CHAPTER 450: GHOST OF THE PAST

Cedric Von Drakkar was meant to appear before the court today. He was bowing to the pressure and rumours and finally accepting the emperor’s condition.

Nobles all over the capital were in attendance, they wanted to see the prince of the rumours. The one whose presence made kings tremble.

The empress was among those who anticipated this meeting more than anyone; she wanted to see the man her daughter was going to wed. She heard he was quite charming despite always keeping his face hidden behind a mask.

Aurelius had told the emperor that Cedric was the one coming to ensure he agreed to grant them an audience.

The door was pushed open, and everyone first noticed the crown prince, who carried distinct features belonging to the Heliosian royal family, striking ginger hair and sapphire blue eyes.

What they didn’t expect was the lady beside him who bore similar features. Worse, it felt like the dead were walking among them again. "Bethany, "the Emperor gasped, his face pale like a ghost, but it wasn’t possible.

Empress Seraphina, hands clenched the arm of her throne. What type of sick joke was Aurelius playing?! Aurelius introduced the lady as the wife of Prince Cedric. She approached, acting gracefully like a princess, and presented herself.

It could not be possible. She made sure to get rid of the ghost of her past. Seraphina’s eyes snapped at Aurelius. Emperor Silvanius Caelphyr was too stunned to react.

The empress rose, her hands clenched. "What type of sick joke is this Aurelius? You claimed the prince was seeking an audience and you came here with a fraud." She accused him, earning a round of gasps. The entire court was whispering, everyone saw it.

Abrielle intervened before Aurelius spoke, "The star that shines beside the sun. I am indeed the wife of the prince. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, my husband wasn’t able to appear before you today, but I am here in his place, to express our willingness to accept the emperor’s offer." Abrielle answered.

She was here to get the emperor’s help and that was what she would get. She did not care about the look or the gasps. All that mattered was Cedric.

Abrielle’s words infuriated the empress further. She stepped down from her throne, her fingers digging into her skin. "You still dare to lie before the court." She accused.

Abrielle was confused as to why it was so hard for them to believe she was Cedric’s wife.

"What I speak of is not a lie? I am the first prince’s consort." Abrielle insisted. Seraphina refused to believe it.

"I don’t care what deal you struck with the crown prince but lying before the emperor is punishable by death." Empress Seraphina snapped and her hand was raised. She was about to slap Abrielle.

"That’s enough Seraphina. Act like the empress you are." Aurelius caught her hand before it touched Abrielle’s face. His cold eyes made her shiver.

"How dare you hold my hand? I will expose your schemes." Seraphina gritted her teeth and stared at Abrielle.

"Enough Seraphina, this is no way to act as an empress or welcome a noble guest." The emperor’s voice boomed from behind them. Seraphina glanced at the emperor who stepped down from his throne to approach them.

An action rarely seen during a court session. He stopped before them, Aurelius let go of Seraphina’s hand, but her temper was still boiling.

His gaze then moved across the court. "Is there anyone who can attest to the identity of the first prince of Darconia’s consort?" He asked.

Silence boomed in the courtroom, and the nobles glanced at each other. A noble lady slowly emerged from the crowd.

"This humble servant can attest to her identity. I remember seeing the first prince of Draconia present his rose to his wife during their spring festival rose duel." She confirmed Abrielle’s identity.

After the first speaker, another young man stepped out. A noble who had accompanied Aurelius to Draconia.

"This servant can pledge with his life that the noble lady is the consort. I saw her on multiple occasions acting in the place of the consort during my visit to Draconia."

The testimony of the nobles confirmed Abrielle’s identity. Yet Seraphina didn’t want to accept it. There was a large possibility but how?

"Then it is confirmed." The emperor said then glanced at Abrielle. He held her hand, his finger cupping her cheeks. It was not a dream.

He nervously swallowed then glanced at Aurelius before letting go of Abrielle. "I am sorry for your reception. We could never imagine you would bear this face." He said.

"You are here to accept my marriage proposal." He stated and Abrielle nodded.

"Why are you accepting it? I have no idea if any wife would willingly accept her husband taking in another woman." Silvanus stated.

Abrielle was overwhelmed by the emperor’s presence; from his aura, she knew himbeing the strongest mage in Heliosa was not a lie. There was also the empress’s glare that lingered. There was something no one was telling her

Was this related to the reason Aurelius didn’t want her to see the emperor?

"Your assistant is of utmost importance to us, and I also have a request in exchange. Not only will I accept the marriage, the same as Cedric, but I will relinquish every right as the first wife and even take the status of a concubine if it comes to that." Abrielle offered..

It was too good of an offer. She was ready to be a concubine at a cost. The emperor sensed something amidst. He was certain it was something within his abilities that was why she was desperate.

"Fine, I will grant you a private audience." He said, then glanced at his aide before beckoning for Abrielle and Aurelius to follow after him. The court was brought to an end at the exit of the emperor.

The empress’s hand secretly clenched. A younger boy around the same age as Abrielle approached her. "Mother, what is going on?" He asked, confused, why she almost lost it. The nobles were already leaving.

The empress’ gaze was still at the door where Abrielle had left. "The ghost of my past comes to haunt me. We have to pray to Cassius that it isn’t what it seems." She replied, speaking in puzzles.

Abrielle left the courtroom following Aurelius and Emperor Silvanius. She was still bewildered by what had just happened. There was this silence echoed between them that made it hard to breathe.

They arrived at the emperor’s study. "Tell me more about your condition, Princess Abrielle," Silvanius mentioned as soon as the door closed behind them.