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❦☾𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗.11.𝕯𝖊𝖈𝖎𝖘𝖔𝖓☽❦

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It was the day of the meeting, Ophelia had asked Leon to look into the epidemic that had occurred in the Middle Eastern countries a few centuries back.

Even though he was confused he had asked Zodan and Zelda to follow on what she said and continued with his own research.

And Ophelia whom had asked to leave the Royal estate was running late on her return.

The aristocrats had gathered in the House of Nobles as the meeting had already begun.

And it was time to decide on which group would fight against the pandemic as all the other issues that had been arising in the empire had been given out except for this and another.

"Duke of Malbey," the head boards announcer commenced as he read off his paper.

"You have been selected to handle the issue of the upcoming disease by the Emporer,"

The Duke of Malbey gave a smirk to the Emperor in which he returned a grin, he strutted up to the podium to claim his case.

Leon whom expected this, stood up and exclaimed "I object! I feel as though my team should handle this case since we are more knowledgeable," 

"Nonsense! Me, my son and the Empress have agreed on his team, are you questioning our authority, Crawford!?" The Emporer declared.

Of course, the Emporer would want the Duke of Malbey to get this case since he and some of the other nobles are working with him in his criminal schemes.

The Empress then stated " I never necessarily agreed, plus the Duke of Crawford has a point. If he can prove his politicians are more suited for the job why should we reject? Whatever is better for the people is what we shall proceed with,"

The Emporer gritted his teeth at his wife's different opinion. 'Celestia always trying to do what's best for the people....' he complained in his mind.

Then Malbey who became slightly stressed interrupted and said "I am better equipped for this, my team will ensure those who are ill stay at home whilst those who aren't can go out. Plus the disease is said to be spread by a certain bug bite, and all we have to do is sell more repellents," he then turned to the other nobles.

"Plus we could sell these insect repellents to them, a great way of making money and saving the people," 

The Emporer then gave a loud laugh with an applause. Many of the other aristocrats agreeing and pleased with the new business opportunity followed.

"How about you Duke of Crawford?" The Empress who showed no emotion at Malbey's answer asked him.

The Duke stepped forward and replied, "I will make sure people in highly infected places are secluded to their areas and not being able to travel or leave their houses for a short while. We can ensure this using the military. Furthermore, we should protect our elderly and orphans by moving them into facilitated homes instead of the filthy streets. And lastly, I would focus my energy on supplying food to the people as malnourishment can interrupt healing and weaken the immune system-"

"Utter ludicrous!" The Duke of Malbey declared "Do you understand how expensive that is,"

And with that, the other Nobles involved themselves yelling things like, "What will happen to our businesses if the people don't go to shop at them?!"

And...

"The Military?! How much will our taxes be spent on paying their fees for this extra labour!?"

Also...

"Supplying more food? And where would we get that from? There is a drought in our farming lands food is even expensive for us nobles!"

Leon's expression turned icy as his ears filled with the shallow and selfish concerns of the others. It was obvious to him he was going to lose ' They're only concerned about money...I hope they choke on sharp diamonds, and where is Princess Ophelia and that Rosetta? Weren't they meant to turn up?!'

"Enough!" Casper yelled, "We shall take a vote o-"

The doors of the vast room opened and in strutted Ophelia and behind her was Rosetta carrying a whiteboard.

"Ophelia--" Casper stated as he was met with her sudden appearance.

Ophelia and Rosetta whom had abruptly interrupted the meeting took a bow to the Empress and Emporer.

"I apologise for my tardiness, Your Majesties," She asked for forgiveness.

"And who is this rude girl, who doesn't understand common decency!?" The Empress exclaimed in offence.

Casper quickly shot up, to formally announce "Everyone," he cleared his throat "This is my fiance Ophelia Celine daughter of King Herman of Alira,"

The Nobles whispered within themselves, talking about how vulgar the princess's behaviour is, and how they've never seen her before and that she must've been a woman of the King instead since her beauty is extravagant compared to his.

Leon who could hear this gossiping flock of men and women placed his eyes upon her, she looked unbothered and relaxed. Up until she made eye contact with the Emporer who also became agitated at his son for revealing Ophelia to the other aristocrats as his fiance without his permission.

However, the Empress rolled her eyes in revulsion from hearing that she was the so-called 'Blossom of Alira'. Because in her mind she had tried to seduce her husband. 

"And so why is a foreigner inviting herself to our Empire's formal meeting?!" The Empress affirmed.

Then in another respectful curtsy, she replied " Because it's my duty as my future Empress," then in a nervous sweat she thought. 'Oh no! That sounds like I want to get rid of her!'

The crowd went dead silent at Ophelia's remark.

The Empress gave a morbid glare "I'm not dead yet,"

"Your Majesty, I invited her onto my team with the permission of your son!" Leon attempted at helping Ophelia.

'Her son?... Casper, allowed me to?' She thought as she turned her head to face the confused Crown Prince. She showed him a warm smile of gratitude.

His heart fluttered at her unexpected expression. 

Rosetta who was holding the whiteboard behind Ophelia only expressed faces of disturbance as the Nobles criticised her and the Princess. Yet she followed behind her as Ophelia confidently made her way to the centre of the traverse stage.

'I already know the Duke of Malbey's stupid argument, and he wins. But I won't allow him to this time!'

"So, Duke of Malbey. What is your current knowledge of this new disease again? Things like whether it is a bacteria or a virus?" Ophelia asked as she was handed a note from Zelda on what he had happened before during the meeting, but she didn't really need it.

The Duke of Malbey stared back at Ophelia speechless unable to answer, he looked around nervously 'What on earth? I'd like to see her answer that!' he thought.

Then with a cunning grin, Ophelia turned to the rest of the aristocrats "How about a little quiz on whom had more knowledge on this illness? The winner takes the case,"

The Empress nodded in acceptance and the Emperor scowled at the Duke of Malbey hoping for him to be victorious.

Then in a panic, the Duke said "Ah yes! I remember as I already stated," he was handed fake documents from his 'doctors' "The disease is bacterial spread by blood-sucking insects! Here look at these reports as proof,"

The Nobles began to become more and more secure with their decision to make Melbay the one to deal with this issue, as they saw his proof and his enthusiasm grew, but was soon shattered when he heard;

"Can I see them?" Ophelia reached out her hand.

"Huh? Oh...of- of course," he apprehensively gave the papers to her.

Then Leon walked towards Ophelia with an anxious manner as he looked at the reports the Duke came up with. 

'Maybe letting her handle this was a bad idea, who knows her agenda towards me...she could secretly want me to lose...' He began to doubt increasing with the sight of the Emporer's menacing grin

But Ophelia noticed his serious expression and slightly placed her hand over his, and with a confident manner she told him in a whisper "Trust me,"