Giliath demands your Power Stones! Let's try for over 500!
*
Some time had passed since Chancellor Osborne declared his intent at the table, not only surprising the Emperor himself, but to the rest of us as well. But at the same time a small blush appeared on Princess Alfin's cheeks while she received the greatest shock out of all of us, she had no idea that the Chancellor had any sort of intent to declare an engagement in such a way.
As for the Vander duo, at least it wasn't a surprise to me but Mueller Vander had a room in Valfame Palace that he could consider was his home room. I'm sure the Mueller's had a private residence, but considering that Mueller spent most of his time around Heimdallr, excluding his time spent with Prince Olivert in Liberl in the couple of years to come, it made sense for Mueller to have a room here in the palace. So he guided Kurt to a temporary living space that he would also use while he trained at the Vander Dojo. They met up with us later while the banquet was underway, and equally became shocked as the Chancellor declared the engagement.
I still wanted to find a chance to bring up the reason why our group paid a visit to Valflame Palace today, one to which I think Princess Alfin will enjoy, considering I will be under the care of the Vander Dojo for the next three months, so hopefully I'll get a moment to talk about it. Yet still seeing the surprise in everyone's faces, we only saw Emperor Eugent let out a sigh, continuing the conversation.
"I should not be surprised at this point for you to offer such a bold statement, Chancellor. I hate to agree, but your words are true. We suffered a large loss during that tragedy a few years ago. The nobles who were behind the war have already been apprehended and delivered capital punishment. I am grateful that Liberl did not escalate this matter further, and decided to undergo a period of reconstruction and relief effort instead. The relationship we currently share has been strained, but this is a matter not to be taken likely...", Emperor Eugent responded as he shook his head. A look of worry also appeared in Empress Priscilla's eyes.
"This is very true. We're talking about our dear Alfin's future. It is common for political marriages to take place in the noble society, but it's a different matter when it concerns royalty...", Empress Priscilla said with a small frown over her lips, obviously worried. Erebonia was much larger than Liberl in terms of size, even more than three times as large. On top of that Princess Alfin was the crown princess, she had no other direct competition should the throne be passed down to the daughter of the empire. It has been ruled mostly by men in Ereobnia's history, but just having that pressure can certainly drown someone. After hearing the Empress say, the light blush on Princess Alfin's cheeks remained as she began to speak.
"I-I'm not against it, Mother. Big Brother Naoto has been really kind to me during the couple of times we've seen each other.", Princess Alfin said, feeling a bit shy as she glanced my way again. Hearing Princess Alfin say that caused another round of surprise to reach everyone.
"For the Princess to act like this, now I'm really curious of what we've missed out on during your stay in Liberl, Your Highness.", Musse responded as she clapped her hands, revealing a playful smile. As for Empress Priscilla, surprise remained in her eyes.
"Are you truly not against this, Alfin?", Empress Priscilla asked one more time, looking at Princess Alfin. Princess Alfin shook her head as a more resolute look appeared in her eyes.
"I am not. Moreover, the two of us are still considered young, we've got plenty of time to develop a relationship, should it come to it.", Princess Alfin responded in acknowledgement.
"Princess Alfin...", I began to utter, still surprised at seeing Princess Alfin's resolve like this. Seeing me say that, Princess Alfin smiled as she looked my way, only to extend one of her fingers to place over my lips to silence my words.
"Teehee, if it's going to be like this, you should call me by first name now, just like I already do to you, right, Big Brother Naoto?", Princess Alfin said with a tease.
"Oh my.", Musse responded, raising her eyes ath Princess Alfin. Emperor Eugent also stared at his daughter for a good moment, having a surprise remain in his eyes.
"I didn't think you would feel so strongly about this, Alfin. You haven't expressed many desires lately so I've gotten a bit worried, but it seems that worry is for naught. Having a connection like this would definitely improve the relationship between us. If both parties are in agreement here, I am not against it.", Emperor Eugent declared. Hearing that, I saw Giliath smile.
"Haha, it would seem we are all in agreement to formalize this engagement. Unless Your Highness has any other say to this?", Chancellor Osborne said, looking my way. Hearing that, I shook my head as seriousness appeared in my eyes.
"I am not against this either, but it is still quite a ways away from actually taking place. We can formalize the engagement now, and see where it takes us in the next few years to come.", I said with a smile.
"Big Brother...", Princess Alfin said, happily responding to my words.
"Haha, I dare say my dear sister's outlook has become rather bright after hearing all of this. How about to celebrate this engagement, let us do a bout of cheers.", Prince Olivert suggested, only to grab his own wine glass.
"Not a bad idea. And together with this toast, we can take the time to formally declare this engagement and announce it at the upcoming dance. The guests we've invited tonight should be all arriving as we speak.", Chancellor Osborne said, raising the glass he was holding as well.
"Indeed. On top of the event tonight being a practice dance for Alfin, I did invite several nobles to treat it as an actual socializing event, to where they can partake in the dance as well. Considering how smoothly this is going, it is quite clear who the first partner of the Princess's dance should be, yes?", Emperor Eugent said, revealing a playful grin of his own. He proceeded to look my way. Seeing all eyes land on me again, I couldn't help but shrug my shoulders.
"Haha, you're making it pretty hard on me to say no to this now, aren't you, Your Majesty?", I responded with a laugh
"Hehe, it's already settled, so you can't say no, Big Brother. I am really looking forward to us dancing tonight.", Princess Alfin tonight, clapping her hands with a giggle of her own.
"...", Prince Cedric said, who mostly remained silent during this exchange. 'I've never seen Sister this cheerful before...Just who are you?', Prince Cedric wondered as he stared at the violet haired boy before him.
As for me, I felt a gaze reach my way, only to see Prince Cedric looking at me but remained quiet. The moment our gazes met, Prince Cedric quickly turned his head away and proceeded to raise his glass as others did.
Well, all of this happening before Prince Cedric must be pretty new to him, considering Princess Alfin is his twin sister. No doubt they share a certain wavelength that normal siblings don't have.
Moreover, Princess Alfin just got engaged by his parents, and to me. I have a feeling that I'll start seeing Prince Cedric a lot more during my time spent here. I also saw the girls further down the table wearing happy faces while Renne was looking our way with interest in her eyes. No one seemed to deny the engagement Chancellor Osborne proposed, so we all grabbed our glasses.
"'Cheers!"", Everyone happily yelled in cheers of a hopeful relationship to be formed in the coming future. No doubt if this comes to fruition, Erebonia and Liberl will become much more stable in the two's relationship.
After everyone raised their spitis with the banquet cheer, it became a lot more lively since the Chancellor declared the engagement...