<h4>Chapter 282: And so, it begins.</h4>


    Just as the youngdies were discussing the men, there was no shortage of young men doing the same, discussing the young women with vigor. Not only were some of the empire’s most beautiful maidens in the hall but so were the singers and dancers.


    The air was overflowing with the smells of enchanting perfumes and flowers. The men took in the smells and filled their stomachs. Alliances had be importanttely and what was stronger than a marriage alliance?


    "From the East, Lord Lucas Montgomery, Knightmander of Wyvern’s Reach." The herald read.


    Lord Lucas and his men entered the hall, their imposing physiquesmanded silence. Covered in thick furs, they looked more like cold menacing beasts than men. While the Wyvern Reach was not asrge a territory or the Montgomery house as powerful as the others, their military prowess was not to be under estimated.


    They had produced some of the most skilled fighters andmanders in the empire. With brute strength alone, they could repel back armies that were wielding swords.


    "Lady Jilian Sterling, Marchioness of Starhold."


    The marchioness’s entry was not whispered about. The only reason she was attending was because the Starhold heir was a young boy, only three years old. He could not decide with whom to stand so she would do it for him.


    "Lord Drumin Holloway, Earl of Moonspire." The herald read.


    The Earl entered with four of his sons and two daughters along with ten knights. The house of Moonspire was a secretive one and nobody really knew what to make of them. They were powerful and yet remained behind the scenes, in the shadows as much as possible.


    It was rather down to earth of them or suspicious considering the fact that they controlled three of the most crucial ports in the capital of the empire.


    "Lord Glen Christianson, Baron of The thousand peaks." The herald called out.


    The baron, a short man of incredible wealth entered with thirty knights and his ten wives. They were all dressedvishly. Glen Christianson was not a man that shied away from showing off his wealth that his family had acquired from the ownership of half of the empire’s mines.


    Their house ruled arge region and controlled an impregnable mountain fortress. Even though it was more isted from the capital, they were considered strong and their support was necessary as they contributed significant wealth to the coffers of the royal family.


    For one and a half hours, the herald announced the guests in attendance and finally, thest entrants, the Nithercott’s led by the divine maiden herself, Akia.


    Ma the fourth and Ren Nithercott exchanged nces that vowed hatred as Ma had been the one that took away Ren’s position as prime minister.


    Discussion naturally increased when Akia walked into the room. Dressed in white, beautiful as always with a small golden crown on her head, she looked like a princess. She was apanied by four female mages, also dressed in white, all holding long staffs.


    The men that were attracted to her whispered about her smooth skin, her plump red lips, her long legs and thin waist. Even the swell of her breasts beneath the white fur cloak she donned did not skip their eyes.


    "A goddess indeed." Jordan said, appreciatively with a besotted smile on his face.


    He was one of many men, old and young that had the same look on their faces. Ma hated the look on his son’s face. The Nithercott’s were too greedy for power, be it out front or behind the scenes. No matter who sat on the throne, they wanted to be the ones pulling the strings.


    The former emperor’s council had been filled with them. He had terminated them as soon as he dered himself regent. Cleverly, he reced them with people from other strong noble houses and this had kept the Nithercott’s from speaking nonsense.


    "Rise and wee the divine messenger." The herald announced.


    Most of the nobles in the room stood up while Akia remained sitting. This action did not sit well with some of the noble lords. Only the emperor was worthy of such a greeting and respect. The divine messenger was not a royal, she had no right to act like royalty.


    Nothing was said about the nobles that remained sitting. The situation as it was, was already tense, nobody wanted to light the first match and start the chaos.


    "You can all sit." Akia said.


    Again, as they took their seats, most of the nobles that stood made sour faces and the ones that did not stand smirked or scoffed. The members of the houses that had reached secret agreements exchanged nces. If the divine messenger was involving herself in the race for the throne, things would change and alliances would break.


    Her influence over the mages was strong. Whoever she supported would probably get the support of the mages and they could all guess how that would go.


    "Today is a good day." Akia started. "We have alle together for the good of our empire inspire of our differences. We suffered a blow when the assassins of the church murdered the emperor and wiped out most of the ruling family. Since then, we seem to have lost our way which proves true that an empire cannot be without a ruler for a day. We muste together and choose a new emperor, someone that we trust to lead our empire to greater heights."


    "Are the mages remaining neutral or do you n to be involved in the selection?" Ma the fourth cut in, impatiently.


    His question was weed by all of the nobles. As long as they could get a direct answer on the matter then they could battled between themselves.


    "The mages are neutral, we serve whoever sits on the throne." Akia replied with a fake smile that did not reach her eyes. She had to because there were cameras in the room. Reporters were covering the peace talk banquet. "Mages work for the people, our duty is to watch over the citizens. Thews of Medoris forbid us from interfering in politics. We are not exempt for sharing our opinions and giving some advice."


    "In that case, I nominate myself." Baron Glen Christianson stood up without shame. His ten wives pped their hands and did his knights.


    "What makes you think that you will be a good emperor?" Someone asked.


    "Sit down Glen."


    "Do you n to run the empire like you run your house? Filling it with whores."


    Noise in the room climbed higher as they argued and then Ma the fourth pped the table and stood up. "I am nominating myself. I am from the royal family and I have been doing a great job as the regent so far. I believe that I...."


    "You tried to annex the throne." Lord Ridley bellowed.


    "I am a from the royal family." Ma shouted.


    "So am I." Grand Duke Ridley growled it.


    "You were cast out Your grace, with all due respect." Lady Jilian said to the Grand duke.


    "Nevertheless, only those with royal blood should be on the throne. To hand over the crown to another family is ridiculous and a rebellion which the house of Ridley will not stand for." He dered boldly.


    New arguments arose and they were even more fierce that ever.