I smirk. "The pleasure's all mine Caladium."
Zachary grins.
I smack him on the back and laugh. "Nice seeing you again Prince Zachary,"
Albert smiles at him next to me. I grin at the young prince. The same prince that would start a revolution in less than a year and seize the empire. The prince that would bring light upon the slums and underground. Perhaps there was a reason that I wanted Crystalia to end up with him originally. But alas, we'll never be sure.
"You know her Prince Zachary?" Michael asks.
"I know her through business. Also, she's offered me some pretty good contracts before," Zachary's quick to lie, and he lies with no issues. Ah... Crystalia and Zach were really a match made in heaven. A good liar... and a good manipulator... what a fucked up couple :D!
"Ah then it's a pleasure to finally meet you properly," Prince Michael smiles.
"Don't be so stiff around her Michael," Paris smiles. "She's really fun to be friends with,"
"Is she?" Michael eyes me and I grin.
"Speaking of which," I turn to look at Paris. "Where's your wife?"
"She's-"
"Duchess Crystalia," A voice speaks up from behind me.
"Princess Elena," I smile. "It's lovely seeing you."
"Ah, Princess Cyra," I bow. "A pleasure to see you again."
"Likewise Duchess Crystalia," The princess bows. She was Edward's wife.
"Terrence, you invited us all here for a reason right?" Albert asks and I look at the two.
"Let's sit down for tea first." All of us settle at the tables and the two stand up.
"We're engaged," They show their hands and sure enough, they're matching rings.
"About time you got married," Paris laughs.
"Honestly," I smirk. "I'm so glad that bouquet didn't turn to waste,"
Bria laughs.
"So," Freya smiles. "When's the wedding?"
"We're planning to have it later this year during summer," Bria fumbles with her fingers and I mentally stop. I was getting divorced with Albert in summer-
I stare at Albert and he stares at me. He smirks at me and I sigh.
"Where's it going to be held?" I ask.
"Ah," She hides her face in Terence's chest and Terence speaks up.
"We were thinking about the Eclipse Temple." Terence smiles.
This piece of sHIT HOLD MY TEA-
Thankfully, Lilith speaks up.
"Prince Terence," she eyes him. "Are you not worried that the nobility will spread rumors about you copying the fifth prince?"
"Why would that-"
"Their marriage was held at the Eclipse Temple during summer as well." Hades reminds. "If you were to hold your wedding there at the same season and place, it would stir up the public's attention."
"Perhaps," I smile. "You could hold the marriage ceremony at the empress's palace? I heard that it was something only the first prince could do."
It was true. According to previous traditions, the first prince of the royal family would always hold a wedding at the empress's palace. The first prince was always the empress's son after all.
Bria's eyes sparkle at the news and Terence's eyes darken. Surprisingly enough, the empress didn't actually favor her son. She believed in an old tradition of whoever is strongest through influence shall take the throne. As of right now though, Paris and Edward were the top candidates since both of them were married. Albert had already left the succession battle by taking the title of Duke, and he has an incredible wealth now. The rest of the princes are yet to get married.
"I will talk to her highness about it," Terence's jaw is tight.
"Bria darling," I smile. "Have you decided on a theme?"
"Ah..." Bria smiles. "I was thinking something like royalty. Colors of purple, white, and gold,"
"Waah, what a wonderful choice!" I beam.
"We can help you out!" Freya grins. "You're going to be our new sister in law soon after all,"
"A-ah really?" Bria's face flushes red.
"Of course!" I grin. Lilith doesn't say anything, and neither does Elena. I have a feeling I'm going to be pulled to her mansion later in the day because of these two.
"Darling, can I borrow you real quick?" Albert walks up to our table and I smile.
"Sure." I bow lightly to the three girls.
"What did you need me for?"
"Paris is talking about a business contract he wants to sign with me. I think it works, but I want to figure out if it would be beneficial in the long term."
"What's it on?" I tilt my head.
"Crystals. Apparently, endwood can be forged into mana stones," Albert notes.
"Albert, you went to grab your wife? There's no way she's going to agree to this!" Paris whines.
"Paris what's the contract even about?"
"I heard the endwood could be forged into mana stones-"
"And?"
"I'll help you forge it with my people in exchange for a part of the share."
"Don't need it." I smile. "Keep the battle of succession to yourselves."
Paris groans.
-⧗-
"I heard you went to explore the endlands at a point," Albert notes in the carriage. We were finally moving into our mansion there.
"It snows all year round there," I tell him. "the endwood is impossible to burn, but the good thing is that endwood can be turned into mana stones. If we get enough fires in the mansion then it won't be an issue."
Albert nods. "And?"
"And there's a cave full of mana gems deep in the mountains," I whisper. "It's guarded by one of the sun's blessed ones, a white dragon. And I permanently sealed the entrance so that the only one who can go in and out is the dragon and I."
"Is that where the star mana gems on your ears came from?"
"Yes," I smile. "That should be about it."
There was no way in hell I was going to tell him that there was a secret passage to the other side of the border there. That's the secret I would be taking to hell.
-⧖-
The end of the tea party arrives quickly, and I pick up my dress to head home with Albert.
"Ah Crystalia," Lilith calls for me as I get ready to head back.
"Hm? Yes, Lilith?"
"Could you spare a cup of tea?"