It was magical for the chandeliers were glowing bright, there were this weird round objects floating with gold, silver, and transparent colors that were said to be the newest creation of the Prince Lovis with the help of the Imperial Princess especially made for today's event. It was the so called 'Balloon.' The nobles who were invited to this special day were speechless, women had their eyes beaming for the already knew that after this Coming of Age Celebration this so called 'Balloon' will be in demand for tea parties, and other events since there will be a ceremony for ladies who are in their right age but still are unmarried as they speak.
Suddenly, the lights went dim as the light was only directed at the large double arched staircase that had a huge gap between it, in front of the gap there was a huge ivory white wooden door that was slowly being opened up by the known Prescott and Cason, and appeared the Imperial Majesty with his daughter, the Imperial Highness beside him, cling onto his arm. Everyone bowed down with a deafening silence the Emperor finally spoke. "Greetings to everyone who are here and attended this special day for Axis Gien Luela. I do wish for everyone to have fun today and no one will ruin the day. Yet again, have a nice day ahead." The second he ends his short speech, the Emperor with his daughter went down on the staircase separated. Ashleah was on the right, meanwhile the Emperor was on the left.
As everyone looked up and started going around in circles, talking to other nobles. And then the Duke Deoncan came walking inside to where the Emperor and the Princess walked in, almost everyone inside the room was stunned and young ladies started to fan themselves in a very luscious way even though they knew that the Duke has already declared his feelings for the Princess.
Soon then, the 5 Prince came walking in. The moment Enver's eyes landed on his lover's eyes that was personally invited by the Princess herself, he smiled and Nicolai smiled back before nodding his head at Enver. Raven, who saw it chuckled to himself, as his eyes landed on the other noble ladies he shook his head, he wanted true love but not like this.
And finally, the light of the party came walking in. Everyone bowed their heads except the Princess and the Emperor who simply bowed their heads for a few seconds with a smile on their faces. Ever since the sudden death of the Marquess Luela, Axis was beside Rowen, but now he felt like he was under a deadly man's wrath almost half of his life, yet he was thankful that Rowen took care of him even though he was not his own son. Right now, Axis was slowly uncovering the painful and harsh truth with them, and he knows he has to have the guts when that time comes and hits them like a rock.
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The party continued, noble ladies trying to catch the attention of the 5 Princes and the Duke himself. Ashleah sighed and shook her head as she took a sip from her wine glass with a dead look in her eyes. When she becomes the Empress she will do her best and change things here, women can work and run their own family names. Women are not just made for them to be wives, they can have the choices they want. She will indeed prove it to them.
Silently looking around, someone so suddenly cleared their throat behind her making the Princess jump a little due to surprise. Her eyebrows were furrowed, creased forehead, annoyed lips. A smiling Axis was the one who welcomed her annoyed look which made her relax her eyebrows and forehead as her lips slowly molded into a warm smile, her left hand that was free swiftly handed out a wine glass to Axis. "Happy Birthday, Axis."
"My, thank you." He smiles back as he receives the wine glass and soon then takes a quick sip from it, wandering his eyes around. "You should not have bothered yourself by handling this, Ashleah. I do know that you are a very busy person." He said making Ashleah chuckle, she shook her head and smiled at Axis.
"This is a very important day for you, Axis. Of course I will put all of my effort for you. You deserve the best in everything. "She smiles not knowing that what Axis' feels for her, but the man himself promised that he will let go of this feeling for the Princess. "Are you okay?" Her voice made Axis bring himself back to reality, he awkwardly chuckled and nodded his head.
"Do not worry for I am feeling alright, I'll just greet the others, may I?" Ashleah nodded her head with a smile before Axis walks away he smiles back and finally walks away on his way to the other nobles who were looking intently at them earlier–Ashleah felt it. She's guessing that Axis felt it too.
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As the party ends, it was finally the time that everyone was waiting for, as they walked their way to the main terrace of the Imperial Palace and to where the commoners can see, they bowed down to seeing their Imperial Majesty and the Imperial Highness, and the moment Axis steps in everyone started cheering making the 5 Princes, Prescott, Cason, Gab, Nash, and Kian smile.
Ashleah glances at Aziel who was beside Nanny Riley and Giulia with a smile and nods her head and soon then looks at Axis and gestures her hand to his front and slowly moves it to her left, telling him that he should step a little closer to them for his ceremony.
"Greetings, we are here today to watch the ceremony for Axis Gien Luela. "Prescott who spoke up using his powers for louding his voice. "Please do listen to our protocols because it is all for your safety."
With that, he uses his powers on the Emperor and the moment he started talking Axis knew it, this is it. It was finally the time he has been waiting for ever since he was a child, a small child everyone adored yet they were showering him the pressure of his work.
After a few minutes, finally he held out the book that was handed out to different High Priest's to Axis, as Axis places his right palm on top of it, his left palm touching the back of it. He took a deep breath and smiles at Axis.
"Repeat after me. I, Axis Gien Luela–"
"I, Axis Gien Luela."
"Solemnly swear that I will act as the proper High Priest of the Empire Genry–"
"Solemnly swear that I will act as the proper High Priest of the Empire Genry."
"And I will never do such things that might hurt others, I will serve our God, and the people of Genry–"
"And I will never do such things that might hurt others, I will serve our God and the people of Genry."
With that, the Emperor smiled at him. Ashleah who already had tears that were dripping down to her soft yet flushed cheeks wipes it away with a smile. The Emperor took a deep breath and taps Axis' right hand before fully giving him the book.
"I happily announce that we now have our new High Priest, Axis Gien Luela." The Emperor steps back and fully gives Axis the attention and praise he deserves and as he looks down he saw how everyone was happy for him, some were even crying due to how historical this moment was.
"I-I am so happy for him." Ashleah whispers to Prescott who was softly patting his Master's back, trying to calm her down. "He used to be our baby, a-and now look at him."
"We all are happy for him, Ashleah. Now do dry your eyes and smile for the people down there." Nash who suddenly gives his handkerchief to Ashleah, trying their best to be not seen by the others. "You really are a crybaby ever since." Ashleah knew that he was talking about those days that they were still back almost 150 years after this.
"Shut up." They continued to argue with the words that were not used in this kind of time making Prescott–confused, as he slowly backs away from the two just because he was slowly getting weirded out making Cason chuckle.
"Ashleah." The two stopped arguing the moment they heard the Emperor beside them, Ashleah looked at her Father and smiles. "Please do get something on top of my office, I do wish that you can accompany my daughter, Duke Deoncan. Can you?"
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"Your fault" Ashleah pouts her lips while rolling her eyes making Nash scoff and cross his arms against his chest.
"Me? Really? It's not me being the crybaby–"
"It's not like you were not crying earlier too–"
But suddenly, it all went black and the moment they opened their eyes yet again they were IN A PIT OF DARKNESS.