Diane stood in front of the mirror, while turning this way and that. Dorothy and Alice stood not too far away from her, both of them beaming excitedly. Diane sighed. "I don't know, are you sure this dress really suits me? I am not really a fan of this color, and it is kind of tight." Diane said, turning towards them both. "I think my lady looks great In it." Alice complimented. "And it is very expensive too, perfect for the occassion." She added. "I also agree." Dorothy said, while nodding her head. "It looks magnificent on you, there is just one thing missing." Dorothy said, as she walked up to Diane, placing an elaborate black and red hairpin on her hair, which was packed into a pony tail. "I honestly didn't take a day would come when these curls of yours will add to your beauty, my lady." Dorothy praised. Diane said, nothing, and adjusted her dress instead. Both the red and the black on the dress greatly complemented each other, and the stitches were both intricate and elegant. "You look like a fairy!" Alice said excitedly. Diane tucked a strand of her hair behind her ears. "I have been hearing that a lot, lately. " She said, with a smile. "Anyway, permit us to take you down, or else you will run late." Dorothy said.
They both escorted her down the steps, Dorothy holding one hand and Alice holding the other. "Be careful my lady, easy does it." Dorothy said, much to the annoyance of the latter. "I am not a child you know." Diane said. "We know, but the steps are a bit steep, my lady. One moment of carelessness, and you will end up tumbling down like a pack of cards." She added. "Well, I never wanted to wear this shoes, why do I have to wear heels, anyway? But you forced me, you always force me to do things that I don't want to do." Diane said, as she glared at Dorothy angrily. "Well then my lady, what other footwear do you think Is suitable for the occassion?" Dorothy asked, raising her brow, as they slowly approached the bottom of the stairs. "Sometimes sacrifices have to be made, there is nothing you can do about it. You have the privilege to see an important persona, afterall." She said, as Diane stepped out of the house. She approached the carraige, which had the emblem of a white tiger with black stripes baring its canines, as well as two swords crossed, the tip of their blades pointing upwards. "Greetings, my lady." The coachman greeted, as he helped Diane up. She entered the carraige, where Diego was already seated, wearing a red and black suit, looking as elegant and dashing as ever. "You are here." He finally noticed her, when she seated herself beside him. Diane on the other hand, was pre-occupied with bidding Dorothy and Alice good bye. "You seemed to be lost In thought, what is wrong?" She asked, finally turning to him. "Well, since the king had summoned us both, I was going to give you some.. minor details the night before. But you were too tired so.." "I understand, no need to waste your breath." Diane said, with a smile. "It is still a great distance before we get to the castle, so we still have time." Diane said. "By the way, did you gel your hair, it looks slick." Diane commented. "Oh, so you noticed." Diego said, while the carraige moved along the pathway, where many commoners where buying and selling. "Egiel insisted that I put some gel on my hair. Even though I protested severally that I don't like it. Now it feels like someone placed a wet mop on my head." Diego complained. "Same here." Diane spoke this time around. "Dorothy still insisted that I wear heels, although she is more than aware that they make my feet get swollen." She said with a sigh. "What an impossible woman." She added. "Sometimes, I feel like giving her a slap." She said, as she raised her right hand. "And nowadays, this palm of mine is really itching to give her a slap, whenever she gets on my nerves." Diane said. "Will you really hit someone that is old enough to be your mother?" Diegi asked her with a smile. "Of course not." Diane said, as she gave him a sarcastic side eye. "Besides, she is Pratically the one that raised me.. Sort of. She watched me grow up, I mean to say." Diane said, as she gently placed her hands back on her lap. "You always insist on hearing about my childhood, but you haven't told me about yours." Diego said. "Anyway, the king might ask you to demonstrate your powers to validate that proposition, so try not to get distracted." He said, ignoring the incredulous look that Diane threw at him. "Don't worry, I won't screw up, I have a better hang of my powers, afterall." She said.
After that, neither of them said anything to each other. Digeo rested his head, with his eyes closed, while Diane stared out of the window. Her eyes widened In surprise when she saw the castle towers, so tall and elegantly crafted. She already saw it from afar, but they already looked so magnificent. How would the actual castle look like?
"The house of Raymond." Diane heard the coachman say. The gates swung open, and the guards let them in. Diane's eyes was as big as a golf ball at this point. Diego glanced at her. "Stop staring like that." Diego said. "It makes you seem middle classed." He added. "Leave me alone, I am not staring at you, at least." Diane snapped at him.
Both of them strode into the magnificent castle, escorted by guards. The marble walls in the castle were so bright that even the interiors seemed like the sun itself, and the pillars were decorated by all sorts of precious stones, flaunting and demonstrating the wealth of the imperial family themselves. The floors of the palace were intricately designed, and was so clean that not even a speck of mud from the shoes of past visitors could be seen, even the clothes that the servants wore were first class, even more expensive, if not the same high grade quality that Diane and Diego wore. They eventually stopped in front of a beautifully crafted door. All this time while they walked, they were simply passing through the hallway. The guards at the door, the two of them, gave then scrutinizing gazes, before opening the door.
At the end of the room, on a platform, beheld a single throne, beautifully crafted with gold. A middle aged man with fiery red hair was sitted upon it, clothed In exquisite and lavish clothes, in all his majesty. Standing next to him, was another young man, not much older than Diego, who stared down at them with his hawk like eyes. Diego bowed, while Diane curtsied. "We pay our respects to the might and Valor of the empire, may the kingdom Agerintia never lose its pride" They chorused. "You may raise your heads." The voice of the king, mighty and powerful, rang out, reverberating down the hallway. Diane raised up her head, while the king smiled. "No need for such formalities, you are the fang of this kingdom, afterall." He said, Naturally referring to Diego. "The least you could have done is to inform me about your marraige- I would have attended." He said, while he chuckled. "Your majesty Is very gracious." Diego said, as he cupped his fist in front of his chest. "But My humble abode is not suitable for the prestige of a king." He concluded. The king laughed heartily. "This is one of the reasons why I like you, Raymond." He said, while wiping off a tear from his face. "Anyways, even if I could not personally attend, I would have most definitely sent the crowned prince to be my representative. His presence would have certainly been enough to whip up a storm." He added, while placing his hand on his chin. Diego smiled. "There was nothing spectacular about the wedding, your majesty." He added. "The wedding was impromptu to begin with, even I myself had no time to prepare for it." He added, glancing at Diane. "My immediate family members were unable to attend also." He added. "Oh, my. It is must been a very serious affair, then. Which means you two met not quite long ago." He added, he rested his hand on his chin. "But the damsel is exceedingly beautiful, what do you think, Regaris?" He asked, motioning to the young man. "I don't quite get what you are trying to insinuate, your majesty." The man said, his brown eyes resting on Diane's feautures for a brief moment, before turning back to the king. "What do you mean 'you don't understand what I am trying to insinuate?" You will soon be king, and this kingdom requires a capable queen." He added. "Then fate will guide her to me at the right time." Regaris stated. "You and that stupid fate of yours." The king muttered, with a light frown. But the crowned prince ignored him. "Anyway let's get back to business. My lady?" The king said, referring to Diane. "Diane Raymond, your majesty." She said, while giving a courtesy. "Only daughter of George Lewis, from the house of Lewis. " She added. "Oh, you are the marquis's daughter, I see." The king said, visibly interested. "I heard you cut ties with your family for the sake of your lover?" He asked. "Your majesty Is correct." Diane replied, head still lowered. "Can I have a brief demonstration of your powers?" He asked. Diane glanced briefly at Diego, who gave her a reassuring glance. She breathed out, while envisioning a flowing river. When she opened her eyes, water molecules danced around her. "Interesting, very interesting." Regaris murmured, visibly surprised. "Her connection is very strong too." He added. The king however, had a serious gaze. "When did she awaken?" He asked, turning to Diego. "Two months ago, your majesty." Diego said. "You should have informed me as soon as you noticed, Raymond." The king chided. "Forgive me, your majesty." Diego apogised, while lowering his head. The king sighed. "Anyways, it is getting late, both of you should leave now. As for lady Diane.. we will try to confirm if she is one of the lost ones or not." The king said, turning to Regaris, who nodded curtly. "If there is anything else, I will notify you." He added. "Thank you, your majesty." Diego said, taking Diane by the hand. "We will take our leave, then."