CHAPTER FIVE: THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Lunneta stood at the center of the ballroom, wearing an appeasing smile on her face, but her eyes couldn't hide her darting glances as she searched for a tall figure in her heart.

"Lunneta, come meet Mr. Gael Jamil. He's from the Western land of Light Crescent and is here with his family," Lunneta's mother, Heidi, dragged her to meet a family of three.

They all bowed to her, and she returned the gesture. As the heir of the Light Crescent Clan, she couldn't bow to others.

"Your Highness has grown beautiful," the man said with a small smile. Lunneta nodded her thanks, her eyes still straying.

"This is my son, Adolf Jamil," the beautiful woman pushed her son forward with a slight smile, and he bowed his head in response. Lunneta also bowed, wondering why her mom brought her here. Her eyes kept darting around.

"Why don't you have your first dance with him?" Heidi said, surprising Lunneta. The person she should dance with should be the man her parents want to engage her to. She was surprised to see her mother pushing her towards a young man she knew nothing about. Before she could reply, her father walked towards them. Lunneta took this opportunity to run to his side.

"I want to dance with Father," everyone paused in shock before laughing, but each person was calculating their moves.

"It's good my daughter hasn't forgotten about me," Alexander said with a jovial smile on his face.

"Your Highness," a man bowed, walking towards them with his daughter in tow.

"Gerald, come, I have something to discuss with you," Alexander responded with a small smile.

"Lunneta, have fun with your friends. I'll be back for the dance," Alexander walked out with Gerald.

"Let's leave the children to get to know each other more," Heidi said, taking the adults to the other side of the ballroom.

"Your Highness, you look beautiful," Lino said, walking towards Lunneta with her brother Jordan.

Lunneta took a look at Jordan. He was far from the scrawny boy that followed them around. His face had become handsome and sharp, his body had also filled out nicely.

"Your Highness," he greeted, his voice melodious and beautiful.

Lunneta wasn't the only one who assessed him. Orion had fallen in love with him. Her heart was beating loudly as she heard his voice, but he wasn't looking at her, but at the princess.

"Jordan, you've grown up nicely," Lunneta said with a small smile, causing Jordan to pause, but his face had a smile.

"I can't compare to you, Your Highness," Jordan complimented, his gaze heavy on her. Lunneta knew the look in his eyes but ignored it.

"Orion, Western daughter of Gerald, guard of the desert of the Light Crescent Clan," Orion introduced herself, curtsying with a small shy smile. Jordan accepted her bow, but his eyes were still on Lunneta, who couldn't stay still.

How could Orion take this? The princess was her enemy, and she couldn't accept that the man she fancied was in love with another. She saw the train of her dress pulling around her and immediately came up with an evil idea.

Pretending to stumble, she stepped on the dress as Lunneta moved, causing the dress to tear. Everyone held their breath in shock.

"Your Highness, I didn't mean it," Orion apologized immediately, hiding the small smile on her lips.

"Your Highness, are you okay?" Jordan asked, standing in front of Lunneta, blocking everyone's view of the tear as it was long and stopped mid-thigh.

"I'm fine," Lunneta said to the worried crowd, her gaze stopping at Orion, her eyes swirling with anger. She didn't care about the dress, but it was the dress her mother made with love. Staring at Orion, she knew she had to teach her a lesson, sending a flick of her power towards Orion, who didn't even notice that something had gone wrong.

"Lunneta, do you need help?" Lino asked worriedly.

"I'm fine. I'll be back soon," she said to the crowd, flying out of the room before anyone could register what was happening.

"Orion, you did that on purpose," Lino accused, pointing her finger at her.

Orion didn't want to lose her good image in front of Jordan, but she couldn't allow her to accuse her falsely. "Everyone saw me stumble, why would I harm Her Highness?" Orion spoke smoothly without flaw.

"You…" Lino shouted, attracting the adults, her body shaking in anger.

"Sister…" Jordan cautioned, pulling Lino to his side as he watched the eyes on them.

Orion lifted her head smugly. Suddenly, she felt an itch on her neck. She scratched it, not thinking much of it, but soon the itch spread all over her body. She began scratching like a mad person.

"There is something in my clothes," Orion screamed in frustration as it took all her willpower not to tear her clothes away.

"Orion, are you okay?" Her mother quickly came to her side, looking at her daughter with concern.

"Mother…" Orion cried pitifully as she continued scratching, drawing blood.

"Orion, your face," her friend screamed in horror at the dark spot on her face.

"Quick, take your mistress to the side room," the mother ordered, looking at everyone with a small smile.

"Is everything okay, Ismelde?" Heidi asked, walking towards her majestically, her dress glittering and swaying as she walked, the crown on her head oppressive as her eyes darkened.

"Your Majesty, everything is fine. My daughter must have eaten something she is allergic to," Ismelde said, squeezing her handkerchief.

"Then quickly go look after her," Heidi waved her hands.

"Thank you, Your Highness," she thanked quickly, walking out of the room in tow with her maids.

"It's almost time for the ball. Everyone should take their seats," Heidi said, dismissing everyone.

"That stupid Orion, I can't believe she had the audacity to tear my clothes," Lunneta fumed as she sat in front of the vanity mirror in her room.

"Your Highness, should I teach her a lesson?" Opie asked, bowing her head.

"No, Opie, let it go," Lunneta smirked as she imagined the pain Orion would be in.

"Then, Your Highness, I shall go get the second dress," she bowed, and with a nod from her mistress, she left.

Lunneta tried to reach the back of her zip but couldn't. After much struggling, she decided to wait for her maid. She felt her zip being pulled down and immediately turned around, facing the culprit, a dagger pressing the other party's throat.