ALORA EMBRY
When everything is already done we are told that we should be in the ballroom now because the banquet is already starting. My brothers go first, I was looking in the mirror and I sighed as I put the medals in my dress.
The red dress that I'm wearing was showing my collarbones and shoulders, I wish I will not catch a cold later. My hair was also tied beautifully and had flower clips, why do I look like a fairy or something?
I stand up and touch my hand when I realized something. I laughed in the end.
"You are such an idiot, Alora." I go straight to the banquet hall without an escort and when the knight saw me, he announce my arrival.
"Commander Alora Astley has already arrived!" I can hear them talking about me but I ignore it and continue walking and greet the Imperial Family. When we are already complete the ones that received gold medals first lined up beside the Imperial family. The emperor wants a portrait of us wearing our best dress and medals.
"Again, I want to congratulate everyone, three cheers for everyone."
"Cheers!"
"And I would also like to announce the engagement of my son The Crown Prince and our Saintess here, Saintess Leticia Aljerr. This is such a joyous day for us so everyone please enjoy the party. We are celebrating our victory and their engagement!"
"Another cheer for the engagement of our Crown Prince and the Saintess. Long Live!"
"Cheers!"
"Congratulations Your Highness, Your Holiness!" I watch the nobles greet the Crown Prince and Leticia.
"Blessing keeps on showering to us!"
"You look especially beautiful tonight, My Lady." I look at Ryker who suddenly showed up. We both bow our heads.
"I greet Lord Ryker. Thank you for the compliment."
"This was all of a sudden right? It was their engagement that I'm talking about."
"Is this the reason why you approach me?"
"Kind of." I nod and slightly laugh.
"You find this amusing, don't you?"
"Please don't get mad."
"I already expected their engagement, so I was not that surprised."
"The first dance will be at the Crown Prince and the Saintess." I watch how the Crown Prince escorts Leticia to the dancefloor. I just notice that they were both wearing matching clothes.
"Such a shame he didn't confess first if he just had a chance before they announce their engagement."
"Maybe you got the wrong information and he doesn't have that 'special feelings for me. Look at his face tonight, you'll see in his eyes he was happy."
"Do you want a bet? The night will not end without Lord Hayes and the Crown Prince confessing their love to you."
"I don't have a good feeling about this one, tell me do you see the future?"
"Haha, what do you think? You're up with the bet?"
"And what if they didn't?"
"Then I will not give this letter to you." I frown and look at the letter that was in his hands, and my mouth dropped when I saw the seal of Alaric's. That must be a letter from Damien.
"Since when did you get that letter?"
"He gave this to me before he left, I don't know why but yeah this letter was with me for a two weeks or so."
"That was cheating what if they really don't do it."
"Then goodbye letter."
"Alora may I have this dance?" I look at Brother Kaden and nod, I look at Ryker and I sighed when he waves his hand.
"Please, allow me to dance to you later. Have a good time, My Lady."
"You two seem close." Said Brother when I accept his hand.
"I don't know."
"So, what are you two talking about?"
"Some silly stuff."
"You two are close then."
"If you say so." We continue dancing and when it ended the next one to ask for one dance was brother Kio.
"You look good in that dress."
"Thank you."
"Kaden must forget to compliment you so I will do that in his stead."
"You don't have to, Brother."
"Why not? That's a shame."
"By the way congratulations, I want to see him soon."
"Yeah." Brother swiftly spin me and when the song ended he kissed my forehead. "You are so brave, Alora. You did great, I'm so proud of you."
"Thank you, brother."
"I will excuse myself now, thank you for a wonderful dance."
"The pleasure is mine." We bow to each other and the next to ask for dance was Frederick.
"My Lady, may I ask you to dance?" I put my hand on his and nodded.
"Wow, it feels like yesterday when you ask me to dance." He gently smiles at me as we dance to the song.
"I'm glad you still remember that."
"It was a nice memory why would I forget that."
"I still remember it clearly you were pretty that night that you caught my attention but I would say that you look breathtakingly beautiful this night. You're the brightest person in this room."
"Thank you, My Lord. You also look handsome today. I notice that you've changed your hairstyle."
"I'm glad you notice it I paid more attention to my look today. Do you like it?"
"Yes, though you look good on everything."
"My heart flutters when you compliment me." I laughed and when the song ended we bow to each other and after that I hug him.
"Please, don't wait for me."
"Just let me like this for a while."
"I understand."
"Thank you. I will cherish this another memory from you."
"Sister, would you like to rest for a moment?" Kieran suddenly asked me and I nod at him, he hold my hand and bring me to the balcony and I was wondering why are they rushing things. They bring food and drinks and put them on a table there and after that, they told me that they will be back.
"They are sure planning something..." I sighed and remove my sandals and eat the foods they put there. I was glad that there is a curtain there so I can freely be relaxed here, I was happily sipping the champagne that my brothers put there as I watch the people from afar. They were getting busy with the one-week celebration I wish I could visit once again.
"My Lady?" I look at my back and put the champagne flute on.
"Yes?"
"May I enter?" even if I don't like to, I said yes.
"Of course, the balcony is for everyone to take some rest."
"Thank you..." and I stand up when I saw that it was Hayes. "I greet Lady Alora."
"Greeting Sir Hayes..." I was about to put back my sandals when he stop me.
"It's fine, you can just stay barefoot. Your foot must be hurt for dancing."
"Well, kinda."
"May I sit beside you?"
"Yes." He said thank you and when he finally sat beside me I offer the cookies to him.
"It now peaceful again right?"
"Yes..."
"Are you still going to the academy when the class resumes?"
"That was my plan in the first place, but some things change. I have bestowed a palace and was given the task to supervise the remaining people there. It will not be an easy task so I plan to stay there and just assigned some tutors."
"I see." We remained silent after that and when I finished the champagne I cleared my throat and stand up.
"I would like to retire early tonight." I bow my head to him and I was about to leave when he held my hand.
"My Lady, pardon me for touching you without permission. There is a thing that I would like to say to you." Ryker is he positive that he doesn't see the future? He is sure scary his predictions were true.
"Please continue."
"Thank you, there are many things that I'd like to say but I know that that'll bore you but I don't want to regret this forever. It's just I- I have feelings for you. I do not wish for you to reciprocate your feelings I just want you to know that I have romantic feelings for you." His eyes were sparkling and is this the first time he look at me with gentle eyes?
I thought I'll have some goosebumps when I heard that our enemy was confessing his love for me.
"Thank you." I saw how his smile faded for a second but manage to put it back his smile.
"Yeah, I already said it... thank you for listening to it."
"Mm."
"Then, I'll get going. Please take care of yourself when you're already at the Wren Palace." I bow at him and he smiled at me before bowing his head and leaving me on the balcony.
I stay there for another couple of minutes thinking about Hayes's Love confession to me. I was really thinking that if he happen to say that he liked me I will be horrified because he was from a family that has been hostile to us. It was the same when Frederick told me his feeling for me, I feel... nothing.
"I would like to walk in the garden and I will retire earlier."
"Kaden escort you sister-"
"It's fine, father. I want to be alone for a moment."
"If you say so."
"Good night, Father, brothers."
"Good night." I didn't even bother to bid my goodbye to the Imperial family and just left the ballroom. The air outside was refreshing and as I was looking around the garden I saw a bench. I sat there while waiting for someone and just like that I saw His Highness panting. He must run to catch up.
"Your Highness... I greet the Crown Prince."
"Haa, Lady Alora glad I found you."
"Why are you here? The banquet was still not done."
"There is something I wanted to talk about with you."
"Yes, please take a sit here. Why did you have to run like that?" he laughed and take deep breaths.
"Well, I don't want to lose you. You and Sir Hayes already talked?"
"Yes, we talked about random things and he told me to take care of myself when I'm already at the Kingdom of Wren."
"That's it?"
"Some private matters..." I don't know if he understand what that really meant but he slowly nod his head and sighed.
"I heard from my knights that also saw the words that engraved on the sword..."
"Yeah, I happen to see it but they don't."
"That is because the sword also acknowledges you."
"That's great and cool, this is the first time I heard this one."
"The sword was passed down to me by my father, every heir of the throne can see it and when I heard from Charles that you can also see it I was lost for words. I was jealous and proud of you at the same time. You can do so many things on your own, was a top student at the academy, talented at swordsmanship, and sorcery, and you were that brave to lead the Knights to victory. And I asked this silly question is there anything you can't do?"
"Probably... I have a request, Your Highness."
"Yes?"
"Do not let anyone know that I saw that, I don't want another attention for everyone and the last thing is your purpose in chasing me, I don't want to hear it. Just think of how will she feel."
"Is that all?"
"Take care of her."
"Okay." I then stand up and smile at him.
"I still haven't taken the pill I'll probably take one when I leave the empire. I promise when I stepped my foot on this land that means I already found a way to remove this."
"I see, then I will wait for your good news."
"Yes, Your Highness." After that, the Crown prince left and Ryker showed up. He handed the letter to me and I ask him a question. "Why are you giving this to me? He didn't confess to me."
"I didn't know that you'll stop him, even though it was fun to watch."
"I see, your entertainment first."
"It was fun, My Lady. I hope there will be next time."
"I don't want another drama in my life, I'm done with it."
"Such a shame. When we see each other again dance with me!" He left me there all alone and when I opened the letter I saw the ring there. I held it and read the content of it.
If you are reading this I was undoubtedly at the Levan now. I blame myself for what happened to you and regret on not doing my best to stop you. I hope that you are doing good there, I promise to write you a letter always and hope that we'll maintain our contact with each other. The ring is yours, so if there is still a chance that you still want to continue our engagement I will be delighted. I will continue my study here as I receive my lessons, when I'm back at Dormer once again I would like to hear your answer. See you soon, Alora.
-Damien Alaric.
"What an idiot. Heh... I will wait for your letters then."
Next update will be Epilogue.
-IAmRoseee