Leon's heart stirred when he heard Eli's explanation. He never expected that Eli would give him such a gift and that the gift had such a deep meaning.
He looked at the bracelet on his wrist, his eyes reddening, deeply moved by the gesture.
"Eli…" he stretched out his hands cupping Eli's cheeks as Leon called out her name in a quivering voice.
"I'm sorry I have not prepared for anything…" He muttered apologetically.
Eli touched Leon's hand that was on her cheeks, nuzzling closely to feel the warmth of his big palms.
"You do not have to feel sorry, we have just started, aren't we?" Eli replied.
"Yes, and we will celebrate more of this in the months to come…"Leon leaned closer and gave Eli a sweet lingering kiss.
The night for the little family of three is warm and loving. Heavens and the earth had brought them the blessing of a good night's sleep for the coming day would be busier than the previous one.
–
The next morning was another hectic one for Leon and Eli, but this time, the two must show up together for the first time in the Imperial Palace.
For the first time, Eli will be joining the general assembly of not only the council but all of the influential people in the Empire for an important announcement - the establishment of the Anti Curse Committee!
The establishment of the Anti-curse committee has been announced a day after the victory banquet. But just as predicted, the nobles will not allow the establishment of the said committee without placing their own alternatives.
And so with the back-and-forth discussion with the nobles, the Emperor decreed that the committee will be nominated by the selected key personalities of the Empire.
Although they came together in the Imperial Palace Leon and Eli did not enter the hall together. Instead, Eli went with Randel to avoid sparking more discussion from the people.
As they entered Eli could already hear the hushed discussion around her.
"As expected, the young inventor is also here…"
"I've heard from my wife that she also dabbled with music and even volunteered to put herself to the level of the great musicians to teach the representatives of the Farauld Magic Institute in the tournament."
"Goodness! It might be inappropriate to say, but she is actually a show-off!"
"Well… I could not think of another word too!"
"Definitely an arrogant and a show-off. How did the Third Prince become attracted to her? It is so clear that she only does these things to attract his attention?"
"What can we do? With the Grandmasters on her side, who would stop her? Not even the Emperor would dare to stop the precious granddaughter of the Forgeworn and Farauld clans!"
The murmurs around were not at all pleasing to anyone's ears.
"How ironic, these men were ought to be the most dignified men in the Empire, yet they have loose tongues." Randel emitted a cold aura as he could hear clearly what kind of words the men were saying regarding his sister.
He eyed the men and made sure to emit an aura of a mage that was now close to S class. Instantly the old men shut up and nervously made their way toward the two until they reached their designated seats.
As people who had high aptitude in magic, Eli and Randel had a stronger sense of hearing than the others.
In fact, even as they were about to enter the gate, Eli was already frowning utterly displeased by the rattling of the so-called nobles. She did not actually care about the things they say about her, but she needed to hold on at least until the assembly ended.
If not for the report she and Leon received earlier regarding the plans of the New Rising Faction against her, she would have long shut off her amplified senses to have some piece of mind. But Eli needed to get more information so that she could gauge if she could handle their schemes.
In a matter of minutes, the great hall was slowly filled with prominent men and even some high-ranking noble ladies were also allowed to witness the proceedings of the assembly.
"Everyone! Make way for His Majesty King and the Princes of the Empire!" The grand chamberlain cleared his throat to announce the Imperial Family's arrival.
The next moment Emperor Valentin, Kazimir, Antoine, and Leon entered the hall.
Different from the previous grand assembly, the three princes no longer had an intense enmity with each other. Although they remained restrained in their actions, one could see that the relationship between the three brothers was improving.
Kazimir and Antoine no longer sport contempt and disgust whenever they gaze at their youngest brother. Leon on the other hand no longer treated the two as if they were air, his aura towards the crowd was still swordlike, ready to strike at any moment. But his aura toward his brother has visibly softened.
When everyone settled down, Emperor Valentin announced the start of the assembly.
Governor Fidel and the Grandmasters took the floor as the proponent of the establishment of the Anti-Curse Committee. They discussed the rationale and responsibility of the committee and its members, detailing their authority once a curse-related incident emerges in the Empire.
Then they also laid down to everyone the classifications in order to become considered a nominee for the committee.
One they must have a great contribution or they have the high potential to contribute to the welfare of the Empire using their talents and abilities.
Second, they must be of A-class and above regardless of their constitution.
As they announced this, the people of the New Rising Faction smirked. Their expressions clearly said that they were up to something, and that would be of no good.
After the introduction, the confirmed committee members were announced one by one.
The Emperor nominated Kayden and Nathan for both having the pivotal role during the internal war.
Grandmaster Andvari and Reuben, of course, nominated Randel and Eli as they were the ones who were very well experienced in the family when it comes to curses apart from Nathan.
The Temple also nominated their mysterious Captain of the Temple knights, Mishael. In his absence, however, vice captains Joab and Keren will jointly assume the role of managing the temple knights.
Finally, the nominees from the noble council themselves. As there were no more Vesala Faction, the Astazea and the New Rising Faction competed hard to make their own candidates elected to the committee.
It was such an intense fight between the two that even the Emperor had a hard time settling down the chaotic council. In the end, by Kazimir's suggestion, the council gets to nominate two people for a seat on the committee.
With that, the New Rising Faction chose Anderson Cross as their representative while the Astaze Faction nominated Siegfried Astaze, the one who expended all his mana in order to bring the cornered Kazimir and his men to safety during the encounter in the third district.
After the names were announced, the seven committee members were called in front to show themselves to the Emperor. This is to have them pronounce an oath of loyalty to protect the Seirende Empire as they see fit to their purpose as the members of the committee.
The seven brilliant people lined up quietly in the hall, paying respects to the Emperor with a bow. Leon sweep a calm yet cold gaze towards the seven. Only when his eyes reached Eli that his stare softened, as to Anderson however, a subtle frown appeared on his face.
This obvious discomfort was detected by his closest friend who was watching his every move, Kayden. If not for the fact that they were in the presence of the Grandmasters and the Emperor, he would have sniggered.
Emperor Valentin stood up and blessed the seven of them with a sword one by one.
"Now the seven of you have been chosen by the elders and officials of this assembly. As the head of the Empire, I implore you to do your duty well and protect the people from the sinister curses. With that, the seven of you must make a sacred oath to the throne…"
They were asked to half kneel to the throne, toughing the crest that was engraved on the right armrest of the throne which was the seal of the Seirende's first Victor.
One by one, the members stepped forwards and pronounced their oaths. Once they have finished the oath-taking, they will now be officially part of the Anti-Curse Committee.
But when it was Eli's turn to approach the throne to say her oath, a few men started a commotion, interrupting the ceremony.
"The men out there, I hope you have a good reason to disrupt this solemn ceremony!" Grandpa Andi was utterly displeased by the disrespect of the men who were trying to approach Emperor Valentin and the rest.
"Your Majesty, t-this humble one d-dared to interrupt the oath-taking ceremony because…"
"We object to having Lady Eli, the great inventor become part of the committee!"
