It was indeed an exhausting event, brother and the rest of the scholars are being congratulated left and right, every chance they get.
I on the other hand, just currently finish eating, it was a satisfying feast, I continue watching the orchestra play while father is currently talking to the other dukes and nobles who works with him at the capital.
I could only admire how harmonious the music being played, it's magical, I could only listen in my room whenever there were public gathering here in the castle in my past life, not in my previous modern life too since my family there doesn't have enough to enjoy material luxury.
"My lady!" I turn and see two familiar faces, it's Miss Soilla and Miss Gizelle from Forema, the designers and craftswomen of my whole clothing and shoes as of now.
"You look so beautiful, oh my, I knew it will suit you well." Miss Soilla complimented intensely making me blush and giggle, I can only compliment her back.
"I feel light when dancing Miss Soilla, and the shoes Miss Gizelle crafted are the best! My feet doesn't hurt at all than my old shoes." I gushed while they both look so proud and in awe.
"My lady speaks so eloquently too, your compliments are worth more than anything for our work of art." Miss Soilla spoke genuinely and doesn't treat me like a normal child but conversing in a respectful manner.
"Oh, I hope you're enjoying the banquet too, you should try the grilled pork belly with the macaroni and cheese, our chefs skills are the best." I blabber with my childish side starting to show again stubbornly, making them smile fondly.
"We will, my lady, enjoy the banquet too, we'll be on our way to get our fill." Miss Gizelle said as they curtsied and I dismiss them, they wave goodbye as I did too while they walk away heading to the food table.
I was startled when a group of little girls approach me, some are same age and look a bit younger than me, some are a bit older and close to my brother's age.
But only one of them standout the most in my eyes.
It's the girl with dark hazel eyes and straight copper brown hair with bangs, she looks so innocent you wouldn't think she'll grow up to be a killer with that small stature, bright yellow ball dress adorned with ribbons and a yellow laced headband, her green aura reeks.
"It's an honor to finally meet you, my lady. I'm Talia Monique Melba, niece and adoptive daughter of Marchioness Calista Melba." the coral haired girl with cobalt blue eyes spoke first, wearing a green ball gown and head piece, doing curtsy which was followed by other girls.
Ah, yes, they were really close friends before the announcement of crown princess succession was announced and opposed by the nobles and aristocrats.
A sight of Marchioness Calista on the side having a fan covering her lip, watching us intently as the children were obviously told to come to me, she's with the wives of aristocrats and the 4 duchesses.
You'll really mistake Talia as Marchioness Calista's daughter if it wasn't known that Talia is a daughter of the marchioness' younger sister who passed away from an untreated heart disease.
The rest of the girls introduce themselves from Viscounts and Barons families
"My lady, I'm Malina Mary Birsha, daughter of Baron Manford, I learned from my parents that we're distant relatives of his grace, the Grand Duke, we're distant cousins." Malina announced with pride as I stared at her blankly, while the rest look at her in surprise, not aware of our relation.
This never happened before, she was introduced to me and announced as a distant relative and my replacement for the crown princess position when I was 12, after I failed the Sectre.
It's 7 years too early.
Do I really have to get on my feet and curtsy? I'm the daughter of the Grand Duke, and being naïve, timid and quiet only led me on my death bed.
And my aura affinity, if it wasn't for that book I wouldn't know at all that it's rare affinity only the direct female linage of my mother's family ever inherited, it was hidden by the masses that they have the ability to read people's intention.
I can see the aura, a murky green surrounding Talia, and Malina, envy and greed.
"My lady, the Grand Duke is asking for you." Rupert approach, which made me loosen my stiff posture and look up to him, I can tell he's trying to help me away from the crowd of children being used by noes and aristocrats.
But I'm not as naïve as you all thought, Rupert.
I lived 18 years in my past life and another 18 in my modern life from another world that bizarrely has a book published and being sold about my life without knowing.
"Excuse me, my father is looking for me." I spoke looking at the girls with bored expression, I'm already tired too.
I get off the chair with Rupert's assistance, and Wendy could only bow at them out of courtesy and followed me and Rupert, away from the girls, leading me to my father who's conversing with the 4 dukes and duchesses and other nobles on the same fraction supporting the nobility.
"Daddy." I mumbled and my father look down and pick me up quickly.
I lean against his chest while I was greeted by the nobles and the dukes.
It's Duke Hayward of Carya, Duke Malevolent of Sylvatica, Duke Lemori of Quercus, Duke Acer of Rubrum, Viscount Terezia father of Paul, Viscount Alejandro, Marques Sora, Viscount Silvia, Viscount Pallo and Marques Forensco.
They all have purple aura, respect and admiration without any malice.
"I'm Althea Lucine Argyros, it's a pleasure meeting you all." I spoke glancing at my father who looks so proud while Duke Hayward, old man with gray hair and blue eyes sighed.
"I wish I have a daughter, really, your grace, you're truly blessed with an excellent heir apparent and a daughter as bright and as beautiful as her grace, the late Grand Duchess Diane. I can only have three sons and two are a pain already, only one is my hope excelling at the academy." the Duke Hayward spoke brightly while father nodded with a hum.
"I guess your brightest son took after the Duchess Hayward." Duke Lemori said jokingly, they all seem friendly to my father as they all laugh while father only chuckle while patting my back gently which made me feel so sleepy as I continue watching the orchestra playing soft music.
My sight feels heavy, seeing Malina and Talia eyeing me by afar with Marchioness Calista, Baroness Birsha and other aristocrat fraction with the little girls I can only assume their children.
Since the dukes doesn't have daughters, I'm sure their sons are following my brother and his friends at the parlor where little boys gather to socialize, separated from the elders.
I feel sick to my stomach seeing Malina alone, the auras are draining me, I need to find out how to mix my issue with mana before the Sectre ranking.
"Althea." I hum at my father's call, as I hide my face against his chest to hide myself, yawning exhaustively as he kiss my forehead.
"Wendy, take her back to her room, she's already done for today, I'll end the ceremony now." father called Wendy and carefully hand me over as I grasp on Wendy.
"Yes, your grace." Wendy said curtly and dismiss herself, taking me upstairs as I watch the public staring and murmuring, I couldn't careless as sleep took over me before I even get to my room.