"I didn't know that. I am so sorry," she said while bowing her head. The fact that he was angry with her was making her sad.
"You can go," he said and she left his room. The emperor groaned and sat on the bed. He really didn't like the way he was behaving lately. The girl was making him act strange.
Arizona smiled as she walked through the corridor. She was happy that the emperor wanted her to dance for him, but somebody suddenly touched her shoulder and she turned to see a masked man. He was smiling at her.
"Hi princess," he smiled.
"Hi," Arizona muttered while looking at him weirdly.
"I am one of the emperor's new guards. I want to be your friend," he smiled.
"Oh okay. I'm Arizona," she said.
"I know that. I am Asher," he said and touched her hair. He quickly dropped his hand when he saw Jade approaching them.
"I should go. See you around, princess," he smiled and left. He passed beside Jade who was glaring at him.
"Who is that?" Jade asked.
"He said he is one of the guards. He wanted to be my friend," Arizona shrugged.
"That's strange. He looks suspicious. I think you should be careful," Jade said.
"To you, everyone is suspicious," Arizona said and dragged her away.
"I have been looking for you guys," Alicia said after appearing.
"Wow," they both exclaimed while looking at her.
"What is it?" she asked them.
"You look so pretty. This is the first time you are dressing like a princess," Arizona said.
"I love this look. Please don't stop," Jade said.
"Stop lying to me," she said with a blush.
"You are really pretty. We are not lying," Arizona said.
"We are not. So who is the special man that makes you dress like this?" Jade asked.
"Guys stop talking. Let's start preparing," she said and started going.
"Preparing for what?" Arizona asked in confusion.
"The party is in two days. Some guests will arrive today while some will arrive tomorrow. We should prepare ourselves. We have to welcome them with the maids," Alicia said and took them away.
"So how is this festival?" Arizona asked curiously.
"It is the best ever celebration for three days. If you go to the street now you will see everyone decorating their house for the party."
"What is the party about?" Jade asked.
"Just to celebrate our prosperous kingdom and also thank the Goddess for not abandoning us. We also want to show the other kingdoms how rich we are. The festival is also for praying. On the second day of the festival, the Goddess will grant you a wish," Alicia said.
"So how is it done?" Arizona asked excitedly. She couldn't wait for the party.
"During the first day of the festival, we take our guests around the kingdom to see it. We also share gifts to our neighbors. The children have a lot of fun and dance through the kingdom. A lot of beautiful things are sold in the market on these days. You can buy as much as you want," Alicia explained.
"I can't wait," Jade squeaked.
"On the second day, there will be the general lighting of lanterns. You write your wish on a paper and put it in the lantern before lighting it. Then we release it to the sky. We believe the Goddess will grant our wish. We also dance around the town while wearing beautiful masks. Then we spray our body with colors," Alicia said. She smiled when she saw the glint in their eyes.
"What about the third day?" Arizona asked.
"The third day, there will be a party at the palace. Anyone interested can attend. There will be dancers and a lot of fun to entertain our guests. Eat and drink. It is always a fun day at the palace," Alicia said.
"Let's start the preparation now. I am so happy," they both jumped around while Alicia watched them. Pamela came out from where she was hiding and went to the mistress's chamber.
"So what is going on in the palace?" she asked.
"Nothing much. Everyone is just happy because of the festival," she said.
"What about the emperor?" Samara asked.
"I think he is in his chamber. That girl actually came out of his chamber," Pamela said. Samara folded her fist but still smiled.
"I don't have to worry about that. I think this party is my chance. I am going to use it to my advantage," Samara said with a light smile.
"What do you mean?" Pamela asked and moved closer to her.
"I don't have to say I am the queen. My behavior will show it. I also want to be close to all the guests that are present. If I am really nice and act like the queen, they will all think I am and that will make the emperor see me as one," Samara said.
"That is so thoughtful of you, my lady. If you can win the heart of the guests, they may even tell the emperor they want you as the queen," Pamela said.
"What are you going to do about the girl?" Pamela asked.
"I will keep watching her for now. Let her enjoy her time because soon, I will become the queen of this land," Samara chuckled.
"I can't wait for that time. You will become a great queen. I am so sure of that," Pamela said.
"You should prepare some beautiful dresses for me. I want to be the center of attraction," she smiled.
"I will, my lady," Pamela said and left the room. Samara sat down with a smile on her face. She was imagining when she would be crowned the queen and she would have control all over the kingdom and put those that disrespected her in their places.
"I can't wait for that time," she muttered to herself.
**MOONLIGHT KINGDOM**
"You look troubled. What is going on?" Omar asked the king. They were in his chamber.
"I just can't stop thinking about this ritual. The fact that we are killing thousands of humans—where are we going to see them? We have not even killed up to hundreds yet and everything is becoming complicated," the king complained.
"You don't have to worry. I have also thought about that and I have a solution already. I am going to be releasing some beasts to some kingdoms closer to us. Within a month, we will get all the blood so you don't have to think much," Omar said.
"Why are you helping me this much?" the king asked.
"Because you helped me some years ago. I am just repaying you," Omar said and a crow flew into the place. He slowly took the letter on its feet and checked it.
"Your highness, nothing much is going on in the palace. They are just preparing for a big festival," he read the letter and threw it down.
"Useless boy. This isn't the type of letter I want from him. I want something useful," the king said and threw away the letter.
"Calm down," Omar smiled. He quickly vanished as a guard came in with a letter in his hand.
"This is from the Crystal Kingdom, your highness," he said with a bow.
"What is it all about?" he asked and opened the letter to read.
"King Amando, you and your family are invited to the three-day festival at the Crystal Kingdom," the king read.
"I didn't expect that," he said with a chuckle.
"I think it will be good for us," Omar said as he appeared again in the room.
"We should get started," the king smiled.
"Tell my daughters to get prepared for the trip," the king told the guards.
"I don't know what is going on but I just feel excited for this trip," Amara thought as she stood in front of the mirror. She was just informed about the party. She suddenly saw someone behind her and quickly turned. It was Omar.
"How did you enter my room? I locked the door," she said fearfully.
"You shouldn't be surprised. I can do all things," he said and appeared in front of her.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Someone that can help you achieve everything you want. I can help you bring your father down because he is a greedy man. Once your father is down, you can become what you want. So how do you see that?" Omar asked with a smile.
"I am in. As far as I can become the queen of this land, what do you want me to do?" Amara asked.
"Good. We will talk about that later. You should go to that kingdom first and enjoy the party because you will be having a lot of work to do when you return, my princess," Omar smiled and vanished from the room. The door opened and Amira came in.
"I hear we are going to the Crystal Kingdom," she said.
"Yes," Amara said.
"We will see Arizona. I believe she will look so terrible now," Amira chuckled. Amara didn't say anything.
**CRYSTAL KINGDOM**
The ladies and some maids were sharing honey flowers to the guests as they arrived at the mansion with their families.
"You are welcome," they all greeted as the kings appeared with their families. They looked so beautiful as they were led to the guest mansion.
Arizona shared the honey flowers with a smile on her face. She looked so pretty that the guests couldn't stop looking at her.
"You are welcome," she said and gave them flowers.
"You are so beautiful," a lady said and touched her hair. It was obvious she was a queen.
"Thank you," Arizona smiled. Samara quickly stood in front of her and greeted the lady with a fake smile.
The woman looked at her weirdly but also smiled.
"Let me take you to your room please," she said and led her away. Arizona rolled her eyes and continued to share the flowers.
"You are too pretty. See how everyone is looking at you," Jade whispered to her. She was also sharing the flowers.
"You too. I can see some princes staring at you," Alicia said. They continued to share the flowers.
"Wow it's Prince Damon."
"I hear he will soon become the king of his kingdom."
"He is so handsome."
"I hear he is strong."
The maids whispered as a prince approached. He was alone since his father was very sick, which is why he would soon become king. His eyes sighted Arizona and he smiled because of her beauty. He approached her gently.
"You are welcome, my prince," she bowed and gave him the flower.
"You are so pretty. What is your name?" he asked after accepting the flower from her.
"It's Arizona," she smiled.
"That's a pretty name, just like you," he said. Arizona blushed.
"Thank you," she smiled.
"Your smile is even prettier. See you around, Arizona," he said and pecked her hand before leaving, not without giving her his ever charming smile. Arizona blushed heavily.
The emperor was watching everything at the top of a castle. He was with Jimmy.
"Those princes, why can't they stop approaching her?" Jimmy said.
"Bring her to me," the emperor said and left.
"You should go in," Jimmy said after they got to the emperor's door.
She walked in gently. She wanted everything to be fast so that she could return to the guests.
"Your highness," she smiled.
"Why are you smiling at those princes?" he suddenly asked.
"Because that's what I am supposed to do. They are our guests," she said.
"You are not allowed to smile at any of them. I don't even want you to welcome them anymore," he said.
"Okay," she said sadly. She really wished to welcome the guests.
She was about to go when the emperor's voice stopped her.
"Do you think I called you here for just that?" he asked.
"What do you want me to do?" she asked.
"You know it, Arizona," he said calmly.
Without being told, she stripped all her clothes and got on the bed, then she went on all fours getting ready for him.
"You should take any position that pleases you," the emperor suddenly said and her eyes widened in shock.