I couldn't do it.
You heard that right. I had rehearsed countless times in my head but every time I tried to approach August with the intention of confessing my feelings, my courage seemed to evaporate. I would gather my thoughts, muster every ounce of bravery, and head towards him, only to find myself blushing and running away as soon as I saw his face.
This happened a few more times and I just gave up. Maybe I wasn't ready to confess my feelings to him yet. However, the more I accept that I have feelings for August, the more difficult it was to hide my true emotions.
My attempts at normal conversation felt strained, and my frustration grew each time I realized my feelings were slipping while pretending to be nonchalant in front of him.
Before I knew it, my birthday had arrived. The whole palace was abuzz with preparations for her celebration as servants and planners worked diligently to ensure everything was perfect.
In the midst of the bustle, Nerina found herself stuck in her room as Eliana and several maids were surrounding me, tugging at fabric, adjusting jewelry, and fixing my hair—making sure I looked absolutely perfect for the celebration.
I sighed inwardly as they worked, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the fuss. This whole process reminded me of my wedding day, where I had gone through the same whirlwind of preparations. At that time, I had thought it would be the last time I'd be subjected to this kind of ordeal, but here I was again, being poked and prodded to look "perfect." It was stressful, to say the least.
I stood in front of the mirror, admiring the final touches of her look. The maid was smoothing the fabric of her dress ensuring that every fold and detail was in place, adjusting the neckline slightly and tugging at the skirt to make it fall perfectly. The gown fit me like a dream, hugging me in all the right places while still allowing her the freedom to move gracefully.
Her makeup was flawlessly done—subtle yet refined. Her cheeks had a soft flush, while her lips were painted in a delicate rose hue, adding just the right amount of color to her fair complexion. Her eyes were accentuated with a light touch of eyeliner and a hint of shimmering eyeshadow that made her gaze even more captivating.
Soft waves framed her face, and the rest of her hair was pulled back into an elegant half-updo, with a few tendrils left to fall gently around her shoulders. The hairpins, sparkling like stars, added a touch of magic to her look, complementing her regal tiara.
"Now give me a turn Your Majesty," Eliana grinned as she admired me at the side, "You look stunning. Everyone will be speechless when they see you."
I tried not to blush, "Thanks for the compliment. Let's go meet His Majesty shall we?"
As we approached the entrance to the banquet hall, my heart raced. I caught sight of August standing tall, waiting for me at the door. For a brief second, I thought I saw a flicker of admiration in his gaze.
He extended his arm toward me, and I looped mine through his without hesitation. "You look... beautiful," he whispered, his voice almost inaudible but sincere.
I smiled, feeling a warm flush spread across my cheeks. "Thank you," I replied, my voice barely a whisper.
As we entered the banquet hall, the guard's voice boomed, announcing, "His Majesty, Emperor Augustus, and Her Majesty, Empress Nerina!"
As we stood at the top of the grand staircase, the entire banquet hall seemed to hold its breath in anticipation. My heart pounded, but I kept my expression calm, aware that all eyes were on me. August stood by my side, his presence steady and reassuring, though I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, glancing out at the sea of expectant faces below. My voice, clear and steady, echoed through the hall. "Thank you all for gathering here tonight to celebrate with me. Your presence is a great honor, and I am truly grateful for your support and well wishes."
The crowd remained silent, waiting for more, but I kept my message brief. "I hope you enjoy the evening, and may this night be filled with joy and laughter. Once again, thank you." With that, I stepped back, my nervousness beginning to fade as polite applause filled the room.
As the music from the orchestra filled the air, a soft, elegant melody that seemed to perfectly match the grandeur of the hall, August extended his hand to me with a gentle smile. It was tradition, after all—the emperor and empress were expected to share the first dance, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
I hesitated for just a moment, feeling the weight of the occasion, but then I placed my hand in his, letting him guide me to the center of the room. The crowd parted, creating a wide circle as they watched us in silence, anticipation thick in the air.
August looked down at me, his eyes soft and reassuring. "Shall we, my Empress?" he said quietly, his voice only for me.
I nodded, unable to keep the small smile from my lips as we took our positions. The music swelled, and we began to move—August leading with ease and grace, his steps steady and confident as I followed. Despite the pressure of all those watching, it felt like we were the only two people in the room, moving in perfect harmony with the music and each other.
The ballroom spun around us as we glided across the floor, it was just the two of us, completely in sync.