“Of course, I am willing, but it still depends on Emma's decision.”
The young Emperor Augulas spoke slowly, his voice deep and steady, with a hint of unquestionable authority.
His gaze swept over the members of the Creed family, finally resting on Emma.
In those deep eyes, complex emotions were hidden, as if anticipating something, or perhaps suppressing something.
Following the Emperor's gaze, everyone in the Creed family looked towards Emma.
This youngest princess of the Burke family was standing quietly in the center of the hall, her seven-colored hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall, shimmering with a dreamlike luster in the candlelight.
Her face was exquisitely beautiful, her skin fair and almost transparent, like porcelain that would break at the slightest touch.
In those deep purple eyes, a cold determination shone through, as if she had already made up her mind.
Emma's identity was extraordinary.
She was the granddaughter of Duke Burke, and due to long-term consumption of Sage's Elixir, she had gained the ability of magic immunity. She had once signed a contract with Constantine, possessing a constitution that made her almost impossible to kill, earning her the title of 'Immortal Princess'.
Her seven-colored hair was unique in the empire. She and the Empire's Rose, Dolores, were equally famous, known as the Empire's Twin Flowers.
Whether in terms of appearance or status, Emma was the most suitable candidate for the young Emperor Augulas, second only to Dolores.
Moreover, Augulas and Emma had grown up together since childhood, and even if there was no love, there was a deep friendship.
Of course, most importantly, they shared the same goal now—both Emma and Augulas wanted Leon to die.
Emma nodded slightly, her voice clear and firm: “I am willing.”
Her voice was not loud, but it spread clearly throughout the entire hall, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, rippling outwards in layers.
The members of the Creed family all showed satisfied smiles, especially Duke Burke, whose face revealed a hint of undisguised gratification.
However, at that moment, Dolores suddenly spoke.
Her voice was gentle, but with a hint of undeniable firmness: “Emma, you should reconsider.”
As soon as Dolores spoke, Augulas's cold heart suddenly beat faster.
His fingers tightened slightly, his fingertips almost digging into his palm.
How he wished Dolores could stop this, how he wished she would be jealous because he was going to marry Emma.
However, he knew this was almost impossible.
Dolores was already with Leon, her heart no longer belonged to him, or rather, it never had from the beginning.
A trace of sadness flashed in Augulas's eyes, but he quickly concealed his emotions, still maintaining that dignified and calm demeanor.
As the Emperor, especially at the Creed family's highest meeting, he must not show weakness.
Emma directly ignored Dolores, turned to look at Duke Burke, and said in a calm and firm voice:
“Grandfather, I will listen to the family's arrangements. Grandfather's decision is my decision.”
Duke Burke smiled slightly, looked at Dolores with a gentle gaze, and said with a meaningful tone:
“Dolores, if you want to marry Augulas, our Burke family is also willing to make it happen for you.”
A trace of unrealistic expectation ignited in Augulas's heart.
His fingers trembled slightly, 'Say yes, Dolores, become my Empress. Whatever you have done, I will forgive you.'
This was perhaps the first time in Augulas's life that he had uttered such a humble cry in his heart.
Unfortunately, Dolores didn't even look at Augulas.
Her gaze shifted from Emma to Leon. Only Leon could bring her spiritual comfort.
“The Hall family thanks the Burke family for their kindness, but it's unnecessary.”
Count Hall spoke on behalf of his daughter Dolores, his tone carrying a hint of subtle aloofness.
Duke Burke smiled, seemingly having anticipated this result.
He nodded, his voice loud and firm: “Haha, since that's the case, then the marriage between Emma and His Majesty the Emperor is settled.”
Count Hall slowly breathed a sigh of relief, a look of relief appearing on his face.
With Augulas having an Empress, the contract between the Hall family and the Frank family was also abolished. Dolores was now truly free.
Once Augulas and Emma's wedding was over, the Moria family and the Hall family could publicly announce the relationship between Leon and Dolores.
Having known this for a long time, Augulas couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment in his heart, but he couldn't blame Duke Burke and Emma, nor could he directly break ties with Grand Duke Moria and Count Hall.
The Burke family's willingness to form a marriage alliance with him now was undoubtedly a timely help.
He had just lost his right-hand men, and the marriage alliance between the Moria family and the Hall family, with Leon and Dolores together, meant that he had simultaneously lost the support of two major families.
And Mary, who had always coveted his throne, had gained the support of Seth, the head of the Frank family. The Burke family's support was very important to him.
Even if it meant sacrificing the position of Empress, it didn't matter.
After the Creed family's highest meeting ended, the Holy Empire entered a seven-day Creed Festival celebration.
The entire empire was immersed in the joy of the festival, the streets were decorated with lanterns and colored banners, and people wore gorgeous costumes,
singing and dancing, celebrating this grand festival.
The Creed Festival celebration ended, followed by the wedding of the Empire's Emperor.
The entire empire was boiling again, everyone immersed in joy.
Their young Emperor was finally getting married, which was definitely a happy event for the empire.
The Emperor's wedding was the highest-规格 wedding in the empire, and the entire Holy Empire was in an uproar.
Every member of the Creed family sent precious congratulatory gifts: gold, jewels, rare magical artifacts, and even legendary dragon scale armor, each worth a fortune.
The preparation for the wedding cost hundreds of thousands of gold coins, and the entire Yalong City was decorated like a dreamlike world.
The streets were hung with golden silk embroidered with the imperial emblem, and each lamppost was entwined with flowers and ribbons, the air filled with a rich fragrance of spices and flowers.
On the day of the wedding, the sunlight shone on every corner of Yalong City, as if even the sky was cheering for this grand event.
The flower car carrying Augulas and Emma was pulled by eight pure white steeds, their manes adorned with golden ornaments, their hooves ringing crisply on the flower-strewn stone road.
The flower car itself was a moving palace, its body inlaid with countless jewels, shimmering dazzlingly in the sunlight. The roof was made of transparent magic crystal, through which the clouds in the sky could be seen.
The procession moved slowly forward, the subjects on both sides of the street waving the flags in their hands, their cheers rising and falling.
Children stood on tiptoe, trying to catch a glimpse of the Emperor and Empress's demeanor; young girls' eyes glittered with envy, fantasizing that they could also have such a grand wedding; the elderly whispered prayers, hoping that this wedding would bring peace and prosperity to the empire.
Emma sat in the flower car, wearing a wedding dress sewn by the empire's top tailors over several months.
This wedding dress was originally prepared for Dolores.
It was temporarily modified according to Emma's figure.
The skirt of the wedding dress was several meters long, made of hundreds of layers of silk as thin as cicada wings, each layer embroidered with delicate magic runes, shimmering with a faint light.
On her head she wore a crown inlaid with the empire's largest diamond, the light of the diamond reflecting off her seven-colored hair, as if her whole person was shrouded in a layer of sacred radiance.
On her wrist she wore a magic bracelet passed down through generations of the Burke family, the gems inlaid on the bracelet said to be able to resist all curses.
However, despite her impeccable appearance, despite her smile being as perfect as if it were carved, her heart was like a pool of stagnant water, without any waves.
Her fingers gently rested on Augulas's hand, her fingertips icy cold, as if her blood had long since congealed.
Her gaze passed through the cheering crowd, landing on the distant skyline, where a cloud of dark clouds was slowly gathering, as if foreshadowing the haze in her heart.
Augulas sat beside her, wearing a dress embroidered with golden dragon patterns, and a cloak made of dragon scales draped over his shoulders, the cloak shimmering with a cold light in the sunlight.
His face was handsome and stern, his eyes looking straight ahead, as if examining his empire.
His fingers tightened slightly, holding Emma's hand, but that hand was like holding a cold piece of jade, without any warmth.
A complex emotion flashed in his heart, but he quickly suppressed it.
He knew that this wedding was not just a ceremony, but also a political game.
He needed the support of the Burke family, and Emma was his best choice.
The procession finally stopped in front of the Imperial Cathedral.
The doors of the cathedral slowly opened, and Archbishop Damir, wearing a long robe embroidered with golden runes and holding a gem-studded scepter, stood at the door to greet the newlyweds.
His gaze was gentle and solemn. He was Augulas and Emma's joint teacher, the dean of the seminary,
and also the Archbishop of the Church. Before the Church elected the next Pope, he was the most qualified person to stand here as the officiant.
Emma stepped down from the flower car with Augulas's help, her skirt trailing on the ground, like a flowing cloud.
Her steps were light and elegant, as if every step was on a cloud.
However, her heart was like being bound by heavy chains, every step making her feel suffocated.
Her gaze swept over the crowd in the cathedral, finally resting on Archbishop Damir's face.
His gaze carried a hint of pity, as if seeing through her disguise.
Archbishop Damir raised his scepter and chanted an ancient blessing spell in a low voice.
The air in the cathedral seemed to freeze, everyone holding their breath, waiting for this sacred moment.
Augulas took the crown from a servant and slowly placed it on Emma's head,
The weight of the crown made her head droop slightly, but she quickly raised her head, her face still wearing that impeccable smile.
“From today onwards, Emma Burke will become the Empress of the Holy Empire, ruling this land together with Emperor Augulas.”
Archbishop Damir's voice echoed in the cathedral, as if carrying some kind of irresistible power.
Thunderous applause rang out in the cathedral, and the members of the Creed family stepped forward to congratulate them.
Duke Burke stood at the front, a smile on his face that was hard to hide.
His gaze was full of gratification and pride, as if he saw the future glory of the Burke family.
His fingers gently stroked the family emblem on his chest, and he said in a low voice: “Emma, you finally did it.”
However, Emma's gaze passed through the crowd and landed in a corner of the cathedral.
There stood Dolores, wearing a light purple dress with delicate rose patterns embroidered on the skirt.
Her face was still beautiful, but her eyes carried a hint of undisguised sadness.
Her gaze met Emma's in the air, as if countless unspoken words were being transmitted between them.
“What a sad wedding.”
Dolores said lightly.
“This is my choice.”
Emma muttered silently.
The two were separated by countless guests, already like strangers.
Dolores couldn't stop the wedding, she had no position to do so.
She could only silently watch Emma push herself into the abyss step by step.
Her heart was filled with complex emotions, both sympathy and guilt for Emma.
The wedding ball was held in the palace's great hall, where countless crystal chandeliers hung, the lights scattering on the floor like a galaxy.
The band played a melodious tune, and the nobles entered the dance floor in pairs, waltzing gracefully.
Augulas and Emma, as the newlyweds, were naturally the focus of the ball.
Their dance steps were elegant and tacit, like a match made in heaven.
However, only they themselves knew that this dance was just a carefully designed performance.
Emma's face still wore a smile, but her gaze was always wandering outside the dance floor.
Her fingers gently rested on Augulas's shoulder, her fingertips icy cold, as if her soul had already left this body.
There was only one thought in her heart—revenge.
Revenge on Dolores and Leon. Revenge for her beloved Constantine.
The ball continued, laughter filling the entire hall.
However, beneath this gorgeous appearance, undercurrents were surging. Emma's heart of revenge, Dolores's helplessness, Augulas's indifference and calculation, all of this was like an invisible net, tightly entwining everyone.
This wedding was just the calm before the storm.
On the second day after Emma and Augulas's wedding, the entire empire was still immersed in the afterglow of that luxurious ceremony, the streets still hung with golden silk, the air filled with the lingering fragrance of flowers and spices.
However, this brief tranquility was soon broken by shocking news—Grand Duke Moria and Count Hall announced the marriage of their two families, and the relationship between Leon and Dolores was officially made public.
This news was like a bombshell detonated in the heart of the empire, the shockwave generated even exceeding the sensation caused by the Emperor marrying the 'Immortal Princess' Emma.
The entire empire fell into unprecedented chaos and uproar, in the streets and alleys, noble salons, and city taverns,
everyone was talking about this matter.
Young noblemen looked pale, their eyes filled with disbelief and anger; noble girls and young women covered their faces and wept, as if they had lost the most important thing in their lives.
Dolores, the Empire's Rose, the dream lover in the hearts of countless people, was actually engaged to Leon.
This news was unacceptable to 70% of the young noblemen of the Empire.
Many of them had dueled for Dorothy.
Her beauty, elegance, and nobility had long been a sacred symbol in their hearts, not to be profaned.
But now, this rose had been plucked by Leon.
Leon, the heir to the Moria family, handsome, powerful, and mysterious, was the best marriage prospect in the eyes of countless noble young ladies and married women, even the object of their extramarital fantasies.
His every appearance caused a stir, and every smile made countless women fall for him.
And now, he was engaged to Dorothy.
This news broke the hearts of countless women, and there were even scandals of noble ladies committing suicide by jumping off buildings.
At the same time, Auguslas in the palace also learned of this news.
He stood by the window in his study, holding a glass of red wine in his hand, the liquid swirling slightly in the glass, reflecting his stern face.
His eyes fell on the distant skyline, with a hint of undisguised anger and jealousy in his eyes.
His fingers tightened slightly, and the glass made a slight cracking sound in his hand.
"Leon—Dorothy—"
He murmured in a low voice, with a hint of gnashing hatred in his voice.
His heart was filled with complex emotions, both longing for Dorothy and jealousy and anger towards Leon.
