?

　　Isaiah was quick to pull away from me just as we turned the corner. Augustus and Cassian were walking from the opposite direction and when they saw us together, their expressions changed.

　　Cassian was quick to bare a smile on his face. “Princess,” he greeted fondly the moment the four of us reached the door to the dining hall. “I’m rather surprised that the both of you are together without ripping each other’s throats.” He playfully commented.

　　“We were rudely interrupted.” Isaiah huffed.

　　I ignored both their remarks. “Enough of that. I’m sure you are aware of why we gathering at the dining hall today-”

　　“Aren’t we here to eat?” Cassian asked with an eyebrow raised.

　　I sighed. “Well yes, but I’m also going to announce to my family that I have chosen the three of you as my future spouses so I would appreciate it if you were at your best behaviour.” I said, turning to Isaiah in reflex.

　　“What are you looking at me for?” He frowned.

　　“Well, the princess has a point. You were the one who tried to pick a fight with Lady Marie’s youngest.” Cassian said, referring to Lilian.

　　“That brat needs to get off her high horse.” He muttered under his breath.

　　“That’s enough. Just…try to be civil for a little while.” I said, turning to face the door.

　　“Civil isn’t in Isaiah’s vocabulary,” Cassian chuckled.

　　Surprisingly, Isaiah held his mouth as the doors were pulled open for us. My mother and brother were the only ones present and they were surprised to see me entering the dining hall with the three alphas.

　　“Hello, mother, brother.” I smiled as I went towards them. “I would like to introduce you to-” I did not even have the chance to finish my sentence when Cassian sped past me to go to my mother. He politely took her hand and kissed her knuckles.

　　“It’s a pleasure to meet you again, Lady Isabella.” He said in a sultry voice.

　　“Oh my, Duke Ashborne!” mother called out. “I was not aware that you were paying a visit,” she said, feigning ignorance even though she and Aiden both knew who was over since I had told Anne to inform them last night. Isaiah and Augustus took their turns greeting mother and even Aiden as though all of them had been acquaintances for a long time.

　　I held any questions, knowing that they might have met during official events but somehow seeing the three alphas be so social and outwardly kind towards my mother and Aiden was unnerving. It goes to show that the one skill all noblemen have mastered is pretending to be someone they are not, building an entire fa?ade from fake niceties and forced smiles.

　　Even so, it was nice to see a moment of peace because that would not be the case when Lady Marie and her children arrive nor will there be any peace after I announce my marriage to the three alphas. There will be no doubt that Lady Marie would try to belittle my decision.

　　“Where are you just standing there, Cordelia?” Mother asked.

　　I smiled and shook my head as I approached the small group. Augustus was busy talking to my brother about the Central Library, since my brother and he were very fond of books and it has been known that the Central Library carried an array of vintage collections.

　　I was interested to hear what Augustus’ thoughts were on the library since by the way he was talking, he had been there before but my attention was quick to go to? Isaiah and Cassian were busy keeping my mother entertained as they reminisced about the past when they had met for the first time.

　　“It was definitely Emperor Herman’s 55th birthday banquet that we met for the first time, Lady Isabella. I remember because Isaiah over here caused quite the ruckus.” Cassian said.

　　“Huh?” Isaiah frowned. “Whatever do you mean by that?”

　　“Oh! It was during the hunt of the boar was it not? Lord Isaiah was rather…enthusiastic.” mother added amusingly.?

　　Isaiah looked away bashfully. “Right…well…I wasn’t aware that I was supposed to let the Emperor claim the hunt just because it was his birthday.” He said.

　　I was in complete shock watching him react this way. The arrogant and always so aggressive Isaiah was embarrassed? All I could do was gawk at him as Cassian and mother shared a laugh. Isaiah caught me starting and frowned.

　　Before anything else could happen, the door was pulled open as Lady Marie and her children entered. They wore spectacular outfits as though they had to overshadow everyone else who were present. Formal niceties were quickly exchanged before Lady Marie invited everyone to settle down as the food was served.

　　“I hope our esteemed guests find the accommodations to their satisfaction?” Lady Marie commented.

　　“Of course! We appreciate such hospitality even though we arrived under such short notice.” Cassian, always the smooth talker, was quick to say.

　　“That is good to know, Duke of Ashborne. If there is anything you require during your stay here, please do not hesitate to ask me.” She smiled.

　　I hated how she was pretending to be the loving host when she and her children treated them differently yesterday. They knew exactly how to use their words to their advantage, cunning and manipulative as always. I came to a realisation that if I wanted to survive in this palace with them, I had to stoop to their level.?

　　“Naturally, you have my thanks.” Cassian bowed his head to her.?

　　“Although I am curious, how long are the three of you planning to stay here? Have you not made your decision yet, Cordelia?” she asked, her eyebrow raised smugly.

　　“I have, hence the reason why I invited all of you here for brunch.”

　　“Oh? So this is your engagement party?” Elina giggled.

　　I followed along, giggling at her joke. “Oh sister, you are too funny.” I said, not even trying to hide my sarcasm.

　　“Well?” Lady Marie pressed. “There’s no reason for you to prolong this. Announce who you will be marrying.”

　　“Ah yes,” I said. I turned to mother and Aiden and smiled. “I decided to marry all three of them.” I uttered.

　　Mother almost choked on her soup while Aiden’s eyes almost bulged out of his eye sockets. But as expected, Lady Marie and her children were more vocal about this announcement.

　　“Surely you jest, Cordelia.” Lady Marie said with a chuckle.

　　“It is true. The four of us have come to an agreement.” I said. My three future spouses agreed silently with nods and forced smiles.

　　“B-But, that’s preposterous! You cannot marry all of them! You cannot have three husbands!” Lilian snapped. I was wondering when she was going to speak since she was silent ever since she entered the dining hall.?

　　“There is no law that says I cannot do so.”

　　“What would the public think of this?!” Fredrick was quick to mention. “They would think you to be debauched! Would you really think they would support an empress like that?”

　　“Ah, but you are forgetting that father and his ancestors also had multiple partners and I do not believe anyone has ever said anything negative about that.” I corrected him as I went back to sipping my soup.

　　“That’s because they were alphas! You are an-”

　　I spoke out before he could finish his sentence. “Yes, yes, I am aware that I am an omega.” I brushed him off before turning to Lady Marie. “But isn’t this just perfect, Lady Marie? You wanted me to be wed before I could ascend the throne, claiming that an alpha would be able to guide me through it. But having three alphas by my side is so much better?” I smiled sweetly.

　　“You are blowing this out of proportion, Cordelia and for what? To see how much you can sully the Renaldi name?”

　　“Oh you are mistaken, Lady Marie. I am here to rebuild our family name and if it wasn’t for you forcing me to find a husband then I would have never been blessed to have met these three amazing and talented alphas who will help with the rise of the Southern Kingdom.”

　　Aside from Cassian’s accidental chuckle over my words, the rest reacted appropriately. My words caused Lady Marie and her children to grow silent and since no matter what they say next will only sound as though they were against the growth and development of our beloved kingdom.? But I could tell by the scornful faces of Lady Marie and my half-siblings that they were not going to accept this decision of mine.

　　At least for now, they were forced to hold their tongue and I could enjoy brunch without nerves overwhelming me. At least for now, everything was going according to plan.