"Viola will become my empress."
Hearing Rayne's words, Emilith, Franciska, and Polaris's expressions changed at once. The disappointment and unwillingness on their faces were impossible to conceal.
Although they knew they could not compete with Viola, they still held on to a sliver of hope.
They had not expected Rayne to make his decision so quickly.
The Empire's empress!
It was the most honorable title below that of the emperor, and far more than a mere title. It represented immense glory, power, and status!
In many situations, the empress was the emperor's representative. Husband and wife were one, and she might even have the opportunity to exercise power in the emperor's place.
Truly, she would be below one person and above countless billions!
Emilith was the Queen of Kangatlo and ruled a kingdom. She had long since tasted the feeling of standing high above others. However, Kangatlo was merely a barren peninsula with a cold climate year-round. Its total population was only slightly over thirty million, and it was divided into seven duchies. The entire kingdom was about equal to a wealthy coastal province of the Empire.
Ten Queens of Kangatlo could not compare to a single imperial empress.
Therefore, her reaction was the most intense.
"Your Majesty," Emilith instinctively rose to her feet. "This is a momentous matter that concerns the dignity of the Empire and the emperor. I urge Your Majesty to think it over carefully and give it further consideration."
As soon as she said this, the dining room fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
Old Bard and his wife, as well as Briset and his two siblings, did not dare make a sound. The guards and maids were even more terrified. Even the children sensed the solemn atmosphere and immediately quieted down.