Nobilities from all across the kingdom quickly swarmed and congratulated Invictus and Uria for their fifth anniversary.
"Let me take Lady Austria, Madam."
Austria's personal caretaker stepped in and took their daughter to her bed. But as the nanny was about to climb the stairs, Austria woke up.
"Has his highness arrived yet?" was the first thing she asked after waking up.
She struggled about it, and her nanny put her down as carefully as possible with much care.
Austria immediately became the center of attraction for the nobles, their eyes glued to her and ears focused on what she kept nagging her parents about.
"Isn't she lovely?"
"Yes! Just look at those puffy cheeks of hers. They look so soft. I wanna pinch them so badly!"
The lovely kid turned to giggle at them, and their heart melted at her cuteness. They felt their knees weaken at the sight, complimenting how lucky the couple was by having such an angelic daughter like Austria.
"It seems that the party has started. Is everyone enjoying their meals and drinks?"
When Invictus and Uria were done exchanging formalities and greetings with their guests, the family climbed the stairs.
"I will make this brief."He cleared his throat. "First, I would like to thank everybody for coming to this wonderful night. It seems that some of the friends that I sent an invitation to unfortunately couldn't arrive. Well, it can't be helped. Have a great night and enjoy the rest of the party."
Uria was not the type to talk in front of many people. She had always
been shy, and it is something Invictus understands.
Their guests went back to what they were doing, drinking a glass of fine wine, sitting down on their seats, and pleased with what was served to them.
"Father, father!"Austria poutingly called, pulling Invictus' sleeve after she was ignored.
"I don't see 'them' anywhere."
"Maybe they haven't arrived yet?"
Invictus was looking for his friends. The same group whom he shared his hunts with, worst, and all of the good things that happened to them. It was also the same friends he went with against the army of the demon lord.
"What is it, baby?"
"When will the king arrive? I wanna meet his Highness."
Invictus checked his pocket watch, looking at the time, then put it back in his suit's pocket.
"His Highness shall be arriving any time soon, baby."
Even after dealing with Austria's playful manner all day, Invictus still has the strength to carry her around as they descend the stairs.
"What is he like?"
Once Austria's curiosity acts up, it will go on unless every question she has in mind runs out and her satisfactory level is met.
"Well, he may be of old age, but his highness is still as vigorous as ever. He likes to paint and write poems."
"Oh, so his Highness is poetic! That's great! I like poems. Yesterday we
wrote one. Do you wanna hear it, father, mother?"
"Wow! Really? Okay, baby, let's hear it."
"Okay!"
'Love blooms in spring, and memories are saved in the evening.'
'It takes two to build and takes one to ruin.'
'When humans fell out of love, drinking becomes their coping mechanism.'
'For a sober mind will only bring pain and heartaches to escapism.'
Her parents were stunned and astounded at Austria's vocabulary when
they taught her nothing but values and respect. They were at a loss for words.
Invictus clapped his hands, "Splendid, my baby! You've been really learning! I am proud of you."
He gave her a kiss on her cheek. Again, he noticed Uria was spacing out, staring blankly at the carpet embroidered with flowers. It was a work of art, Invictus knows. But he also knew that Uria was not actually admiring
what was beneath her feet.
"Is something the matter, Hal? Are you tired?"
"Uh, no, no, no," she said as she formed a forced smile on her face.
Clearly, something was bothering her, and she does not seem to want to talk about it. And Invictus was quite disturbed by it, knowing that Uria had been like that ever since he met them.
"His highness is arriving!"
From behind the closed doors echoed one of the royal guard's voices. It immediately opened and in the doorway pulled over the grandeur equipage being ridden by the king himself.
Invictus put Austria down, and the cheerful kid sprinted outside of the house to personally welcome the king by herself.
Her parents followed her outside, and everyone's eyes were on their
backs.
The carriage's door was opened by the king's attendant. A man of old age emerges, surrounded by an intimidating aura to him.
He came out–cane first to prop on the ground and help himself–emerging from the carriage. And Austria was the first person that greeted and welcomed the king with the sweetest smile she could ever give.
Then another carriage following the king's equipage arrived. The horse's hooves stopped, and the carriage spat Invictus' friends. The group he was expecting to come to.
"Oh, uncles and aunties came!"
Instead of greeting Austria's welcoming vibe, Invictus' close friends were all serious and had this hostile aura around them, which immediately
bothered the man.
"What took you so long, guys? Your Highness, welcome."
Invictus tried so hard to hide the uneasiness he was feeling towards the seriousness and strangeness of his friends.
Moreover, the king ignored Austria. He just lightly patted her head as he walked past her.
Instantly, Austria lost interest, ran back to her mother, and hid behind Uria.
"Guys, why are you not saying anything? Your Highness?"
His words just went over everyone's head.
"Leo," the king called his attendant, handing over a scroll to him. "Thank you."
The silence that fell over the doorway was so heavy and so loud, yet
Invictus' heartbeat was louder, reverberating in his head.
"After a thorough investigation of Uria Diablerie's background, we have found out that she is the missing leader of Black Cantrip. The infamous group of witches that sacrificed and killed thousands of Estarians in the past. We have come here to throw her and her daughter in the fire to ensure the safety of Estarians."
~