Two days had passed in between, with an even colder atmosphere in the palace than usual. Nashia's temper had skyrocketed, giving her court members near-death experiences.
Even the duchess stayed on the tip of her toes around her. The most suffering victims of her temper were her partners in a duel.
"Sigh. Her majesty has been giving everyone a hard time since that encounter with his highness."
Yura groaned as she plopped down on the rarely used couch placed in her bedchamber. Sauveur lightly placed a glass of rabbit blood before taking a seat beside her.
Soft candlelight bathed the room in amber hues, casting a calm moment on them. Yura leaned on his shoulder as if he were her only salvation to endure all the harshness of reality.
"His highness also didn't step out of his room after that encounter. That meeting was unexpected… and the fallout was worse than we imagined."
Sauveur replied to her as he slowly ran his fingers through her brown locks. She raised her eyes to meet his gaze before resting her chin on his shoulder.
"Did he give you a hard time?" She asked, her voice low in guilt.
Seeing her expression, he nodded in denial. "No, he didn't."
"That's fortunate. I didn't want to thrust you into this kind of work, but her majesty had requested you. I couldn't deny her."
"It's okay. Rather, I've been on ease lately instead. He doesn't go out too much… or at all. So, I just stand there to guard him. He is awfully polite for a hostess."
"I see. I'm glad." She said as she snuggled closer to him.
They spent the night catching up with each other. Their duties at the palace rarely allowed them to be home—especially not together.
The next morning, in the study, Nashia was again awfully quiet. There she was, nestled in her gigantic chair with a document in hand.
Duchess Lancaster took a deep breath before she entered her study with light greetings. Nashia just nodded slightly in acknowledgement.
She was buried in documents, preparing for the fast-approaching imperial celebration. Her mood was still sour. Yura hesitated to bring Eric up, but she needed to.
"Your majesty?" she reluctantly asked.
"What?" Nashia glanced up briefly before lowering it back, her quill moving over the paper precisely.
"It is the 4500th year from the foundation day of the Rosett Empire. You remember that there is a festival coming up for that, right?"
"I believe that's the reason I'm neck deep in work? This year marks the 4500th anniversary — a half-millennium milestone. The festivities will be grander than ever."
"Yes. True. But…. This year, you would have to perform the imperial couple's rituals too, your majesty."
Yura's breath tightened as she saw Nashia's eyes slowly drag up toward her. She was familiar with her murderous aura, but that didn't help a bit in getting used to it.
Nashia knew what she meant, and that didn't help with her mood at all. But she knew, duty is duty.
"Notify him. He has two weeks to prepare. If he dares to embarrass me that day, I won't be merciful."
"Understood, Your majesty," The duchess bowed as she went her way to deliver the message.
Yura notified the steward to deliver the message and take his measurements for his outfit. The steward went to Eric as ordered.
He met Sauveur there, guarding his chamber from outside. As the steward stopped before the door, Sauveur gently knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Eric asked as he looked over his shoulder.
"The steward requests an audience, your highness," Sauveur lightly opened the door.
"Let him in."
He nodded in response as he opened the door widely. The stewart entered his room.
"Greetings, your highness. I'm Alfred Clifford- steward of Eclavere Palace." A green-haired, young-looking man introduced himself. But Eric knows he is older than he looks; they are all vampires after all.
"I see." He replied in short while sitting in the wide sill before the window.
"Her majesty has sent a message to you. It concerns the empire's foundation day."
"Go on."
"The foundation ceremony is going to take place in two weeks. There are some imperial couple rituals to perform. She ordered to convey her words, for you to be prepared for it, and we may measure you for your outfit."
"Understood. I will be preparing for the festival from now on," he said as he stood up so they could take his measurements.
His valets scurried in to help him. Once the measuring was done, the room emptied—only Sauveur remained.
"So, what exactly is the festival about?" Eric asked as he sank onto the couch.
"The foundation day of the Rosett empire has been celebrated with a three-day-long festival in the capital from the very start. It's the 4500th year. So, naturally, the festival this year will be grander than ever." Sauveur replied as he stood in a little distance.
"Three-day-long festival, huh? And what about those imperial couple rituals?"
"For this festival, the ruler and his consorts exchange greetings with their people, then give almsgiving to the poor and start the festival officially. Even though the festival is held for three days, the imperial members only attend the first day."
Eric hummed. His face was an impenetrable mask. Sauveur tried to get a glimpse of his thought or reaction, but he returned empty-handed.
The two weeks in between went by in a blur. Nashia was too busy to entertain anyone, let alone Eric. The foundation day arrived soon.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky bloomed with light. Fireworks cracked above the capital, casting fleeting bursts of color over stone towers and marble spires. The city of Rosett awakened with celebration.
As soon as the morning hit, the streets got filled with people celebrating in every shop or at every stall available. Food vendors were selling their goods, and sweets were popular among the younger children.
The palace was in uproar as the maids were running here and there with chores, and the knights were strictly placed.
The steward barking orders as servants rushed past him, preparing for the moment when the empire would open its gates to history.