THE DAY BEFORE THE PARTY

AURUM and Ruby were trying on the dress they were supposed to wear on tomorrow night's party. Aurum chose an off-shoulder white dress with a flowing skirt. The front of the skirt reached her knees while the back reached the floor. The hem was filled with small gems, making it shine whenever light hit it. Add that to Aurum's long golden hair and it gave off a somewhat magical effect. Ruby, on the other hand, was wearing a red mermaid gown that perfectly hugged her curves. Which gave her a very seductive feel.

"What do you think?" Aurum asked, twirling her dress.

Ruby stared at Aurum. Even without make-up or any jewels on her, she already looked impeccable. "Are you actually fishing for compliment right now?"

"Then that means I look beautiful as always," Aurum said, grinning at Ruby. Ruby scoffed. "Can you get any more narcissistic?"

"What, I'm only telling the truth," Aurum said, tilting her head proudly. "How about you, are you really going to wear red? Isn't that a bit redundant, since your hair is already red?"

"I'm going to put my hair up so it won't clash with the dress. Besides, I look good in red."

"You'll look like a foxy woman who's trying to seduce every men in that party with the cut of your gown, you know."

"So? Every women should have the freedom to dress the way they wanted without people judging them for it. Besides, Argent is going to be my partner. Who'd dare slander me with him around?"

"I should be Brother's partner but instead I have to accompany that popsicle," Aurum complained.

This popsicle must be the second prince - Winter. "You don't like him? But he seems okay to me."

Unlike that perverted brother of his. Ruby met him the other day when he took his mother out of the manor. Aside from having a perpetually cold expression, he seemed alright to her. Aurum also explained to her the overall situation. After all, she would also attend the party. It wouldn't be good if she went there without knowing anything. She might somehow jeopardize the plan if she did. Someone who didn't stop searching for his mother no matter the situation certainly wouldn't be too bad.

"It's not that I don't like him. I just don't want to spend the whole party with him, smiling to everyone as if I'm enjoying myself."

Aurum also needed to act cryptic about their relationship so the King and everyone else would think that there's something going on between them. Even now, there's already a lot of rumor going on in [Jiffy] about her and that popsicle. Saying it's only a matter of time before they would get engaged.

Aurum didn't mind the ruse. This way, the King would think that his plan to attach the Blackbournes to the royal family was succeeding. It would temporarily get him off their backs. That popsicle could also be a good shield for her against men with not so good intentions. And since she's only 14, she's still too young to be forced into marriage. In Albion, a woman should at least be 18 in order to get married. By that time, that popsicle probably already had solidified his political power and influence in Albion. Which meant the ruse wouldn't be needed anymore.

During that time, the popsicle promised her that no engagement announcement would occur. He would convince the King that there's no need for one since Aurum was still young. They need to at least deepened their feelings before that could happen. Aurum almost laughed when she heard that. She just couldn't imagine him saying that with that cold face of his. But that was better for both of them. Because once an engagement was announced, both their reputations might suffer a backlash if they suddenly separated.

Her brother asked her if she was really fine with this kind of set-up, she said 'yes' because even she could see that it's advantageous to both parties. And so, the ruse of her and that popsicle having vague feelings towards each other started.

Aurum continued saying to Ruby, "But I guess you being my brother's partner is not so bad. At least you could keep those annoying pests away from him."

Ruby sat down. She has no doubt that those 'annoying pests' Aurum was talking about were women who would try to get close to Argent. "You do know that your brother needs to marry someday, right?"

Yes, her brother might. But certainly not to some pesky woman. Because despite how cool and manly her brother was, she's still a girl. If she ever married, then it would be to a man. Aurum just had to make sure that the man would be worthy of her brother.

"Yes. But that's still a long way. For now, my brother is still mine," Aurum said smiling like some proud cat.

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Li Jun drank the tea poured by the servant. He wrinkled his brows and sighed. He just couldn't get used to the tea being served here in Albion. It was bland with almost no flavor. He still prefered the tea from Xing. He also didn't like the fog that seemed to surround the capital every morning. Even the food here was not to his taste. All the enthusiasm he had for this trip was long gone. Now, he couldn't wait to go back home.

But he still has to wait for at least another five days. After tomorrow night's party, the King and him would sign a treaty indicating the approval of the trading route between Albion and Xing. Once that was approved and eventually implemented, Xing would surely have an economic boost.

Something like this should have been done years ago. But those conservative ministers just kept on hindering the progress of the country. Good thing his eldest brother managed to convince their father Emperor into welcoming foreign trades. But this was only the first step. If Li Jun failed here, not only the progress of the country be affected, his eldest brother's fight for the throne would also be hindered.

So he couldn't fail here.

Li Jun put down his tea cup and waved for the servants to go out of the drawing room. Once they're gone, he looked up at the young general who's currently standing near the window and looking at the garden outside.

"You still haven't told me where you went on the day we arrived here," he started. He was still kind of curious about that. Especially since when Lei Feng came back, despite the serious expression on his face, he was radiating with so much happiness.

"You don't need to be concern about that," Lei Feng simply said. "What you need to think about is the possibility of someone assassinating you on tomorrow night's event."

Li Jun put his chin on his hand. Of course, he already thought of that possibility. If he died during such an event, then his diplomatic visit would be for naught. Even though he's not the most favored prince in Xing, he was still one of the few living sons of the Emperor. The Emperor would surely be mad if Li Jun died in a foreign country. Not only would the trade be stopped, Xing would surely be more closed off to other foreign countries. His eldest brother might even lose the qualification to fight for the throne. Since everyone knew that Li Jun was supporting his brother and that he volunteered for this diplomatic visit for him.

In short, Li Jun absolutely cannot die here. Because his death could only bring benefits to one person - the crown prince of Xing.

"Isn't that why you're here? To prevent something like that from happening?"

The general only nodded. "Rest assured, I would certainly do my job properly."

Li Jun gave a satisfied smile. He has a lot of confidence on the young general's skills. After all, despite his young age, he managed to defend and bring peace to the Northern border in just a short amount of two years. "Speaking of tomorrow's party, do you think Argent Blackbourne would be there? I think it would be good to have a good relationship with the founder of Silver Corporation, don't you think?"

Something flicker in Lei Feng's obsidian black eyes at the mention of the duke. "She probably would be there," he said absent-mindedly.

"Hey, I don't think the duke would appreciate it if you refer to him as a 'she'. I know he's pretty and all but he's still a guy," Li Jun said, correcting Lei Feng.

Lei Feng only gazed down and didn't answer. Yes, Argent was now a man. But he still couldn't help but refer to her as a 'she'. Maybe because he knew that the soul inhabiting the current Duke of Hanover's body belonged to a young woman. So no matter what her gender might be in this world, she would still be a girl in his eyes. In fact, when he first saw Argent, all he could see was a beautiful teenage girl masquerading herself as a boy.

He sighed. Lei Feng wasn't sure if he has filter in his eyes so Argent would look that way to him. But honestly, during that short ride he had with her, she was practically shining in his eyes. Like thousands of tiny light particles were surrounding her. Was that because he was so excited on meeting her again or was he really just that pretty far gone?

Li Jun looked at the young general who seemed to be debating the greatest problem in the world. "What are you thinking?"

Lei Feng glanced back at the prince. "Nothing. Just some security details for tomorrow night," he answered with a straight face, then immediately glancing sideways, his ear tips turning red.

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Winter carefully closed the door to his mother's chamber. The other day, he took her mother from Hanover manor and brought her to one of his properties unknown to many. He had to bring her here so it would be much easier for tomorrow's plan to proceed.

He knew it would be difficult for his mother. Winter didn't really want to involve her in this. But after knowing what they were planning, she didn't hesitate to offer her help. Argent even said that with her involvement, the plan would be much easier to execute. Making his mother much more determined to help.

A man wearing all black with a somewhat dreary atmosphere around him walked up to Winter. It was Robin, one of his trusted aides. He has black hair that almost covered his pewter colored eyes.

"Guard my Mother. Make sure that nothing would happen to her."

"Yes," Robin simply said, bowing to Winter.

Winter continued walking, he still has to return to the palace. After all, he still has a birthday party to prepare.