle their laughter as the crowned prince finished his speech. The other people inside the room looked mockingly at the woman in red. 

Cresilda blushed in resentment and can only swallow her angry words as she can't afford to anger anyone inside the room. She secretly glared at the royal family with so much hatred that she almost looked pitiful.

 “This matter can only be decided by the incoming guest, Cresilda. And if you please teach your daughter etiquette and respect in the future? She should have known that the king is the king and not her uncle. We are the monarchs, not your simple aunt or so. If then, she still has not learned her place, she is undeserving of being at this court.” The queen's cold voice lingered in the air dangerously. She had long spotted the hateful glare coming from the petty woman. 

Ever since they had ascended to the throne, this woman have been sending them hateful glares.

 “I understand, my queen.”

“If that is the case, I request for a close discussion with my officials and my family regarding some matters. All of you can go to your stations.” The king ordered.

Most guest present can only swallow their protests against them leaving the room as they wanted to hear what will be the action of the king.

 “Is it a threat to our city, your majesty? I am very curious of why did the lord of the holy temple send all the princes towards us?” Asked a senior scholar after a long moment of silence. 

 the king sighed,” I am afraid it is not the case, Minister Limoen. “ 

 “Then what is it, father? I know that I can't question the decree from the temple and I am happy to see my brothers, but what is really the reason? Why is it so sudden?” Elysian asked his father seriously. The other ministers nodded in agreement, they wanted to know the real reason why did the lord send such decree. Even though, it was only a decree, it was a rare opportunity to be subjected to such things as the Holy Temple of Lohdi is one of the oldest temple in their world.

 As a prince, Elysian was obliged to stay at the temple for five years to be educated of the virtues of the kings. 

The mid realm was a mix of races, so it was only right for the masters residing at the temple to teach them different arts of fighting. 

There, he was able to establish a good relationship with the other princes of Veldt. 

Along with the princes, he also have been in contact with the lord of the temple. 

The man was not a person to reckon with, so Elysian was afraid that danger will befall on his city and the lord knows so he has taken action. 

Utopia was quiet as she felt the seriousness emitted by her brother. Her friend had long gone as she was not obliged to be present like the others as she was not officially wedded to the crowned prince. she was also curious of why did her father included them in their meeting? Are they involved somehow? Lost in her thoughts, she missed half of the discussion and was just snapped back by her mother whom looking at her in slight annoyance.

Uh oh. 

She swept her gaze inside the room, all eyes were on her. 

What did I do?

Looking innocently at the people in font of her, she cocked her head slightly, silently asking them what is going on.

Sigh.

 “Please pay attention, daughter, I have been talking all the while now but it seems you're not with us.”

 “ I'm sorry father. May I ask, how am I involved? “

 “The decree, Princess. It has your name mentioned on it.” Minister Rhyes decided to tell her after having an intense eye battle with the king, his best friend. After all, the young woman in front of them is her  goddaughter. 

 “M -my name? How come? Father? Was it supposed to be brother's name there as he was the disciple and not me?” She was surprised. She thought that it was just a little involvement from their part but she calculated it so wrong.

 “Shall I read the last part of the decree again, your majesty?” Head Servant Lukas asked. He was the one who have read the decree a while ago that made the crowned prince ballistic as he heard the condition the man from the temple.

 “Only on the last part, Lukas and you may go after that.” The king murmured and started to massage his aching forehead. He also can't believe that content of such paper! It is ridiculous! His daughter was subjected to a such situation!

 “I shall hereby decree such order to be issued upon the arrival of the sacred scroll of the Veldt's Holy Temple of Lohdi, that the princess of the City of Florin, in the country stated, shall wed my son. The betrothal of thy couple shall be announced on the twelfth moon, on the night of the red midnight sun. Objections towards the decree shall be punishable by death. “ She couldn't believe what she had heard from the mouth of the servant. 

Her? Marrying a stranger? 

Stranger!?

Was it not her brother's words nights ago? How come such dilemma fell upon her?

She accusingly pinned her brother a glare that could make a grown man question his masculinity. But instead, she was surprised to see him being pinned down by their uncle and the general. On his mouth, was a rag that made him mum for the time being. It was a funny seen to see him looking disheveled and restrained but she can't get to laugh at it.

 “Was, was this a prank father? should I laugh now? Ha ha,, “ she forced herself to make a joke but she saw how serious the people inside the room were. 

Her trembling hands seem to grow colder as she tried to digest the content of the decree. So much turmoil in her head she didn't realize that she had stood up and walked wobbly towards the door. But it seems the boulder was too much to one's shoulder, Utopia was only a few steps away from the door when her vision became blurry as she tried to grip the door's handle for support. 

 “Mo-Mother” was her last words as she succumb to the darkness that swallowed her consciousness.