Chapter 318  

Poliana asked Master Chail, “His highness must be very busy with work, then?”

“He will be with you very shortly, Marquess Winter.”

One of the special privileges Poliana had was to walk into the emperor’s room without his permission. However, she did not misuse her power unless necessary because she didn’t want to interrupt the emperor when he was busy running the kingdom; she understood how annoying it was when one’s focus gets disrupted.

Sir Donau asked while they waited, “Sis, are you going to go in alone?”

“Yes.”

“I think it would be better if I go in with you.”

“But this is a personal matter.”

“But Sis…”

Sir Donau looked down and Poliana and continued, “To be honest, you have no chance against the emperor’s charm. He is a master of words and you clearly aren’t. I am afraid you’ll just get convinced by him.”

“…”

“Because you aren’t very good with words…”

Poliana flinched and replied with a red face, “But I still always make sure I get my message across!” It was true that she wasn’t the best speaker in the world, but she never had any problems telling people whatever was necessary. In the past, when she was a nobody, she had to keep her mouth shut in front of her superiors, but this was no longer necessary. In fact, it was now those around her who had to keep their mouth shut.

A few minutes passed by after she was denied to enter, so Poliana turned to Master Chail, saying, “How much longer?”“Just a little while…”

Chail begged her and Poliana nodded. She decided that it was a good idea to come to the castle with Donau. If she was waiting alone, it would’ve been too boring.

Poliana asked him, “So Marin is doing well, right?”

“Yes, Marin and Martin are both very healthy.”

Martin was Sir Howe and Vaxi’s son while Marin was Sir Donau and Vanessa’s daughter. They were cousins born within a few days apart. The two children got along very well, perhaps because their mothers were twins.

Sir Donau added, “Both kids are so very strong…”

He looked pleased and proud. Poliana nodded and replied, “So I guess they resemble their mothers.” Those who didn’t know the family well would’ve assumed that the children resemble their maternal grandfather Sir Rabi. However, Poliana knew the truth; she knew what monstrous power the twins, Vaxi and Vanessa possessed!

Poliana witnessed these strong untrained ladies carrying around a deer without any difficulty. Poliana couldn’t help feeling jealous because she herself did not possess such power.

Sir Donau continued, “We already carved both of their names on the training wooden swords you sent.”

‘Both?’

So not just the boy Marin but the girl Marin as well? Poliana did not ask Donau if he really meant to allow his daughter to hold a sword. Marin was Sir Donau’s daughter, but a girl’s training was a responsibility and the right of her mother.

If Vanessa wished to teach her daughter how to fight, the only person who could disagree with her was Marin’s father and Vanessa’s husband, Sir Donau. Based on how Sir Donau looked so excited and proud, it was most likely that he agreed to teach Marin how to use a sword.

It wasn’t uncommon for a knight’s daughter to be taught the basic skill of how to protect herself. Just the fact that a girl was given a sword didn’t mean she was going to become a knight.

Poliana replied, “I see.” Sir Donau grinned. It was just a small smile, but it was obvious he was truly happy. Poliana smiled back.

As they chatted about children, Master Chail hesitantly approached them. He has been faithfully serving Lucius the First all his life, and there was one question he desperately wanted to ask.“Marquess Winter, is it true that the prince resembles his highness…”

Before Poliana could answer, Sir Donau replied instead, “There is no denying that he is his highness’s son.”

“Oh my, I cannot wait to meet him!”

Chail clenched his fists excitedly. He seemed happier now than when his own child was born. Master Chail continued to grin happily as he added, “Haa… A baby prince who resembles the emperor… I feel ecstatic. I am so glad I had my son early. He will be just slightly older than the prince, which means he will get the honor of serving the next emperor. What an honor for our family.”

It was considered the greatest honor to serve the royal family for generations. The servants, as well as the knights, felt this way, which was why Poliana understood how Master Chail must be feeling right now. If it wasn’t her own son they were talking about, she would’ve been feeling happy for Chail too. She might even have been jealous since she didn’t have her own child who could serve the next generation of the royal family.

After a fairly long wait, the emperor finally gave his permission for an audience. Poliana walked into the room looking determined. As soon as she was inside, she bowed and greeted him, “Marquess Poliana Winter is here to greet you, your highness—”

When she looked up, her eyes widened. She could not finish her sentence because her mouth was gaping. She used both of her hands to cover her wide-open mouth. She thought about running away, but the door behind her closed firmly. There was going to be no escape today. She tried to look away, but her body would not listen to her.

Lucius the First, the most beautiful emperor in history, was standing in front of her. Today, his beauty was vastly enhanced, making him look like a perfect statue. His golden hair shined like that of a fairy under the light. His already-gorgeous green eyes looked especially lovely today. Wearing his favorite color, red, Lucius the First was the god of beauty himself. The jewels he wore sparkled along with his golden hair and his face, a perfectly clear complexion, strangely made him look masculine rather than feminine.

Lucius the First looked so perfect that he almost looked like a doll.

Only

The new lighting, the best outfit, and the best accessories… The emperor was dolled up, and knowing how beautiful he looked, he smiled proudly and triumphantly.

“Oh, you are here, Pol.”

“Y…you are so beautiful, your highness!”

How could anyone look this lovely? Poliana forgot all about her battle plan and just stammered with her fists clenched, “You look so lovely today, your highness!”

Yes, indeed her emperor was the most beautiful man in the world! Poliana silently thanked the former emperor and the empress for creating such a perfection. Her eyes felt cleansed from witnessing such beauty.

Lucius the First’s beauty was considered a legend when he was in his 20’s, but now in his 30’s, the emperor was becoming even more gorgeous. How could this be possible? It seemed that there was no limit to his exquisiteness. Could it be that he was growing more beautiful every day?

Poliana exclaimed, “Your highness! You look perfect today! Your beauty must be the work of the gods! Everyone in the kingdom must see you so they can enjoy it! You must let everyone witness your gorgeousness! Yes!”