Chapter 183 Jade Maiden
As Arthur made his way to the Emperor's throne room, his striking appearance garnered a host of admiring gazes.
His fair skin, white hair, and deep blue eyes seemed to draw the attention of those around him, creating an air of intrigue as he passed.
"Is that Prince Arthur?"
"Yes, that's him. Oh heavens he looks much more handsome than he did in the past. I wonder what happened in his journey whilst away?"
"Ah, the maidens working at his palace must be lucky. I wish he would smile at me," a maid said and as soon as she said that she saw Arthur face her direction and smiled.
'Huh?!' she got so shocked she tripped.
'He...he really smiled at me!'
"Arrrgh!" She screamed in delight.
"What's wrong with that one?" Others wondered.
"I don't know. I think she's knew."
"Let's step back a bit. Be careful of the crazy ones."
Arthur shook his head at this and kept on walking calmly.
Reaching the grand entrance to the throne room, Arthur paused just before his presence could be officially announced by the stationed guards.
In that moment, a captivating woman emerged from within. She cast only a fleeting glance at Arthur, her beauty striking yet her demeanor focused and purposeful.
He couldn't help but wonder about her identity, considering Alfred's cryptic mention of someone who had reached an agreement with the Emperor.
'Who is she? Alfred mentioned someone, but is she the one he was talking about?' Arthur wondered as he stepped into the throne room.
Once inside the throne room, Arthur's gaze landed upon Emperor Markus Hartfield, seated regally on his throne.
Beside him stood an elder with noble bearing, dressed in resplendent attire – Prime Minister Kaisen Talie. The prime minister greeted Arthur with the formality befitting his station, and Arthur returned the gesture respectfully.
Prime Minister Talie smiled, "Welcome, Prince Arthur. It's been some time since we last saw you."
"Indeed, Prime Minister. I trust you have been well?"
"Yes I have, yes I have," he nodded.
The Emperor's eyes, however, held a different curiosity.
With a single glance, he discerned Arthur's cultivation level – the Third Stage of the Martial King Realm.
'How come?! Is his talent this exagerated?!'
A rush of astonishment surged through him, for this young prince had achieved a realm that would typically take geniuses years, if not decades, to attain.
Even in the annals of legends, the fastest recorded ascension had taken five years, a feat attributed to the Great Mortal Emperor, whose name graced this very realm.
'In just less than two years...if he was abl to cultivate from the beginning would I still be called the strongest in the Hartfield Empire?' he wondered but didn't expose Arthur's strength before the prime minister.
He had sensed a light energy shielding Arthur's cultivation level and he was only able to see it because of his high cultivation level which the Prime Minister is yet to match.
The Prime Minister, in contrast, failed to recognize the profound transformation in Arthur's abilities.
The Emperor, suppressing his surprise, engaged Arthur in a conversation about the impending Grand Martial Arts Tournament, slated to unfold in six months.
Arthur expressed his desire to officially join the Hartfield Royal Academy, a notion that the Emperor welcomed with a knowing nod.
Emperor thought for a while before speaking, "I understand your intentions, I will make arrangements for that."
Their discussion shifted to a more somber note as the Emperor revealed Anastasia's prolonged absence, hinting at her impending return.
The reason behind her extended leave, however, remained unspoken yet clear to Arthur – it was due to her ailing mother, the Empress.
The woman had fallen into an inexplicable coma, confounding even the realm's most skilled alchemists.
Arthur took a mental note to look into the matter, drawing upon the expertise of Aixen and Cora, two invaluable resources he had at his disposal.
'If anyone can help the Empress, it's Aixen and Cora. I'll see what can be done later,' Arthur thought.
Having concluded their conversation, Arthur departed the throne room, the weight of his responsibilities resting heavily upon him.
Ordering a carriage, he embarked on his next destination within the Hartfield Royal City.
The carriage, accompanied by a retinue of guards, carried Arthur to a place known as the Jade Maiden Palace.
Nestled within the heart of the city, it concealed a web of secrets. A gem to the unsuspecting eye, it served as a covert force under Arthur's control.
This enigmatic establishment, shrouded in mystique, bore witness to his hidden influence.
Entering the Jade Maiden Palace, Arthur proceeded with practiced familiarity.
Unlocking a hidden chamber, he accessed a concealed passageway, leading him to another room adorned with vibrant colors and elegant decorations. This room, he deemed to his liking. Seated within, he awaited a visitor.
'It's been too long since I was here.'
Moments later, a figure entered – a woman with flowing black hair and captivating light green eyes.
She wore a white gown that accentuated her every curve, her fair skin and veiled face exuding an air of mystique. It was Eve, known to others as the Jade Maiden, a trusted follower and friend to Arthur.
'He's back!' She rushed into Arthur's arms, her affectionate embrace expressing both delight and grievance at his prolonged absence as she pinched his back while hugging at the same time.
"Ouch!"
"Don't complain you didn't even send a message to me all these while. And you know I can't inquire about you from the Emperor."
"Hehe, but I'm back now right?"
"Hmm."
Arthur reciprocated the hug as his hands held her waist. Eve trembled a little bit and then separated.
"You have a lot to tell me!" Eve said.
"I know, I know... it's story time again huh?"
Eve smiled as she recalled fond memories of when they were younger and Arthur will usually tell here interesting tales which he tagged 'Cultivation Adventures of Main Characters'.
Soon Arthur began to recount his journey and Eve was listening with glistening eyes as her heart fluttered a bit from the reunion, she was smiling all through.
"That's incredible! I can't believe all you've been through. Now I feel bad you didn't bring me with you. I was so bored here."
She playfully chided him for not taking her along, relishing the moments they spent catching up.
Arthur chuckled and changed the topic, "There's so much more to tell. But first, tell me, how have things been here?"
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