Two weeks had passed since the selection had started. The candidates were given royal etiquette classes and constantly took part in many things such as tea parties, banquets for the nobles and high society, and charity events.
Since they were candidates to become the empress, there were also certain topics they had to deal with, such as proposing ideas on how to resolve some state of affairs. In other words, it had been a hectic two weeks for everyone.
They couldn't even rest since the rivalries had also ensued; too busy taking sides or leaving notable impressions. Some blatantly showed support for the strongest candidates, while others kept neutral to gravitate on which side to support. So far, Aries wasn't a threat. Therefore, she had a peaceful two weeks.
On top of the schedule, Aries must conform as a candidate, she also had to attend Marsella's secret lectures. That was why Aries was grateful that Abel deliberately complimented some ?ladies to divert their attention from her.
But after two weeks of fierce competition, the candidates had finally gotten a day of rest. The only schedule they had for today was a luncheon with the crown prince. Yes. The crown prince. The emperor's bastard child. After that, everyone was free.
Still, Aries thought this rest day granted to them had little value for the other candidates. The atmosphere in this dining table set in the garden in the inner palace was the proof.
Aries gulped, discreetly studying everyone. The setting of the luncheon was a small table for the crown prince on the end of the short rectangular tables, catering four candidates for each table. The surrounding was mellow and calming with all the green and variety of flowers around.
However, it was silent, suffocatingly so.
'I wonder what they were all up to now,' she thought, assuming at least one or two ladies would say or do something to gain some point from the crown prince.
The crown prince.
Aries carefully gazed at the small table to her left, letting out a deep sigh. There, a small child with a round body and face was eating heartily. However, unlike her original silver and hazel hair color, Sunny was wearing a black wig and wearing a man's clothes.
'She looks so cute even though he dressed up as a boy.' Another deep exhale slipped past her lips, focusing on her plate. Aries hadn't seen Sunny since the start of the selection. She asked Abel about her, and he only told her Sunny was busy eating and would show up soon.
Who would have thought? That Sunny would show up as Sonny, the emperor's bastard.
'He's gone crazy,' she mentally shook her head, glancing at the rest of the ladies. 'I wonder… if they also find it suspicious?'
The existence of the crown prince was no secret to everyone in the empire. Abel was someone who didn't need to hide anything from his subject. Because of that confidence and arrogance, everyone knew that this crown prince who lived in the forbidden palace was around eight years old.
The problem was, that Sunny was too small to be mistaken for an eight-year-old boy. She was a toddler!
"Huh?" Sunny suddenly paused in her eating, gazing up. Some ladies staring at her flinched, blushing at the level of cuteness each time Sunny's doe eyes blinked.
Her eyes glossed over the ladies and it lingered on Aries, sitting on the farthest just to stay safe. The latter was sighing while staring at her plate.
"Hmm…" Sunny hummed, shifting her eyes to the butler standing on the side. "They're wasting food."
"Your Highness?" the butler bowed slightly upon hearing her comment.
"Can we have a time limit?" Sunny inquired, peeling her eyes away from the butler to the ladies. "Please, eat your meal in a heartbeat. I, the crown prince, think you are too modest. Your health is much more precious than your image."
"Your highness…" Lady Julienne, who was obviously sitting beside Lady Ivory — one of the ladies who had shown exceptional achievement — called awkwardly.
"Mhm?" Sunny's brows rose, blinking innocently at the lady. "What is it, my lady?"
"We are candidates for the empress and thus, we must conform to the palace rules. Eating modestly and gracefully is one of the qualities the empress must uphold. Apologies for speaking my mind, for I am simply speaking for everyone," Lady Julienne explained politely, glancing at Lady Ivory, who didn't react.
Sunny stared at Lady Julienne in silence for a moment. "You haven't been crowned, and you dare lecture me? The crown prince?"
"Your highness, it's not what you —"
"Was it because I'm a bastard?" Sunny cut her off, tilting her head to the side. Her question obviously sent a sense of dread down Lady Julienne's spine.
Just like how it wasn't a secret that the emperor had a bastard from his promiscuous lifestyle, everyone also knew His Majesty didn't favor his son. Why would he? He had him out of wedlock, and the mother of the crown prince died of childbirth.
This crown prince title… was simply an empty title right now. Once the empress was selected and was able to produce an heir, this crown prince would be set aside. And his title? It would be taken away from him.
The main reason Lady Julienne had the audacity to voice her thoughts aloud. Sadly, she didn't know the crown prince had a sharp tongue and... couldn't be underestimated.
"Your Highness, how dare I think of such unspeakable insolence?" Lady Julienne nervously humbled herself. "I simply want Your Highness to understand we had certain rules to follow. And thus, you do not need to worry --"
"And what are those?"
"Yes?" she raised her eyes back at Sunny, confusion swirling in them.
"Is abiding and supporting the monarch not written in the guidelines for the candidate?" Sunny inquired, giving Lady Julienne undivided attention. Hearing Sunny's reply, Lady Julienne bit her tongue to stop herself from speaking more.
Sunny let out a shallow breath as she shook her head. "You're in the way," she commented, casting a knight on standby a look.
"Hang her somewhere I won't see," she ordered, and everyone, including Aries, looked back at Sunny, wide-eyed. "I want her out of my sight... permanently."
What did she just say?
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l