In a split second, every person present was bowing, not towards the Emperor, but towards Kairen. Cassandra’s breathing hitched. Witnessing all those people rise and bow to her Prince was an incredible sight. Aside from his father, everyone else had no choice but to obey and show their respect to the War God.
She felt her heart could not possibly bear any more emotions. As she was about to bow to her prince herself, Kairen placed his hands firmly on her shoulders, holding her in place so she couldn’t.
“Let them bow to you, too.”
Her heart was overwhelmed with emotions. Cassandra stood speechless, and hesitant. How could all those people bow to her? The most powerful beings of this Empire were all gathered here!
She could understand them bowing to Kairen. He was the Third Prince, the War God with many achievements behind him. It wasn’t just about his parents’ relationship, he was truly a remarkable man by himself. No matter how much the Emperor loved his concubines, he wouldn’t have been so proud of a useless son no matter who his mother was.
Cassandra, however, didn’t feel like she had achieved enough to deserve such treatment from the Emperor. Her medical accomplishments had been restricted to only the military camp for a few weeks.
Once the Prince was sure she wouldn’t move, he released her shoulders and instead held her hand tightly, gazing at her with that determined look in his eyes. He would not let her bow.
So, though a little frightened, Cassandra didn’t bow, despite her trembling hands and that little burst of fear growing in the back of her mind. As she looked around, the only other person not bowing was, of course, the Imperial Emperor himself. To her disbelief, as their eyes met, he gently smiled at her.
That was the most heart-warming, unexpected exchange she had with that man so far. With just one look, he gave her the confidence she needed to keep standing, to wash away the fear that had been engraved into her from the many years she endured as a slave.
“All right, you may all rise,” announced the Emperor shortly after.
As everyone stood up, Cassandra only had one thought. She turned toward the Second Prince with his entourage, and sure enough, the whole group gathered there was glaring at them.
Cassandra wasn’t clueless about what the Emperor had just done by putting one of his six sons forward. Though he couldn’t be named as the official heir yet, Kairen was clearly his favorite, and the fact that Cassandra was bearing his child was bringing the most joy to the Old Emperor. As soon as their son was born in a few months’ time, the Third Son would be appointed as the official heir.
She tried to understand the reactions of his brothers. Sure enough, the Second Son Vrehan had a sullen look on his face that said it all. Anour, as expected, was as happy as usual, speaking to one of their sisters. The Fifth and Fourth Princes didn’t seem phased at all, for one was gawking at the young ladies, and the other looked bored to death. The First Prince however, was looking in their direction with a gentle smile.
Cassandra had heard little about the First Prince Sephir, but he was clearly in favor of Kairen being picked. Even during the usual banquet dinner talks, which she tried to listen to a bit, he was often on Kairen’s side and supportive of him. She wondered how their relationship was so good.
“Your Highness, this is too much! A lot of nobles won’t accept this change,” suddenly said one of the ministers, stepping forward. “Slavery is an essential part of our Empire’s economy. Besides, we are already doing a great favor to all those war prisoners by giving them jobs, and a chance to stay alive! We should…”
“How many slaves do you personally own, Minister?” asked the Emperor.
“I…I would say roughly thirty, Your Highness, but my wife manages such things in my stead, so…”
“How much do you pay your slaves?”
“I…I am not sure. The usual amount for a lower servant, I guess.”
Several people sitting around clicked their tongues. The Emperor sighed.
“My dearest, White Lily, come here please.”
After a few seconds, Cassandra realized that the nickname didn’t belong to one of the Emperor’s concubines, but to her. Kareen gently pushed her forward, and Cassandra shyly walked up to the Emperor, who was holding out his hand. A bit hesitant, she put her hand in his, and he caressed it, like a grandfather would have shown affection to one of his grandchildren.
“Do you see this beautiful young Lady, Minister?”
The man had his mouth open, clearly confused. Despite her gorgeous pink dress, and the jewelry she was wearing, Cassandra’s scars were visible. Thin white lines on her pale skin, like the disturbing canvas of the perfect beauty she could have been. He seemed to slowly understand, but didn’t dare say a word yet.
“My son took her as his concubine a few months ago, and she is now carrying my grandson.”
“C...Congratulations, Your Highness.”
“Thank you. But before my wise Son picked this flower, do you know where she was blooming?”
“N…No…”
“Tell him, White Lily.”
“I was a slave,” said Cassandra.
