The palace buzzed with an usual energy. A flurry of activity, far exceeding the usual languid pace of court life, filled the air, Veronica bursted into lady Vashti's chamber, her usual placid demeanor replaced by a whirlwind of excited whispers. "My Lady! the palace is a hive of activity!. I inquired from Clara....that blonde haired servant girl...you know, the one with the perpetual air of mike bewilderment...and she revealed the source of the commotion!".

Lady Vashti raised an eyebrow, intrigued, Veronica rarely displayed such uncharacteristic excitement. "Apparently", she continued, breathlessly, "Prince Mario Kinston of the Snow Lotus kingdom is arriving! A visit of....state, she called it. Something about alliances and...mage stones?" She trailed off, clearly overwhelmed by the enormity of the news.

Lady Vashti chuckled. "Mage Stones?". How delightfully mundane for such a dramatic entrance. Does this....Prince Mario....have any particular....talent besides an appreciation for El dorian geology?".

Veronica scrunched her face in thought. "Clara" mentioned something about Alchemy. Apparently, he's quite the prodigy. fifteen years old and already renowned throughout the Snow Lotus kingdom. But honestly My Lady, I'm more interested in his wardrobe, Clara said he arrived with fifty trunks!...fifty!!"

Before Lady Vashti could respond, a sharp tap at the door interrupted her conversation. A royal guard stood there, his expression serious. "Your Majesty, the Emperor request your immediate presence".

Her curiosity piqued, she followed the guard to the grand dinning hall. The air was thick with the aroma of thousand exotic dishes. Tables laden with delicacies stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a feast fit for a king, or perhaps, a kingdom's strategic bargaining chip. The Emperor, Giselle Nether Field, sat at the head of the table, beside him sat prince Mario Kinston, a striking young man with eyes that seem to hold the wisdom of ages. He was indeed surrounded by fifty trunks. "Vashti, my dear," The Emperor began, his voice calm but firm. "Prince Mario and I have been discussing....a matter of mutual benefits. A union, you might say, between our two kingdom."

Lady Vashti's heart sunk, but maintained a calm exterior. She'd seen this play before. The Emperor "Mutual benefits" always seemed to involve sacrificing someone, he once did with her mother, now it was her turn?".

"Ah, an arranged marriage," she said, her voice laced with delicate touch of sarcasm. "How wonderfully traditional. And how incredibly flattering."

Prince Mario offered a cocky smile "Indeed, princess. A union between El doria and Snow Lotus kingdom would be a glorious alliance. Your homeland possesses a wealth of mage stones, vital for my alchemic pursuit. In return, the Snow Lotus kingdom offers...well, let say, we're rather well, equipped in the area of defense." He winked, the implication cleared. War supplies, the exchange was laid bare, devoid of the usual courtly pretense.

Lady Vashti took a deep breath, she knew this was a trap, a strategic move by the Emperor to secure a powerful alliance, using her as the bargaining chip. But instead of unleashing a torrent of indignant fury, she choose a different path. She decided to play their game and turn the tables.

"Your Grace" she replied, her voice even and controlled, "I am honored by your faith in me.Such a prestigious alliance, between two kingdoms....I shall accept your offer" she paused, allowing the weight of her words to sink in. "Of course the marriage contract must be reviewed by the state court for the women's right and I shall be put under the agreement that I have the same equal right as my husband to be and furthermore, I shall have at least thirty percent of his accumulated wealth, if we come to an agreement, then what's stopping me from honoring the Emperor's good intentions". she could see their faces contoured, especially the Emperor who was angry beyond words, this gave her the chance to excuse herself as she stepped out of the room.

      Not sure what the Emperor told the prince, as Lady Vashti stood by the window she saw his carriage leaving for it destination, she sat down dejectedly on the couch, Veronica had seen her ashy face the moment she entered, it was the first time seeing her looking defeated and angry, she let her cool off before asking what the outcome was, 

she explained to her, she ran and hugged her tightly while she release the tears that she had been subduing in her, she poured her heart out in pain as she clenched unto her hands, her walls were shattering inside of her,these heartless people killed her innocent mother and taunted her with it, that woman suffered in vain for a man who claimed to love her only to abandoned her.

Still in Veronica arms, she cried her pain out, if only her mother didn't marry the Emperor maybe....just maybe she could have still be alive, they tortured and punished her for their own believe.....she muttered in excruciating haunting memory of her past. "All El dorian shall pay for what they've caused me."