Long black hair and blazing rubies for eyes, those were the signature traits from the Idelstein. The well-known twins, Phiona and Phrygrine had lots of guests flocking over to them the moment their arrival was announced. Being the youngest fashion critic and the youngest general of the imperial knights, one would certainly want to build a good connection with either of the two.
Wanting to quickly earn their favor, Avione wished she could prance over to their location and just have a quick chat with Phiona, but her status and her personality made that impossible. Surely being the crown princess would attract a lot of criticism knowing this was her first social gathering to attend. Along with the fact that her brother, Phrygrine is currently the top candidate for the princess' husband, surely she wouldn't want rumors leading to the eventuality of that.
In the past, even though the confirmation of Phrygrine Idelstein as the crown princess' spouse was announced, she had never met or spoke to the general not even once.
"Greetings to the star of the Empire, I, Phiona Idelstein greets the Princess Avione Silvaine Aurron."
Deep in her thought as she finished taking a sip of tea, the princess' head quickly faced towards the person who just spoke. Her golden eyes meeting the lady's red ones. Quickly recovering from her shock, Avione offered a smile, "Lady Phiona, I didn't expect to see you here. Please join us and have a seat."
"Don't mind if I do." says the lady, carefully taking an empty seat next to the princess. "This is the first time you have attended Lady Silvestre's Amethyst Viewing, your Highness." Phiona commented getting straight to the point, fixing the seams of ebony dress.
Everyone in the table didn't dare to meet those red eyes. In Helione they considered a sign of great magic running in one's blood, from a long time ago, the Church of light had been wary of the Idelstein simply because of the possibilities that their family possessed the blood of demons. However, no proof was ever given to justify that and the fact that the current Duke of Idelstein has a large affinity of magic and the general of the Imperial knights, Phrygrine has showed the same traits in the battlefield earned them support from the common people.
Avione calmly met the eyes of the future Duchess, getting a subtle reaction from Phiona, "Yes, I wanted to visit my grandparents before my crowning ceremony and I decided that this would be the perfect time to do so."
"But isn't this also your first time attending a gathering? From how you've been out of the light, I'd think you're hiding."
Avione quickly removed the bother she knew was evident on her face and calmed herself. She knew that Phiona was very straightforward and keen when it comes to getting to know someone. Her family status has been a great addition to how she acts and she knows where and what she can say to someone based on their position. Hadn't she been princess, Phiona wouldn't even think of sitting with her.
With a slight giggle, Avione replied, "I supposed I haven't been out a lot, I have been quite busy Lady Idelstein."
"I suppose you're right, if I were in your position I'd be doing the same thing."
Judging from the way Phiona was leading the conversation, Avione knew exactly that she was trying to get something out of her. Their family stands behind her and as the future Duchess, Phiona had to see if it was worth putting their family and life on. If she was a worthy princess. But Avione wasn't ready to reveal all of her cards yet so instead of answering again, she smiled and kept quiet.
It didn't take long before the Amethyst Viewing began. The process wasn't that complicated because magic wielders from the church were hired to make the spatial trip inside the mines possible. The guests are assisted to their tables one by one and before long, incantations and spells are being recited.
'It's my first time seeing what they call magic.' Avione thought in both wonder, seeing such spectacle happening right in front of her eyes.
Helione is an Empire founded on both magic and war. The church of Light had been devoted into using the divine powers granted only to those who pray to their God, however, special cases for the Imperial Knights are given as they are provided with lessons about integrating magic into swordsmanship.
Both the Saintess and the Empress hold the most of these divine powers or magic affinity, but the display of such are only performed by the Saintess. Answers were still vague for Avione about the divine powers she'll be bestowed on at her crowning ceremony.
"It is quite questionable how the church are granted full control over those people who can wield mana and has magic affinity."
Not even noticing that they were all inside an indestructible floating sphere and are already at the entrance of the Silvestre amethyst mines, Avione snapped out of her trance from Phiona's comment. The noble women seated with them, tried their best to focus on the view before them instead of joining the conversation, clearly saying how intimidating their presence are.
The Church of Light has recently shown support for the Noble faction's desire, wanting to take matters into their own jurisdiction. Not to mention the power of the people they have on their side and how quickly they can overthrow whoever's sitting on the throne.
Quickly understanding what Phiona had meant, Avione nodded once. Even before she came back in time, she had been seeing the Church's unrestrained movement as one of the reasons why the Empire has been on edge. Despite being siblings, the Empress and the Saintess both appear to be opposed to one another.
Hands put on top of the other, Avione expressed her sentiments for the subject at hand, "I'm afraid I'd have to agree with you, Lady Idelstein. The tip of the balance leans much at the side of the Church."
Phiona's eyes widened in surprise by the princess agreeing to her statement. She had never expected someone who's a direct niece of the Empire's beloved Saintess would agree about the unequal distribution of power. The young lady of the Idelstein had seen Avione once in an event where only the most influential families in the Empire have gathered. To her, the princess seemed more of a lifeless doll, pushed here and there by the adults in preparation to inherit the throne. If she were being honest, she pitied the princess who had to shoulder the burden of being the sole heir and the people's hatred thrown against her.
Seeing the princess before and seeing her now was a huge surprise to Phiona. She had heard that the princess refused to go outside when she turned 7 and no party invitations were ever answered or was ever attended.
Not until today.
"Eventually the Empire will be yours, your highness. How do you intend to fix this?" she asked, interested of the answers she has been getting from Avione.
"I'd simply put the church under Imperial command."
The heads around her turned to face the princess who had been sipping on her tea as she looked outside the transparent sphere. Their attention peeled away by the rather brave answer from their princess.
"And what about those who had been worshipping the church, what would you do if they are against of what you'll do?" Phiona continued to question.
Putting down her cup, the sound of porcelain colliding with one another, Avione heaved a calm sigh, "The crown is absolute. The empire was born from the rule of the Imperial family blessed by our God himself. Only those foolish enough will go against the Imperial family."
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The viewing of the Amethyst mines ended with silence between the ladies sharing one table. During the feast after the sightseeing, no one approached or talked to the princess except for some meddlesome adults who are unaware of her identity. Avione had expected this before she even went, but it was worth it. Judging from how Lady Idelstein have been quiet, the princess is sure she answered what the Duchess had been wanting to hear.
Busy finishing her meal Avione didn't notice a figure approaching their direction, until a deep voice startled her.
"Sister, I believe we should be taking our leave. Any later and we'd be scolded by mother."
Another pair of red eyes, fierce and unwavering met Avione's. Phrygrine Idelstein. A person whose name is well-known around the Empire for his victories and being the youngest to be in charge of the Imperial Knights. In the past, she had met him a few times but never had any interaction with the man.
Her eyes widened, suddenly remembering where and with whom she had seen him before. 'Margaret's husband'. Appointed as Saintess, Margaret had used her powers to manipulate and gain the favors of many. She had been able to do things deemed impossible by those before her and that included being married.
'This man is Margaret's soon-to-be husband, I should avoid getting involved with him for now.' She said to herself and stood up from her seat. "I will be excusing myself for tonight. It has been a wonderful time meeting you all, especially you Lady Idelstein." she says, showing a gentle smile.
"I would like to invite you to our house, maybe a tea party or a little one-on-one chatting with the Empire's Princess as I have had lots of fun with you today too, your highness."
'Just as planned.'
Avione excused herself and headed out to where her carriage is waiting. Rowena followed closely behind her, impressed of how her lady handled herself on her first gathering. Before long, they're on their way back to Imperial Palace with the princess quietly looking at the bright moon outside the window.
"Rowena?"
"Yes, milady?"
"Let's head to Church of Light tomorrow."
"Are you going there for a blessing?"
"No," Avione shook her head, "It's time I paid my Aunt a visit."