Crystal chandeliers spiralled down from the arching sky-blue ceiling, illuminating the glimmering golden walls and a floor so polished it looked like an iced-over lake.
The banquet hall was accented by floor to ceiling windows on the west wall allowing it to be draped with luxurious fabric.
The hall was filled with nobles and aristocrats dressed impeccably for the occasion.
" His Majesty, the Emperor , Sun of the Empire and Lady Olivia has arrived."
"Greetings Your Majesty.
Greetings Lady Olivia."
The people in the banquet hall excluding the three guests were no longer surprised that the Emperor would enter with Lady Olivia.
As much as it left a bad taste in their mouth, there was no way to contradict the Emperor's bidding.
" Hey , don't you think that the most appropriate thing for the Emperor to do would be to enter the hall with the Empress?
Even for formality sake? " , Ethan whispered to General Castillo and Duke Sebastian .
Duke Sebastian nodded in agreement while General Castillo looked towards the pair impassively.
" Her Majesty, the Empress , Moon of the Empire , His Royal Highness and Her Royal Highness has arrived."
All the people in the hall greeted the trio .
Violet was wearing a red lace ball gown with see through neck cap sleeve to the banquet.
Violet smiled and nodded as an acknowledgement to their greetings and went to stand three feet away from the Emperor while keeping her smile all the way.
Xander stood quietly behind Violet as she entered the hall and stood close to the Emperor.
" Good evening , beloved subjects and our guests from the empire of Asterin .
Welcome to the celebratory party held in warm reception of the envoys from Asterin. Enjoy the party." ,
the Emperor said as he raised his wine glass to the crowd.
The three envoys from Asterin made their way to the Emperor and the Empress for a toast.
" Thank you for the warm reception , Your Majesty", Ethan said to the Emperor.
" Enjoy yourselves." , the Emperor replied.
" Beloved, I'm bored. Can we dance?" , Lady Olivia declared loud enough so that people a few feet away could hear her .
" Certainly.
Gentlemen, if you will excuse me." ,
the Emperor replied and left.
" I hate that woman! She took Imperial father away from you again!" , Princess Margaret said as she crossed her arms on her chest.
" It's alright, darling. We don't need them to have fun tonight, right?"
" You're right, Mother .", Princess Margaret nodded and beamed at Violet.
" Now , Nathan , take your sister to meet grandpa and grandma. I am sure they will be delighted to meet the both of you."
" Alright, Mother."
Violet kissed both of the children's forehead before they left to meet her parents.
"Hold hands. Don't let go , alright?"
" Yes , Mother " , they replied simultaneously and waved their hands as they disappeared in to the crowd.
" Your Majesty , are you alright?" , Ethan asked.
" Yes , of course. Why do you ask?" , Violet questioned who seemed perplexed at the question.
" Earlier.." , Ethan asked as he awkwardly scratched his head.
Violet realised that they were probably shocked to see the Emperor entering the hall with Lady Olivia and not her.
The people in Iretonia might have been used to it but Violet realised that they were new to this whole situation.
" Oh" , Violet chuckled , " You mean the whole fiasco of the Emperor entering the hall with Lady Olivia?"
" Yes ."
" I do not mind. Such actions are too trivial to lose sleep over.
Don't you think , Duke Sebastian?" , Violet asked Sebastian who seemed to have a light frown on his face as he stared at her.
" You're right." , Duke Sebastian replied.
" And I feel more comfortable entering the hall with the kids than the Emperor.
I would rather die than act all lovey dovey with the Emperor. " , Violet said to see three shocked faces staring at her.
Violet smiled as she enjoyed seeing the faces they were making.
Especially General Castillo.
He looked surprised yet something Violet could not quite discern.
Was it relief ?
Or delight?
" Now that's supposed to be a secret.
I hope you would be gentlemanly enough to keep my secret" , Violet said jokingly as she gestured with her hand.
Violet was surprisingly at ease and felt their company enjoyable.
" Of course , Your Majesty. " , Ethan nodded seriously and Violet laughed at seeing his reaction.
" Is Marques Ethan not dancing with any ladies tonight?
Your reputation states that you will most likely whisk a girl out of the hall before the banquet ends." , Violet playfully said to Ethan .
" No. No. I don't dare . I am on official business here , Your Majesty.
And the Crown Prince has advised me to not play around." , Ethan said almost too seriously.
" I was just pulling your leg , Marques. You do not have to be so tensed.", Violet replied as the other two man looked at their conversation with interest and adoration in the case of Daniel.
Violet felt extremely comfortable in the company of these three new acquaintances.
She was able to speak freely .
" If you gentlemen won't mind , can I introduce you to my family?" , Violet asked.
" Your Majesty's family? Duke Vanidestine?", General Castillo said nervously.
Violet thought it was quite normal to introduce the envoys to her family as they were one of the most reputable houses in the Empire.
" Yes. Of course. Is there a problem?" ,
Violet asked.
" No. None at all. I was just surprised." , General Castillo hastily replied.
Ethan and Sebastian looked at Daniel with questioning eyes which he simply shrugged off.
" Mother! Father! Brother Lu!" , Violet greeted the Duke and Duchess and introduced them to the envoys from Asterin.
" Dad , where's Brother Matt and Brother Stef? I would like to introduce them to the guests. And where are the children?" , Violet asked.
" Oh, they left to have some desserts.
Prince Nathan said he was starving."
Duchess Charlotte who was having a conversation with General Castillo asked,
" How is your mother doing, Your Highness Castillo?"
" Does Your Grace know my mother? And yes, she's fine. Too healthy , in fact. She keeps pestering me to get married. And Your Grace may call me Daniel. " , Daniel replied.
" Yes. I know your mother , Duchess Elizabeth Everly Castillo.
I met her when she was pregnant with you. We exchange letters occasionally since then." , Duchess Charlotte replied.
" Your Grace , don't tell me. Perhaps , you're the Doctor Celestina that saved my mother when she got into an accident while being pregnant with me?"
" Yes , Daniel. That was me . But it was a long time ago."
" Such a fate between our families." , Daniel smiled.
" Hahaha" , Duchess Charlotte laughed.
" Young man , she's mine. Stop flirting with my wife." , Duke Lucas Vanidestine interjected and pulled the Duchess towards himself.
" Eh? Ah. No. No . I..I would not dare , Your Grace.", Daniel stuttered.
" Behave " , the Duchess shot a glare at the Duke.
" General , don't mind. My father gets jealous easily. He's that childish." , Violet said to help Daniel out.
" Your Majesty , I do not mind.
A man should protect and take pride in his woman. And Your Majesty , you may call me Daniel . There is no need to be so formal." , Daniel replied.
" Then I shall drop the formalities. You may call me Violet."
" B..But is that appropriate?" , Daniel asked.
' Ah. It is not appropriate. Why did I say that? So embarrassing. '
" In private. Violet should be alright. Duke Sebastian and Marques Ethan may call me Violet as well."
Violet asked the Duke and Marques to call her by her name too so that no one would find her behaviour suspicious.
Moreover , she did not mind.
Violet had already treated them like friends.
" Mother , we're back" , Nathan said was he jumped into Violet's arms.
Margaret was in Matthew's arms .
She loved to act cute and being carried by her brothers .
Violet wondered if it was because Margaret did not receive a father's care that she was so attached to her brothers.
" Did my darling have fun?" , Violet asked.
" Yes , Ma-ma. Oopps." , Nathan covered his mouth with his hands as he realised he had called his mom informally in front of strangers.
" It's alright , darling. They're friends.
You can call me mommy in front of them."
Violet smiled at her son's cute antics.
" Mom! I am so full. My stomach is like a balloon." , Margaret revealed cheerfully.
" My princess will still look beautiful even she looks like a balloon", Violet answered.
" But I don't want to look like a balloon." , Margaret responded dejectedly.
" You won't, Margie. And even if you do , you will still be the most beautiful princess , " Nathan consoled her.
Violet looked at Nathan and Margaret and was contented to see their bond.
" We have an important announcement to make" , Violet heard the Emperor declare as he stood at the podium with Lady Olivia.
' What could it be? Since I was not aware of anything , could it be about Lady Olivia?'