The Day of the Royal Banquet,
"You look beautiful as always, Your Highness!" people complimented me with their sparkling eyes.
I sat infront of a big mirror. It was summer here in Kroniel so people expected the weather to be hot. Today, the maids let me wore a black lace gown with golden lines that emphasizes my royal lineage. The sleeves are puff and it was embroidered with flowers made by golden threads. For jewelries, my earrings are made of gold with citrine stone and also my necklace also have the same design.
I stared at my face. My scarlet hair flows freely down at my waist and my eyes shines like a crystal blue sky. As I watched my reflection, I recalled my conversation yesterday with Lucien.
"If the Emperor of Elolerin accepted my proposal, you're probably be the Youngest Queen Regnant in the History, Rosalia." Lucien's voice is filled with dismay.
I became speechless at the vary moment. Unable to reply, I only showed him my blank face. Lucien is four years older than me. He's eighteen while I'm fourteen. He became the King when he was seventeen when his father, the Former King of Qelia, suddenly dies because illness. Lucien is very young yet he carries a big burden. The Kingdom of Qelia is a small kingdom from Eastern Part of the Globe and also, Lucien and I grow up together which makes us childhood friends. And almost, lovers.
"I... I'll pretend I didn't hear it, Your Majesty—"
Lucien interfere my words. "Eversince we were young, we knew we love each other, Rosalia. But the difference of our status hinders our relationship."
"Lucien!—"
I admit, Lucien is my first love. We met each other back in winter when I was seven years old. His old man is a dearest friend of my father. When their kingdom face a great crisis, my father, the Emperor of Elolerin, wholeheartedly helped the Kingdom of Qelia to overcome their downfall. Lucien is a man of my dreams. Both possessed the good looks, wealth, royalty and intelligence. But I also knew that he and I cannot be together.
"If my Kingdom become as big as your Empire, can I ask for your hand in marriage again, My Princess?" Lucien asked with hopeful eyes.
Lucien's expressive amber eyes shows grief l. His dark hair that reaches his nape and bangs parted at his forehead and has a crown above his head. Though he only wore a dress shirt because his royal cape is with me, he still look handsome and royalty.
I averted my eyes away from him. I have once infatuated with this handsome man but I can't let my self hold on from the past. We both have responsibilities that must carry on. Lucien is the King of Qelia. And I, the First Princess of Elolerin and the future Crown Princess of Kroniel. If we tolerate this temporary feelings, there will be only chaos.
"Love becomes weakness, My King. And if you show your weakest side, people might took the opportunity to drag you down and steal your throne," I said bitterly. I hope he'd understand my predicament.
Lucien face turned grim. He stepped forward and closer to me. Closing our distance, he gently grabbed my arm and meet my eyes.
"I don't care if you become my weakness, Rosalia. This feeling I have for you is enough for me to take the risk. So please, wait for me. I'll make you my Queen—No," he shake his head slightly. Once again, he meet my eyes and this time, it was like he is sure about the future, "I'll make you the most powerful Empress in the history."
"Excuse me, Your Royal Highness. But the Crown Prince is already here." Someone from the outside make an announcement.
The lady in waiting panicked. In a very fast movement, they're done fixing my dress and face. Sasha who is holding my tiara, place it above my head before lowering her head as well as the other maids who helped me to prepare for the Royal Banquet.
I give them a small smile. I turn my eyes back at the mirror. The dainty tiara which features both diamonds and ruby stone was given to me by my father during my fourteenth birthday. The person who crafted this is the same craftsman who created the Elolerin's empresses crown. I was astonished by the crown. Many people from our Empire have assumed that my father planned to make me his heir. But that was all a baseless rumors. As a First Princess, my only duty is to marry a neighboring crown prince and be the Empress of that Empire.
Which is why I'm here in Kroniel.
"Your Royal Highness, being your lady in waiting is such a privilege in this lifetime." Sasha said veraciously.
The others agreed to her.
I stood up and face them. They were all lowering their heads and is unable to look at me straight in the eyes. The price of being a royalty is also a privilege for me. Because of my status, I was able to experience this life. But I wondered how's my life if I wasn't born as Princess Rosalia Francesca Elolerin.
What would be the difference?
"Thank you for your hardwork. Rest assured I'll be rewarding you once the Royal Banquet is finished."
Once I'm done giving my thanks to the ladies, I head out to exit. My dress dances gracefully as I make movement. The golden lines shines immensely along the chandelier lights. When the doubled door opens, I saw a graceful man waiting for me.
I held my breathe at the sight of him. Atticus Felipe Del Phebus Kroniel. All the rumors about him isn't just an exaggeration! He had a blond hair that has the same color of pure gold, a violet eyes that I never seen before, a sharp nose, red thin lips and a body of a great knight.
He held my hand before planting a soft kiss. He addressed, "Greetings to the First Princess of Elolerin Empire. I am Atticus Felipe Del Phebus Kroniel, the Crown Prince of Kroniel Empire and as well your escort for today's Royal Banquet."
The way he talks, it was elegant.
I lowered my head and bend my knees. "The pleasure is all mind, Your Highness," I said before meeting his violet eyes and give a friendly smile. "My name is Rosalia Francesca Elolerin, the First Princess of Elolerin Empire. It was nice meeting you."
After our short greetings, we exhange few words before linking our arms. I have already examined Prince Atticus. The Crown Prince was wearing a silky white tunic that carries a gold lacework and was rich embroidered. His cloak, that signifies his coat of arms, was a bright red fabric and the neckline has a white fur and gold linings. I also saw some medals placed at his left chest. More importantly, he is wearing an earrings with an amethyst gemstone.
As we walked through the corridor, many palace servants stops and lowered their heads. We are followed by the Imperial Knights. A Royal Carraige is waiting infront of the Palace. Before I could admire the situation, a blue haired knight opens the door. The Crown Prince offered his hand to help me getting in the carriage.
I thought on my mind. 'Coming here in Kroniel isn't a bad idea after all.' The Crown Prince, who is going to be my husband in the future, is a handsome dignified man. If I were to marry him, we probably could make a beautiful descendants. And so I assumed.
In the middle of a glorious Royal Banquet, there is a young lady who is silently shedding her tears at the small pavilion. She had a sad green eyes and disheveled brown wavy hair. The cold night is making her more lonely than the moon at dark sky filled with stars.
Alice Isadora Fallon, is a humble citizen of Kroniel Empire. She's a palace baker's daughter and she is a young lady with a compassionate heart. Her silent sobs was caught by her younger brother, Anthony.
"Sister, you should've listen to me before," said Anthony. His dark green eyes shows resentment watching his sister's agony.
"It's too late, Anthony. I have fallen for him. I can't no longer neglect this feelings."
Anthony's face grimace. "But he is the Crown Prince of this Empire, Sister! And you... you are just a mere commoner!" He scolded.
They were talking about Alice's lover, the Crown Prince of Kroniel Empire, who is now betrothed to the First Princess of Elolerin. Alice knew it all along yet she choose to ignore the truth. For her, it is only her genuine love for the Prince that matters. And also, the Crown Prince love her too and he promise to be with her side forever.
Anthony heaved a breathe. He pitied her older sister but he can't stop a heart that loving the other person. How can a commoner and a Crown Prince be together? Their status are conflicting. And, Anthony is very sure that the cruel Empress Leila and cold hearted Emperor Aurelian won't allow Alice and Crown Prince Atticus relationship.
"A-All... all I want is to stay right next to him. Isn't it too much to ask, Anthony?" Alice green eyes is covered with unshed tears.
Anthony sat next to his older sister. He remembered those moments of his older sister with the Crown Prince. Alice, who is living at the countryside then one day suddenly move in tothe Capital, unexpectedly encountered the Prince Atticus. If Anthony recalls, Alice is fifteen when she met the Prince. She and the Crown Prince had a same age. And they're now in two years of their relationship.
"The First Princess of Elolerin is going to be His Highness wife in the future—"
Alice opposed berserkly. "No! It wasn't true, Anthony. I-I'm the only one for him..."
"You will only drag down the Crown Prince, Alice." Anthony's statement shuts Alice. "If you're going to be his lover or wife, he can't be the Emperor. Do you think Emperor Aurelian would let Prince Atticus to be with you?"
If they were talking about the Kroniel's infamous Emperor Aurelian, the cold hearted and merciless ruler of Kroniel Empire, Anthony thinks that the Emperor rather have Prince Atticus gone than bring shame to the Imperial Family. Even if Anthony wants Alice's happiness, they can't win against the Imperial Family. Who knows what they'd do if a commoner like them be a nuisance.
Alice wiped her tears silently. Her sad green eyes glisten as she watched the mysterious moon above the dark sky. She heaved a breathe and utters, "Maybe the best thing I could do is to let go of him."
Anthony's face lightens. As if her sister hit the jackpot. "Exactly!"
"But... could the Prince do the same to me?"
After their long conversation, the siblings followed their father at the Palace. Fallon Family is a palace workers. They worked under Empress Leila command and their family produces fine bread that is served for many nobles and important foreign guest.
Wearing the palace maid uniform, Alice went into the Grand Palace where the Royal Banquet for the First Princess of Elolerin is being held. As she enters the picturesque hall, she encountered many elegant noble ladies. Alice felt slight bitterness. But she never envied their status. She is more insecure about the small chances these noble ladies have for the Crown Prince. Which Alice didn't in this lifetime.
"Thank you for attending this Royal Banquet, my dear loyal subjects! I, the Emperor of Kroniel Empire, wish you all to have a wonderful night." The Emperor said and everyone clap their hands gracefully.
Alice serves a noble lady, suddenly stops and stare at the grand terrace where the Imperial Family of Kroniel is standing. She held a dream on her heart. Where she's a noble lady and she is standing right next to her love of her life, the Crown Prince. But all of her wild dreams vanished when she saw a beautiful princess beside the Prince.
She place her fisted hand on her aching chest. Her green eyes threatens to burst out from crying. She swallowed a painful lump.
'How I was wish I was you, Princess Rosalia.'