(IV)The Banquet Begins
It was evening and the banquet was about to begin.The hall was decked with shiny decor and filled with guests from within and outside the empire.From nobles to servingmen the hall was befitting of a royal's birthday.
"Ready to head in, Markus?"asked the emperor, turning towards prince Markus.
They were walking with a bunch of knights alongside them.They headed towards the gate and the knights stood on each side.
"I am ready father"replied prince Markus.
The doors to the hall burst open and the announcer spoke.
"Now enters his highness the emperor and his highness the crown prince;Markus whitestar."
Hearing that everyone's attention was at the front of the hall where the emperor and the young prince were standing side by side and though as if mesmerized by a beautiful light, everyone looked at them with wide eyes.
"Ladies and gentlemen.I appreciate those of you who have come to celebrate this wonderful day as for which I have held this banquet.therefore without further delay let the celebration commence"
As the emperor finished his words, serenades began to play in the hall,soothing sounds had filled the air and everyone had gotten busy.The prince proudly walked down the stairs and met with the guests who were congratulating him on his special day.
It was after some time that the dance was about to begin, the first of which was granted to the prince who plucked up the courage to walk up to Alina and ask for her hand as they had planned,the prince bowed down,smiled and with a soft tone asked alina
"shall I have a dance with the lady"reaching his hand out to her.
Alina took his hand and replied "surely prince"
They both had begun to move with the soft symphony of the music seemingly fixated on nothing else but each other,to the outsiders they looked as though they were in love but on the inside they both felt as though they would die from trembling nerves any moment.
The action had taken the guests off course as they whispered about the two.nonetheless their little plan was successful and the dance went smoothly.
The other guests also started to dance though the drama that was displayed wasn't being let go of easily as whispers of the two were still being heard.
'Nosey nobles can't catch a breath without exhausting a few whispers to ease those lungs' zane thought as he stood in a corner.it wasnt that he wasn't handsome nor was the reason that the ladies didn't like him,the reason was that he looked like a corpse,that he didn't dance with anyone.
1)A Chat On The Balcony
Alina was standing on a balcony staring at the courtyard which looked magical under the moonlight.she ran from the hall to avoid listening to those whispers of her and the prince.
'how could they spout such nonsense saying that two children are in love just because of a stupid little dance?Does everyone share the same deadbeat mind?'
Alina tried not to think about it but her mind wanted otherwise.as she was staring down at the courtyard the glass doors clicked open behind her.
"I hope I am not disturbing your peace lady Alina"said prince Markus as he came to stand next to Alina.
"Not at all your highness"Alina replied, not meeting his eyes.
"So you're not gonna call me young prince now?"said Markus with a little giggle.
"I was going to apologize for my rash behavior at that time actually i should do that now I am-"
"There's no need"Markus cut her off looking at her with a soft gaze.
"Thank you for being lenient with me"Alina said in a low voice,breaking away from his gaze.
"You're worried about the rumors aren't you?"Markus asked.for a moment there was silence but then Alina spoke "yes I am worried about the rumors,to be honest it was all quite sudden I should've given it more thought rather than accept your request hastily"
Markus got closer to her "well I am glad you accepted it hastily because the case about being my partner was being discussed at every corner of the academy after they heard about what happened at my father's birthday banquet.some fathers even asked me personally to ask for their daughter's hand…. I told them I already had a partner so I had to look for one and I found you at the swing all by yourself and thought that if it was someone from the Maximus family they wouldn't ask me over and over so...…. you could say it was all my fault really."
"So you were using me?"Alina asked,tilting her head to the side.
"I guess you could say that I am sorry I'll make up for it I promise"Markus spoke with a hesitant but determined voice.
"I am not mad about it but I am a little worried ... .though you are right, if it is our family they can't do much more than gossip about it"Alina's tone shifted,she sounded a little more relieved. "Though I am still annoyed by the fact that there are grown adults in there thinking we love each other,it's just a dance"Alina ranted.
"You would do the same, no? If you didn't have briefer knowledge"Markus asked.
"Maybe but I would keep my thoughts to myself and not gossip about it especially not In front of them,that is completely disrespectful"
Markus smiled,he liked her resolve on matters like this,it was that strong stand she had that had Markus awestruck.
"Well if what you're saying is true then that's pretty admirable lady Alina"Markus looked over at her,again with that soft smile as his shiny jewel-like eyes reflected the moonlight.
"I wonder if my words are more admirable or those pure white eyes of yours?"Alina smiled back at him.
Taken aback by her words and astonished at the same time Markus was pleased with the little taunt.
The two of them chatted the evening away as the others celebrated the party.
2)A Mysterious Conversation
In a very dark room in the palace sat a man in a chair,his legs crossed and spread as his feet were on a coffee table.The light from the window outlined his silhouette.The man was waiting for someone as he was playing with a gold coin between his fingers.the man was busy with his coin when some silent knocks were heard on the door of the room.
"You may enter"the man spoke in a graceful manner.
The door then creaked open as someone entered before it was shut again.The person that entered was a tall woman with short hair.
She stood in front of the man "why did you call me here?" she asked the seated man. "Is it time to execute the plan?"
"Almost" replied the man with a little hiss "we shall wait for the guests to leave,make sure you're undetectable until then otherwise" there was a slight pause "I won't be holding myself responsible for your faults no matter what punishment you might face"the man spoke with a stern and sharp voice it felt as though it could cut someone's throat open.
"Understood master,your duties would be carried on without fail"said the woman.
"Good…. We can't fail after all today is a very special occasion. Surely we can't miss it" the man threw the coin in the air and catched it grasping it firmly in his hand.
The man turned to the window "soon this powerful empire will be within my grasp"he clenched the coin even harder.
The woman left, closing the door behind her,and as she was walking away from the room she smirked.
'only a little more time left for this precious empire's golden days to come to an end'
She kept walking but as she was doing so her body seemed to have completely disappeared as she turned herself invisible.