Grand Banquet

"That's the cue" The First Commander of the Knights said.

"Relax" The Second Commander added.

The Double Doors opened to reveal Seraphine's figure, she walked inside her heels the only noise that can be heard, her eyes locked onto the Emperor, the lion cub walking beside her,

While the two Commanders behind her escorts her towards the Emperor. She stops in front of the Emperor while the two Commanders salute, going to the side.

 "Please kneel, for just this once."

Seraphine lowered herself, remembering the teachings of Marchioness Vivian.

"Princess Seraphine Gloxinia Stephanotis Bourgeon Convallaria Armaclei."

"Yes, your majesty" she replied.

"I bestow you upon the title Crowned Princess, Seraphine Gloxinia Stephanotis Bourgeon Convallaria Armaclei, a proper title for the Celetia Continent's Prophecy Holder, do you swear not to abuse your title for your own gain?"

"I swear."

"Do you swear that by holding the title of Crowned Princess, you will use it to help and aid the people of Celestia Continent?"

"I swear."

"And do you by all means, swear in your name, that by not just being the Crowned Princess of the entirety of Celestia Continent, but also the Holder of the Prophecy, to solve all the problems of the Empire, by your powers?"

"I do."

"If Seraphine Gloxinia Stephanotis Bourgeon Convallaria Armaclei, does not fulfill her role as the Crowned Princess as well as being the Holder of the power of the Prophecy, you will accept the full consequences that will be brought down upon you, by the people, by the nobles, and by the other royals that is partaking and being a witness here today."

Seraphine gulped a lump of saliva that formed in her throat, she wasn't expecting that her uncle would bring forth consequences on this.

'It's like a verbal contract, with not just him but with everyone here right now, I can feel all of their stares piercing my back…"

"I accept with full heart the consequences, the responsibility, and my role as the Crowned Princess and the Holder of the Prophecy of Celestia Continent, without complaint, denial, resentment, or hate."

"Everyone here today is witness to the words that I have spoken and the princesses' words that are spoken, bring the crown forward."

The Chancellor stepped towards the Emperor, bowed and brought the red pillow with a thin golden crown, encrusted with both jewels and magi-stone on it, towards him.

The Emperor takes the crown, places it on top of the head of the princess securely, before turning to look at the crowd of guests.

"I now hail you as Crowned Princess Seraphine Gloxinia Stephanotis Bourgeon Convallaria Armaclei, of Celestia Continent and the Sun Empire. May the Omnipotent one guide you, and bless you on this special occasion, please rise."

Seraphine rises from kneeling and slowly turns around to the people, the people clapped their hands.

"All Hail, Crowned Princess Seraphine."

"All Hail, His Majesty, Emperor Cailum."

"May the Sun give Blessing and Eternity to her Highness, Crowned Princess Seraphine."

"May the Sun give Blessing and Eternity to his Majesty, Emperor Cailum."

"May the Sun give Blessings and Eternity to the Sun Empire."

Everyone inside the throne room chanted those words for more than ten times, after that Emperor Cailum held his hand up and closed his palm, the voices leaving an echo inside of the room and silence followed after.

"Now that my niece is properly crowned and recognised as the Crowned Princess, I also want to follow an announcement."

'This is it the engagement ceremony...'

"Besides the coronation of the Crowned Princess there's also the engagement ceremony of both my niece and the King of the Sky Kingdom"

"Isn't this a little too sudden?"

"The King of the Sky Kingdom is interested in marriage?"

"The Sky Kingdom's King has never even crossed his mind in marrying, he rejects nobles, daughters."

The Chatter grew louder but then the Emperor held his hand up again, the chatter of the people died down almost instantly.

'I need that skill' Seraphine thought.

"Please Enter, King Kristopherson Mikael Aoranus"

The double doors opened, Seraphine squinted her eyes to see in the gaps of the veil she was wearing.

'I can't see his face, but I can see the color of his hair and what he's wearing. I think behind him is the Chancellor?'

"Greetings to your Majesty, Emperor Cailum"

'T-That voice!'

Seraphine's eyes widen under the veil, the voice of the King all too familiar to her. The King held the hand of the now, crowned princess and kissed the back of her hand.

'My heart is pounding like crazy'

"I, Kristopherson Mikael Aoranus, take the hand of Seraphine Armaclei as my fiancé, soon my beloved wife and queen."

He pulls out a small black box, he let's go of the crowned princess hand for a moment to open the box.

"I offer my protection, loyalty and undying faithfulness and love to you, everyone is witness to this vow that I have made to the crowned princess of the Sun Empire. I wish for the blessing of Emperor Cailum before I put this engagement ring onto you."

"I give you my blessings."

"With the blessings of the Emperor, I now put this ring onto you, both of us are now intertwined with the blessing of the Emperor, the witnesses as well as the Omnipotent one."

Kristopherson puts on the ring on the crowned princess ring finger. The ring is designed with two wings overlapped together with the emerald gem on the center.

'This Omnipotent One, is like the God of this world right?'

"Now...let me see the face of my fiancé"

Seraphine's heart pounded in her chest when the King announced those words. Kristopherson placed a hand on her cheek, with a blink of an eye the veil vanished.

"..." Seraphine closes her eyes for a moment then slowly opens it, the familiar two emerald eyes bore through her like a drill, and the memories of the night they met immediately came to her like a movie clip.

'He was-'

Before she could finish her thoughts the King's face went closer and their lips met, it was just a small smack, Seraphine was stunned, she froze on the spot.

"Now that these two love birds have been officially engaged, let us all head to the Banquet Hall."

"Shall we?"

Kristopherson smirked at the crowned princess, Seraphine blinked at him, still processing the things that happened.

-Sun Palace: Banquet Hall-

Everyone gathered around is introducing themselves to the newly Crowned Princess.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Crowned Princess Seraphine"

A Woman with Orange Hair, introduced and curtsied, she was wearing regal and extravagant attire like the others. But you can discern who the important figures are from the regular nobles.

"I am the Queen of the Terra Queendom, Megaera Nephele Naturae"

"I am the Husband of the Queen, Duke Terence Myron Naturae"

'He inherited the surname of the Queen'

"It's a pleasure to meet you Queen Megaera and Duke Terence"

"This are my children"

"I am Crowned Princess Nyx Eve Naturae"

Seraphine nods at her, the Crowned Princess of the Terra Queendom then gestures to her sibling.

"I am Prince Andre Ariel Naturae"

"It's nice to meet you two" Seraphine gave a polite smile.

After the Terra Queendom Royalty is Introduced the Star Queendom Royalty came forward and introduced themselves.

"It is an honour to finally meet you, Crowned Princess Seraphine."

"The Pleasure is all mine."

"I am Aelisia Lyra Vega, the Queen of the Star Queendom and Mother of Three" The Queen proudly says.

"Honey…"

"I'm sorry, I am just excited meeting Seraphine." The Crowned Princess, gave an awkward smile at her.

"Apologise for my wife, I am Duke Arthur Elias Vega"

"Nice to meet you"

"This Three are our children" 

The one with beautiful white hair, and red eyes came forward, she was blushing like crazy.

"I-I-I am Aster V-V-Virgo V-V-Vega"

'Does she have a stutter?' Seraphine immediately noticed.

"Nice to meet you Aster."

Aster curtsied and nodded, she looked at her two younger siblings.

"My name is Layla Pisces Vega the younger sibling of the Crowned Princess, that's my older sister"

'That's cute on how she added more information in the introduction of her sister.'

"I'm Abel Nicholas Vega the Prince of the Star Queendom."

"I hope we all get along, and I hope that you and my daughter could become good friends, Seraphine."

"Me too"

Seraphine looks at Aster, she lowered her gaze to the ground avoiding eye contact on Seraphine.

'Must be the shy type'

After the Royalties introduced themselves, they all got seated at the long table, the royalties were at the center of them all and the Emperor was at the head of the table.

The Servants laid out the platter of foods on the table, it was an extravagant spread. 

The maids then positioned themselves behind the people.

"Meow!"

Fries meowed under the table, Seraphine looked at Fries and raised a brow, the lion cub seemed to be in distress for some reason.

"What's wrong Fries?"

"Meow!"

"You are very lucky to have a beautiful fiancé, King Kristopherson"

"Indeed"

Kristopherson kisses Seraphine's hand, the Crowned Princess, blush.

Everyone began eating while the little lion cub mewed even louder, Seraphine tilted her head with a curious expression but decided to ignore the little lion cub.

"Your majesty…"

The Emperor's Chancellor whispered something in his ear that only he can hear. Cailum's expression became serious.

"It seems that Crowned Prince Lucianus will not join us, for he has taken serious injuries in his pursuit of the traitors."

'What…?'

"He is now resting in the Moon Kingdom, and already received medical treatment, so put yourself at ease."

Seraphine paled, her appetite went away when she heard that her brother is currently wounded.

'I thought he was just running late…'

"Seraphine?"

"Huh?!"

"You are not touching your food"

"Oh...yeah"

"Lucianus is still alive, it couldn't be helped since it is his job to eradicate traitors, he will be fine."

"..."

Seraphine stares at the food in front of her, Kristopherson notices the lack of appetite his fiancé has.

"He will be fine, he is a strong vampire, he won't die so easily."

Seraphine only nodded to Kristopherson's reassurance, the crowned princess only took small bites of the food, while everyone was occupied with conversations inside of the Banquet Hall.

After Dinner, everyone proceeded towards the Ball Room.

-Sun Palace: Grand Ballroom-

All of the royalty and guest went to the Grand Ballroom, there was of course, a buffet table of delicious delicacies, fine wine, appetiser and many more.

"Shall we have the first dance?"

Seraphine was eating the food at the buffet table when her fiancé asked a question to her, albeit she was away from him.

'I didn't have an appetite inside of the Banquet Hall, so I'll just eat here'

"Seraphine"

"Hm?"

She turned around swallowing the food she ate, she smiled awkwardly at the King.

"Hi"

"Shall we have this dance?"

"Why?"

"We need to make a good impression to everyone here today, our reputation is also at stake."

"I don't really care about-"

She stops remembering Doctor Edgar's words, she needs to take care of appearances in public.

"Let's have the dance, no funny business" she glared.

"Alright."

Kristopherson held his hand out, while Seraphine puts her hand on top of it, the King guides her to the center of the Ball Room.

"You know how to dance right?"

"Yes."

The music was at it's chorus and both of them dance to the beat of the music, both of them were insync, Kristopherson was impressed that Seraphine is adept at dancing the waltz.

"Impressive of you."

"For not stepping on your feet?"

"Besides that, you have a blank face while dancing."

'I'm hungry'

"You're different from all of the girls that I have ever met so far, I am lucky to have chosen you"

Seraphine's attention was at the food behind Kristopherson, not his words, he noticed this and twirled her around to her surprise.

"Give me your attention."

Seraphine's eyes met his, she blushes and they continue to dance until the song ends, both of them stop and Kristopherson kisses the back of the hand of the princess.

"Thank you for dancing with me."

'Can I eat now?'

The King chuckles, he leads her towards the buffet table but before she can eat in peace nobles gathered around to asks questions. Such as asking about the Prophecy and what not. Kristopherson answers them for her but a noble lady suddenly chided in a mocking question, directed towards the princess.

"King Kristopherson, you cannot be the one to always answer our question when her highness, crowned princess is in front of us, is she unable to answer us?"

Kristopherson was about to answer when Seraphine stopped him, she gave a neutral smile at the noble lady that said that.

"I beg your pardon but, I am exhausted at the ceremony that took place, on top of it all, my dear elder brother is hurt, you cannot blame me for my lack of response milady."

"..."

The crowd of nobles looked at the noble lady that suddenly chided in, she nervously sweats looking around the people.

"I apologise to everyone if I do not respond to your questions and my lovely fiancé is the one answering all of it, that is also an impressive trait of him that I notice and like, but to answer the personal questions all of you are asking. Yes, I am the current prophecy holder, that is the only thing that I will say."

The Crowd nods, they ask a bit more and then disperse, the couple is now left alone at the long buffet table.

"You can now eat-"

"King Kristopherson" Luke stepped towards them interrupting the words of the King "His Majesty Emperor Cailum has called you."

"I see."

"Greetings your highness"

"Hello."

"I apologise but I need to take away his majesty, King Kristopherson for a moment."

"Sure" Seraphine nods.

"Alright" Kristopherson gave a quick peck on the newly crowned princess, she was surprised at the sudden action, the King and his Chancellor walked away.

'That jerk, doing whatever he wants…'

"Greetings, Crowned Princess Seraphine"

"Yes?"

It was Elinna who came forward, she smiles at the lady-in-waiting.

"I was wondering where you were"

"I apologise, but I cannot come near you in the Banquet Hall as well as earlier since everyone is crowding you."

"You can come to me anytime Elinna" She points out.

"Thank you, but I need to be in my best behaviour, and since I am still a trainee on being your lady-in-waiting, I need to be careful." Seraphine hums.

"Where's Zeno by the way?"

"I do not know."

Seraphine's eyes land behind Elinna, it was the Crowned Princess of the Star Queendom, she looked scared, she raises a brow and notices four girls ganging up on her. 

"..."

Aster's eyes land on Seraphine, she was just going to ignore her when she suddenly had a nagging feeling that she needs help.

'Just...continue eating'

She said in her thoughts, but her eyes are drawn to the Crowned Princess again, her eyes was looking at her, it was crying out for help.

'...'

Seraphine couldn't take it anymore, and decided to come towards Aster, Elinna following behind her.

"What seems to be the problem here?"