THE SECRET (The Power Of Love Conquers All)
CHAPTRE 4

The sound was heard throughout the room. Ailean was the owner of that voice which made everyone instantly speechless.

Everyone immediately turned around, focusing his attention on the young Emperor. Ailean focused her gaze on the council. "Don't try to complicate matters" he ordered. "Ramsey has promised his wife, and that promise must be fulfilled."

Not a single person spoke for a few minutes. Then Duke Duncan stood up. His two hands pressed down on the table as the old man leaned his body and glared at Ailean.

"You're just an advisor here, nothing more than that."

Ailean shrugged her shoulders. "I am your Emperor" he said. "And my position is based on your choice" he added. "And now I advise you to honor my brother's promise. Only the Northumbrians reneged on their promise, Duka Duncan, not the Stewart royal, let alone a knight."

Duke Duncan nodded reluctantly. "Your words are true" the man admitted.

One had fallen, there were still four more elders, Ailean said to herself. "Damn it, I hate to use diplomacy to do everything." Ailean was a man who preferred a bloody war compared to a war of words. He also hates when he has to ask permission from others in every action or his sister.

The man tried hard to control the frustration in his mind, and tried to focus on the problems.

Then, Ailean turned her attention to the Marquess of the former Emperor. "Are you old, Marquess, so you have to worry about trivial matters like this? Are you afraid of one Northumbrian woman?" ailean said to the Marquess.

"Of course not" the Marquess grumbled. The look on his face was very upset when he imagined the possibility of it happening. "I'm not afraid of any woman."

Ailean smiled broadly. "I'm glad to hear it" he replied. "For a moment I began to wonder."

Hearing Ailean's words, the Marquess began to catch the young knight's wits. A second later, the old man smiled. "You've thrown your clever bait and my arrogance is eating it."

Hearing that truth, Ailean did not comment on it. The Marquess was still smiling as she refocused her attention on Ainsley Callista. "We're still confused by this statement and would appreciate it if you told us what made you want that woman here."

Ainsley Callista sighed softly, "Ledy Jacelyn Elizabeth is my friend. I want her next to me when I give birth to this baby. He promised me he'd come to see me."

"Friends and Northumbria? How could that be?" Ask Duke Duncan. The man scratched his jaw while thinking very dramatically.

Ainsley Callista knew the old man was not fishing for him. He seemed to be completely astonished by the friendship between himself and Jacelyn. He did not feel sure if anything he would say would make the old man understand.

In fact, Ainsley Callista also did not feel sure if her husband Ramsey really understood the bond made by him along with Jacelyn for many years. She also felt confident that her husband felt the same way as Duke Duncan and the other elders. But he will try to explain it.

"We met at the annual festival that is on the border" Ainsley Callista said. "Jacelyn was only four years old and I was five. We don't understand that we're different from each other."

The marquess breathed. "And so you understand?"

Ainsley Callista smiled. "No problem."

The Marquess shook her head not understanding. "To be honest I can't understand this kind of friendship" said the Marquess. "But what our young Emperor said is the truth. He reminds us that our people will never break the promise they made. Your friend will be accepted here, Ledy Ainsley Callista."

Ainsley Callista hugged her husband. Then, Ainsley Callista, ventured to stare at the councilors. Among the Council in attendance was seen Baron owen who was believed by Ainsley Callista, sleeping throughout the debate. But at this moment the old man shook his head in his direction.

The elder maintained his gaze on Ainsley Callista while answering the Emperor's question. "I agree, but I think we should give this girl a clear warning. That he shouldn't be too hopeful about this. I support you, Your Majesty, but I know from my own experience that the Northumbrians could never keep their word. Of course they all followed in the footsteps of their king. That bastard changes his mind every minute. And this two-word Northumbrian woman has promised Ramsey's wife, but she definitely won't keep it."

Ailean nodded in agreement. He felt very astonished why the elders had so long realized this conclusion.

All the elders now looked so happy. Ainsley Callista smiled despite hearing Baron Owen.

Ainsley Callista seemed not to worry at all about what the elders were talking about Jacelyn. Ailean bears enormous responsibility for all of her royal family, however, knowing that she will never be able to protect her sister-in-law from the cruel reality of life.

Ainsley Callista suffered a disappointment. But, after the woman could draw a lesson from this incident, she could definitely realize that the only person she could rely on was her family.

"Your Majesty, who are you going to send to perform this task?" Ask Marquess.

"I'll go" said Ramsey.

But Ailean shook her head. "Your place right now is next to your wife. The time is getting closer. I'll go" said Ailean

"But you are the Emperor" the Marquess argued. "This is not included in your duties..."

"This is a family matter, Marquess. Since Ramsey can't leave his wife, I'm the one who has to take over this task. I've already decided on it," Ailean did not give the old man to continue her words or even let a single person deny her argument.

Ramsey smiled. "I've never met my wife's friend, Your Majesty, but I can imagine well that if she saw you, she would definitely think a thousand times to come here."

"Oh, my God, Jacelyn Elizabeth will be very pleased to have an escort from Your Majesty" Ainsley Callista said. He smiled at the young emperor. "He will not fear you at all, Your Majesty. I'm pretty sure of that. I'm also grateful that you're willing to offer to leave. Jacelyn will feel very safe with you."

Ailean raised one of her eyebrows in response to the latter's statement. Then, he took a long breath.

"Ainsley Callista, I feel very confident that she will not come here of her own accord. Do you want me to force it?"

As he was staring at Ailean, Ainsley Callista did not notice as Ramsey nodded quickly at the older brother.

"No, no, you don't have to force it. He's gonna come for me."

Both Ramsey and Ailean gave up on warning Ainsley Callista not to be too hopeful.

Then, the Marquess politely asked Ainsley Callista to leave the room. Ramsey clasped his wife's hand and began to leave the room.

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