Evening Discussion

"Hm"

"I will serve her highness with utmost loyalty, your majesty"

"We also did a blood oath already"

"A blood oath?!"

"I insisted," Elinna says

"The only thing we can do is to promote you as lady-in-waiting for my niece if that is the case"

"I will not betray her highness trust"

"Your rank must rise, for you to serve the princess as a proper lady-in-waiting"

"Really?"

"It is a custom for a princess to have either, a Marchioness, Viscountess or Countess as a lady-in-waiting that is the proper etiquette of royalty"

"Is there any way for her to bypass those ranks?" uncle shook his head

"For you to raise your rank, you either need to marry a noble of status, or be personally promoted by the Emperor himself"

That's interesting, how can she be promoted by the Emperor?

"I can promote you if you have done something worthwhile"

"I think being trusted by me is already worthwhile uncle, since I don't trust just anyone, we also made a blood oath you need to take that into account in which I know you have already done since you said so earlier, if that's not worthwhile then I don't know what is"

"Interesting" he was thoughtful "Elinna"

"Yes?! Your majesty?!"

"I now promote you as Countess Elinna"

Whoa! Just like that?!

"But not without a cost, you need to study etiquette under a noble Elinna, being a royal lady-in-waiting is not a job that is taken lightly, I want you to know that"

Sorry, Elinna, I convinced him but it looks like you're on your own, studying etiquette.

"You will be studying under three nobles, you need their approval in a report before you are a full fledge lady-in-waiting but now I will assign you as a trainee"

"It is an honour serving her royal highness, I also offer my gratitude towards you the Emperor"

"Study well, prove to us that you are worthy of being my niece's lady-in-waiting"

"I will not fail you, your majesty, princess"

"All of my Knights that escorted the princess safely should have a well-earned rest, I know you are all exhausted"

"Thank you, your majesty"

How will I pay Elinna for her services being my lady-in-waiting?

"Countess Elinna you will also be compensated along with the Knights for being by my niece's side"

"Thank you, your majesty"

"Do you have a surname Countess?"

"Please give me a new one your majesty"

"Henceforth you will now be named Countess Elinna Leial lady-in-waiting trainee, for my niece"

"I offer my sincerest gratitude, your majesty"

"You must be tired already, my dear"

"Yes"

"Rest this afternoon, then let us meet in the evening for dinner, I also want to chat with you later on"

"Alright"

"Escort the princess to a guest room"

Uncle commands and two of the maids came towards me, they greeted me then curtsied.

"See you later, uncle"

"Hm? See you later?"

Oh, shit.

"I-I mean, see you this evening" he nods

Two of the maids escorted me to the guest room on the second floor of the palace, the room is so spacious that 100 people can fit inside the room, I plop down on the bed sighing, I didn't notice my exhaustion until I woke up by the sound of shuffling

"Good Evening, your highness, dinner is ready and the Emperor is waiting for you"

"Elinna?" I yawned stretching my arms, she smiles at me

"You're also joining us right?"

"Since I am now a Countess, yes, but his majesty made a formal approval"

"That's great…" I closed my eyes for a second sleep enveloping me but a shake got me opening my eyes again "Hm?"

"Princess, we cannot keep his majesty waiting"

"R-Right" I chuckled awkwardly

I sat up and got out of the luxurious, comfy bed, man, sleeping in a bed again, is heaven, but now that I notice, I wasn't wearing the clothes I wore earlier, I stopped walking staring at my clothes.

"Elinna"

"Your highness?"

"Is it just me, or are these clothes AND shoes different from what I was wearing earlier?"

"The other servants helped me in cleaning and clothing you, Princess"

"While...I was asleep?"

"Yes"

"Don't do that again, I am having goosebumps just thinking about people touching me while I'm asleep"

"I-Its for a good reason, Princess"

"I don't care, just wake me up when you want to clean or clothe me, I do not want this happening again" I shivered

"Y-Yes"

"Sorry, I'm just really uncomfortable when people, strangers" I correct myself "touch me, no offence"

"No need to apologise to me and no offence taken, your highness, you are right, I should have just woke you up, this will not happen again"

"Thanks for understanding Elinna"

-Sun Palace: Dining Hall-

I did not expect a feast, my uncle ordered the chefs to make a delicious meal for me and the Knights.

They were all seated at the long tables, when I arrived they stopped and stood up all of them saluting to me.

"Greetings Princess!"

"H-Hi" I gave a small wave at them

"Come here, my dear!" The Emperor beckoned

I strode forward until I reached him he told me to sit at the chair near him, Elinna beside me, uncle then gave the signal for everyone to eat

"Eat to your heart's content, my dear," he says

"Thank you"

I nod while the servants behind me assist me in getting the food I want, I started eating, minding how I eat, I have no clue what I should use since it's not a joke, sprawled on the table is every cutlery you wouldn't use in everyday meals, and you need to watch what you use, the Emperor is also looking at me.

"How was your trip here?"

"Fine, I guess?"

"You are not sure?"

"A lot has happened, uncle…"

"Can you tell me about it?"

It's like he's talking to a small child, ushering in the things I do every day since I'm still getting to know him. I'm a little uncomfortable, does he even know my name?

"I know that everyone around you already told you who I am, but I am the Emperor, your Uncle Cailum"

"..." I stop eating staring at him

"You haven't introduced yourself"

"Oh! U-Um" I panicked a little "my name is Seraphine Armaclei"

"Now we are formally introduced to each other" he gave a cheeky smile which is kind of cute

"The pleasure is all mine uncle"

"Even though we haven't met officially, I initially know who you are because of Lucianus"

"O-Oh?"

"I interviewed him when he arrived in this world, all frazzled, I ask him how your mother and father were doing in the human world as he calls it, he told me that they are happy, and they had two more children named Seraphine and Forsythia, his younger siblings"

"Hahaha…"

"But Seraphine isn't just your name isn't it?"

"Uh, yes, it's long"

"I'm curious, can you say your full name?"

"Uh, what for?"

"I want to know what it is" since he is insisting, and he is the Emperor...

"Seraphine Gloxinia Stephanotis Bourgeon Convallaria Armaclei"

When I said my name three white rings of light appeared from my body that spanned out, everyone inside the Dining Hall stopped to look, I was also looking at myself in wonder,

What is this?!

"Your mother's bloodline is always referred to as the Great Witch"

"What do you mean?"

"Arianrhod your Mother as well as your great-grand-mother created an incantation solely for making up a name in which mixed in is a spell"

"What's the incantation in my name?"

"Since it's all white, I see that it is a protection, a potent one at that, luck and wisdom too"

"So she bothered naming me like that since it's also an incantation?"

"Correct, but the incantation hasn't been activated for a long time, it would seem that you do not say your full name as often as it would seem"

I blushed, I felt like it was a bother saying all of my name that's why I never said it, I never knew that it was THIS important

"The protection spell is the most notable and dangerous one that your mother inserted in your name"

The rings of light slowly faded

"Since it is now activated, for so long, when someone tries to physically harm you, they are thrown back with great force, Repel"

"Do I need to say my full name as many times?" I ask

"No, just say your full name occasionally so that it activates when you truly need it"

"Okay"

"A long name also signifies royalty or if the name isn't long, but they have the status of royalty in its meaning itself or the name itself has a noble ring to it"

So that's why Phoebe also has a long name, not just that but Lucianus and Forsythia's name is fancy.

"Seraphine"

"Oh? Uh, yes?"

"After dinner I want you to come to my room, I have something more private to discuss with you"

"Okay"

The Emperor leans back and everyone inside the dining hall stops eating, I'm already full, while he was explaining things to me, I was stuffing my face, I think it's a gesture that everyone should stop eating.

"I hope that everyone has enjoyed their meal this evening"

"We did your majesty"

"You deserve a well-earned rest today"

The Emperor says to the Knights, they simultaneously stood up and saluted to him.

"We are thankful for your generosity"

His majesty nods and stands up, I also stand up, he gave a smile at me before leaving.

"What could my uncle want to discuss in private?"

"Why don't you go to his majesty's room, princess?"

"Yeah, I should"

"Please be mindful on your way"

"What about you?"

"I will go back to my room, I apologise but I cannot escort you to his majesty's room since I do not know my way around this palace"

"We will be the one escorting you princess"

The two commanders came towards us, looking happy and satisfied.

"Okay"

"Shall we go?"

"I'll see you later Elinna"