the party went by normally. the nobles and other celebrities who were invited kept their manners and respect in front of faes when shiva introduced her to them. some tried to cause trouble by asking about faes cultivation, affinity and all skills but her smile and sweet answer was enough to shut them up.
after greeting everyone once faes went back to her mother and father who were sitting watching her silently while also being greeted by others once in a while.
augustus noticed how faes took care of troublesome nobles and couldn't help but feel proud along with guilty. they had kept faes usually locked up in her chambers and rarely allowed her to go to such parties. if they had allowed her to go out more could they have known her more? would she have told them about her powers and skills?
augustus couldn't help but feel irritated with himself, if they haven't treated faes as they had, their family would be in a better shape currently and not struggling to hold the throne. augustus was weak and he knew it. he decided to get stronger and gain more allies so that they can keep faes and her siblings safe.
as for queen alicia she was also having similar thoughts as king augustus. faes had even danced with few people and she was so mesmerizing that alicia couldn't help but stare at her daughter. her manner of speech was clear and her posture straight, faes was a true princess and she was proud of it. only she would have known about it if they haven't kept her locked up.
"is something wrong?" faes asked arriving near her parents. she had noticed them staring at her the whole time and was curious to know what was wrong. she didn't know how to behave with her family so she had decided to just act like she did with aiden and her family in reptiliance. but her actions seem to have caused her some trouble by the looks of it. was she behaving out of character or she did something wrong?
"nothing, its just in the past we didn't took you out in such parties and let you socialize. we unknowingly thought that you were dragging our family down but we still loved you. was it the reason that you ran away?" alicia asked.
they were free to speak because faes had made a barrier of qi around them. it was soundproof barrier hence no one can easily listen in on their conversation- not until they have extraordinary powers enough to break her barrier.
"well- i didn't feel good about being left out, yes." faes nodded slowly turning serious but the predecessor's reason to run away wasn't just this
"but its not the reason i ran away" or the predecresser anyway. they don't know their real daughter is already dead!
"then what was the reason? could you tell us, i give you my word that i would make sure whatever and whoever was the reason would pay" augustus promised but faes merely shook her head grinning
"you would know in the future, for now just know that it wasn't just the loneliness. oh and are the people still the same in my chambers?" faes asked as augustus nodded
"just as you asked they have been taking care of your chambers. there are around hundred people there, twenty maids, ten kitchen staff, forty guards and thirty other workers" augustus told.
faes had asked them to keep the workers as they were without telling them anything other than that she went away with her friends. he had been wondering if faes ran away because of the workers and wanted to interrogate them but he was stopped by faes and he also didn't have time.
"then i would return home after a while. when the matter regarding me being the heir settles down" faes nodded taking her leave going back to her friends.
"we didn't know you were a noble" cleo stated just as faes arrived near them. faes instantly created a similar soundproof barrier around their group.
"you didn't ask?" faes smiled innocently. she wasn't going to tell them that she was also a royal and that too of two kingdoms. but it was enough for others as they began enjoying the party talking and catching up.
everyone have made some progress in cultivation and were now stronger. observing others faes realised that nia was barely speaking, she constantly glanced around and then focused back on the food.
was she feeling uncomfortable? or was it some other reason? faes wondered and decided to talk to nia
"princess nia, do you mind accompanying me to the powder room?" faes asked startling nia who nodded standing up and joining faes. others didn't find it weird and didn't bother to intervene letting the two girls leave. while talking to faes they got to know each other too.
alison, lucas and leo along with sauna were busy glaring at each other while the girls were talking on their own.
"what's the matter?" faes asked nia once they were alone. nia was startled but then she realized that faes knew about her awkwardness from back there.
"i- everyone there is so strong and elegant, others also respect them a lot. while i am just too weak and not even nobles of my own kingdom respect me much." nia sighed. she felt safe with faes and knew that faes wont use her weakness against her family, but nia didn't know that faes was her family.
"oh its just that? then its fine you just need to get stronger!" faes sighed. she was thinking that nia's trauma caught up to her again
"what does that mean? how can i get stronger just like that?" nia asked confused at faes reaction. but faes merely grinned and tossed a pill bottle to nia.
"these are strengthening pills?" nia asked confused
"lets train together in the future" faes smiled as she left nia alone confused but nia still decided to follow faes advice.
if she can get stronger this way then so be it! what they didnt notice were a pair of eyes staring at them in a daze emotions in them completely concealed.