Chapter Twenty-Four
_ The Royal Banquet Has Begun
* * *
It is a good thing I have the money, otherwise, I would have been in trouble..
The jewelry was beautiful and bright, and it only added to my confusion in choosing a suitable gift for Raphael. Had the merchant not helped me, I would have remained lost in hesitation. The jewel was the exact color of my eyes, which was Raphael's request; if anyone else had heard his wish, it would have led to a great misunderstanding..
I often fall into this misunderstanding myself: I am a special person to Raphael, nothing more—no other feelings... I must not overthink it.
But I am not someone who will just give up. I just have to make him look at me during the party, right?! ..
I placed the two boxes on the vanity and contemplated them. Let's see.. I will give Raphael the "Winter Star." It would be too embarrassing to give him this flower; it's almost like a confession..
I sighed with exhaustion and hid the two flowers in the deepest drawer of the vanity, keeping the Winter Star close by..
'Raphael's birthday is actually in a week, in the middle of March. However, the Empire celebrates on the fourth of April as the start of the Age of Flowers. He told me his precise birth date; it was a kind gesture..'
* * *
The weeks passed quickly, and today is the day of the Royal Banquet. His assistants were putting the finishing touches on his appearance under Marshall's supervision.
"His Majesty is very radiant today."
Raphael smiled confidently and looked into the mirror, many thoughts making him even more cheerful. Marshall stepped forward quietly, carrying the pin that resembled an Anchusa flower, and placed it on the white royal cloak, creating a contrasting beauty like a flower blooming amidst the ice. Marshall was certain that this flower was not something his master had bought, but rather something he had received from someone...
'It seems the Lady gave His Majesty a special gift..'
After Marshall finished placing the brooch, he stepped back respectfully and looked at Raphael, who wore a silver robe with a snowy white cloak. The sky-blue flower was a contrast to what he wore, yet it was beautiful and harmonious at the same time...
"It seems His Majesty is ready for a great deed..."
"You are right, Marshall. What I am about to do is something... Cassian will not forget for thousands of years..."
The smile on Raphael's face was full of power and cunning. Marshall realized something he had overlooked for many years due to caring for him since childhood..
'He is the Emperor of Cassian.'
* * *
"Everything is complete, my lady. You may look in the mirror."
Maryane and Sophia were excited for the reaction of Ariana, who looked at herself in the mirror. She wore a light sky-blue dress with silver-white threads and bare shoulders. Adorning her neck, alongside the protection jewel Raphael had given her, was a delicate white diamond necklace and white diamond earrings. Her honey-colored hair flowed softly down her back, decorated with an Anchusa flower that matched the color of her eyes in an enchanting way. Her appearance was absolutely perfect..
Ariana looked at her reflection, then at the sky-blue hair ornament, and sighed in frustration, causing Maryane and Sophia to open their eyes in alarm.
"Is there something you don't like?!"
"Should I change the earrings?!"
"Is it.."
They poured out their fears, but Ariana sighed and said, a gentle smile appearing on her face:
"No problem, everything is perfect..."
While internally, she was screaming with frustration:
'Except the hair ornament... what a disappointment... why did all this happen?!'
Sophia and Maryane breathed a sigh of relief before they could say another word.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Come in."
Ariana gave the order while watching her reflection in the mirror, and she saw another reflection enter the room with bright features.
"Sister, you are so beautiful."
Ariana smiled warmly, turned to Elliot, and said kindly:
"And my brother looks very handsome.."
Elliot ran his hand through his hair and spoke with feigned vanity:
"Do you think I will steal the girls' hearts?!"
"You don't even need to ask. Surely, very beautiful girls will flock to my brother."
Elliot laughed, then looked at Ariana thoughtfully and said:
"As I expected, this ornament is very suitable for my sister."
"Thank you, brother."
"I will ask the merchants to bring more of this jewelry because it suits you incredibly well."
Ariana laughed and tried to change the subject:
"My brother cares for me too much. He should find a beautiful woman to care for him."
"It is still early..."
"The Marquis must find a suitable Marchioness to manage the household.."
Ariana laughed lightly, and Elliot felt embarrassed. He laughed along with his sister, extended his hand to Ariana, and said:
"Alright then, let's go."
Ariana smiled. Maryane placed the shawl over her shoulders, and Ariana placed her hand on his.
"Let's go."
* * *
Everything had been going well. On the day Raphael was scheduled to visit—which was the eve of his birthday—I asked him to come as usual under the guise of treatment. Indeed, he came. I had secretly asked Maryane to prepare a small cake and a late dinner table for us; it felt like a date, but I tried to act naturally even though my heart was pounding with happiness. When he arrived, I could barely compose myself. I took a deep breath and greeted him:
"Raph, you've come.."
"Certainly.."
'How stupid! Of course he came.'
I must act calmly. I invited him to sit, and after talking for several minutes, he decided to focus on my treatment, which took half an hour in quiet stillness. He looked tired, so I suggested we have dinner.
"Have you not had your dinner yet?!"
"I wanted us to eat together."
He smiled beautifully as usual. I rang the bell, and Maryane entered with the dinner. I leaned in and whispered to her:
"When I ring the bell, bring the cake..."
She nodded and left. Raphael was looking at me suspiciously—I was acting foolishly. I sighed, gestured to the dinner, and we began eating, talking as usual about our plans and the information we had gathered. But he told me something that puzzled me when I asked about the Duke:
"Things are under control. Duke Silvano is a man of fixed principles..."
"Good... and Duke Ruthan, will he come to the banquet?!"
"The Ruthan province suffers from many problems. despite support from the capital, the issues require a lot of time. Leo is a capable person and has achieved in a few years what no one has achieved in decades. I heard the current Duchess of Ruthan is a good support for him..."
"The Duchess of Ruthan?!"
"Yes, haven't you heard of her?!"
"I don't remember reading that Duke Leopard Ruthan was married, even after the six-year time skip.."
"You said many things have changed since your arrival; perhaps Leo's future was affected as well..."
'Perhaps it's what they call the Butterfly Effect; slight changes changing a great deal...'
"Well, let's see what new future awaits us.."
Raphael spoke with a sweet smile that almost snatched my heart away... This man is truly dangerous to my heart.
I rang the bell, and Maryane entered with a cart that looked empty for a moment, but I knew Maryane's tricks. She cleared the plates, set out tea and refreshments, smiled at me, placed the cake on the table, and left quietly...
Raphael looked puzzled; it seemed he had forgotten it was his birthday..
"Is there a reason for celebration?!"
I laughed playfully, lit the candle on the cake, and said with a gentle smile:
"Happy Birthday, Raph.."
Raphael put his hand over his face; he seemed embarrassed. I didn't speak, just looked at him quietly..
"Did you remember what I mentioned in passing?!"
"Yes, why wouldn't I?!"
I answered him simply; I love him, but he is also my closest friend in this world. I can't rush and confess my feelings lest I lose my best friend, so I will try to pull him toward me a little..
"Thank you. Thank you for being here."
"You're welcome. Make a wish and blow out the candle.."
He laughed with confusion and blew out the candle. I looked at him excitedly:
"What did you wish for?!"
He laughed loudly at me, which piqued my annoyance and made me pout, but he laughed even more, trying to stifle it, saying amidst the laughter:
"You really are cute..."
My face flared until I felt my ears burning. I coughed several times, then said in an attempt to change the subject:
"I brought you a gift."
"Now I'm excited."
His reactions were increasing my embarrassment. It was best to just go and get the box... I left my seat and went to the drawer where I had placed the Winter Star. I searched the drawer but couldn't find it..
'I put it right here. Did Maryane move it?!'
I searched further until I found the box, but it was larger... no, it's the flower...
"How long am I going to wait?!"
Thump!!!
I was going to put it back, but his sudden, close voice startled me so much that I dropped the box. I swallowed my nervousness and tried to pick it up, but he beat me to it.
"Is this my gift?!"
'Don't open it, not now...'
The winds blow as the ships do not desire. He opened it and looked at it with wide eyes for a moment, then returned his expression to normal and smiled playfully:
"Isn't this hair ornament for women?!"
'What is this man thinking?!'
He pointed to the other flower and smiled innocently. I sighed, looked at the drawer and couldn't find the gift, then tried to find a justification, saying while trying to remain steady:
"It was a deal for two pieces that come together, so I bought it... that's all."
Raphael laughed cheerfully and looked at me, then took out the hairpin and placed it in my hair with a swift motion...
"It would be beautiful to wear the same ornament at the party.."
I felt my ears would burn off and that steam was coming out of them. I swallowed my embarrassment and spoke in a grumbling, serious tone, removing it from my hair:
"If you want us to destroy all the plans we made, it would be my pleasure... I will not wear it..."
"Fine, I won't object... don't be angry."
His way of calming me down was funny; he looked at me with a sweet gaze, waving his hands..
'How can this man make those faces?!'
"Let's eat the cake, it will spoil."
I tried to keep my angry face and moved toward the table, and he followed me. Indeed, we ate the cake and enjoyed ourselves, and perhaps I forgot about the brooch, but...
More than a week later, during the preparations for the party, Elliot entered my room as usual to check on me or have tea, and so on...
It seems luck is truly playing with me. While I was sitting with my brother drinking tea, Maryane was asking me about this and that regarding what would be suitable for the party, since the dress was almost ready. From among all the ornaments, she took out the Anchusa flower and some hairpins and placed them before me as usual to ask:
"My lady, only the hairpin remains. Which of these would you like to wear?!"
"This is very suitable for you; it matches your dress and your eye color."
I wanted to point to any other one, but Elliot chose the flower from among all those ornaments. I barely swallowed my tea, set the cup down, and before I could speak, Elliot said with a worried face:
"Ariana, is something wrong?!"
"Nothing, I'm fine..."
"I'm sorry if I interfered in what you will wear. If you don't like it, you can..."
"No, on the contrary, what my brother chose is very suitable and beautiful. Since my brother chose it, I will wear it.."
Elliot smiled at me with a kind and warm face. How could I refuse the kindness of such a good brother? Things are truly going for the worse...
It was decided that I would wear the pin. And because I wouldn't meet Raphael before the party, my frustration increased even more until the day came...
* * *
The palace was in a state of alert after completing the young lady's preparations for her debutante ball. Before reaching the stairs with her brother, Ariana remembered something:
"Brother, go ahead of me. I forgot something; I will get it and come back..."
"Fine, I will wait for you... don't worry."
Elliot continued on his way, and Ariana hurried to her room. In just minutes, she returned to Elliot, who had reached the bottom. She breathed a sigh of relief and descended.
'I hope the plan works.'
Everyone was looking at Ariana with admiration; she was absolutely magnificent, and her aura was beautiful and strong..
They boarded the carriage where the Marquis was sitting quietly. When the carriage began to move, Elliot asked:
"I thought you weren't coming.."
"It is the first debut of the daughter of Silas. It would be a scandal if I did not attend.."
'Couldn't he find one kind word to say...'
Elliot huffed with annoyance at his father's cold behavior toward Ariana, but Ariana looked at Elliot, then at her uncle, and smiled gently:
"Thank you to my uncle for being so concerned about my reputation..."
Elliot clenched his fist, trying to control his nerves, and looked out the window while Ariana looked at her uncle with a gentle smile:
"How is your health?!"
Elliot was shocked by his father's question and looked at Ariana, who was still smiling. She said:
"I feel better. I still suffer, but perhaps I have begun to come to terms with the idea of my death. Therefore, I want to live what remains of my life enjoyably.. I will eat what I like, and I will do what I desire so that I do not die with regret."
"Aya.. you will not die. What is this talk?!"
Ariana felt a pang of guilt toward Elliot, but she was forced to do this. She said:
"Uncle, I want us to forget any conflict that occurred and to continue living well until death..."
The Marquis smiled cunningly and said with feigned cheer and kindness, taking Ariana's hands:
"My dear Ariana, I am happy that my little brother's daughter is happy. I will support you with all my strength, and surely you will support me, my little one.."
"Certainly, uncle. I will support Marquis Silas until the end."
Ariana held her uncle's hand and patted it, saying it with a very sincere face, which increased Elliot's irritation. He gave her a reproaching look, but she smiled at him gently as usual...
* * *
The Imperial Palace was decorated, as was the custom, with white flowers everywhere. The Emperor, who was born in the spring, was a symbol of the birth of life. What was special this year was that the Emperor chose light sky-blue flowers to match the field of white flowers. This symbolized purity and continuity, and adding a new color was a declaration of a new and special era for the Empire; such were the speculations released by the nobles from the atmosphere the Emperor created for his birthday this year...
What was strange this year was that many nobles had brought their daughters to the banquet. This was because the Emperor had said in the last meeting before his birthday, when the nobles insisted an Empress must be brought, that he might think about the matter at the next banquet. This encouraged the noble families to push their daughters forward, hoping they might get a chance to win the title of Empress or at least a royal concubine....
Bryan sighed for the thousandth time as he circled the hall, quietly monitoring the attendees and watching the young girls...
'Why is Casper such a loud person?! How will I find the Lady?!'
Bryan remembered what the Emperor had told him at the start of the party with great caution:
["Make sure to keep intruders away from her, and do not draw attention."]
["Your Majesty, how will I know her?! Casper is more observant than I am..."]
["Bryan Carros, are you shirking your duties?!"]
["No, Your Majesty, but..."]
["I trust you. Casper Wilton is a bit reckless and will draw eyes, so I leave the matter in your hands."]
["I follow Your Majesty's orders."]
'I even forgot to ask about the Lady's identity. Casper would have been better for the mission—he is a good but annoying friend. Who would imagine that a commoner like me and an aristocrat like Casper—whose father was the lord of the fief I lived in—would get along through work and move from a servant-master relationship to friendship and peer-to-peer competition? I didn't like him in the past; I thought he got here through his father Count Wilton's recommendation. But life proves to me that my view of others and my prejudiced, extreme judgment are wrong. Even the Emperor, who was selfish and seemed to think only of himself, appeared very different up close—compassionate and loyal to the Empire. I must slow down in judging others, and I must search for the Lady... I hope at least my vision of her is correct; I think I am right, for Casper is very observant..'
Bryan was moving through the hall quietly and heard some sharp criticisms directed at him for being a commoner. They were indirect, but he was very aware of them; he was a commoner who had climbed quickly until he became one of the knights close to the Emperor...
He sighed with distress and looked toward the top of the stairs at the sound of the trumpet announcing the entry of the nobles...
"Marquis Alpin Silas, Young Master Elliot Silas, and Young Lady Ariana Silas..."
He looked intently and heard the whispering voices around him about the new arrival. Ariana was a girl making her debut, so he waited for her to descend the stairs while hearing the gossip happening around him...
"Ariana Silas, wasn't she the former fiancée of Duke Silvano?"
"I heard she broke the engagement."
"What do you think is the reason for breaking the engagement?!"
"Perhaps it was the Duke who broke it. I heard she is ill and can barely live..."
"She's going to die anyway, why did she come here?..."
Bryan was annoyed by the stupid talk around him—they never stop. He looked at the girl descending the stairs calmly, holding the arm of a handsome and strong young man. There was a clear resemblance between them, proving they were family...
'Her specifications are somewhat similar, maybe she isn't.... wait.'
He looked intently at her hairpin and realized it was a miniature version of the brooch on his master's robe...
'It is the Lady. But maybe it's just a coincidence... I must watch her.'
........ To be continued .......