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The next day…

Luxurious carriages could be seen everywhere in the capital of the Haimirich Empire. Carrying the insignia of their noble houses, most of them headed to one place: the Imperial Palace. Everyone had already heard the news, and thus, many onlookers could not help but ogle at the parades of beauty heading to the imperial palace.

Meanwhile, within the Imperial Palace, while most servants were busy unloading the luggage of the noble ladies who were invited to the imperial palace, they gathered the candidates in the royal great hall.

Ladies were lined proportionately, making at least ten rows on each side. In each row stood five noble ladies, donning their beautiful dresses to leave a great impression on the emperor.

The ambiance of the great throne hall was the right mixture of different emotions. Excitement dominated the pretty faces of some ladies, while others showed reluctance. There were ladies who seemed to have other motives, such as trying to connect with the strongest candidates. There were also other candidates who remained silent, either from nervousness or simply distracted, like Aries.

\'Abracadabra.\' Aries held her breath as she stared at the skirt of the lady standing in front of her. She was in the last row on the right, near the corner. The ladies had nearly fought over who gets to stand in the first row, but Aries happily took the last where the emperor could barely see her.

Well, Aries only came because it was a royal decree.

A deep exhale slipped past her lips when the dangling jewelry of the lady before her didn\'t move at all. She had been trying to keep her mind focused as per Marsella — Aries\' mentor — orders. She didn\'t want this entire fiasco to distract her since her motive was to be useful to her husband and not marry him the third time.

"His Majesty, the Emperor has arrived! Pay respect to the only sun of the empire!"

Ladies stood with poise when a knight announced the emperor\'s arrival. They curtsied in unison, carrying themselves with grace. After a second, several footsteps were heard as Abel entered the great throne hall. Behind him were a few knights, who scattered around and took their posts.

The emperor\'s legal advisor halted on the first step of the step-up while Abel sat down on his throne. The latter raised his foot, resting his ankle on top of his leg. Abel reclined, bearing a dull expression, propping his jaw against his knuckles.

"Raise your head," said Conan with a raised voice, which the candidates did. His eyes glossed over the ladies\' faces, and he could tell they carried their most beautiful smiles.

"As you all know, you were chosen candidates to become the empress of this great nation!" Conan stated firmly. "The royal court had put a lot of effort into categorizing those who were fitting to wear the crown and lead this empire alongside our beloved emperor…!"

Conan went on and on for the next ten minutes regarding the setup of this \'competition.\' Everyone listened, even Aries kept her ears open. However, while most of the ladies\' eyes were on Conan, Aries kept her eyes on Abel.

\'He seemed to be in a terrible mood,\' she thought, tilting her head to the side. \'He shouldn\'t just be looking in my direction so openly. If these ladies think I\'m seducing him, they\'ll give me a hard time.\'

Aries lowered her head to hide from Abel\'s gaze. She looked around cautiously lest someone had already noticed it. Only when she realize everyone\'s attention was on Conan\'s did Aries heave a sigh of relief.

\'This is quite nerve-racking.\' She patted her chest, letting out a sharp breath.

Meanwhile, Abel frowned when Aries lowered her head. It wasn\'t enough for her to stand on the farthest line, but now she was purposely hiding. Her presence and the sight of her were the only good thing that happened today, and yet, she was hiding.

"And as such, we will —" Conan abruptly halted when Abel spoke.

The ladies, who kept their focus on Conan for the reason they were eager to win or too scared to look at the emperor, instinctively set their eyes on the man sitting languidly on the throne. Some ladies, who had never seen the emperor, had their mouths agape. Others, who were brave enough to sneak a look at him, could not help but admire him.

The emperor… was indeed sinful. He was sinfully beautiful. His beauty alone could capture any maiden\'s heart with just one look.

"This side…" Abel pointed at the column of ladies opposite Aries. "... tell them to go home."

"What?" Conan scrunched his nose up, looking at Abel in dismay.

"Those who were in the first row are all ugly. Thus, those behind them are the same," explained Abel lazily, not bothering to even make up a reasonable lie.

"But Your Majesty —"

"How can I have an empress who will stand beside me when I can\'t even look at her face?" Abel arched a brow, cocking his head to the side.

The ridiculous insult the ladies received mortified everyone. They gasped, rendered speechless at His Majesty\'s remark. But Abel was not in the mood to play.

"The next time I repeat myself, it will cost a limb." Abel waved, smirking deviously at the ladies, who unluckily didn\'t stand on the same side as that particular someone.

\'Goodness, gracious!\' Conan let out a long-suffering sigh before he casts the knights a look. "Escort the ladies outside the premises. If any of them complained or caused trouble, cut off their tongues."

"What?" Aries\'s breath hitched as her pupils dilated in horror. She gazed at the ladies standing on the other side, and obviously, every single one of them looked at Conan blankly. But it was effective since they all voluntarily exited the throne hall without making a side.

As the last lady left, the atmosphere in the throne hall completely changed. Some were pleased that there was less competition since they were immediately reduced in half in their first ten minutes in this great throne hall, while it mortified others.

Conan let out a sharp breath and studied the ladies who were left behind. Dismissing half of the candidates today wasn\'t in their plans, but it didn\'t really affect them.

​ "Those on the last row, fill the empty spots on this side," Conan raised his voice upon catching Aries hiding in the last row. \'He should\'ve just told me he wanted to see her instead of dismissing everyone!\'

Conan harrumphed internally, glancing at Abel, who was now smiling from ear to ear as Aries was forced to stand in the front, where he could see her clearly. Meanwhile, Aries frowned, almost glaring daggers at Abel.

\'Will you look at him?\' Conan snorted inwardly. \'I told him multiple times not to show favoritism, so Lady Aries wouldn\'t have a hard time. Tch! Nevermind! He\'s digging his own grave.\'