39 Chapter 11: Banquet 2 (1/2)

He greets me with his usual sneer.

Surprised to find him behind me, I studied him tentatively. Eriol wore a simple dark suit with a pair of epaulets on his shoulder. A crest of Greenrun is seen by his chest and the emblem of his own House. I wonder who designed his emblem?

His hair seems a bit tousled but carefully tied from behind, an effort for keeping his long bangs away from his face, I assume. But it enabled his face to be seen clearly this time. That charming angel face that has a smile of a mischief.

”You look great, Eri” I told him

”You too, kiddo!” he replied wearing his usual sneer.

”Now if you excuse me so I can go hunt down that servant who wouldn't stop blasting us with this darn blinding lights!” Aeron marches away, stepping off from the light while Eriol does a quick side step to catch my eyes.

”So, I guess I should ask properly huh?” he began, he bows down courteously before me with a hand on his chest while a free hand reaches out to me, ”May I have this dance, miss?”

I gladly took his hand and beamed at him, ”It's actually 'lady' not miss. But, go ahead.”

”I actually dislike saying those fancy stuff. Lord, Lady, Master —Bleh.” He stuck his tongue out.

I caught a laugh inside my throat, it almost escaped from my lips, luckily I held it in before it bursted out.

”But I suppose you're right. I should address you as a Lady since you're growing up.” He suddenly scoops a hand to my back and pulls me towards him in one quick move. ”Well... not that old enough but I can make an exemption once in a while if you really want me to treat you as a woman.” He winks

”I don't mean it like that!” I grumbled, I can feel my face flushing.

”Why not? The world of grown up can be just as fun” he says, as we began to move and waltz around.

”Yeah right, you're only sixteen. You're barely a man yourself, Eri!” I rolled my eyes.

”Now that sounds like a challenge! You'd be surprise what I know. Go ahead and ask away, try me!”

”I rather not...” I retorted, as he led me around with his subtle yet graceful movements.

”I'm more surprised you know how to dance!” I said as he made me twirl around then sets me back to step one and then resumes the dance.

”I had to learn it. I told you didn't I? Mercenaries are jack of all trade! We sometimes have to blend in with parties and balls like this to acquire the items our clients requested”

”You mean steal” I muttered, eyeing him deadpan.

He grins, ”There's art in the process. So I rather not call it stealing. I prefer 'acquiring!'”

The deed is the same, I thought as suddenly— or rather 'finally!', the blasting spotlight turned off. The room was slowly filled with the soft golden lights from the three magnificent crystal chandeliers from the high ceilings instead. Luminous white sconces that is seen by the walls, one by one lit up as well.

”Seems like Aeron found the guy” Eriol says in a snicker, looking around.

Now with all the lights open, I was able to see all the faces of the guests around us, also how many are joining us, dancing. And how many girls are actually feasting their eyes on my dance partner.

Hm.

Eriol is a good-looking after all, it can't be helped if girls swoon over him and want him.

His deep purple eyes are the most salient feature he has next to his dimples. Both of which are conspicuous.

My gaze dropped.

This dance is will come to an end...

I wonder who will he dance next?

Someone taps at Eriol from the side, we both look at it and saw Levi. ”May I?” He asks at Eriol.

We both stopped.

Eriol just nodded. He then turns to me and steps aback, ”It has been fun. See you around, my Lady!” he bows down but leaves a wink after.

My eyes followed him as he made his way into the crowd. I can see Aeron talking with some guests in a distance and as expected, plenty of girls', be it a woman or younger, are looking at him. Obviously wanting to be noticed by the blue eyed- snow haired young Lord of the castle.

I turn my focus at Levi, who stood before me. He wore an elegant black and red suit with a cloth that I can undeniably tell it's expensive and high quality. One of those he got from across the seas from his business dealings, I'm guessing. His hair all carefully brushed aback, giving that glossy finish for his dark lux hair. No one can even tell he's from a commoner blood at this point for sure.

He wore several insignia carefully pinned by his coat near his shoulder, exposing his military rank and small stones that symbolizes all the cities under his empire. There's also a bigger crest for Osteell seen just beside the emblem of Morlock Household that he wore on the same side of his coat. He wears a black cape that drapes only by his other side of shoulder and a pair of black gloves that covered his hands. By the middle of his suit are several buttons paired in a row, lining down like one of those Drummer Boy costumes with small tiny chains to connect them and belts-like tags on his side. A rather peculiar outfit that leaves that military air sober around him just like what his Nation is known for. But with his good posture and demeanor, he suits an image of an emperor.

He looks too devastatingly attractive and intimidating at the same time. I suddenly felt conscious with how I look.

”May I have this dance?” He bows down and holds out a hand which I anxiously took. I can see his cufflinks that bore the crest of Osteell. Now that is what I call patriotic.

He stood back up and smiled, dispelling the coldness in his aura; with his thick lashes and sharp looking amber eyes regarding me warmly. ”I brought a dress for you to change into later. It's has Osteell fashion, of course. My people will be proud to see you wear it, if you could?”

”Red and black dress?” I asked as a confirmation rather than bland curiosity.

He nods, ”It matches mine actually. It also helps tell people your my fiancée.” he reaches at my face and draws a stray strand of hair behind my ear. ”That way we can avoid misunderstandings with other Lords here that you're available.”

Since when did Levi become so possessive?

Or has he always been one and I just wasn't paying enough attention?

Well he already went to the trouble in getting me one so...

”Okay, Levi. I'll change into it”

He smiles and guides me in place.

We were about to begin dancing when all of a suddenly a royal entry was announced.

Everyone halted.

Including us.

Ah.

Now that I think about it, I don't see uncle nor auntie anywhere.

The noble court herald announces in proud tone the arrival of the representative of the High throne,

I look up and saw a boy with curly red wine hair that is brushed to one side. His green eyes resembles that of a pureblood of an Ergus descendant but I know very well he's not. He just really have a pair of olive colored eyes. A feature in him that is often misleading.

I can't believe it though, he grown up so fast!

”Prince Kain!”

I can see the delight on his face when Aeron himself walked up to him to greet him. The innocence in Prince Kain's downturned eyes never seem to change despite growing older, he still have the natural imploring look.

Wait.

He's supposed to be ten years old now but surprisingly, he stands almost at the same height as my brother.

Has growth spurt always been that early for some guys?

”Let's join them” Levi suggests to me with a smile.

Ah.

But the dance... it would be rude if I stepped away now.

”It's fine. We can dance after greeting them. I can see you want to greet your cousin too.”

”T-thanks, Levi.”

”Let's go greet them together and then return here later on, okay?”

I nodded as we both went towards them.

Eriol has already joined them.

”Prince Kain, good evening!” I said as we approached them.

Prince Kain turned to me and hurried to my side, ”You look stunning, Aerra!”

”Thank you, your Highness!” I answered and curtsied to properly greet his presence. He is after all the second Prince.

I stood back up as he hold on to both my hands, ”No need to be so formal to me if it's you, Aerra.” He says with such a cheerful tone.

Wow. He's just on the same eye level as me.

Prince Kain really has grown taller than expected. But he was so short the last time I saw him, almost like a toddler.

”What's wrong?” he asks, his natural imploring look kicks in.

”It's nothing!” I beamed at him.

”I have gifts for you!” He says almost in a singsong. ”And you, Aeron!” he turns to Aeron.

”And you too, Stray!” he added

”Nice!” Eriol pumps a fist.

Ah.

I noticed Kain still uses Eriol's old name but he doesn't seem to mind though...

”Hey, thanks! By the way, if you don't mind me asking. Did you came here alone?” Aeron asks.

Kain drops my hands and just stood close to me, turning to face Aeron as Kain latched onto my arm. ”The high King has to handle some important affairs regarding the Northwestern war. He took my brother along so I came here to represent the High throne instead. I hope you don't mind”

War?

”Of course not!” Aeron replied, ”We're more than happy to see you come here actually!”

Kain beams profoundly, ”Thank you!”

”Ah! I don't think you met Levi yet!” Aeron gestures at Levi as he bows courteously at him. ”Prince Kain, this is Levi. He is—!”

”Yes, I know of him.” Kain answered curtly. The tone of his voice seemed different. ”Anyway, I brought a dress you can use tonight, Aerra!” He digresses, his usual pitch returned. ”You're still part of the royal line so you must wear it, yes? I assured only the best tailor in the Seven Kingdoms created it!”

I guess I'll be changing into a lot of dress tonight, I thought to myself.

”Thank you, Kain. I will.”

Unexpectedly, our parents arrived and exchanged greetings with Kain.

”Aeron, go ahead and get ready.” Papa says at Aeron as he nodded and excused himself. Papa followed after him.

”Where's he going?” Kain whispered at me,

”He's suppose to show off his powers for the guests' entertainment.” I answered.

”Won't you join him?”

I shook my head, ”I haven't... awakened mine yet.”

Kain smiled, ”Okay.”

What's with that reply?

”Aerra, go ahead and have your final dance. We'll begin with Aeron's soon after.” Mama says as she smiled and nudge at me.

It's rather common sense than customary to have at least one dance with the guy you're engaged with so I turned to face Levi. Also, I did agreed to return to the dance with him.

Although we do have still a lot more chances to dance later but...

Levi smiled and reached a hand at me. ”Let's go?” he asks. I nodded and reached a hand to take his.

Kain grabs my hand all of a sudden and pulls me away, dragging me towards the middle of the room. ”Kain wait—” I tagged at him and pulled my hands off.

”What's wrong, Aerra? Auntie said we should dance before Aeron's turn to perform out.”

Ah.

But—!

I turned to look at Levi as he just stood there wearing his usual placid facial expression, nods once at me and steps back with composure.

Kain turns to look at where I was looking at.

”Oh. Sorry, I didn't mean to interfere or anything!” He is referring this to Levi, blatantly. ”You don't mind, don't you? After all, I'm here to represent the high crown; to dance with the celebrant is expected from me.” Kain's voice somehow sounds mature if he levels his tone flat like this, I thought.

I can see Levi wants to say something but held himself not too. Kain's volume has been too loud enough that many guests ended up turning to watch what was transpiring, pushing Levi to a corner where he has to agree with this set up.

At that point, it's impossible any of us to deny Kain, especially now that we got the attention of almost all of the guests in that hall.

I rather feel bad for Levi.

It seems rude though— what Kain had done.

He's unexpectedly cunning

...like his father.

”Let's go, Aerra” he says again with his usual sweet smile and high pitched tone.

I just nodded and followed after him.

Soon, we began to dance.

”It's alright, Aerra. Levi doesn't seem to mind!”

Says Kain as we dance through the slow waltz.

”You didn't had to be that loud though...” I replied, looking at Levi as few guests had began chatting with him. At least he's preoccupied now, I thought.

”I'll be more careful next time then.” Kain replied. ”But this won't do. You need to keep your eyes straight, Aerra. Or else you might trip and fall. Dancing is more dangerous than you think!”

I turned my focus at Kain

he just beamed at me.

What an ambiguous warning.