With the celebration in full swing, everyone of importance was already there. Even King Orion and Queen Catalina were there. However, Princess Athena was still nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Athena?" King Orion asked his personal servant, Seymour.
"Your Majesty, I have received word that the princess might not be able to make it," he replied.
"What? Is she unwell?"
"No, Your Majesty. There seems to be a problem with her dress…"
Seymour stopped speaking and took a step back as Princess Casindra came forward to greet her father.
"Father, I don't think sister Athena will be able to attend this evening's celebration," she explained.
"Oh? Do you know what happened?"
"Yes-"
Before she could even finish her sentence, the doors to the hall were opened. Everyone turned to see who it might be.
"Announcing the arrival of the Princess Athena!"
The smile was wiped clean off Princess Casindra's face as she watched her sister enter the hall with grace and beauty. The dress she wore was even prettier than the one she had worn before.
King Orion smiled as he walked past everyone to meet his daughter. She was truly a gem.
As soon as Athena saw her father, she bowed.
"Please pardon my tardiness, father."
"That's quite alright, rise, my child. Your sister Casindra, was just about to tell me what happened," he said as he held onto her arm as she raised her head.
"Oh?"
Athena glanced over to Casindra. She could see the look of horror twisted on her face. This was the perfect opportunity to get back at her. But Athena wasn't about to reveal the truth.
"While I was on my way here, someone tried to splash sister Casindra with red wine. I saved her from it but my dress got ruined in the process. As such, I had to change. Sister Casindra was gracious enough to give me some of her old dresses so I was able to put this together," Athena explained as she highlighted the unique designs on her dress.
More and more people crowded around to see what was going on. When they saw Athena's dress up close, they were in awe of the amount of detail that went into it.
When Casindra took a good look at it, she felt like she was about to lose it. There were embroidered patches and gemstones that she knew belonged on her dresses that were now on Athena's dress.
How was that possible?
"Oh Sister Casindra! I couldn't have done it without your help. Though some of the older dresses were not usable, you gave me so many options to work with!" Athena praised as she reached out and held Casindra's hands tightly in hers.
She maintained a genuine smile throughout, while Casindra only had a look of confusion. She was boiling over with rage but she could not show it. If she was to kick up a fuss now, she would embarrass herself in court.
For now, she could only play along.
"You're most welcome, sister Athena. I'm so glad I was able to help," she replied begrudgingly.
In the distance, Captain Nikolai slipped back into the ballroom undetected and returned back to his post. When Jackel saw him, he heaved a sigh of relief.
"Took you long enough," he grumbled as he looked over at the commotion.
"Where did you go?"
"I went to help the princess," Nikolai whispered back with a grin.
"Help?" Jackel looked over to see Princess Athena.
"She doesn't look like she needed help," Jackel mused, skeptical by his friend's claims.
"Believe what you want," Nikolai replied while looking in Athena's direction.
When their eyes met, she gave him a smile and nod which he reciprocated. Jackel could only watch on with his jaw on the ground. His friend wasn't lying after all.
King Orion introduced Athena to everyone in the room. She made sure to note down all of their names. Though she had been away from court for a few years, she was still able to recall the details by reviewing her memories.
She had also been hard at work memorizing details since she was brought back to the palace.
Princess Casindra was fuming as she watched from the sidelines. When Lord Darrion came towards her, she decided to use the opportunity to stoke the flames.
She wasn't about to let Athena have her way.
With tears in her eyes, she ran straight towards Lord Darrion. He caught her with both hands.
"Cassy, what happened?" he asked.
After listening to Casindra, his expression darkened. Athena noticed it from the corner of her eye. He walked up to her and grabbed her by the arm roughly. Those around her were a little surprised.
"My Lord, please watch your actions, we're in public," Athena reminded him in a hush voice as she wriggled her hand out of his grasp.
He looked surprised by her actions.
"Princess Athena, don't you think you've stepped out of line?"
"Me? Out of line?" Athena's lips twitched as anger boiled in her veins.
She took a quick glance at her surroundings. Casindra was grinning, watching the situation unfold for her own amusement. The other guests seemed to be intrigued by their conversation too.
Lucky for her, her father was engaged in conversation with some nobility. He had not seemed to notice what was going on. Athena knew if her father got involved in the matter now, it would all be resolved.
But she wasn't about to depend on him.
There would be times she would have to fight her own battles and she should start now.
Athena turned back to Darrion with a plastered smile, "Lord Darrion, can you please follow me so that we may resolve this issue in private?"
Darrion arched a brow as he crossed his arms, "Are you afraid others will hear of your misdeeds? Looks like someone is feeling guilty."
Seeing red, Athena grabbed him by the collar. She had a dark look in her eyes which surprised him. He had never seen this look in her eyes before.
Athena made it look as if she was straightening his collar while she gave him a stern warning, "In case you've forgotten, Lord Darrion. You are my betrothed, not my sister's. Also, if you have not noticed, everyone is looking at us. It is not just my reputation on the line here, my Lord."