The Evil Emperor's Fragile Heart

Mana and Raven got dressed in a nicely matched set of clothes, looking like an exquisitely beautiful pair of children. Mana wore a long dress with a flared skirt that skimmed her ankles. The dress was an elegant emerald green, and it had been magically enhanced to gleam amber and silver at the folds or upon movement. On top of the dress, she wore an opalescent fitted jacket, which showed off a slight sheen of rainbow hues when light hit it at particular angles. Raven, on the other hand, wore a fitted shirt and trousers made of the same fabric as Mana's jacket, and his jacket and tie were made of the same fabric as Mana's dress.

The fabrics had been especially brought in from the Sapphire Kingdom by Queen Carolina, and were one of the rarest and most expensive silks found in this world. Anyone who knew anything about fashion would be envious, and even those who had no idea about clothes would realise immediately that something so elegant must be expensive.

Their jewellery was exquisitely delicate, and matched each other's. Mana's pendant, earrings and bracelet, and Raven's tie-pin, lapel pin and cufflinks were made of precious dark metal set with diamonds, all clearly part of the same set. It was actually an antique set of couple jewellery King Jaren had found for them from his personal treasury when he saw their matched clothes.

Mana's hair was done up in a simple but elegant chignon, giving her a graceful look, and Raven's dark hair was combed back and set with some sort of hair gel, showcasing his sharp features and giving him an aristocratic air. Both of them looked every inch the magnificent prince and princess they were supposed to be.

King Jaren's eyes misted over when he saw them. "You two look…absolutely lovely," he murmured. "I need to make you dress up more often…"

Mana wrinkled her nose. "Too troublesome," she said.

King Jaren laughed and patted the little dragon in his arms. "What do you think, Azar?"

"Mommy and Daddy very pretty," Azar said. "Azar want to look like Mommy and Daddy."

"You'll look even better than us," Raven told the little dragon, tickling his chin.

"Of course," Mana agreed immediately.

King Jaren sent off the two kids. Well, at least the Rose Pavilion would have one lovely couple today, even if they were just children now. King Jaren could easily imagine what an absolutely stunning couple Mana and Raven would make ten years later…

King Jaren once again felt extremely satisfied with how well things were working out. He imagined the shock on the faces of Head Sage Yue and Crown Princess Pica when they saw Mana and Raven in their elegant finery that screamed power and wealth in a classy manner. He'd write a personal note of thanks to Queen Carolina and send her something nice. She'd been very generous to all his children.

Mana and Raven caused a sensation when they arrived at Rose Pavilion. Since they were using an imperial carriage, the people on the streets already know that a member of the royal family was here. When the young couple stepped out, though, it was a different matter.

Raven was the one who go down first, his movements nimble and cool. There were countless people around who sighed in disappointment, wishing this beautiful child were a little older so that they could pursue him…at least in their dreams if not in reality.

"Isn't that Prince Raven?" someone cried.

"Oh yes! He's so good looking!" someone else said.

"Wow, smart and beautiful, no wonder King Jaren values him so highly!"

"Princess Mana is so lucky!"

Raven ignored the noise around him and gallantly helped Mana step down from the carriage. Hand in hand, they presented such a beautiful picture that squeals erupted all around them!

"Oh heavens! Look at that! I never knew Princess Mana was so pretty!"

"She looks like our late Queen Dora!"

"Princess Mana and Prince Raven make such a beautiful couple!"

"They're already so lovely at this age, can you imagine how gorgeous they'll be when they grow up?"

"It's a match made in heaven!"

"They're meant to be together! So perfect!"

The crowd cheered happily.

A pleased flush suffused Raven's pale cheeks as he led Mana to the Rose Pavilion.

"Look at that! Even Prince Raven and Princess Mana go to the Rose Pavilion for a date!"

"Good thing I already made a reservation! My girl will be so thrilled when I propose to her next week at the place where Princess Mana and Prince Raven go on a date!"

"I must book a table quickly for our marriage anniversary dinner!"

"My partner and I just had a fight…I'll be forgiven for sure if I book a romantic meal here!"

These words were sweet music to Mana's entrepreneurial ears. Raven felt her joy, but he couldn't exactly figure out why she was so happy. Still, seeing her cheerful smile, he couldn't help his lips from curving upwards.

Mana waved cheerfully at the crowd, nudging Raven to do the same. The people were very happy and showered them with greetings and blessings and cheer.

Head Sage Yue, who had just arrived, was stunned at the display. He had never imagined that the child he'd always thought of as a curse, a calamity, would be considered such a treasure in the Emerald Kingdom. He could easily see that the crowd loved Raven as much as they loved Mana, and he had a strange feeling in his chest. Earlier, at the imperial palace, he had seen how protective King Jaren was when it came to Raven – he protected the boy as fiercely as he did Mana or Jules! And then he had seen how this little Princess Mana had cared for him…and looking at them now, surrounded by the cheering masses, he felt uncomfortable. He had never questioned anything about the Moon Temple in his life…and he had only defied his seniors and allowed Raven to live because of his mother's insistence. But looking at Raven now…he wondered if he had made a mistake.

Head Sage Yue slipped into the restaurant, trying to avoid the crowd as much as possible. He caught Raven's eye and nodded at him.

Raven quickly whispered in Mana's ear and the couple waved again at the crowd and entered the Rose Pavilion.

Head Sage Yue had actually booked the best private dining room at the restaurant, Mana noticed with great delight. The dedicated butler for the private room showed the two children in with a calm and perfect demeanour, but the gleam of excitement in his eyes gave him away. Mana and Raven were both courteous children, so they treated the staff with respect, too.

Head Sage Yue didn't stand up to greet them; he merely nodded politely. Mana and Raven didn't extend their hands to him, either; they simply inclined their heads in a polite bow and offered him a pretty jewellery box which contained the brooch custom-made for Head Sage Yue.

The man opened the unexpected gift and was pleasantly surprised. He had seen King Jaren's brooch today and he also knew that Queen Carolina had one. If the children had made one for him, too…wasn't this a nice olive branch.

"I wasn't expecting to see both of you," Head Sage Yue murmured, looking at Mana. "But thank you for the gift."

Mana smiled innocently at him. "I couldn't resist the chance to meet my father-in-law," she said.

"But is Raven fine with you knowing everything we speak of?" he asked wryly.

"I have no secrets from Mana," Raven said firmly. "And I don't want to, either."

"Even if it makes her despise you?" Head Sage Yue challenged.

"Even so," Raven's rainbow eyes were steady as he met his father's gaze. His heart was calm now. This man he had feared for so long…seemed rather inconsequential now.

"You were never supposed to be born, you know," Head Sage Yue murmured, looking at Raven's fair face. "If it wasn't for your mother's deception…" He sighed. "You're the only blot in my otherwise untainted life."

Raven's hands trembled slightly. Mana held his hand immediately and narrowed her eyes at the man in front of her – so different from her own Papa.

"It wasn't Raven who asked either of you to birth him, and whatever happened before his birth is not his concern. And from what happened after his birth, it is clear that you neither want to be nor deserve to be his father. You've abandoned him at birth. Why don't we officially repudiate your relationship with each other and make everyone's lives a bit easier? You won't have to worry about whatever Raven gets up to, and I won't have to worry about someone like you looming in Raven's shadow indefinitely," Mana said, her voice very cool and rational.

Head Sage Yue was startled. No one had dared to speak to him in such a tone for many years; he was the most revered man in the Pearl Kingdom! His pale cheeks flushed with anger and he glared at Mana.

"Mind your tongue," he snapped.

"Practice what you preach, dear father-in-law," Mana replied in a sing-song voice.

"Raven is my flesh and blood," Head Sage Yue told her with a sneer. "Whether I abandon him or pamper him is my choice and you have no right to meddle with it!"

Mana smirked at him. "I know what you want, Head Sage Yue," she said dangerously. "And I won't let you use Raven as a pawn in your game."

"I am his father!"

"You lost all claim to fatherhood when you tried to murder your new born son and then abandoned him," Mana pointed out. "You have no right to ask anything of Raven. If he chooses to do something for you, it is out of the goodness of his heart, because he is a much nobler existence that you can ever hope to be – but you are not entitled to anything." Her smile sharpened. "And, even if you can't grasp all that because you're unfortunately not as smart as your son…remember one little thing. The powers that protect Raven are far greater than what you can imagine.. Don't test it."