An Unexpected Invitation

"My lady, dinner is ready."

Yerenica shifted back her reading glasses and looked up from the document she was previously absorbed in to see the head butler of the mansion standing before her, hands clasped behind him. She hadn't even noticed him come in.

"I'll be down shortly." Yerenica answered, gaze traveling to the pile of paperwork still waiting to be dealt with sitting at a corner of the desk. "Tell me the menu."

"The chef prepared mortrew and bread with honey wine imported from La Lune De Miel in Magnolia. The wine they produce there is of top quality, and sure to suit your palate, my lady."

"La Lune De Miel?" Yerenica repeated, raising an eyebrow at the new name, "What happened to the vintner we usually order from? La Dame En Rouge?"

"They were apparently bought over by a rich client, though they refused to reveal who it was."

"That's a pity. Their wine was my favorite." Yerenica sighed, "Well, that's that, I suppose. And what about Count Achernar?" She inquired, taking off her reading glasses and placing them on the desk.

"As per the doctor's recommendation, the chef made a simple stew and warm water. Count Achernar's meal has already been delivered to him by his butler."

"Make sure to see to it that he finished his meal." Yerenica said, "Does he not show any signs of getting better?"

"I'm afraid not, my lady." Kirin's voice was apologetic, "The doctor advised not to have much hope. He is not sure Count Achernar will make it to next spring."

"I see. That's too bad." Yerenica responded impassively. She was not particularly attached to her father, so the news of his impending death did little to upset her. Count Achernar had been a busy man who made it clear that he valued work over family. The amount of times she had seen him during the twenty-three years of her life was something she could count with both hands. Such an estranged relationship had severed any emotional ties she had with him.

"Tell the doctor to visit tomorrow and give him any medication if he is in pain."

"Yes, my lady."

"Very well then." It was Kirin's cue to leave.

Yerenica tapped one slim finger on the wooden desk, mulling over the report she was holding. It seemed that the business was on the verge of sinking into recession. One after other, the amount of diamonds extracted by the mines were lessening. They had been steadily decreasing ever since two years ago, and the amount had now dropped to an alarming level. If this continued, it would cost too much to continue operating the mines. She would have to shut them down, or in the worst case scenario, sell them off.

Yerenica wanted to avoid resorting to the second option no matter what. The mines had been the source of income for the Achernars for about a century now. Her great-great-grandmother had started the business after the Sirius Family took the throne, and passed it along from heir to heir until it had reached Yerenica. The business was now her responsibility to look after. She did not want to let the blood, sweat and tears her ancestors had sacrificed go to waste. She would make sure the mines stayed open and thriving no matter what.

[I should get in touch with Lord Eldridge. I heard that he has been working as the general manager ever since father took over the business. He must be more knowledgeable about this than I am. I must ask for his advice.] Yerenica thought, making note of it as a reminder.

Sensing eyes lingering on her, Yerenica looked up to see that Kirin was still standing in front of her. Putting down her quill, she sent him a questioning look.

"My lady, a letter arrived from the royal palace today."

"The palace?" Yerenica was confused. "What do you mean? I have already received Minerva's letter yesterday. The next isn't due to come till next month."

"It's not from your sister, my lady. It is an official invitation from the queen. For the ball she is throwing to celebrate her first pregnancy." Kirin placed a sealed letter on her desk. Yerenica gazed at the rose stamped on gold wax; the crest of the Sirius Family.

"The queen handpicked the guests herself, so only the top brass among the nobles have been sent an invitation." Kirin continued. "According to some sources, they say around forty to fifty made the cut."

"Ha…" Yerenica huffed in disbelief, tearing open the letter in a less than delicate manner, "Ever since Minerva became the concubine, the Achernars have always been exempt from any events hosted by the Sirius Family. What caused the queen out of all people to send me an invitation?"

"Social reputation aside, the Achernar's mining business is one of the most influential businesses in the kingdom. One cannot simply overlook your family's role in improving Celosias's economy." Kirin answered dutifully.

"Isn't it a little too late for that realization? What happened to the previous events I was shunned from?" Yerenica laughed, skimming through the letter. It was indeed an invitation, written on expensive parchment with the queen's signature at the bottom; Valeria Cassia Sirius. The ball was to be held within a fortnight, and she was allowed to bring an escort with her.

"I do not know, my lady." Kirin replied carefully, "However, it would be offensive to the queen if you were to decline her invitation, especially since His Majesty will also be making an appearance."

"Oh?" Yerenica raised an eyebrow with interest as she crumpled up the invitation in one hand.

Cain Sirius IV was known to dislike social gatherings of any kind. In fact, the last time he had stepped foot in a ball was five years ago during the one hosted to celebrate his marriage with the queen. Even then, he had left halfway through after greeting his subjects, leaving his advisor to finish up the rest. He did not bother to attend any other events held by his wife, and preferred to greet visiting monarchs and dignitaries in private. If Cain was making an appearance at the ball, Yerenica knew it wasn't going to be any ordinary one.

"Any particular reason for the king to attend?" Yerenica asked, sliding back her chair and getting up to throw the crumpled letter into the fireplace. She watched as the flames licked it up instantly.

"Well, this is only a rumor so it hasn't been confirmed yet, but…" Kirin trailed off hesitantly.

"Yes, go on." Yerenica said, eyes locked on the burning piece of paper.

"They say that the Duke of Wisteria will also be coming."

If the news of Cain attending the ball came as a surprise to her, then this was even more of a shock. Yerenica whirled around to face Kirin.

"The duke?" Yerenica repeated, convinced she had heard him wrong, "Are you sure?"

"There has been no official word yet, but that is indeed what they are saying."

There is no way… Yerenica blinked in amazement. [The Duke of Wisteria attending an event hosted by the Sirius Family? This cannot be true.]

"Is your source trustable?"

"I don't doubt it, my lady."

"Then tell me Kirin, what do you think?"

"His Majesty has already confirmed his presence, so taking his intense dislike for social events into consideration, I think it would not be too far-fetched to assume the Duke of Wisteria's participation as well. The date of the annual Celosias-Wisteria meeting is also set for two days after the ball, so I believe it gives the rumor much more credibility."

"I see." Yerenica murmured, sinking back into her chair, "This is quite a unique situation, isn't it?"

"I agree, my lady. Ever since the Sirius and Wisteria Family had their falling-out, there have been no public events held with representatives from both families present. This will be the first time in over a century for such a thing to happen."

"You're right, it seems like I cannot miss this ball at any cost. Write back a reply to the palace and tell them I accept their invitation. And inform my designer to make time for me tomorrow. I will be meeting with her to decide on a gown for the ball."

"Certainly." Kirin bowed before he made his way out of her study, shutting the door gently behind him.

Yerenica glanced at the documents waiting to be examined on the desk and pushed them aside half-heartedly. After the news she had just been delivered, there was no way she would be able to concentrate on work.

In all honesty, Yerenica never thought the day would come where she would be able to see the Duke of Wisteria with her own two eyes. He was a man shrouded in complete mystery from his appearance to his attitude. The only time he arrived in Celosias was for the annual Celosias-Wisteria meeting. And even when he did, he traveled in the privacy of his carriage, hidden from any curious eyes. Apart from the king's council and the tightlipped servants working under His Majesty, Yerenica was certain no one else had ever seen the duke.

Despite that being so, rumors still floated around about him. From the gossip she heard through the grapevine, the Duke of Wisteria sounded like a man one should never dare to cross. They described him as a ferocious savage, a vicious and formidable man with the strength of a beast. Of course, it was only a rumor with no authentication, but Yerenica wondered if it could be true in his case.

Luciel Wisteria was in charge of protecting the border of Celosias from enemy attacks, particularly from the savage tribe who often tried to advance into the country. Ever since ten years ago when he first left for battle, the complaints made about the savages had decreased. After he had officially become the Duke of Wisteria and seized full control over the territory, peace was brought to Celosias.

However, Yerenica had been surprised to find out it was Cain that took the credit despite Luciel having done all the work. She, just like everyone else in the kingdom, had believed Cain when he declared that his elite knights had defeated the savages for good. It was Kirin who had told her the truth, exposing Cain's lie to her. According to Kirin, there were a few other people who were aware that it was all Luciel's doing, yet did not dare to speak about it.

And for a good reason too, Yerenica supposed. Truth be told, the relationship between the Duke of Wisteria and His Majesty was delicate and complex, very much like Wisteria and Celosias. The history between the two had been filled with nothing but violence and distrust.

Not that it had always been like that, thought. In fact, over a century ago, both families had a good bond with each other. It ended the day Archer Sirius beheaded Queen Luna Wisteria the First, and seized the throne for himself. The act of blatant treason against the royal family of Celosias incited a bloody war that had stretched on for decades until the peace treaty was signed.

According to the peace treaty, the Sirius Family would continue to rule the country, and the Wisteria Family would receive the north of Celosias as their own independent territory, free from the king's influence. In return for keeping the peace at the border by killing the savages, the Sirius Family would not intervene in any decisions made by the Wisteria Family for their dukedom, and no one living there was under any obligation to kneel to the new king.

If Yerenica was being honest, no matter how she viewed it, it was clear who got the short end of the stick during the bargain. Not only did the Wisteria Family gain nothing out of the deal, they were also forced to do the crown's grunt work for them. Yerenica could not understand why they had agreed to the terms.

Her best guess was that they got tired of the constant fighting. Thanks to two of the kingdom's most powerful families brawling with each other, the subjects were the ones that had suffered the most. By the time both parties came to their senses and put down their swords for a minute, the people of Celosias were on the brink of starvation and the economy had hit an all-time low. In order to avoid destroying the country from within, they had decided to put the wellbeing of their people first, and their disagreements behind.

Still, even after the peace treaty had been signed, tension still brewed visibly beneath the surface. Politics was a sensitive subject in the kingdom, even to this day. It was treason for the subjects of Celosias to pledge their loyalty to anyone but the Sirius Family. Yerenica knew they feared and uprising against them from those who still believed that the throne belonged to the Wisteria Family.

A few brave souls who had publicly protested received punishment in the form of death by beheading. Nonetheless, the strict measures enforced against supporting the Wisteria Family did little to stop people from secretly making toasts to the Duke of Wisteria. According to what Kirin had told her, people still regularly wished for his good health and for him to take back what was his by birth right.

Thanks to Minerva's letters, Yerenica knew that Cain abhorred any sort of talk against his claim to the throne. Just like his father, and his grandfather before that, he had made it clear that the topic was taboo.

Yerenica wondered what the Duke of Wisteria thought of the whole situation. Was the fact that he was the actual heir to the throne treated as a prohibited issue to discuss in Wisteria, or did the people actively support his claim? She was curious, but she knew she would never get an answer. After all, the only way to know for sure was to ask him, and that was something no one with a functioning brain in the kingdom would dare to do.

[The opposing powers gathering under one roof…] Yerenica tapped a finger on her chin thoughtfully. [It is truly going to be a sight to behold.]

She was glad she had received an invitation to a ball that was sure to mark an important day in history.