THE MOMENT the door opened; everyone was staring at the royal family as they show themselves to the nobility; many are at awe while looking at them from above the stairs. The banquet hall was quiet and even if they were staring at the Vlatka Royalty, their eyes naturally searched for the star of the day and the talk of the town; though they couldn't see her since she is hidden behind the three men. Morgaine entered the other way as the rest of the nobility since she is no longer the empress, meaning she can't use the same entrance her sons did. The announcer of the royal family cleared his throat after the first introduction then spoke in a very loud and audible voice. "Their Royal Highness, the Second Prince and heir to the Lidloch Duchy, Young Duke Aimilios Theodore Alaric." Aimilios walked down the stairs in an elegant way and many of the noble ladies his age swooned at the sight of him. His auburn hair to the side in an effortless manner as his lapiz lazuli eyes shone dangero
'I HAVE a feeling that my idiotic brothers and father are thinking something bad about Nicholae.' Alesteria thought as she shook her head, knowing deep down that might be the case. 'I just hope it's nothing dangerous. I don't want to pick sides.' Throughout her exclusion, Alesteria bonded with her brothers and father most of the time while she trained to control her mana; she decided this by her own volition. She knew she have to master this mana or else it will be the end of her. It was strong and unbelievably complicated, even for her who has years of mastery and experience. Never in her whole life has she ever handled so much mana that it basically becomes a lethal weapon, but that is without care. And she, Alesteria, would never use this to harm someone else...unless it is needed. She has only done that one time in her previous life and that didn't end up in a good note. "I haven't seen you in a while..." Nicholae started as he slowly moved closer to Alesteria, staring down
ALESTERIA STARED at Nicholae's back as he went to the nobles who are expecting him, seeing as how they never left their gaze at him and were delighted when they finally saw that he is walking towards them. She wasn't blind of course. Over the years when she met him, she knew that Nicholae is not really honest with himself, or better yet, doesn’t know how to understand his emotions and could only think logically. Even though she has tried to make him understand, it is still a long process. 'Is he okay?' She asked herself, confused as to why she suddenly saw his eyes changed. Alesteria, even back then, can read Nicholae like an open book. Although, it became hard as the years passed, she can still somewhat read what his facial expression meant... Even if some of it are getting harder to decipher. "Your royal highness! How did you meet the young duke of Versormer?!" Gabrielle whispered to her as she broke out of her train of thought. She has met Gabrielle when she was five years old
THE TENSION surrounding the banquet hall was evident, the heavy atmosphere between the emperor and the prophet was enough to make them step back and avoid their eyes at the interaction. "I also came because I failed to attend the festivals that the empire has thrown in accordance to thanking the Gods for their blessings." Kairo added as he expressed his fake regret. "I want to attend this time to personally give my appreciation for such an effort." He added, laughing lightly as if he didn't spew poison from his mouth seconds ago. Xerxes couldn't help but click his tongue at the blatant ridicule towards him and the empire, seeing as how Kairo played with his words and made it seem like the empire still held a grudge against the temple even when the old prophet is dead. As an emperor and a figure for the people, Xerxes knew that he mustn’t show his distaste towards his past and present enemies. It will show that he is a very shallow and emotional person, an attitude not fitting for
ENZO WAS excited to attend Vlatka Empire's banquet, one that he has heard of from his older brothers to be the biggest event the Alaric Royal Family hosted throughout the year. When he arrived at the capital of the Vlatka Empire, he wanted to explore it and see what his older brothers are fussing about, what the latest trends are, and how delicious the food is. He was enjoying it, having the time of his life looking around and buying stuff for his older brothers back home when he met someone. That someone is a girl with light, almost auburn, brown hair and the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. She was pretty, no doubt, and when he touched her, he felt this electrifying feeling course through his veins like he had never felt before. It was...new. "Your highness!" Enzo snapped out of his daydream when he felt his aide, Carlo, elbow him subtly as he whispered lowly to him, trying to bring his attention back to where they are. He successfully did so as Enzo smiled politely once
ALESTERIA HEAVED out a sigh of relief as Aldrich escorted her out of the balcony and into the banquet hall once more, never once did she looked behind her as she is afraid that she will meet Enzo's eyes. 'Aside from being mana less, there is something else about him that don't sit right with me.' Alesteria frowned at this thought and shakes her head, trying to forget about it, which thankfully she did with Aldrich's help. "Alesteria, step on my feet." Alesteria looked up, since Aldrich is taller than her, and furrowed her eyebrow at him. "What do you mean 'step on my feet'?" She asked as Aldrich twirled her. Aldrich smiled at her and said, "It is because you are still small that you are lagging behind. Step on my feet and I will take the lead." Then, without a word, he slightly carried her and let her step on his white shoes, which made Alesteria resist since her shoes are dirty. "Brother! No!" Aldrich laughed at Alesteria and as he swayed, Alesteria followed since she is step
AS SOON as Enzo is out of their sight, Alesteria can finally breathe freely while Nicholae still held her close to him; liking how she relied on him and no one else. 'I don't know why but this day just keeps getting weirder and weirder.' She thought as she closes her eyes momentarily before sighing. Alesteria is weirded out by how Enzo acted, like an obsessive stalker wanting to get close to its prey and doing everything he can do so. But she has only known him for a few hours, a day at most if you counted the encounter at the festival market. The only possible explanation would be that he has taken a liking to her, seeing how he wanted to be as close to her as possible. 'But that wouldn't be the case, right?' "Are you alright? Do you want to rest for a while?" Nicholae asked as she notices Alesteria's troubled expression. Alesteria nodded, wanting to sit down for a while before they continued walking to the banquet hall. It is a good thing that they are near the garden ag this
"THEY'RE STAYING?!" Alesteria's voice rang inside the room as Aldrich and Aimilios calmly ate the food and sip the tea that was provided to them by the maids. It was the day after the banquet and everything has calmed down, the decorations that were left in the banquet hall are being taken down today and many of the maids and staff are busy cleaning the palace and banquet hall. So, there are less maids to accommodate them. They understood this and just decided to have their tea party, with Alesteria, Aimilios, and Aldrich present, in Alesteria's room rather than in the garden. "That is what father said earlier in breakfast, didn't you hear?" Aldrich said as he took a bit out of the macaron he was eating. Alesteria shook her head and slammed her hand on the table, creating a noise by the teacups and saucer clattering at the force. "I didn't! Did he really say that?!" Aimilios nodded, "Yes. It was when they were just serving breakfast when he announced it." Alesteria settled dow