The gloomy and tense atmosphere dissipates with the voice.
Princess Valentina made her fancy entry. Following her are eight maids to her left and eight knights to her right.
Her pompous dark red dress hugged her curves with golden and radiant red lazes and an overexposed neckline, her blond curly hair reaching her waist, her shiny red heels with her golden gloves. She looked so gorgeous that any man could drool at her beauty.
But everyone keeps silent.
Rosella saw her First Royal Sister and frowned.
Putting aside the overexposed neckline, the color of her dress… is forbidden for princesses or princes to use. The color red can only represent two things.
One is the representation of status. Only the Queen of each Kingdom can wear radiant red.
Two, a Bloody Caster, they prefer to use dark red.
But the problem is… that the dress in Valentina's body had both tones.
Besides the two, not even the princess is allowed to wear it. So, the meaning behind Valentina's actions can only mean both.
She wants to be Queen, and she had some methods of a Bloody Caster.
A Bloody Caster is a human without magic, but exposed to some experiments with Dark Magic. They're a blood control human. Using treacherous means to drain the blood of their victims to cast spells, and gain more power to kill their victims.
"What's going on? No one is going to clap my arrival?" Princess Victoria's sweet and calm expression was like nothing was wrong, and everyone was caught off guard.
The people on the other side of the hall, where there is a garden, felt a strange silence and went inside to know what happened.
Between them, Prince Nicholas, Prince Roderick, and Prince Julian were among them.
Prince Nicholas saw his sister's dress and his face darkened.
Prince Roderick, who only had Rosella as a sister in his heart, saw her and raised an eyebrow and the corner of his lips raised. 'Interesting. She dares to wear a dress with those two colors…' after that, he did not want to pay attention to her anymore and looked at his surroundings in search of his favorite person.
Finding his target, his eyes lit up and strode toward her.
Prince Roderick saw her and his eyes turned warm and tender. He can never forget his first dream, the dream a lady in golden robes told him to take care of Rosella. She is his only sister. And if he doesn't protect her, she might be in danger many times. And magic won't affect him, only when she is bound to find her destined partner.
The reason why he was worried about her but left her sooner than expected was because he knew she met that person.
As for why does he believe in his dreams since he was a child? It's because he experienced the worst night ever. It almost took his life. But he can't speak about it, because he made a pledge.
…
Feeling a strong gaze with no ill intentions on her body, Rosella followed her instinct and saw her Second Royal Brother coming closer to her. And a small and sweet smile replaced her frown.
When she was not paying attention, a strong jealous gaze fell upon her, but the owner could control it before she got discovered.
"Third Royal Sister, you came." Prince Roderick greeted her. He would normally greet her as a sister or third sister, but they're in an official event, so he can't disregard their identity.
"Second Royal Brother, I came a few minutes ago. We've to come to First Royal Sister and greet her. Either way, it's her big day."
"Yes." Roderick nodded.
They walked towards Valentina, who had been waiting for the uproar at her arrival, but she stood there and everyone was in silence.
Prince Nicholas didn't want to go forward, but being the eldest between the princes and princesses, he had to move.
Reaching the first ladder of the staircase, Prince Nicholas saw her younger royal brother and his third royal sister walking toward him with a smile.
Prince Nicholas's face is indifferent, he doesn't care about them, but he cares about face, so he lets them go together.
Reaching half of the staircase, Prince Nicholas faced the guests.
"It's an honor to have you, all of you distinguished guests. Today I, Prince Nicholas Cullen, will take the first step. We hope you enjoy your time in our Cullen Kingdom. We gladly welcome you to experience and have a wonderful memory of our Kingdom.
Today we're here reunited to celebrate my First Younger Royal Sister, Valentina Cullen's birthday. She became a lady long ago, but sometimes I feel it was only yesterday."
When he said the last words, with an indifferent face and cold eyes, everyone felt awkward. But no one says bad words.
~CLAP CLAP~
The 'warm' applause came when he ended his speech. But everyone saw the frown and the cold expression on First Princess Valentina's face.
No one knew, but the hate in Valentina's heart grew more and more.
Elmira, who was left behind, saw the interaction between the Cullen princes and princesses. A dark light flashes through her eyes.
No one knew that the incoming danger was so close to them until they have it in front of them.
"The cold winter passed, and spring and summer are here. The garden has many exotic flowers. I invite everyone to see them and enjoy the rest of the banquet. We will start with the dance."
Prince Nicholas extended his hand toward Princess Valentina and go down the staircase, reaching the middle of the hall.
The musicians' instruments resounded in a slow and steady melody.
Prince Nicholas's expression did not change, but the words he conveyed to his younger sister were like a knife piercing her heart.
"Have you gone out of your mind? Mother was the only one allowed to wear those colors. Do you want to become a public enemy or be the center of attention? Even if that's the case, die this heart. You will never shake Rosella's position in our Imperial Father and Oldest Grandmother's mind."