As soon as the arrival of The King was announced, everyone stopped discussing among themselves and focused solely on the three new additions to the party. Even though Michael was supposed to be the main character of this event, the arrival of The King, the crown prince, and the second princess stole the show.
"We greet His Majesty the King, His Highness the crown prince, and Her Highness the second princess," everyone in the room said in unison while kneeling on one knee and with their right hand placed on their heart as a show of sincerity.
"You can all stand. Continue your party without minding us," said the King, Raphael, showing his charisma and dignity as a King.
As soon as Raphael said that, everyone stood up and started talking among themselves once again. Some were courageous enough to go and have a small talk with the royal trio, while others just stood there watching their interaction. Among the ones going to talk with the royal trio were, of course, the hosts of this event, Michael, Elizabeth, Amelia, and Aragon, as they should officially greet their King.
"We greet our King, the crown prince, and the second princess," the four of them said simultaneously, then Aragon took the lead and said, "I want to thank you for visiting my son's 16th birthday," said Aragon with gratitude, but internally he was thinking that there was a motive behind his coming to the party especially attending it with the crown prince and the second princess.
"How couldn't I find time for one of the most promising talents in the younger generation?" asked the King, smiling at Michael.
"Also, since both Helen and Michael will attend the academy together, I thought that maybe my daughter can find a friend since she doesn't leave the castle," said the King once again, trying to pass the discussion to his daughter.
"I have enough friends, father. Don't worry about me. But maybe Jonathan would like to make a new friend," said Helen smiling while pointing at the crown prince, also trying to engage him in the conversation.
"Hello Michael, I've heard a lot of things about you," said Jonathan with a charming smile extending his hand at Michael.
"I hope only the good ones," replied Michael, who was also smiling and extended his hand to form a handshake.
"Haha, yes of course," replied Jonathan.
"Now, since all of you met each other, it's time for me to take my leave and meet everyone else at the party," said The King, leaving with Aragon and Amelia going towards the other nobles.
-An hour before Michael's birthday event-
"Now listen. I want both of you to try and be friendly with Michael. I don't care about how you view him, if you like him or not, try to form a connection. He will be useful to us in the future," said Raphael to Helen and Jonathan.
"I know what I have to do, father, don't worry," replied Jonathan looking earnestly at his father.
"I'm not saying this specially to you, I'm talking about Helen," he said while looking at his daughter.
"If I like him, I'll talk to him. It's enough that I even came here in the first place. And why should we, as royals, try to make friends with someone who is below us? Asked Helen with slight dissatisfaction.
"Power without the right connections is nothing. Remember that, child," Raphael said to her with an angrier voice stopping as a result any other conversation in the carriage.
-Present time at the party-
"Crown prince, second princess, I would like for you to meet my sister Elizabeth officially," said Michael trying to break the awkward silence that had been there since The King left.
"It's a pleasure to meet with such a beautiful lady as yourself," said Jonathan with his charming smile.
"The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness, and of course, Her Highness as well," replied Liz, who was also smiling.
"You can drop the formalities with us. You can call us by our names, both of you," said Jonathan while looking at the siblings.
"I hope you don't mind us then," replied Michael, and then the four of them started having some small talk, mainly informing Helen and Michael about what to expect while they attend the academy and other miscellaneous stuff.
"I should probably greet the other dukes and counts now, excuse me," said Jonathan leaving behind his sister with Michael since Liz left just before him.
"So Helen, do you enjoy the party?" asked Michael, hoping to strike up a conversation with the rather distant princess.
"I still haven't seen much yet," replied Helen.
"Then, if you want, I can show you around," proposed Michael.
"Yeah, sure, you can lead the way," she replied once again with a bored expression.
While they were leaving, a young woman in the crowd could be seen watching Michael's and Helen's every move with jealousy written all over her face.
'Why that bitchy ice queen doesn't leave him alone? We still haven't even finished our prior conversation. Huu, it's okay Anne, you will have plenty of time with him at the academy and can take care of the ice queen there,' thought Anne trying to comfort herself.
*******
A handsome young man and a beautiful young woman can be seen walking in the long corridors of the castle. The silence between them permeated the room.
After some time of walking, Helen broke the deafening silence first.
"So, where are you taking me?"
"The garden at this hour is beautiful. We should visit that first," Michael said, looking straight into her eyes.
"I've seen many gardens. Don't you have something else to show me?" Helen replied while averting her gaze from him.
"You haven't seen one like this, though," he replied with a rather mysterious smile as an attempt to intrigue her.
"How is it different?" Asked Helen.
"You'll see," Michael said and stopped answering her other questions.
Just before entering the garden, Michael told Helen, "Close your eyes now, and open them when I tell you to."
"I don't want to," Helen replied.
"Come on, you'll ruin the experience," said Michael with a smile that would enthrall anyone.
"O-Okay," she reluctantly agreed while watching his smile.
"Close your eyes then hold my hand. Don't open them until I tell you," Michael said to her and then took her hand as soon as he watched her close her eyes.
After about five minutes of walking, they arrived in the middle of the garden.
"How much longer do I have to keep my eyes clos-," before she could even finish her sentence, Michael said to her, "Open them."
As soon as she opened them, the sight in front enchanted her. All kinds of flowers could be spotted from all over the kingdom and even some from the Elven, giving a more exotic feeling to the garden, but that was not what amazed her. What amazed her were the hundreds, if not thousands, of fireflies flying above the flowers, giving light to the rather dark room. What was even more captivating was the fact that the fireflies were of different colors, not only in red-orange but every other color could be spotted. The only thing that Helen said while watching the scene in front of her was,
"Beautiful."