51 Chapter 2 (1/2)

The sonorous voice of the Legate resounded in the square as he read the Decree:

”A cycle ends and a new one comes to pass. The days of celebration and rejoicing have regrettably come to an end. It is time to return to our daily lives of toil and ardour.

”Yet, it is but a new beginning, a chance to make this cycle pass better than the one that preceded it and to prepare for the ones to come.

”Dukes and Duchesses of the Empire, it is Our pleasure as the reigning Emperor of Regiis, to usher you into your new positions of responsibility. Strive to make your Provinces prosper, to bring smiles to the faces of your people.”

The Duchess bowed deeply in the direction of the unfurled Decree the Legate was reading from. ”This one hears and obeys.”

After she straightened, the Legate continued:

”Members of the nobility, you are the roots of the great tree that is the Regiis Empire. Grow healthy and strong, draw upon the bounty of the land and share it among your subjects. They are the leaves, innumerable, yet, each one indispensable.”

Everyone else in the square saluted to the scroll and spoke in one voice, ”We hear and we obey.”

The Legate spoke, ”In Our name, We declare our daughter Venus as the Heir to the Empire. We hope that as dictated by tradition, the foremost youths of Our domain step up to vie for her hand in marriage.

”For those with the courage to step up to the challenge, the six Elemental Trials lay in wait. Overcome them and earn an audience with Us and Our daughter. Win her heart and We shall bestow the title of Successor to the Throne.

”In Our name, we declare the Swayamvar for Princess Venus open! May the best man emerge victorious.”

My eyes widened in surprise as my vision involuntarily turned to the Duchess. My action was mirrored by several of the young men among the top twenty rankings. From yesterday's conversation, I knew them to be the ones who had acquiesced to a marriage contract with the Vulpines.

Even though the Duchess herself displayed a shocked expression and even the members of the Vulpine clan weren't exempt from the sweeping range of marriage contracts, knowing what I did, I could infer that this was all part of her plan.

She had somehow known of the Swayamvar and thinned the competition for me by tying up eligible bachelors with the bonds of marriage.

Even though she was on my side, a chill ran up my spine. Her deception was too deep. Her plans convoluted and unfathomable.

I felt a deep diluteness. With a mother-in-law such as her, I could very well end up selling myself into servitude and happily help her count money, ignorant of my plight. A tinge of regret for embroiling myself in this political vortex arose within me.

Suddenly, the face of Ceres floated up in my mind. The memory of her reaching out to touch my hair in wonderment came to the fore. The smoky mana in my mindscape began to flow in hypnotic eddies. A sense of calm suffused me, snuffing out the budding misgivings.

My bond was with Ceres, not her mother. Even though the Duchess' mind games were scary, they were aimed away from and beneficial to me. I needn't be suspicious of her intentions.

If she bore me malice, she wouldn't have wed her daughter to me.

The Legate's voice jerked me out of my contemplative reverie. ”All men capable of marriage and wishing to participate in the Swayamvar, step forward.”