Invictus and Uria had their servants prepare the venue and everything they will need for the night.
"Baby, you can definitely meet his highness because he will visit us tonight! How great is that?"
"Really?"Every time Austria is excited, her face will turn slightly red and her eyes will glow so bright that her parents can't help but smile at her.
"Yes, baby. But make sure you behave yourself, okay?"
"I will! I can't wait to see his highness!"
At the age of 3 months, Austria learned how to walk by herself. She started speaking when she was 1 year old and was able to read at the age of 2.
Both of her parents knew that she would grow up as a fine and proper lady. A mage that will one day surpass her mother and hone the unique martial arts his father discovered one day.
A lot of expectations had already been expected of her at the age of four, and will surely achieve great feats as she grows up.
After ten minutes of leisurely talking to themselves, and being served appetizers, their food had arrived, all fresh and hot.
The servant came with a trolley where the food was being carried. Each plate was golden, and their utensils were silver, polished, and created solely for eating.
"The chef would like to send his regards to Lord Invictus by offering his new dessert."
Their food was served, and it came along with a dessert. The servant took off the stainless lid uncovering the round pie topped with blue strawberries only found in the southern mountains.
"Whoa! Aren't blue strawberries, like, rare?"
Even Invictus was amazed by the dessert because the toppings of the pie were rare, without knowing that every ingredient used to make such a luscious pie was not all commonly found in the market.
"Enjoy your meal."
The sole servant left their table and tended to their other customers and those that were arriving.
Clumsily, Austria picked up her fork and knife, then started cutting her beef steak in a well-mannered action. She pierced the small portion of beef seasoned with different spices and sauteed it in a black sauce that gave a unique taste to it.
The black sauce is one of the reasons why Austria can't get enough of beef steak.
"Mmm... Wonderful as usual!"
Spending more time with her father made her adopt some of Invictus' behavior and habits. She has become expressive and would always voice out what she was thinking.
Austria was enjoying her meal, and, on the other hand, Uria does not look so good after one spoonful of the chicken stew.
"Mother does not seem to like her food."
No matter how hard she tried to hide the stricken look on her face, the dislikeness was still written in her expression.
"Stop forcing yourself to eat the stew, Hal."
Invictus called the servant, "Uria will have the usual."
"I am sorry, Hal," said Uria apologetically as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"Don't be, my love. You did nothing wrong."
When the happy family–going on about their free time buying clothes and toys for Austria as they enjoyed the rest of the day–became tired after spending their free time, they decided to go home and meet everyone invited to the party.
It was quite late. The sun had already set, and they watched it from the beach shore sink itself at the end of the yellow-orange yonder.
Austria had fallen asleep in his father's caressing arms as the couple
walked down the street-lit path leading to their place.
Their house was the only building that was erected in the vicinity. The garden was filled with sweet-scented roses of different colors and flowers that were about to bloom. The lawn had been freshly mowed, and from about 10 meters away, the couple could see the lights from inside and outside their house.
A two-story house with a balcony and even a fountain in front of it that was illuminated by various gems and valuable rocks glowing at the bottom.
It was surrounded by trees, and there was only one entrance from the south leading to the capital. This house was given to Invictus and Uria by the king himself at their wedding. As a token of a gift for his bravery and triumph over the dark forces of the demon lord, his highness awarded Invictus the highest of honor an Estarian could achieve, and it came with a privilege.
Not even once did Uria speak on their way home. Invictus sensed and thought that she might be feeling tired, so he just thought of it as her being exhausted.
"It must have really worn her out. She's probably conserving her energy for tonight's party."He thought to himself, holding Uria's hand tightly, which made his wife look at him.
In her eyes were not exhaustion that he saw but compassion. It was strange of her to feel like that, and Invictus knew nothing about why she would show pittance towards him.
"Why, Hal?"He swallowed words, feeling the urge to ask her, but his mouth did not have the strength to do so.
The compassion, reflecting in her eyes, brightly lit by the moonlight,
immediately faded away, and Uria formed a smile on her face, urging Invictus to hurry.
"The guests must have already arrived."
Butlers opened the door for them, addressing both Uria and Invictus with honorifics, and lightly bowed their heads.
The couple was greeted with warm gazes and waves of hands, showing formalities and asking how their day went.
Both Invictus and Uria do not have any relatives. Invictus' parents died
when he was young, and Uria never met or does not have any memories of her parents.
She grew up alone and adapted to the harsh reality of the real world to survive. Luckily, Uria stumbled upon Invictus and created a happy life the two of them never experienced.
"My, my, the lovely couple is here."