Villains also get Second chance

Chapter 66: silence before the storm

Cassius

"What did you say?'' I asked with surprise. "She is denying me entry into my own party. That's ridiculous." I laughed coldly, she is becoming braver day by day.

Ian bit his lip, as he looked at me, accusing. But why! Couldn't he once take my side! These days he was chanting more and more Marianne's name.

"What now?" I asked with impatience. I did not want to hear a single word in her favour but I do know that he would not leave without saying.

"Firstly, she is not denying you. She is just not inviting you as her partner. Secondly, it's not your party, since you are not paying for it... Not anymore." he replied with a smirk and for the first time, I wanted to break his teeth just to get rid of that annoying smirk.

"Huh, do you think she had the sufficient money to organise a party, a competition party with a lot of rewards that is? What if her cheap gifts ruined our image, go and check the girts and change them if needed," I ordered, as I was sure she would not have money.

Her monthly expenditure is the only amount she gets from the empire. I had made sure, she did not get an extra dime except that.

"Your highness, since his highness chamber is not part of the party, I could not interfere anymore," Ian replied, bowing his head and I closed my eyes, sighing.

"Alright, if she makes a mistake, she would be the one blamed for it, as you said, the duke chamber is not part of the party anymore." Marianne, why could she not sit silently even for a week.

"Did she say, anything about the summon?" I asked hoping she had finally changed her mind, though I knew it was impossible.

He shook his head, but I could see he was hiding something. These days he had started to hide many things from me, and all that was related to Marianne.

"Fine, then get the carriage ready, we are going to invite lord Philip to come and work with us. Load all the gifts prepared for her majesty and her brother in the carriage and ask Clara to come with us." 

"Yes, your highness." Ian bowed and left the room. 

'What if I deny Kilian to be her partner, only then would she realise Killian was still my son. My son!' These words sounded like a slap was hit straight on my face showing me my reality.

I closed my eyes to get rid of all those flames that would burn the whole empire if taken out.

"Your highness the carriage is ready," replied Ian entering the office again. I nodded as I picked up the files ready to go.

But just when he came out one guard came running towards him.

"Your highness, his majesty and his highness of neighbouring empires are here, they are asking for a meeting," he replied, huffing. 

I raised a brow, "alright, send them in." had Charles been this free, these days. He is coming here every day, like his own house.

"Your majesty, his highness"

"Good morning Cassius, how are you?" he replied amused. 

"I am fine, your majesty, I was just going to the palace to meet you and request sir Philip for his company. It's my honour to see you here, and I apologise for not doing my duties properly." I did a fake apology, I was not late anyway, they came early unannounced. They should be the ones to apologise.

"It's alright, we came early, Philip and I went for an early morning walk, so we decided to visit you. I will then show other important places to him, personally," replied Charles, 

I wonder how they could walk when they were in the carriage. 

As we sat, the servants served tea and snacks. 

"Since we are here, let me show you the estate, I must say, though Cassius is a duke, his estate is no less than our palace."

"Oh, I would love to see this place, after all, I had to live here for a while," replied Philip and I nodded, at least now I don't need to convince him to stay here.

"Of course, consider this place as your home, I am looking forward to working with you, your highness." 

"Oh, call me Philip, Cassius." I raised a brow, since when did we come this close, but when I saw the pleading face of Charles, I nodded. 

"Philip, hope you find our empire good enough to work," I asked out of politeness, we are much better than his anyway.

"Oh, I had not seen enough, but I am sure it would be worth trying."

Worth trying!

"Since everyone had finished their tea. Shall we go and take a tour around now." said the emperor, knowing well that things are not going well.

And I wonder how we would be able to stay for a whole year, without an argument.

"Sure, his majesty, I know that you are busy."

We all stood up and walked out.

"This is the office, where you would work, Philip, your post will be the foreign ambassador, who will look after the benefit of new traders of both empires," I replied, as I showed him around.

"Oh, I am sure I would be well taken care of," he replied, with a broad smile.

Well at least he was putting effort into it, things would go fine this way.

"Come let me show you other places," I said once we had spent enough time here.

"Oh, Cassius, can we see the training ground first, it's been a while since I practised," replied Philip and I nodded with a smile, this way I will be able to see the progress of Killian. I had promised him to visit today.

"Of course, if you want, we can even have a round of practice,'' I replied with a smile and finally, Charles, who was tensed all the time, took a breath of relief. 

[I am sorry for the late, it's my sister's engagement ceremony today. Tomorrow is her marriage, so it may be late tomorrow too, but after that, I promise there will be 2 without any delay from the march. Thank you]