"Your grace." Sir Ulysses called as we approach the hall and dad look as he nod and Sir Ulysses put me down next to my father's right and my brother on dad's his left side with the rest of the servants all lined up creating a pathway military troop like formation inside, with Paul, Viscount Terezia, Sir Rupert, Albert and Zola a little bit behind us.
"His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Caesar Vittelius Augustus of Hestia." an imperial servant announced loudly with a white and gold jeweled carriage with the imperial family's insignia, entered along imperial knights which contradicts the appearances of our knights in dark uniforms.
I hold on to my father's cape as the carriage stop in front of us and the imperial guard hop out of the white horse to go and open the carriage door, the familiar old man come out with a bright expression, his crown sitting high on his head.
"Greetings your imperial majesty, I was about to send a messenger to inform you about the inspection's result this morning." father said as we courteously bow and greeted the Emperor, who wave his hand as we stand straight all simultaneously, I feel a little light headed when a familiar scent linger in the air.
I glance and saw people's aura switch to dark purple, they're all intimidated by the Emperor, except for me, my brother, my father, Sir Rupert, and our knights.
Father lead the emperor to the drawing room, who request the grand ducal and viscount's to join.
Paul and Viscount Terezia followed us and we enter the room, the emperor taking the single couch while father, and Viscount take a seat on left while brother, Paul and I sit on right with me in the middle.
"I only stop by because I heard you ran off the port without a notice, I assume the Grand Duke's heir apparent and little lady arrived here already." The emperor started while the servants entered, serving eclairs, black tea and a cup of milk for me, which singled me out as I fight my urge to frown.
This hurts my feelings, I couldn't blame them though, I'm only a small 5 years old little girl in their eyes.
"His imperial majesty-"
"I'm just making sure to remind the crown prince's celebratory ball, every noble's and aristocrats are coming, there will be a hunting event for the heir apparent to attend too, I'm looking forward for Dritan and Paul to join my son for it, and all the little ladies will have a little group play to perform on the ball, I'm looking forward for the little lady here if she would like to join." the emperor cut of my father and just continue talking, looking at me with fond eyes.
Play? Perform?
"I heard the little lady can dance well." he added as I tense up, even my father's face harden.
He wasn't even at the banquet, it's definitely the nobles mouths running again.
"I apologize your imperial majesty, but my daughter encounter a mishaps on the way here to the capital, using the gateway, the reason why I left the port, she was treated by the high priestess just today, dancing would be too straining for that small child." my father informed the emperor who's expression turn serious.
'Small child.'
'Oh, right. Yes dad! I don't want to perform on a play with those little girls, they don't like me at all, I don't want to.'
"Then it's best if the little lady here find a way to be present then, all the small noble ladies will perform at the celebration."
I blink, pretending to not understand him and acting like I do.
The emperor drink his tea and put the cup down while I reach for my cup, even father and viscount reach for their drinks too.
'Why am I the only one who has a floral cup?'
"The best performance will receive a prize from the delegates and the imperial family, you know I don't want the aristocrats to have a reason to use their children and manipulate the masses."
'Oh.'
"I'll see what we can do about that your imperial majesty but we couldn't promise anything, I'm only letting my daughter participate if she's able to." father said as the emperor nodded and I take a sip of my drink, snatching a dark chocolate éclair silently as they continue to converse.
I eat leisurely while my brother and Paul watch me in amusement.
I can't control myself, this is a child's body.
I wonder what the prize will be.
"Then that's settled, it doesn't matter what the lady does as long as it upholds the dignity of Wisteria and our empire from the delegates." the emperor said, hearing a dare from his tone as he smiled at me.
'This old man, no wonder why daddy calls you rascal.'
"I hope the heir apparent wouldn't mind accompanying the crown prince too once he arrives here in the capital." the emperor tasked my brother who stiffen and nod courteously.
"If his majesty wishes for me to accompany him then I could only comply." my brother answered passively but with a soft tone, making it somehow sound like he's glad to do so, but to me he sounds like he just receive an order against his will.
"That's great to hear then, I only came here to check on you all, I hope the little lady find the capital comfortable enough." the emperor said as he grab an éclair and take a bite, standing up and wave his hand dismissively in a casual and unruly manner.
"The tea and éclairs are great, I'll be on my way out." the emperor said as we quickly followed him out as we put our cups down.
I was almost left behind with my small foot steps, and courteously send the emperor off to his carriage as he left along the imperial knights while the whole castle's aura suddenly turn light blue, the people are now all a bit relax.
I watch as the imperial people exit through the arc and pass the portcullis.
I look up to my father, his fiery red aura is too much as I tug on his cape which he look down to me and his aura slowly fading to pink again.
"I don't want to dance." I mumbled as my father hum and pick me up.
"Take her afternoon tea on the office." my father instructed Wendy who could only bow, dad turn to my brother and Paul.
"Viscount, train this two with archery for the rest of the day, prepare for the hunting competition." dad said as my brother nod while Paul and Viscount bow courteously.
They go on their own ways and even the servants and knights are dismissed to carry on their jobs.
Sir Rupert and Sir Ulysses followed us, heading upstairs to the west wing where father's office is located.
We enter the room with a stack of papers on dad's desk and he place the one he's holding on top of it.
Dad took a seat on the single couch, Ulysses left and guard outside the hall while Sir Rupert sit on the right receiving couch, while I'm seated on my father's lap and I look at them both.
"You heard my daughter, she doesn't want to." my father said as Sir Rupert look so conflicted, yet his aura remain purple and pink.
"Your grace, you know that's an emperor's backhanded order, not a reminder. As much as my lady would like to not participate, it would be a big trouble for the lady herself if she was known to decline the emperor's request." Sir Rupert spoke lowly as my father sighed deeply and look at me, stroking my hair.
"You need to at least participate, if not dancing then maybe we can make up a story that she still doesn't feel well enough." dad suggested, but a knock interrupt them and Wendy entered with a tray of teas, and éclair, placing it on the coffee table.
My drink this time a cold milk tea on a tall glass which I reach for quickly and take a sip which made Wendy scrunch her nose in amusement.
"Miss Wendy, so far what subject have you thought my lady that she excels at?" Sir Rupert ask as Wendy look a bit taken aback and bow quickly.
"My lady excels in writing and literature, she's outstanding when it comes to reading and academics, I hereby confess, I tested my lady to try the practice exam of the academy, and she did it perfectly a few months ago, your grace, she shouldn't be kept at home only, the lady has so much potential even before her speech problem was cured." Wendy said honestly which made the two men's expression look surprise.
Right, that happened before I came back in this time, but I still remember doing that in my past life, I found a practice paper on the library and answer the questioners, I didn't know it was my brother's, Wendy caught me and send it to Sir Rupert to confirm the results.
"And you didn't ask for my permission to test my daughter's capability." father said strictly which made Wendy flinch.
"Hold on, that practice sheet you ask for me to check was Lady Althea's?" Sir Rupert said in genuine shock and look at me with a bright expression.
"I didn't mean to keep it hidden your grace, you told us to keep Lady Althea's stature a secret till her debut and it went pass my mind to inform you with mishaps my lady encountered." Wendy said regretfully with a purple aura intensifying.
Dad sighed and look down at me as I busy myself with my drink.
"Thea likes reading notes, chords and scales. I can try playing piano, just no dancing." I mumbled looking up to my dad who look at me doubtfully and hum thinking.
"Get Albert to prepare all the musical instruments on the banquet area, purchase what we lack, we'll see if you can apply all that you've learned on the instruments tomorrow." dad instructed Wendy who bowed and quickly go her way out while Sir Rupert looks visibly excited.
"If she failed to do so, hire a music professor to teach her the easiest instrument to perform within two days." dad said to Sir Rupert who hum and nod.
That might be too much pressure for a child.
But I'm not a normal child.
'And we can't disobey the emperor, I don't want to put my father in trouble.'