"My lord, my lady, guests are already in the banquet hall, the another two of the scholars, Sir Albert and Sir Kallis are on the way with Sir Paul and Lord Terezia. The celebration will start any minute from now, his grace is asking for the both of you." Gilbert announced at the door, making me blink when my brother quickly stand up and Wendy pick me up which I willingly take advantage since it's going to be a long walk for my tiny limbs from conservatory to the drawing room as they all started walking.
It's already at dawn, my brother and I just stayed the whole time at the conservatory, listening to his stories about his experiences from the academy and showed me a bit of his affinity, he's main affinity is Water yet he can already wield the fire, earth and wind too which no one else except the Imperial direct lineage and grand ducals direct linage can do, my father and the emperor are the prime examples, the only difference between the two families are the fact that my father, inherited the affinity of dark magic from my late grandmother, he can easily use magic without casting spells manually or using scrolls like the rest.
"Lead the way Gilbert." my brother spoke as we all follow the old man with the rest of the servants waiting by the Wisteria tree.
I lean my head against Wendy who pat my back as we take another route which will avoid us from walking pass the banquet hall which already has a boisterous ambiance with the orchestra playing music for the guests.
We walk pass several doors on the right hall and reach the door to the drawing room.
"The heir apparent and my lady has arrive." the guard who knock the door announced as my brother opened it himself with a sigh.
"Father." my brother greeted as we walk in and greeted by my father who's wearing his white shirt underneath with black grand ducal uniform over it and a black cape with gold buttons and embroideries, and his jet black hair was styled on swept back, yet his pink aura contradicts his dark image.
Wendy carefully put me down and good thing my dress doesn't go out of shape then the stiff ball gowns that are usually marketed right now.
"Come here." I turn to my father who called endearingly as I carefully walk my way to my father who offer his hand as I hold it with my left hand which looks way, way too small while my brother followed and has a curiosity sketch on his face.
"Your Grace." Rupert, who's in his banquet clothing, showed a small gold box and open it but I can't see due to my small stature, which made my brother cleared his throat in amusement when I unconsciously tip toes to see, causing me to blush caught and stand properly.
"Everyone has insignia worn these days." father spoke taking whatever's in the box and put it on my brother's left chest side of his coat.
It's the grand ducal insignia , the black lion made out of black opal with pure gold eyes and ducal crown, and Wisteria wreath with two crossing parallel swords in gold engravements as as a background with gold details surrounding it, it's the same as my father's but he has the ring version next to his wedding ring that he never takes off.
I know insignia exist, I had mine when I reach 12, I was proven an academic genius by my homeschool teacher, Professor Sophia, an exclusive tutor my father hired who is the only female to joined the scholars at rank 5 and one of the grand ducals shadow knights.
"Thank you, father." my brother spoke with a stiff by bright tone, he's really happy with the bright yellow aura surrounding him.
"Make sure to not let any other hands get a hold of it." my father instructed just as he kneel on his left knee in front of my and showed another insignia which made my eyes widen when father attach it on the neckline of my dress.
It's earlier than before.
"It's your first banquet, we'll treat this day as your debut too." father said then stand up while I turn to the window where I can see my reflection.
It compliments well with my dress.
I was lifted off the floor as my father carry me over his left arm and I wrap my arms around my father's neck, Rupert handed the empty box to one of the servant.
Father started to walk with my brother while carrying me still, with Rupert and Wendy following us behind as we head out of the drawing room going to the hallway that leads to the mezzanine of the mail hall where we can see everyone below, we headed down the stairs as the people started staring and stopping on their tracks while the music was lowered in volume.
"His grace, Grand Duke Aether Khalid Argyros, the heir apparent, Lord Dritan Ares Argyros and Lady Althea Lucine Argyros of Wisteria has arrive." Rupert announced with a loud prideful tone, which cause me to sit up by surprise making me father hold me tighter and pat my back a little to calm me down.
Father stopped at the platform where the grand ducal throne is, still carrying me and brother next to him.
The people did the curtsy, it's too colorful, almost everything is purple, yellow, blue and murky green but what stand out the most to my sight are the little girls and boys with red auras while some has murky green.
The murky green stands out the most, it's greed and envy, almost as bad as black aura.
I look at the orchestra, playing silently while my father continue speaking, calling the 4 scholars who passed this years semester along my brother and are all in top 20 out of thousands of students of this years over all student evaluation.
I turn this time to the 5 boys in front of me, my brother standing in the middle of them, being honored by my father who take his sword to honor them, my father didn't even bother putting me down.
"Knight Apprentice Paul Eadric Terezia, 3rd in rank of over all evaluation." Rupert read out the scroll while father tapped Paul's right shoulder with the scabbard sealed sword as it goes on.
"Knight Apprentice Remi Maurice Opelia, 4th in rank of over all evaluation." the boy with turquoise eyes and dark blue hair.
"Knight Apprentice Nicoli Ruiz Pantazis, 7th in rank of over all evaluation." the boy with lime green hair and amber greenish eyes.
"Knight Apprentice Amoris Ralla Samaras, 9th in rank of over all evaluation." the boy with dark green eyes and red wavy hair in ponytail.
"Heir Apparent, Lord Dritan Ares Argyros of Wisteria, 1st in rank of over all evaluation." my brother was lastly announced making me clap my hands by instinct which made him blush at my unruly gesture while father cleared his throat, putting the sword back to his belt.
The rest of the people applauded too, so many nobilities in colorful clothing, the boys are dismissed and went to their respective seats with their families while father motion to carry on the ball.
The orchestra caught my attention again, playing a beautiful waltz sonata, as the people started dancing and conversing.
My brother motion for me to come with him but father quickly make a stop of us when he sit on the throne and have me seated on his lap.
"Where do you plan on taking your sister?" our father ask as he rest his left arm on the arm rest and rest the side of his head to his fist.
"Dance." my brother sound defeated, knowing our father might not let me out of his sight.
"She still haven't learn how to dance." my father spoke while putting me down, letting my brother hold my hand.
'No, I can remember every single thing I've learned in my past life and previous modern life.'
"It's alright." my brother said then dismiss us to father who only watch and brother taking me in the middle of the dance floor.
"I can dance, brother." I said nervously, while my brother hum unconvinced and position us for the first dance while some kids are joining too with others.
It's the waltz performed by kids in banquets, I know this dance, Wendy used to teach me this but not in this year.
The music started as I move with my brother who blink with surprise expression when I move naturally from what I remember.
There's a formation by group, but my brother smartly take me in the middle with him to avoid it or else we'll have to participate the switching partners from one to another.
"Brother!" I squirmed when he twist us round and round and round which caused me to burst into fits of laughter with the force tickling me while my brother burst out laughing in amusement and stop then proceed with the rest of the steps.
Once the waltz ended everyone bowed to each other's partners and went back to their respective places while the elders took over and brother returned me to father who has a satisfied and impressed expression.
I climb to him making him chuckle and lift me up to sit back to his lap, I feel tired but starting to have fun, it wasn't as bad as I thought.
"Our Thea dances so well." father complimented warmly, not asking where I learned anymore and fixing my bonnet for me making me hum and watch the orchestra again as the banquet continues.