The Divorced Duchess

Chapter 6: EMPRESS COMPETITION

"I found her."

Kallixto's sword suspended in the air as he heard Kayne's voice out of nowhere. He tossed the blade onto the ground and seated himself on the boulder. He watched the lively town from a distance in the verdant vastness of the dale, overwhelmed by its sense of inner peace and harmony. His silver hair was beaming like a gift under the great sunlight, disturbed by the wind. The grass seemed to have fun with the breeze, dancing to its rhythm. And birds were freely flying in the bright sky. Yes. This is freedom.

"Well done." Kallixto's mouth curved into a smile, then he looked up at the sky. Goddess Enah, she works mysteriously, huh? He thought she wouldn't want to save his cursed child.

Kayne sat casually and leaned on the tree to hide from the sunbeam, which was his Achilles heel. For someone like the great Mage who had been in the dark chamber, it was pretty surprising to see him join Kallixto's training in broad daylight.

"Any plan after finding out about the Hiraya?"

Kallixto opened his mouth slightly, but his tongue froze. He had to consider his priority once he discovered the Hiraya.

"Could you tell me her identity?"

"Are you ready to know her?" Kayne paused to build the suspense.

He glanced at Kayne sharply, his brows furrowed, "Stop beating around the bush."

"Fine. You're no thrill, Your Majesty. I won't be shocked if Lady Psycheberg finds out your true identity," Kayne suppressed a laugh. "The Emperor pretending to be a mercenary is another level of disguise."

If there was one thing Kallixto could do right now, it would be to seal the Mage's mouth, although it was impossible, since Kayne has a split personality. At times, he could act childishly or be as deadly as a destructive weapon. Beyond that, the distinguished Mage was a confidant of his.

"And why do you need to mention the Duchess's name? We only met once, I mean twice, and she is married."

"Listen, I'm not a wingman for a married woman and an Emperor. It bothers me that she is the Hiraya we're looking for."

Kallixto almost fell from his seat. It took a few seconds for the news to sink in. How did it happen? Did Kayne play tricks on him? He was expecting that Hiraya's origin must be from an unknown land. In that case, the Duchess would be difficult to convince if she didn't want to be involved with the Imperial family. If the Duchess rejects his proposal, he would use his absolute authority.

"Before, I will pull some strings to make the Duchess Chauverthier agree with us. Do me a favor, Kayne."

"As a friend or subordinate?" Kayne said with a straight face. He really knew how to ploy someone in his palm. No wonder the great Mage was cunning as a fox.

"You have a thick face, tsk."

"I was born with a handsome face to con others. Using their weakness as bait is my expertise. So tell me your favor in exchange for the Forbidden Book in the Imperial Library."

Either way, Kallixto would still trade something valuable for the favor because Kayne was the only person he knew and could execute the plan.

"I'll send a note to the library, but first, you have to accomplish the mission."

"What is it?" Kallixto noticed Kayne's slight excitement, and a bloodthirsty presence was emitting from him.

"About the contract and the chalice that my father used during the covenant."

"Speaking of the covenant, the Holy Temple must know its old story."

The Holy Temple was known as the sacred guardian of the Empire, albeit Kallixo's distrusted nemesis. He has a hunch that the Holy Temple was involved with his father's betrayal of the Goddess Enah. They turned blind among the people they serve, and rumors of them abducting children to make them sacrifices were yet to unravel. Although there was a diplomatic contract between them, they mustn't interfere with each other's affairs. Hence, Kallixto secretly plotted an investigation with his Intelligence Alliance to spy on the Holy Priest's activities.

"That's why we need to collect evidence and proof of covenant records for us to break the curse."

Kayne nodded his head in agreement. "That might be true. We even found Hiraya with her Hiax. The seal of contract must be annihilated, since it has the blood of the Ruin Berserk."

"Commendable is the clarity with which you have grasped my intent, Kayne." Kallixto had liked this side of the Mage. They both have the same idealism, which they pursue. One way or another, they have each other's backs like siblings.

"See, I have my greatness in me." Kayne's confidence showed in his eyes as he checked his reflection in the small magic glass. He always had the magic mirror as a magic communication device. "I'll be making my way now, Your Majesty. Aiden has been cursing my absence in the tower. See you later." Kayne didn't wait for his words as he faded into the air. On the contrary, Kallixto had been absent from his office since morning, and his secretary, perhaps, was frantically looking for him, so he too must end his training. With his inborn mana, he was teleported back to his room.

"Your Majesty?!"

His secretary's loud voice heard from outside the beauru hall. He was fortunate to have a capable secretary to assist him with paperwork, although hearing his secretary's nagging voice could be bothersome at times. Seconds later, a tall man sporting his infamous glasses entered the chamber. There would be nonstop scolding once they met eye to eye.

"Shall we start now?" Kallixto asked about the assembly that his secretary arranged with the nobles. He gave a theatrical sigh that drew a grimacing expression on his secretary.

"You're five minutes late before the meeting began, Your Majesty."

It was Kallixto's turn to frown over his secretary's punctuality. He even thought of awarding his secretary a vacation for being a perfect while-collar laborer of the Empire. "The assembly starts at exactly two in the afternoon," Kallixto glanced at the pendulum clock, then gave a confident smirk to his secretary.

"We still have three minutes, so why don't you relax for a while, Shun?"

"My time is gold, so is yours. I don't have to waste my time on adjusting your schedule just because you are the Emperor."

When Kallixto heard Shun's outrageous statements, he was dumbfounded. Shun was his only close aide who could talk back to him without fear of losing his life.

"Aren't you afraid of me?" Kallixto said as he looked at his sword.

"I'm not being hypocritical if I say I'm not terrified of Your Majesty, but I'm certain you wouldn't waste time murdering me because I'm the only confidant you can have in the Empire."

As the saying goes, Kallixto laughed because what Shun said was all true. He couldn't afford to lose his secretary; for him to stay, he doubled his wage. Shun accepted it wholeheartedly, yet he still adored time and money so much that he even neglected his getting settle down even though many noblewomen were clinging to him.

"All is set, Your Majesty. The nobles have been waiting for you." As Kallixto finished changing into the finest emperor's robe, they both went to meet the nobles. They entered the meeting room, where the nobles were impatiently waiting for his arrival. Kallixto studied each of them carefully, thus, they quivered in anxiety. There was a comical look on their faces, as if they should act accordingly. He wanted to make fun of them, but he managed to keep his demeanor formal. The meeting began smoothly, presenting the empire's national issues and other aspects, when Earl Paschal raised an old-time question, "Your Majesty! Claverence is in desperate need of an Empress. We talked about it for a long time, but you turned down our recommendations."

Kallixto almost ready to sever the Earl's neck with his sword, but Shun silently intervened. He mentally noted that he would order his shadows to murder these nobles after this tense encounter. They had been getting on his nerves, asking him to marry a noblewoman for an Empress's throne. However, he was certain that these nobles were eyeing the Empress's position in the palace in the hopes of their bachelor daughters becoming one.

"What ground do you suggest?"

"We propose accepting Lady Valentina as one of His Majesty's Empress candidates," the old Earl said. Kallixto could see the desire to fill the Empress's throne through their eyes. Since he had nothing to lose, he might agree to their interfering in his personal affairs.

"Which one of Valentina's daughters?"

"Marquess Valentina's second daughter, Your Majesty. Her exquisite beauty and knowledge fit her to be an Empress candidate, and she is known as the butterfly of society."

"Really? Marquess Valentina's daughter." Kallixto stated sarcastically, but the truth, all these nobles were a bunch of livestocks pig. "Do you think I'd marry someone you proclaim to be society's beauty?" That was the first time I heard that name. Shun, are you familiar with her?" His gaze went to Shun, waiting for his secretary's response. Since Shun has a sense of loyalty, he slightly bends his body to whisper to him.

"Your Majesty, I'd be glad if you didn't ask me because I'm not familiar with the Marquess's daughter."

"Are you certain?" Kallixto whispered back.

"Yes, I'm perfectly aware. I don't know which lady they were referring to."

"T-hen, then, Y-Your M-Majesty," Earl Paschal was stuttering as he interrupted their conversation.

"If you do not fascinate with our suggestion, we can propose another lady from noble families, or maybe, His Majesty could consider marrying a royal from a foreign kingdom."

"I'll think about it. I still have more matters to address than looking for an Empress."

"Your Majesty, may I suggest an Empress selection?" The quiet and aloof Count Darvan raised his hand. He had been silent since Kallixto started the assembly. If he remembered correctly, Count Darvan was the father of Duchess Chauverthier. He simpered as he recalled the time he met the Duchess.

"Expound your idea about this matter, Count."

"Gladly, Your Majesty," Count Darvan had presented his concept of the Empress competition. His ideas were quite acceptable compared with other nobles. The Empress competition will be a long search for an Empress. This could be done in various stages, depending on their wisdom and strength as a candidate. All the bachelor ladies in the Empire were free to join without Imperial requirements. The most exciting part of the competition was the elimination round; those ladies who failed the assessment would be compensated fairly. Kallixto consented to the proposal since he wanted the palace to be lively even for a month.

"Is that His Majesty's final resolution?" Shun asked him as they went back to his office.

"Why not? Let's give them the benefit of the doubt. If they can select an Empress through this, they will be awarded, but if not, their life are on the line."

Shun shook his head in disbelief. Although he had spent his entire life working with the Emperor, he still could not comprehend Kallixto's thoughts. "However, you promised to find an Empress who must not be involved politically, and most importantly, an Empress you desire."

"That was not going to happen because I had no desire for it. It's merely a fantasy I had as a kid. You see, Shun, I admire how to get rid of this curse just as much as you adore time and money." After Kallixto voiced out his desire, he left Shun staring at his back with bewilderment.