"Huh? Did you say something, Princess Celestine?"
"No, it's nothing."
Celestine clasped her hands on her back and turns around to face the two with yet another bright smile.
"I see.."
Atalante took Celestine's response thinking that she misheard something. But edle seem too doubtful with the princess of Kruule. To be precise, her smile that seemed too real to be true.
It's starting to creep him as he never once thought he would see a kind and innocent smile from a child of the infamous king who started the war 17 years ago. The king who is now sitting along with his mother in the same throne.
"My, it's about to start."
That same sultry voice came out of Celestine caused Edle and Atalante to look where the princess is looking.
The people round up in front of the throne seat, leaving only but a wide area and a group of men and women paired together with one another, joining the rythm of each of them as they dance over the enchanting music played by Reilaea's musicians.
"Oh... They're doing it."
"Yes."
Watching the pairs dancing from a distance, a voice of a little girl caught Edle's attention. He turns to the left to see Aura standing right before him, looking at him intently.
"Edle big-brother, are you going to dance?"
The prince of Reilaea totally did not expect the question out of the youngest elven princess. A royal dance is a dance by a pair of a man and a woman in the middle of the crowd of people marveling their elegant and graceful movement as they match the music in complete harmony.
Edle doesn't want to participate dancing in the middle of the crowd, especially that his foster father is watching. But more than that he isn't motivated to join because he doesn't have the partner he wants to be with doing the royal dance together.
The prince of reilaea was about to respond to Aura in refusal to her question until he noticed an elaborate black close-fitting necklace worn around the little princess' neck, adorned by a red pendant. He noticed it because that's the only color that differs from Aura's clothing, her hair, eyes and other accessories.
"Aura, where did you get this?"
"This?"
Aura placed her hand onto the pendat as she continues to speak.
"Celestine big-sis. Gave this to me, this is a choker."
"Choker?"
Atalante and Edle were both a bit surprised by the name.
"What do you think? Does it look good?"
The two were wordlessly staring at Aura, but the look in their eyes shows that they are a bit worried.
"Of course, it looks good on you, Princess Aura."
Celestine suddenly spoke in response to Aura. The young elven princess was pleased to hear that and thanked Celestine in return.
Right after, Edle began to ask Celestine if she really is the one who gave Aura that necklace. Celestine answered with a resounding yes without hesitation.
"One more thing, why is it called a choker? Don't you think that name is a bit... out of place?"
"What do you mean? That's what people refers to that kind of necklace. Because it fits one's neck perfectly, it feels like a hand is wrapped around their neck in a way. Well what matters is not its name but the people who liked them.
"People?"
Edle quickly avert his gaze from Celestine as he tries to find others who are also wearing the same necklace.
The first one he saw is Belfionne who seemed shocked after he received a gift from Celestine. He knows that Fionne would accept something without a doubt, especially if it's from a girl. And so Edle ignores him and look at others.
Aside from the rulers of Meleia, Loisiln and Cartha, almost everyone inside the banquet hall have the same necklace Aura, Belfionne, and even Fiore wears. Not only that, even the queen of Reilaea, Elena have the same necklace on her neck.
"What's with everyone wearing the same necklace?"
"Even Pina has one, although she isn't wearing it at the moment."
Edle took a quick glance to see Pina sitting alone in one of the round tables, holding a necklace she got from Celestine. After that, Edle asked Celestine why she's doing it. Why she's giving it almost to everyone.
"It's just my way to show my gratitude to everyone who came in this celebration for my one and only big-brother. That said, would you like to have one yourself? I also have one for you, Princess Atalante."
"No, I'm all good."
Atalante gave a humble decline to Celestine, which makes the princess of Kruule feel a bit down. But, she quickly turns to Edle, staring into his eyes as though she's telling him to take it without saying a word.
Edle pushes Celestine's hand with the necklace away with his own hand.
"Sorry, but I'm not a fan of that kind of thing."
He said so in a complete opposite of how Atalante turned down Celestine's offer.
Celestine seemed disheartened as she puts the two necklaces away due to the two who refused to accept her gift.
"If you don't want my gift..."
Suddenly, the princess's left hand reaches to Edle's, holding him tightly as though she's not letting him free.
"What are you...?"
Celestine springs forward while pulling Edle with her hand towards the center to where the men and women are paired up and dancing in front of the crowd.
"...I'm gonna have to have you join me in a dance."
Atalante were surprised as she watch the princess of Kruule pulling Edle away.
"S-She beat me into it..."