At last, the day of Prince Lucius's grand celebration had come.
Guests of high and respectable status started to flood the kingdom from distant places, including Eldoria.
Carriages dropped their owners at the front of the palace entrance and lined up at the back of the royal palace. Currently, Mr. Luke , who was in charge of all the guests, was instructing the servants on how to carry the luggage to the guest rooms.
Lady Celestia also put Elara and Lilian in charge of accommodating the guests so they stood and watched everything that was going on and making sure nothing went wrong.
The Mother Queen and Lady Celestia were the ones who had allotted the rooms for the guests. The rooms were assigned according to the relationship the guests had with the Windsor, as well as the benefits that could be exchanged between them.
After making sure the guests were comfortable in their rooms and attending to all their needs, Elara and Lillian headed to their rooms while the rest of the palace prepared for the night.
Anna came to see Elara in her room. It was the first time they had time for each other after weeks of hard work and not seeing each other.
The irony was that it was one of the most busiest days they had time.
Elara was curious, she has always wanted to know how the celebrations would look like. Lady Celestia hadn't invited her, she wouldn't even if she could. It was only for the people with respectable status and for those who hand something tangible to offer to Eldoria and the royal family.
Anna dropped a bag on the bed and Elara walked over to where she sat to see what she had.
" I prepared a dress for you. You can wear it to the celebrations and be back my midnight. Nobody's gonna know"
"I don't think this is a good idea" Elara shook her head. Even though she wanted to go she wasn't up for this sort of risk. What if she got caught? She didn't want to put Anna into any sort of danger or trouble.
"Like I said, it is just for one night, and no one will know that you were at the celebration."
" I really want you to go for this, you have always wanted this. Just go to know how it feels like. You will satisfy your curiosity and that's it"
Anna helped Elara out with her dress and makeup.It was a beautiful gown, deep blue with shiny silver details. The dress fit perfectly, showing off her figure. The skirt flowed around her like layers of soft waves.
To keep her identity secret, Anna wore Elara a see-through veil covering her face.
" You look beautiful. The celebration is taking place in the main hall close to the garden. Don't worry about anything as long as you're back by midnight everything will be fine" Anna said with a smile as she held Elara hands and led her out her room.
Anna had made her way to the corridors and on her way she hid behind the pillar to avoid Queen Mother as Queen Mother was on her way to the main hall. In her cause of her hiding she had noticed a passage she had never seen before and decided to walk through it which led her to a balcony.
Elara looked at the beautiful view and loved it The balcony was covered in green vines with red flowers, and the moonlit sea caught her attention.She realized from the balcony you could see the view of the sea and wondered if they had boats.She decided to look down.
" You will have a good view of the water if you lean closer than you want" a voice said behind her . It was Prince Lucius.
He startled her and caused her to slip backwards and her breath hitched when she was about to fall over the railings when Lucius grabbed her.
Elara felt her heart beating against her rib cage when she realized how close she was to Prince Lucius and how he had his hand around her waist.
The breeze on the balcony gently moved his dark hair in front of one of his eyes, the eyes that now intently stared at her. He wore a black shirt that had a circular collar with intricate gold designs that moved down the buttons of his sh— Her throat felt dry when she noticed her hands resting on his chest. She wanted to move, but she felt his firm hold that had prevented her from falling.
" I am sorry I didn't mean to lean that far" Elara said slowly
" I'm sure you didn't" Lucius said with his eyes narrowed. He wondered why she was here in the first place. A guest
Clearing her throat and parted her lips-
" Thank you "
Lucius gaze fell on her lips that moved partially because of the breeze.
Elara finally felt Lucius release her waist and was about to step away from the prince to maintain distance when he did it himself. He stated,
"You will miss the commencement of the celebration if you don't hurry to the main hall."
" I will send a maid to escort you to the hall" he added.
It would put me in a difficult position if my family knew I was here, away from the main hall. They want me to meet suitors, but I have no intention to. Please… Prince Lucius ." Elara exclaimed as a gave him a low bow.
Lucius narrowed his eyes when he heard his name from her mouth.
He wondered if this woman had purposefully called his name in such a tone, and if she was trained in the art of seduction because every word was a tickle to his senses. Those were also the kinds of women he despised deep down in his bones.
He wondered if it was Queen Mother because she was the only person sending women to his room constantly which irritated him.
" What's your name?" he asked suddenly which made Elara to stop breathing for a moment.She was nervous with this question. They had crossed paths in the past and will still cross paths as she was his mothers maid.
" Lara , my name is Lara"
Lucius noted how young women, who were often quick to reveal their names and get near to him, was for once seeing someone who didn't give it right away. But then the woman mentioned stalling meetings with the possible suitors. He tilted his head to the side while watching her and tested her name,
"Miss Lara ."
"Yes?" An anxious Elara replied, dropping her hands back to her side.
As a maid, Elara was so used to lowering her eyes in front of the royal members, that she tried hard not to look away from Lucius's piercing gaze as if he were reading her.
"I believe you know your way to the main hall and won't try to take another look at the water below," Lucius remarked as he walked and exited from there through the door.
Elara reached the main hall and looked around. She handled the decorations and was happy with the outcome.
" I'm so happy I'm blessed with a happy family and subjects" King Arthur said with a loud voice.
Queen Sophia stood beside him with a smile.
"My dear Sophia,I have a present that you would love" He said as a minister walked over to him with a box and opened it .
King Arthur picked up the golden crown from the box and there were appreciations in the hall as he put the crown carefully on her head.
" This crown was made for Sophia as my lawfully wedded wife and as the mother to the heir to the throne"
It was certain then that it was Prince Aiden. He stood in the hall with a subtle smile on his lips that you couldn't miss.
" I never expected this gift My King" Queen Sophia murmured with a smile.
While Queen Sophia and her children were pleased, some members of the Windsor family didn't take it lightly. Some had tight smiles while some were expressionless.
King Arthur then said, "Everyone can now enjoy the celebration!"
Some of the guests were quick to go to where the King and Queen stood to congratulate them and wish both of them a long life. The princes and princesses were the first ones to offer their wishes.
"How dramatic," the Mother Queen remarked when she noticed her son's two concubines leaving the main hall, as they were upset with the King's actions. "I should be the one who gets to be dramatic for not knowing about it," her lips setting in a thin line, while Lucius accompanied her.
To Lucius , his father's actions didn't come as a surprise. His mother had become unfavourable in his father's eyes. Since she had no status and did not have a powerful family, she had nothing to offer.
Guests walked over to where Lucius and Queen Mother stood congratulating him on his victory while Queen Mother wasn't pleased that the act that her son pulled took away all the attention from Lucius who didn't seem bothered at all.
Queen Mother and Prince Lucius walked over to where the King and Queen Sophia stood and congratulated them.
"Congratulations, Queen Sophia, Congratulations Prince Lucius" The MontClair family said with a smile.
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. MontClair. Welcome to Eldoria ," Queen Sophia welcomed them. Her eyes then fell on their daughter, "You must be Claire . You're really pretty "
Claire had worn a pink gown as her mother had advised her. To cover the lower half of her face, she had worn a white and golden long tassel veil mask. She offered a deep bow to show her appreciation.
"Indeed, she has grown up," King Arthur nodded and turned to Lucius, "Isn't she beautiful?"
Queen Sophia had already mentioned the hope of a potential alliance between Lucius and the MontClair, who were relatives to one of the Kings in the South.
Claire hadn't been able to take her eyes off Prince Lucius since she had caught sight of him. She was instantly smitten, and couldn't wait to gain his favour.
"Maybe if she chose another colour."
The young woman's face fell instantly on hearing Lucius words. Queen Sophia softly laughed and said, "Lucius likes to joke."
"Joke by handing out the truth. My grandson is very honest with his words," the Mother Queen nodded, only to receive a look from Queen Sophia.
Claire fixed her fallen face and asked, "Prince Lucius, if I may ask, what colour do you think would suit me?" Even though she was a young lady, she was raised to be able to handle such situations and move on gracefully.
"I would have chosen one if it existed, Lady Claire . Excuse me, I have to talk to the Vizier about something," offering a slight bow, he left.
King Arthur laughed, and so did Queen Sophia with a little nervousness.
"Don't mind Lucius's words. Unlike brothers, he has spent most of his time on the battlefield or planning it, rather than learning how to speak to a beautiful lady like you, Claire ." King Arthur said with a smile
"I can understand, my King. I don't feel offended by the prince's words." Claire said softly
She turned to look at where Prince Lucius was, who was now talking to the Vizier. She was already smitten by him and couldn't wait to win his favor