Why is the Emperor himself...?

We are just moments away from the opening ceremony of firecrackers and trumpets.

My appearance was very pleasing and different from who I was that Britta and Arthur were bawling their eyes out saying that they had been blessed by a miracle.

Eardich assigned a few knights to accompany me to the ball, so Joslyn was starry-eyed and didn't blink until I was escorted there by them.

A total of four of them stood out from one another for their distinctiveness.

As they were about to greet me in the traditional knightly manner, I stopped them, "Friends of Eardich, no need for such pompousness. I prefer to be called Luna in private rather than call me by the usual mannerism. As your well-off friend, please consider me as your humble servant. There was a chance you would have heard from Eardich on this matter.”

“Still,”

I smiled warmly at them to help them overcome any awkward feelings. “There are no buts, now please introduce yourselves. ”

They waited until the shortest and leanest of them rose to say, “You heard her, eh, I am Eager, a commoner from Lavale village. In the future, I wish that we all will become close...Luna”

My soft giggles couldn't be contained. "I hope so as well, Eager."

Immediately after he stood a tall man with long hair and deep sea blue eyes. Having a name like Nix, I was sure that a line of women would be waiting to get his attention.

While the next one was wearing armor, this huge man radiated a terrifying aura. He was the type of person who would immediately cause hesitation in anyone approaching him. In extreme contrast to this, the man had an ecstatic way of speaking, like the type of warm father most children will hope for. He even bragged about his two sons and daughter. Since his name was Nemus he had decided to name his children Flumen for the oldest son, Arbor for his only daughter, and Ager for his youngest son.

The last had a very scholarly aura around him. I do not know if it’s old-fashioned type spectacles or the way he was reading me. A proper form for the general’s adviser. Sensus, what a suiting name. An average body, above-average looks, and an impeccable form. Could be used to blend and infiltrate places, I hope I’ll be able to get this team to my side.

In the hall I was announced by my mother’s title name followed by my title name, all the guests quickly bowed, not giving a moment's glance at me. As if they were here as an excuse to mingle and mostly be able to expand their business and lineage by interacting with the other royal members, most importantly the Emperor.

With an air of firmness yet an added gentleness, “Raise.” I took my time on the stairs as I descended to quickly take a brief overview to summarise those jealous hags from the greedy snakes to the neutral ones that took the genuine time to read me.

Ladies under the house of Earls and below decided to flock towards me in an attempt for me to possibly find their daughters, suitable husbands, from important delegates of the coming conference.

Some men of lower status might come to my side with the goal of marriage, to raise their status. Sometimes some ministers come to baffle me with their talks of marriage and the coming conference.

“Please excuse me, I must go and powder my nose.” I politely made my way to the safe dungeon for all women, the ladies loo.

When Nix heard that I wanted to finally get away from the hyenas, he slowly brought me to the room while making sure I had some wine and some treats. Dinner would only start once the Emperor arrived.

Instead of going there, I decided to go to a place reserved for royals. Thankfully no one was there.

I wanted to be alone, I was always alone when Britta, Joslyn, and Arthur leave to do the work that should’ve been handled by an army of maids and butlers.

Sadly, because of me, they take this burden every day. I do my best to help out here and there when they aren’t looking. I’ve managed to be helpful by sneaking out when I was younger and disguised myself as a maid, in the end, it paid off because of the different ways and types of cleaning I had learned in my secret traveling.

Since gardening is part of royal etiquette, I take it as an excuse to take care of the entire Lilly garden by myself, Joslyn did catch me off guard once when I was taking care of some dust that has been collected behind my study table.

Since then, only she knew every secret of mine and even showed me some of her secret recipes. If one day I will have to leave everything and maybe end up someone of the lower class, I think at least I would be able to survive.

Maybe I could be a hired guard of rich ladies or maybe a teacher. I think if I do start a shop maybe I could be a florist or maybe I could grow and raise my own food and sell some in the market.

How long has it been since I sipped such great wine, paired with these tarty sweets, and the rain simply gave me a saddened feeling? Alone, while leaving a party that is meant to celebrate my survival into adulthood.

People inside in their finest clothing and jewelry, laughing and sharing news.

Tomorrow might bring rise to new partnerships formed today.

No one knows except a few of my departures.

A tear formed and dropped making a stain on my face. I quickly dabbed my face, a thought dared to form.

What if I died, this very second? Will my cries be heard? If my body is found, how many will care? Will the party stop? Will they be irritated that a party held in the palace stopped simply because of my death?

I guess it was right of me to bring my diary and pen. It feels like I am talking to someone, even if there is no answer.

…If I die now, will anyone care to read this diary? Will they shame me for knowing the secrets I have laid in this book?

Seems like the dance started, they all look so happy, are they truly filled with joy?

My first dance is for every princess to be with their brother or with the Emperor. Princes dance with their sisters or the Empress. Some even dance with the queen when the Empress has given her understanding.

Tchaikovsky - Valse Sentimentale, what a wonderful song to dance to.

The rain has stopped a while now, what is left but a simple howl of the wind to comfort me.

The howl of the wind is similar to wolves, it feels like even if I were to die here for whatever reason, at least the wind will accompany me in mourning.

I wish time had stopped this very second, it's nice. The feeling of sorrow has left me, I don’t know how to describe what I feel now. A wave of mysterious content envelopes me.

I kick off my heels and snuggle up in my big dress.

“Luna, the Emperor is making his way to the ball as we speak. Quickly, I brought Britta to cross-check your air.”

In a short while of tugs and powder, Eager escorted me to stand next to the throne to greet the Emperor. I see that none of the other royals, not even the Empress has come.

Erik Satie - Gnossienne No. 1 plays on perfectly matching my heartbeat and the steps of the Emperor, the announcer doesn’t announce the Emperor, customary as his presence is to be expected anywhere and at any time.

I lower myself to the point of only being able to see his pair of expensive and beautifully made Derby dress shoes. The patterns on it we're simply mesmerizing.

A dead yet guttural voice rained out the entire hall, one word. “Raise.” This felt like absolute power. Like a death sentence to an innocent person.

No mercy.

Unconsciously a shiver runs through my entire spine and fear finds its way to my eyes.

“Come.”

I knew that was for me, I held my head high walking with poise and grace. My steps clear and my smile soft, I again greet the Emperor.

“This tiny star with the bestowed name Luna greets in submersion of loyalty to the ever blazing Sun of the ever bright Lumen Nation.”

For second the Emperor’s eyes turned sorrowful, almost like an illusion he turned back to his mighty self. It was barely a second that his expression changed.

I began to doubt myself, maybe that wine really did a number on me.

The chancellor Lanehim, bought the scepter and an orb on a pillow, while the Royal adviser Raven brought in a delicately hand-crafted crown embedded with sapphires, diamonds, and rubies.

Gasps filled the hall, I wanted to question their reactions however my question was soon answered.

I took the scepter and orb that was made of gold and embedded with a wide range of rare stones and kneeled all the way to the ground until my knees touched the ground and my head low enough to respect the Emperor and high enough to place the crown in comfort.

“With this crown, I bestow the beautiful princess, I ask, will you stay committed to the royalty and the people. Forever to be guided by the truth and justice. To never fall in sins and to rise and lead in the sun’s grace. May the angels wake you. With this, I officiate the coronation and bestow Luna her right to the crown.”

The emperor then laid the crown on my head, for but a moment that he laid his hands on me and proceeded to tap on my shoulder in signal for me to rise.

“May the first dance of Princess Luna commence, under which the closest male relative is the Emperor himself. I ask if the Emperor is willing to dance with Princess Luna.”

“I am.”

This surprised me more than the first time I snuck out of the palace, the Emperor himself is willing to dance with me. Throughout history, there are no records of the Emperor ever dancing with a measly low classified princess, nonetheless a princess with no close relative, and her mother not officially carried out like a queen.

Why is he doing this?

“Your hand, Luna”

I took the Emperor’s sturdy and rough hands and poised in etiquette for a young lady's acceptance to dance, but I made it more regal because most dances are done in search of worthy suitors.

Thus, my first official dance in society began.