After the party and going home, I checked the book in my room again. To find out what would happen next, and what would this main character do next? I eagerly flipped through the pages, my curiosity growing with each passing moment...And found the answer: in the next three weeks, there would be a hunting gathering where all the nobles in the kingdom would be attending. All the dukes and duchesses of the kingdom, including my father and my mother, would attend this gathering...Which of the main characters in this book would try something to get attention from one of the four dukes...It seen as the main character was trying to get influence from one of the four powerful dukes to contend...So I memorised the date of the hunt gathering, 761 NE-08-17..I closed the book and went to sleep...
...
The next day, I went to the palace with one addition Lady Octavi, so there would be Cassius, Valerie, Adel, and Lady Octavi. When I was in the palace, everything changed. The atmosphere in there changed, maybe because of the publicity of my betrothal with the Crown Prince... In front of the arch-treasury room, Lady Hillaria and Lady Clara congratulated me on my betrothal with the Crown Prince... I thanked them for their kind words and smiled. As we walked further into the palace, I couldn't help but notice the curious glances and whispers from the courtiers, making me realise that my betrothal had indeed become a topic of great interest among the nobility...
Tito the third prince of the kingdom, who was at his table beside me, congratulated me too. "Congratulation on the betrothal with my brother," he said.
"Thank you, Prince Tito..." I replied graciously. "I am truly honoured by your kind words.".
"It seemed my dear brother, was preparing something for you; is that right? He stayed up until morning last night."
I chuckled softly, ""~My~ I don't know if he would stay up until morning..Well, Prince Tito, your brother has always been known for his dedication and commitment. Perhaps he was simply caught up in the excitement of our betrothal."
Tito nodded knowingly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ah, I see. Knowing my brother, there must be something extraordinary planned for you. Even, you are my colleagues in this court, I know you have a fractious relationship with my mother. Right now, I don't want to mendle in that matter, but if I find out you are trying to make my brother or manipulate him, whose act will diminish the royal family power and influence, I must warn you that such actions will not be tolerated, and you will become my enemy. I value loyalty and integrity above all else, and anyone who threatens the stability and reputation of my family will face severe consequences. My brother's well-being is of utmost importance to me, and I will do whatever it takes to protect him from any harm or manipulation."
"The purpose of betrohal is like the Queen said in the party, This union will not only strengthen the bond between our families but also ensure the stability and prosperity of our kingdom for generations to come...If it's your brother's action, surely you will support him, and you need to know the reason for his action..."
"It's like Lady Aurelia, knowing what my brother is doing and why he was staying up until morning."
He must be trying to make the apology..."You are the brother of the Crown Prince, Prince Tito, even my dear little brother and my dear little sister, always asking me everything I do. How about you ask him? I think we need to finish our conversation and start with these papers..."
"I will try to ask my brother...Just remember what I said, Lady Aurelia: Don't ever diminish the name of the royal family.."
We proceeded with the paper...Until the bell could be heard and we finished the paper...Like usual, Lady Hillaria and Lady Clara invited me to have tea time together...I thought it would be like usual with the addition of Lady Octavi at tea time...
Yet, that was wrong; the garden atmosphere was different, and all the ladies in the garden acted so weird, where all of their eyes were focusing on one table...I tried to see which direction they were looking...And not surprising for me, it was my table, where the Crown Prince, Fabian, and Lady Octavi had already taken a seat at the table, with Cassius, Valerie, Milo, and Adel standing around them; even the maids of Lady Hillaria and Lady Clara stayed away from the table...I must be knowing this better about this after that betrohal and the change of Crown Prince; surely he would try to get close with me...
As I approached the table with Lady Hillaria and Lady Clara, Adel guided me to my seat at the table, and their maids guided Lady Hillaria and Lady Clara to their seats at the table...I could see Lady Clara's face was a little bit weird, so maybe she was feeling like she did not belong at the table. Yet, Lady Hillaria was Lady Hillaria; after taking a seat, she just took some bites of the treats on the table...
Adel poured the tea into our glasses, and I took a sip of it. I took a deep breath and started to ask the Crown Prince, "What is the occasion for your royal highness to come here?"
As I awaited the Crown Prince's response, I noticed Lady Clara discreetly fidgeting with her napkin, her unease palpable...The Crown Prince smiled politely and replied, "Well, is it what the bethrorals do, right? spending time with the betrothal... " While took a sip of tea..
"But, your presence here will make a little change to the atmosphere of the garden. Even Lady Clara is feeling unease at this table..." said to the Crown Prince.
Lady Clara was startled after hearing my words. She suddenly leaned her mouth to my ear, and whispered, "Actually, Lady Aurelia...It's not his royal highness who makes me uneasy...."
"What?" I was confused...
The Crown Prince said and explained it to me, "It seems you still aren't aware of why the atmosphere in this garden changed...The reason is not me, but..." He pointed someone at the table, "It was her..." it was Lady Octavi who the Crown Prince pointed at.
I knew Lady Octavi had great presence and influence. With her skill and her appearance, surely all the ladies in the palace were looking at her coolness. Her elegance and grace were unmatched, and she commanded attention wherever she went. It was no wonder that her presence alone could shift the atmosphere in an instant...
"Well I don't know or am aware that Lady Octavi's presence and influence are more popular and better than those of his royal highness..." said I.
The Crown Prince said, "Are you mocking me with those smooth words of yours, Aurelia?"
I chuckled softly, sparkling with amusement. "Oh, I assure you, your royal highness, I speak nothing but the truth. Lady Octavi's allure is simply irresistible, captivating all who cross her path...and I heard that you were her underclass or her junior; even your guard Milo was under her, back in the academy..."
Suddenly, all the ladies in the garden were whispering and talking to each other after hearing that...It seemed like what I said would be a big deal for lady courtiers..
"I think it's enough, my lady...Everyone has different talents and skills. I believe his royal highness and his guard, Milo, are exceptional in their skill...Surely, we can't just be blind in that matter..." Said Lady Octavi. She continued, "Besides, it is not uncommon for individuals to excel in different areas. Just because someone is a junior or underclass does not mean they are any less capable or deserving of recognition." Lady Octavi's words resonated with the other courtiers, and the whispers of the ladies in the gardens began to fade...
Suddenly, Lady Hillaria asked what I was scared of: "Then, may Lady Octavi spar with me?" with some treats on her face.
"Well in that matter, you need to ask my lady beside you, Lady Aurelia is my liege and I am just a vassal... If she has agreed to let me spar with you, surely I obligate and love to have spar with you..." said Lady Octavi.
Lady Octavi's response was met with a mix of surprise and admiration from the courtiers. Lady Hillaria, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, looked to me for approval. The tension in the gardens grew as all eyes turned to me, waiting for my decision...
I took a moment to consider the situation, especially the Cassius incident and the secret of their transmutation. Surely, I needed to consider all of that before agreeing to the spar...I thought Lady Octavi would be okay, her skill of swords was admirable and formidable among the kingdom; surely everyone would think it was her pure skill, unlike Adel. Adel was just my personal maid; if someone saw her beat someone stronger with transmutation, surely there would be a lot of question...
I took a deep breath and said, "Lady Hillaria, you may have spar with Lady Octavi..."
...
In just a few minutes, we got up from our seats and started to walk to the training ground for the spar...Followed by a lot of people from the palace, to watch the spar...
