Her

Embrace by the chilly night, the long table on the center of huge room is now sparkling and filled of silver cutleries— waiting to be hold by royals. Ovi, the chief manservant of the Empire's Castle, was busy in preparing everything for the dinner and arranging things to be perfect. He is holding a thick average book, ink in his pocket near the chest and quill in his right hand. Shouting in every directions for the servants to take his commands. And when he's satisfied on the great expectations he made, he then return to the Majesties chamber.

Waiting for the clock to turn on the exact time they must make their way to the dinner area, Folia decided to go in the dining room early than expected. She was just on her room the whole day, reading the book her mother gave before she depart a week ago. It is about the manners of a lady and etiquettes on the table. She memorized it all and practice for a day that made her confident to the possible memory of this night.

When she arrived at the bright room, a man on the left side of the table wearing a celestial blue with a touch of black and gold attire sitting while fixing his accessories near his chest— unaware of her presence. For as she remember, he was a prince from the Sapphire kingdom. Trying to remember his name. She is worse in remembering people's names, memories of them or even the moment they met making her conscious when she is talking about people who approach her as if they are acquaintances. Because of her forgetful features, she always writes on her brown smooth pages of paper to remember every thing she did on an exact date but because she's too focus on the book her mother's lend, she forgot to read her diary for a situation like this.

She tried to turn and back on her chamber to read it but it was too late, the prince already noticed her.

"A lovely night for as a lovely lady.", he greeted as he walked towards her. He bowed and hold her glove hands and kiss it gently that made her flush a little. "Prince Caelum of the Sapphire Kingdom.", he introduced himself and looked at her.

'Oh, Caelum... yes. I remember now.', she thought and pulled her hand with grace then hold her side to side dress to bow. "An honor from Emerald Kingdom, Folia Cassiadian.", she declared then stand with composture.

"What a lovely name you have, Princess Folia. Now then, let's take our seat.", he stand beside her and offer his forearm to guide her. "Shall we?", he asked that made Folia accept his offer and be guided by this gentleman.

He walked slowly, same paced as her and when they reach the chair she walk towards to, he pulled it slowly and treat her like a fragile glass. "My gratitude, Prince Caelum.", she said as she sit comfortably. The prince smiled and back on his seat infront of her.

As soon as Caelum sat, Sal came wearing an ocean blue with a touch of white and gold. "Greetings, Prince Caelum, Princess Folia.", he declared then bowed, the two royals stand and bowed too.

A couple of second, the other royals came and greeted each other, well, except for a lady named Leonthera. They are all sitting perfectly exactly at the time their attendants declared. And Sidus, who's sitting on the opposite row of Caelum, beside Diem, is still worrying about Leonthera's whereabout. Anxious of what happened earlier, he tried to asked the prince beside him.

"Permit me to asked, Prince Diem, do you have a knowledge about what happened to Princess Leonthera for the passed time?", talking about the memory in the ground. He's whispering and got a little close to Diem, worried about the fuss it will create.

Diem answered cluelessly. "Forgive me to not have a proper answer. I have no knowledge about the past events.", he answered carefully yet wondered about the carelessly princess.

Sidus gave his gratitude then fixed his composture as they all heard the footsteps coming from the huge door where they all entered. But as they got closer, a woman's voice echoed in their hearings.

"I sure did that! Blast them for doing those. How—", it stopped that made them all confused. In Caelum's mind, the only person who talks improper is Leonthera. And the other prince's wondered too but they all know it's different from the princess voice. Couple of second passed and twain of Majesties are revealed.

The two are wearing black silky robe with fine lines as decorations of black. It looks classy and powerful, as Viola thought. The Empress who's look is as fancy as her title is— the loose sleeves that's embracing her arms, the average thread that is emphasizing her sinuous waist, the gold lace around her head with three black diamonds on her forehead and... her red hair with the.. white ends.

'Her hair is.. combined.', with surprised, Folia thought while staring at her.

Beside her is a tall and well-fined man. Wearing a robe that reveals his broad chest and a gold necklace. He has an amazing beauty of a man and fantasizing eyes. 'A man who I desired for a long time...', Stapelia thought while staring at him. 'Oh! I forgot. He is the emperor. The one who didn't punish the insolent princess! Back into senses, Stapelia. We shan't fall for this gentleman's charm.', she focused herself on the Empress and looked at the man she admired the first time she saw him.

"An amazing image that is.", the emperor said and looked at them all. They all took it as a greeting and stand to pay their respect.

"A bunch of treasure, aren't they?", the empress smiled and looked satisfied as she observe them.

The emperor nodded. "Indeed.", he held the empress waist and guide her carefully. Caelum, who's watching them felt a shiver down to his spine.

'Don't tell me I should do that?', he asked as he imagine himself being an Emperor. He might be a gentleman by the mind but his morals about commitment is too vague.

When the Majesties are now comfortable at their seats which is located on the opposite side of the table, the royal children make theirselves comfortable again.

"I see a lack of princess. Princess Leonthera as it is?", the emperor asked as he noticed the empty chair beside him in front of Sidus.

The princes wanted to asked but it will create a suspicion. Being at their position, it is about pride and connections. It can also affect Leonthera's reputation. Could be a talk by many for having a contact with the species of man.

"A woman can encounter an unexpected events, Dear Paradus.", the empress declared while staring at the emperor. Viola startled when he saw the humorous reaction of the emperor, as if he wanted to laugh. She looked at the empress who doesn't even change reaction even a bit.

The emperor agreed and call for the butler, Ovi. He ordered him to filled the glasses with a light wine. "My gratitude to have you in my castle. Maidens and bachelors who came to.. the destined age, Twenty, to be the Majesties and ruler of this empire. Raise your glasses, children! Let's toast for your successful journey.", they raised it smiling, and drink as the emperor finished his glass. He clapped and ordered the servants to prepare the meal.

"Permit me to asked, your majesty. Shall we prepare the missing lady's...", the butler was interrupted.

"Yes, yes.", the emperor answered immediately. The butler got busy again and while the other's are preparing. The empress asked the children.

"How's Verdante, Princess Folia?", the lady beside the empress got surprised by her sudden question. "Oh, apologies for the surprise curiosity. Your father and I are acquaintances, no.. more like friends so I accidentally declared it out without a formality.", she explained. Looking at the plate in front of her with glimmering eyes.

"It is fine, empress. My father is well and healthy. My gratitude for your concern.", she politely asnwered. The empress smiled.

"Music to my ears. Oh, children. Verdante is a friend I met on the second course of the tournament. He is a clever and skilled man but he loves books and sometimes forget stuffs that made us failed the challenge yet I enjoyed because of his carefreeness. I could see him in you, Princess Folia.", she said that made the princess smile. Imagining her father getting well with the empress.

"He did forget everything. We almost lost for real in the last hunting.", the emperor added, looking at the empress with a reminiscing eyes. The empress laughed gracefully. "We have your father in our group that time, Prince Sal. Verdante as the forgetful and Gideon as our sleepy comrade. I am for the traps. Gideon always sleep and lost his direction and almost eat by a bear.", he is laughing manly. Making Stapelia's heart race then again remind her madness. "How is Gideon doing, Prince Sal?", he asked, fixing the clothe in his lap.

Sal looked at him, smiling at their stories with his father. "As you said, emperor, he still always loves to sleep but still become a great King. He is great and in a lot of stamina."

"Oh dear, is Valentia bearing a child?", the empress asked with astounding gaze.

Sal nodded. "In the Sixth.", he answered like a proud son. The Majesties laugh.

"That man really did his promise.", the emperor said that made the children looked at him. "You all are inquisitive children. Well, Gideon marry a noble lady who he doesn't want at first because in his mind, women are another reason he can't enjoy the peace of rest. Prince Caelum's mother, who really loves.. can I?", the emperor asked Caelum's permission to talk about his mother.

"Gambling and risk.", he added then smiled.

"Yes. Carolina loves gambling and bets. She challenge us to give our bets on how many child we all could have and she teases Gideon to extreme that made him bet on himself that he will have six. And what's interesting is he based it on how many times he wanted to sleep a day. Carolina and Princess Viola's mother, Forinthel, said they will not be married until they died...", the emperor told them like the memories just happened yesterday.

"..then a year after the tournament, the one who got married first was Carolina and at the same time Forinthel got pregnant.", the empress continued and laughed like she is enjoying the past events on her life.

'They really all made a deep connection.', Sidus thought as he stared as their delightful visage.

"Oh, about marriage. How's Liathy, Prince Sidus? The very lady I met with such gracefulness and behavior like a fragile glass.", she asked him with the soft gaze that made him feel the warmth.

"My mother never change a bit, my lady. She still moves like a flower on a windy field, dancing with finest.", he declared with admiration on his mother.

"Hearing you say that made me remember her warmness and comfort. Lady Liathy always behaves as the one with the moral you can always admired. She's just a bit innocent and took it as an advantage for Carolina. You might not believe it but they both skip the first course of the challenge just to gamble at the town. They back safe and sound but their accessories are gone and wipe out clean.", the other's laughed by the memory the empress just told them.

"Great empress, did you met my father back then?", Stapelia then asked in the middle of their laughter. The empress face got relaxed and look at an empty area to think.

"Mhm.. Romelio.", the empress didn't talked for a couple of seconds. Thinking carefully not to tell her an encounter with Stapelia's father. "I met him at the third challenge. He is a perfectionist man who's obsessed with little details that made him a difficult person but building things are his strength that made his comrades trust him.", she talked and looked at Stapelia.

"Yes, I know even that, thank you for reminding me. But.. did you two became friends? Like their parents?", she looked at the other children. The others was taken aback by her approach.

The empress inhaled. "Well... yes. But...", the sound of an iron armors lingered on their ears that made them looked at the entrance of the room.

As Caelum looked at it, he saw the lady who's visage was exposed in the dress of silk scarlet gown that reveals her shoulder and emphasizing her sinuous figure partnered with a cape matches the color of her simple yet elegant dress that is connected on her neck. He is mesmerized by her beauty, forgot that he's hands is still mid-air holding the scarf for his lap. Even her beauty is almost extraordinary— the disoriented crown on her head, small pouch held by her right hand and gloves that are not well wear on her arms— are noticable. She looked like a perfect mess, Caelum thought.

"Salve, your Majesties, Royal Children.", the attendant of the princess, Victrina, bowed as a pay of respect. "I apologize for the delay of lady Leonthera. I am at fault and I deserve a punishment for my carelessness.", she then again bowed.

The empress looked at Caelum. "Dear, can you please escort the lady in her seat?", she asked, smiling at the prince with pleasing tone. He nodded.

"We are all fine, seeing the lady being good and fair.", the emperor said that made Victrina bow again. When she stand perfectly as the morality she always stand, she tried to snatch the pouch Leonthera's holding but she avoid it on Victrina's hand by swaying it on disoriented directions.

When the attendant saw Caelum walking towards them, she glared at Leonthera before taking her leave with the knights but the princess seems to not care.

Leonthera who's holding back her laughter, stared at Caelum who's standing in front of her. She cannot deny the fact of this man's manly features but she felt a little bit unfair because in his very chest, he all blocked their gazes from her.

"You really love trouble, aren't you?", he asked mocking, she halted when he asked. "Can I?", he asked, looking at her messy gloves.

"Sure, sure! Faster.", she commanded like she's just talking to Victrina but in the most friendly way she asked but Caelum didn't even react.

She was about to tease him but then he held her forearm gently and fixed her gloves. She knew they cannot see it from there because of this man's blocking the scenery. Her breath stopped when Caelum got a napkin on his hand to wipe her eyes gently. She didn't know where he got it nor when he have it. And lastly, he fixed her crown with focus and seriousness. Without a mockery nor intention in his eyes.

"Now, you looked..", he stopped midway. "..okay.", he stand beside her and cut his gaze to her. "Shall we?", Leonthera blinked twice as she saw what he offer. Not his arm.. but his hand. She hold it and let him take the lead.

"Why aren't you wearing your veil?", Caelum whispered.

"A beauty should never hide.", she answered with haughtiness.

"Then don't wear it again. Your beauty should be witnessed by many.", he said with conviction. She was surprised by his compliment, afraid to accept that it might also a phrase of a prince and not the man itself.

'Is this why Viola warned me?', she thought, almost forgot to bow and pay her respect after standing in front of them.