CASSANDRA: The Unfavored Princess-Chapter 96: Rose-Red Lips

Everything was in place.

The shining chandeliers were dangling as they spread the sparkles around. The colorful dresses and the laughing voices of the nobles were filling the ballroom with liveliness.

The main seat was reserved for the Emperor and Empress who looked around with a smile on their faces. The Emperor was happy with the thought that the Vivere Kingdom Crown Prince would enter soon.

The Emperor wanted to see if anyone of the Princesses would be able to catch Prince Carl’s attention. Although the Elvira Empire and the Vivere Kingdom were always on bad terms, it would be a good idea to send one of the Princesses there as a spy. Leaving Princess Valeria, the Emperor was not attached to any one of the others in particular. This sent them to the enemy Kingdom as bait was not a difficult situation for the Emperor.

’They all have lived in the palace for so many years.’

’They have enjoyed living here.’

’It is time for them to do something for the Empire.’

’They should be able to catch the Vivere Kingdom’s Crown Prince’s attention.’

Initially, the Emperor was not of a view to give his daughters to the country but when Duke Salvador had put forward the possibility, his interest increased.

The actual powers that the Vivere Kingdom’s people held were still a mystery. Even though when the Empire was first formed they all lived together, but soon the first Emperor banished them and thus all of their records were destroyed.

Maybe it was due to this but the people of the Vivere Kingdom were deemed to use dark magic. Although some records were found but as the centuries passed, even they were long lost.

’We need more information about that Kingdom.’

’Taking borderland will not help the Empire.’

’If I can kill every single person in the Vivere Kingdom, I will be the most powerful Emperor in history.’

With such thoughts in mind, the Emperor looked around searching for the Princess’s, but he could not see any.

"Where are all the Princesses?" The Emperor asked the Empress who was sitting beside him with a happy smile on her face.

"They will enter after Valeria enters." The Empress looked at her husband. "It is a proper order that has to be followed."

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed but he did not say anything. He focused his gaze on the ballroom filled with people.

But the Emperor’s mind was still covered with the thoughts of the day. When he entered the outer palace where Princess Valeria was detained, his eyes were shocked.

The room was clear as the first Princess sat on a chair in the library. Her hands were still cuffed but there was no violent reaction on her face.

The Emperor was confused. The daughter he had known was someone who was always angry and impatient. He was hoping to see everything scattered around. Burnt marks at walls or even askes of cloths but to the Emperor’s surprise, he could not see anything of that sort.

The Emperor was confused. Did the single lady that was assigned to the first Princess do a good job in hiding the deeds of the first Princess or did Princess Valeria behave herself? 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

The Emperor did not think any further. He walked towards Princess Valeria as he looked at her. Her smile was subtle as her eyes looked at him without any rage.

"Let us get you out of these handcuffs, daughter." The Emperor said in a soft tone.

"Yes please." Princess Valeria bowed as she extended her hands towards her father.

The Emperor touched his creation as it fell down into pieces. The crumbling of the rocks could be heard as Princess Valeria smiled. She rubbed her wrist a few times as she was enjoying her freedom.

"I shall leave." The Emperor said as he looked down at his daughter with gentle eyes. "I expect great things from you, Valeria. Do not repeat such things again."

Princess Valeria smiled as she nodded her head. "This will not happen again." Valeria bowed as she saw the Emperor leaving the palace.

"After all, I expect far more great things for myself."

—----------

"When will Princess Valeria come?" The Emperor asked the Empress as he could not see her. Apart from the Princesses and Vivere Kingdom’s representative, everyone else was already present in the ballroom.

"She will be here soon." The Empress said. "After all, she had to take care of her before entering such an important event. She had to take care of her skin and hair. There was no one in the outer palace for her."

The Empress looked at her husband as if blaming him for the situation.

The Emperor smiled as he tapped his finger on the chair. "This would not have happened if the Princess knew her limits."

The Empress did not reply as she looked down. She knew that what the Emperor was saying was the truth. It would not have happened if Princess Valeria was careful enough. But her daughter was deeply in love with Duke Salvador and wanted to know who her rival in love was.

’But Valeria was careless.’

’I hope that this has made her mind somewhat clear.’

The Empress thought as she looked forward. But soon an announcement was made and in came the first Princess followed by the others.

Princess Valeria was wearing a white dress with golden roses embroidered on it. She looked like a goddess of gold that had descended down on earth. There was a smile playing on her rose-red lips as her eyes scanned everyone in the hall.

Princess Valeria was happy by the way she looked. She was more beautiful than everyone here and she was the most powerful of them all.

[This is my day and I deserve to be the star.]

[Soon everyone will be below me.]

[I will have everything that I desire.]

Princess Cassandra heard Princess Valeria’s thoughts in amusement. She could not understand what was happening with her anymore. There was a time when Princess Valeria had such thoughts before as well but something was different today. Today the Princess was glowing with confidence. Like the whole world would be under her hands soon.

’Something is not right.’

Cassandra thought as she observed the first Princess through her eyelashes.

’She is not wearing crystals.’

’What Amy saw were ..’

’No how can the first Princess have crystals?’

’As per what I have understood from the diary, the crystals can only be seen inside a person’s mind. It is a part of the soul.’

’Did I not understand something?’

’Was I mistaken?’

’But Amy said that a man came to the first Princess’s palace. Who is the man?’

’Does someone else also know how to read the diary?’

Princess Cassandra did not know how to answer such a question. There were many things that were a mystery and Cassandra understood the situation very well now.

’I have to wait and see what the first Princess is talking about.’

Princess Cassandra thought as she looked around the ball till the time everyone reached the Emperor and Empress. All the princesses bowed.

"You may rise." The Emperor said as he smiled. "Valeria, you look beautiful today."

"Princess Valeria smiled. She looked down as if accepting the Emperor’s kind words actively.

[Of course, I look beautiful.]

[I dress especially like this today.]

Even though Princess Valeria was quiet her thoughts were giving out her true self. Princess Cassandra’s eyes were shining in doubt. Many things have happened in a few days but knowing that the first Princess was planning something brought a chill to Cassandra’s spin.

[Princess Cassandra, are you avoiding me?] A voice came into Cassandra’s mind as she turned around in fright. She knew who would talk to her through thoughts and she knew the voice as well. It was Princess Teimei.

The smile on Cassandra’s face shook. She blinked a few times as both the Princess’s bowed at one another.

"Who might this be?" Princess Teimei said as she moved to her seat, eyeing princess Valeria with a smirk.

Valeria’s eyes twitched as she saw the lady with platinum hair entering. Her red gown flowed through the floor as if she owned the place. Princess Valeria’s lady in waiting came in and whispered in a soft tone. "She is Vivere Kingdom’s Princess. Princess Teimei."

Princess Valeria smiled as her eyes narrowed.

[So she is from the Vivere Kingdom?]

[No wonder she has such an attitude.]

[Should I kill her?]

[Not yet. Killing her will not bring me anything for now.]

[Anyways after I have the power no one would be able to stop me anyway.]

There was a smile on Valeria’s face as she bowed. "I am the first Princess of Elvira Empire, Princess Valeria."

Princess Teimei bowed as well. "I am Princess Teimei from the Vivere Kingdom."

Bothe the Princesses looked at each other with an unsettled gaze. There was tension brewing in between the two which was unnoticed by everyone.