Azure's Mansion in the West.
The whole mansion is busy of the upcoming gala. The mansion of the Azure is the second biggest mansion in the whole kingdom just below compared to the palace. Unlike in the North, the west has a fertile soil and winters only takes for a whole month. The west has the best climate and it has the richest soil. However, because of this reason there are invaders lurking around. That's why it became the most dangerous place in the kingdom.
The duke and duchess of Cleiden heard the news about Silvestine going to attend the gala. This is the first time that a Winters is actually going to visit the West. The North and the West are not in a good condition because of it long lost history. However, both dukes of both dukedoms decided to end their conflict by the form of marriage. The Azure family doesn't have a female daughter but fortunately the Winters has.
It was decided then that their children will marry each other if both are in a right age. Luke is two years older than Silvestine and according to the law, Silvestine must be twenty-two before the marriage.
Unlike Silvestine who doesn't know everything, Luke knew his arranged marriage to the Winters. One night before Silvestine, Arthur and the princess leave for their journey, the Azure family had a conversation about their arrival.
They were on the dining table.
"We received a letter from the capital that the princess accepted our invitation and she will be attending the gala as Nate's partner." Duchess Marie Azure announced.
"I'm a little bit nervous mother, even though I was studying at the imperial academy I have never had a conversation with the princess before. I'm afraid that her highness might find me awkward." Nate worries.
"You shouldn't worry about that Nate; I am sure that you are going to be just fine. Well, all first time meet ups are awkward isn't that right milady." France said. He looked at his wife, Lady Genevie Suitare. France Gustavo Azure is the second eldest of the family. Luke is the eldest and the heir of the Azure dukedom.
France got married a year ago after just before he turned twenty-two to his fiancé that is a year older than him. Both of them are living together at the mansion in the Northwest. Lady Genevie is the only daughter of the Marquis of Suitare that's why France became now the head of the Suitare's state. Lady Genevie's parents died when she was still young and her relatives took over the ownership of their land and the only way to give her rightful rights is, she has to be married.
She then met France who just came back from the war against the border's enemy kingdom. They both fell in love without knowing their real status in life. Genevie is ready to let go her inheritance for France and France is ready to leave his family for Genevie. In the end, they are both from a noble family. Genevie is a next in line marchioness that time and France is a son of the duke. They got married and Genevie retrieved all of her rights to the town of Gale that the Suitare owns. France is now the current Marquis of Suitare.
The duke suddenly realized that they are missing another member of the family in the table.
"Where is Luke?" The duke asks.
"Brother is still in the barracks, father." Nate answered. Suddenly, the door opened and a man with a golden hair entered. He still looks so neat even though he just came back from the barracks.
"Forgive me for being late and being unpresentable. There is something I dealt with in the barracks." Luke said while sitting down on his chair.
Luke has a golden blond hair; his eyes are golden brown and his skin is white and smooth. No girls can escape from his glances not even Genevie and that's the reason why France and Luke are not in a good term. France loves Genevie so much and he hates it when his wife is looking at another man, not even his own brother. Genevie also loves France but she couldn't help herself to stare at Luke. Their relationship is actually odd. However, France and Luke are still in a brotherly relationship. France respects Luke so much and he looks up on him it is just that he is annoyed every time his wife is looking at him.
"Luke, how is everything, is everything going to be alright during the gala?" The duke asks.
"I already fixed it father."
"We have to be extra careful this year since the princess is coming."
"Nate's fiancé is really going to steal all the spot light this year." France jokes around.
"Stop it brother." Nate blushes.
"I kind of feel excited for Nate since his fiancé, the princess, is coming to visit the west. Although we have seen her several times it is just fascinating that she will be coming here to attend the gala." Nate teases.
"You should be more excited Sir Nate." Genevie added.
"I am actually nervous." Nate responded.
"Come to think of it, we haven't seen Sir Luke's fiancé, haven't we? I heard that he is engaged but I have never seen her not even once." Genevie wondered.
"I also have never seen her not even once. But I heard that she was ban to enter the North and she was staying in the capital. There are rumors about her but I just don't know whether to believe it or not." Nate said.
"Oh really!" France giggle a little. "Let's just say that Luke's fiancé is one of the kinds."
The whole family kept eating their food until they finish it. The maids took the dishes out of the table and their family meeting continues.
"I already prepared extra rooms for the imperial knights that is coming with the princess." Luke said.
"We don't need more rooms for the imperial knights since the king said that the princess is accompanied by Sir Arthur Winters and Lady Silvestine Winters, your fiancé." The duke said calmly.
Luke suddenly stared at his father and not just him but the people who heard what the duke said. The maids who are so composed suddenly became attentive to hear more.
"Lady Silvestine and her brother will be accompanying the princess here. The king ask the lady a favor that is why I want you all to welcome the Winters in our mansion." The duke announced.
"So, Arthur will be here as well? Great! Arthur and I are best buddies in the academy. I heard that he entered the joust this year and they won. I also heard that his sister is the one who trained him. I didn't know that my brother's fiancé is actually Arthur's sister." Nate became excited.
Luke went back to his composure and just nodded. The duchess felt a sudden uncertainty. She is not against to Silvestine it is just that she heard a lot of bad rumors about her. She suddenly grew awareness towards her future daughter in law and the future duchess of their dukedom.
"Oh really, then I will finally meet my future sisters-in-law." Genevie said.
After the dinner, Luke went to his office and sat down to his chair. He looked at the box where he hid something important to him. Then a knocked on the door disturbed him, it is no other than Mateo, his trusted friend and his right-hand man.
Mateo notices that Luke is busy holding the little box once again.
"I heard the news. I think it is about time to forget her. It is going to be useless anyways if you keep lingering into that promise."
"Each and every day, I keep reminding myself that but I couldn't."
"Your fiancé is coming; don't you think it is unfair for her if you still have some feeling for some other girl. I know that your fiancé is not as good as her or far better than her. But Lady Silvestine will be your soon to be your wife and holding on to your past is unfair for your future wife. I know the feeling because I went through the same drama but I learned that my wife is more important than any other girl."Mateo sighted out his view.
"Can you blame me for not forgetting?" Luke's face suddenly became unbearable to see. Even having such marvelous facial feature, one can say the his sad face cannot be painted in any canvas.
Mateo Sighs. "No, it is neither your faults. It is just that your relationship is not par with the destiny."
"My fiancé is arriving soon but I feel like she should have arrived sooner."
"If she arrives sooner, are you going to love her? If Lady Winters arrived sooner, are you not going to suffer from loving her? Because even if Lady winters arrived sooner, I think you wouldn't choose her but still going to be with the Lady…" Mateo stops.
"You are right again, am I that pathetic?"
"Pick yourself up Luke, loosing her is not the end of the world. Your another world is just going to arrive in two days' time so better prepare yourself. Do remember that your engagement is all about peace."
"I guess you're right." Luke placed down the box.
"I think that you should really prepare, we all know what kind of lady your fiancé is."
"I know… I am prepared."
Luke gathered a lot of information about Silvestine and even though he heard a lot of bad news about her, he doesn't care at all. This engagement is for the good of others even he have to sacrifice himself.