When they finally arrived at the entrance door of the Golden Empire Hall. Two guards had noticed them from the outside.

“Are you ready? We’ll be the apple in the eye for tonight’s party.” Sidañian smiled and thought, I will play along and see how the emperor will react when he sees that I’m with one of his concubines. 

“I’m ready. Let’s do this!” said Irelina. 

She gently put her left arm onto Sidañian right arm, acting like a couple. Sidañian didn’t mind and signaled the guards to open the door as they did. The golden door creak opened and took everyone’s attention. 

Their entrance to the hall was so spellbinding that it took all the guest's eyes on them as they celestially walked together in the crowd. 

Dianthus was surprised. How come she’s still alive?! She’s supposed to be in a coma, she seethed. 

What is going on? Why is she with the Emperor of Horos? The regent averted her glance to Zeddrick's astonished face. 

Why is she here? No. When did she wake up? Zeddrick troubled face. 

Everyone started to murmur. 

Isn’t it the Emperor of Horos?

And that lady with him must be the 9th Concubine of His Majesty.

But how come they are together?

So it’s true; she’s wearing a veil to cover the ruined face caused by the shadow demons. 

Irelina felt a sudden pressure from their pierced gazes, Wow, I’m about to melt. The way they looked at us was like fire and ice. 

They came forward to greet the emperor. Irelina let go of her arm from Sidañian and bowed gracefully to His Majesty. 

“Greetings to the Emperor of the Golden Empire and Regent Robina of Verticulas,” said Irelina.

“I didn’t know that the Emperor of Horos and the 9th Concubine became immediately close.” Zeddrick tone was sarcastic.

What?!! Irelina looked at Sidañian with a stunned expression. Are you freaking kidding me?!! He’s the Emperor of Horos?! Why didn’t you tell me? You cheeky bastard! Her heart boiled because she had been fooled. 

Sidañian bowed and raised his head. “Greetings, Your Majesty. I don’t want to be rude, but I accidentally met the 9th Concubine, who got lost on the way here. So, I helped her.” 

Their glances stung like a thunderstrike. Yet Sidañian added, “It is a norm in Helleus to act courteously towards women regardless of their status. And it was an honor to meet someone precious like the 9th Concubine.” 

Huh? Precious? What the heck are you blabbing about now.” Irelina was speechless.

Behind Sidañian smile is a threat and a challenge to Zeddrick. 

I will get what I want. I want Irelina Mercius to be mine and mine alone… that is what you’re going to give me in return Emperor of Verticulas. His wicked mind.

Zeddrick felt displeased by Sidañian’s tone and displayed his annoyance towards Irelina. 

“You!” Zeddrick called out loud, and Sidañian felt disrespected.

Huh? Why is he looking at me? Is he referring to me? Irelina tilted naively and asked, “Are you referring to me, Your Majesty?” 

“Who else?!” Zeddrick furrowed, adding, “How come you’re here?” His tone was irate. 

“Am I not supposed to be here?” said Irelina, sarcastically. She thought, no wonder—he’s handsome but an arrogant brat.  

The regent whispered toward her son, “Your Majesty, we can talk about this later. Should we skip this part and let them enjoy the night? Just think about our guests. They are all looking at us.”  

Zeddrick glanced at everyone. He tried to calm down so as not to ruin the party. 

“Fair enough. Welcome to my Empire, Emperor Sidañian Neus Horos. I hope you will enjoy the party and your stay in Hēnte,” said Zeddrick. 

Sidañian bowed slightly and said, “Thank you for inviting me to your special occasion, and surely I will enjoy my stay, Emperor Zeddrick Apeus Verticulas.” 

“Again, my apologies for being late, Regent Robina. I believe you have already acknowledged me during my absence. I supposed I should head back?” Irelina said politely.

“You’ve just arrived, Irelina. Why not enjoy the party and have something to eat before going back?” The regent smiled.

Meanwhile, Dianthus was displeased and annoyed in her sophisticated, long red gown. 

Irelina bowed. “Okay, well then—” 

“9th Concubine, Irelina Mercius,” Dianthus called out loud her name. 

“Do you have something for me?” Irelina asked and remembered something. Earlier, when Sadi and I entered this hall, this lady had the strangest reaction. Isn’t she the first concubine that Ella mentioned before? The sophisticated one? If she’s the culprit, why did she do that? Did the previous Irelina irritate her somehow? Well, let’s find out. Her expression was thoughtful behind the veil. 

“Did you just present yourself without preparing something for His Majesty?” Dianthus's tone was sarcastic. 

Is she referring to a gift or something? Irelina thought. 

Sidañian quietly observed them.

Irelina didn’t like her tone, and the other concubines started to mutter with each other, looking at her with a hateful stare. 

“What is there to give to His Majesty when he already has everything?” said Irelina, contemptuously. 

Dianthus felt humiliated.

Now, you can’t even say a word. But…I’m just starting. Irelina smirked behind her veil, held her chin and added, “But…you’re right, I should have brought something for His Majesty,” She added, “Well, if His Majesty is okay with it, I’d like to sing a song,” Irelina said.

“That would be lovely, Irelina.” The regent smiled. I’m now interested in what she could do.

Zeddrick waved his hand and snubbed at her.  “Go ahead, as if it makes a difference.” 

“Then, why not play the piano?” Dianthus is trying her best to embarrass Irelina. As if she knows how to play the piano. She scoffed at the back of her mind.

She’s getting on my nerves. I agree, she looked sophisticated but… damn, She’s a vicious lady. But, sorry, I’m not going to follow your childish play. Irelina grinned and said, “I’m sorry…but I don’t follow your orders, concubine Dianthus Aechmā.,” said Irelina.

Dianthus felt more embarrassed, biting her lower lip, and seethed. 

“Why should I play the piano if I can play something else?” Irelina bluntly said, smiling mischievously, thinking, Get lost, you stupid little chick. 

Irelina snubbed and turned around.

Zeddrick felt Irelina's intimidating presence while Sidañian crossed-armed, smirking at her stubbornness. Castaeus, on the other hand, noticed him from a distance. 

Dianthus felt more embarrassed, biting her lower lip, and seethed. She hatefully gripped her long dress skirt. 

Irelina saw the orchestra stage with a medieval guitar placed beside the piano. She strolled in that direction and asked permission from the musician to borrow it. The musician agreed. 

A guitar? Zeddrick wondered.

Irelina went to the center stage, facing the audience. She closed her eyes, feeling the moment of the fleeting memory she had cherished. Though her heart felt empty, she knew that this song would make her feel a little better.  

“You have not heard this song. It’s nothing special, but I hope this song will bring back some memories close to your heart.” Irelina’s bittersweet expression. 

She placed her fingers nimbly on the strings, gently strumming the melody that drifted through the crowd. Memories of the past brought Irelina back. Sitting on top of the highest wall that separated the Fallon Organization from the ruins, she thought of Colleen. 

Flashback

“Hey, Iris, what do you plan on doing after we leave the organization?” asked Colleen.

“I don’t know. I never thought about it,” said Iris.

“Come on, you should have one, at least.” 

Iris looked at Colleen sideways. “Then, what about you?

“Me? Hmmm…I want to have a small family of my own. I want to have a loving husband with four adorable kids and live in a small town in Greenland,” Colleen smiled, looking at the far end of the dry ruins. 

The wind blew the strands of their hair.

“Wow, I can’t believe you have set your plans. Now I feel that I should also have one.”

“It’s just a plan. But if it doesn’t work,” she looked at Iris and said, “Shall the two of us live far away together in Greenland and raise some cattle?” She grinned. 

Iris chuckled. “Then, I will milk the cattle if that happens.” 

Present

With a wistful smile, Irelina sings the song she had written like a classic motion-roll film of their memories. 

Do you still remember? The time when we’re together. 

We were running wild and free. Like we used to be

But then again, you’re not here.

At that moment, it took Zeddrick’s attention that the very word from Irelina’s lips was shafts stabbed in his heart. He remembered the endless love he had with the former empress, Earlena. The time they shared the peals of laughter and the confession of his love under the Wisteria tree with her. Earlena was everything to him. And no one can replace her place. 

Can you still remember? The promises we made together. 

That we will live forever…’til eternity

But then again, you’re no longer here.

But Irelina remained kind and forgiving despite the cruelty she had endured all this time. Her only desire was to live in peace. The regent noticed His Majesty’s frown expression, but the flame in his eyes was filled with misery. 

Irelina passionately ended the melody, leaving everyone tongue-tied. She heard a clap from the opposite side. It was Sidañian smiling at her. She smiled back and Zeddrick noticed how the Emperor of Horos admirably looked at her. He furrowed his brows and clenched his right fist. He was not happy that Irelina was befriending his unwanted guest.  

Everyone clapped and cheered for her remarkable performance and complimented her voice. She returned the guitar to the musician, who was also impressed by her tune. She stood before the emperor and the regent, which made Dianthus even more vexed. Zeddrick looked at her coldly with a gaze of fury. 

Irelina could sense that His Majesty was a boorish man.

“I guess my song did not please, His Majesty,” said Irelina, calmly.

“The song you sing is rubbish.” Zeddrick insulted her, and the regent was surprised by his disrespectful manner.

“Like I said, Your Majesty, the song is nothing special. It’s only a song I wrote. I apologize if it did not meet your expectations.”  

Dianthus smirked. Ha! Do you think such a stupid song will flatter His Majesty’s heart? What a fool you are. 

“If you have nothing else to do here, you may leave.” Zeddrick scoffed at her.

Irelina felt annoyed behind her veil. 

You should at least say thank you, you jerk. Do you think it was easy to sing in front of so many people just to get insulted by you? Whatever…the hell I care. Let’s put the card down. 

Irelina glowered, and said, “Not a problem, Your Majesty.” She paused and added, “But…before I go, there’s something I wanted to say, Your Majesty. Will you hear my plea?”  

“And what is that?” asked His Majesty. 

“The rumors about my ugly face. I wonder who spread such stupid rumors, who never seen my face at all.” Irelina’s tone was blunt.

Stupid rumor? Zeddrick thought, furrowing his brows towards her. 

Medicius quietly came forward and stood beside Castaeus. Medicius looked worried about what Irelina would do.

“Since Your Majesty and Regent Robina have acknowledged me as the 9th Concubine of this empire, I would like to take this opportunity to show everyone what I truly looked like,” said Irelina, confidently.

“Ha! Are you sure about that? You don’t want to be the laughingstock in this party.” Zeddrick mocked and offended her. 

“Do you want to make a bet?” Irelina’s tone was boastful.

“Oho! Do you dare to challenge me as your emperor? 9th Concubine, Irelina Mercius?” Zeddrick’s tone was heartless.

The crowd felt sorry for Irelina with all the negative murmurs surrounding her. Dianthus was looking forward to seeing her get humiliated in front of everybody. 

“Why not? I have nothing to lose anyway,” said Irelina.

Zeddrick was surprised by her boldness and said, “Fine, tell me what you want.” 

“If I lose, I will quietly leave Hēnte and accept the Emperor of Horos’s request to move into his empire.” She lied. 

Sidañian eyes widened by Irelina’s steadfast. Not to expect, Zeddrick was shocked like everyone else in the crowd. Though Irelina felt guilty for using the Emperor of Horos, disrespectfully, she knew Sidañian would understand. 

Sidañian crossed his arms, leaning on the post, and smirked, She got me there. Now everyone is looking at me. Irelina Mercius, you are indeed an interesting lady. I look forward to it.

“But if you win?” His Majesty asked.

“And, If I win,” she glanced toward Dianthus and thought, My hunch was never wrong. I know who the culprit is. So, let’s play for a while. She smiled and said, “Please grant me full authority to find the culprit who tried to poison me and punish that person by death as per the Law of the Golden Empire.” Irelina’s tone was provocative.

The Golden Hall became noisy because of the shocking news they had heard. Zeddrick was flabbergasted. 

“How confident are you in finding the culprit? Saying these words will put your life at stake if you wrongly accuse the person.” Zeddrick’s tone was stern.

“I know. It’s not easy because you need proof for that,” Irelina said, thinking, I’ve worked as an assassin all my life; do you think I will fail in this era? She smirked, adding, “But what can I do? The culprit is enjoying itself in the crowd. 

Irelina shifted her gaze towards Dianthus who looked anxious.