Sera stared back at her reflection in the mirror, as though examining her body.
"My Princess, would you like to be undressed or should we wait for a while?"
Sera nodded and flailed her hand dismissively. "Everyone should leave except Adna."
The maids bowed and left, adhering to her order and leaving them both alone.
Adna came closer and helped Sera out of her garments.
"You look nervous. Is anything the matter?" Adna observed, glancing at Sera's reflection in the mirror.
Sera bit her lower lip and looked down. "Adna… have you ever gotten married before?"
Adna froze at the question, then chuckled. "I guess I must really look old." She said humorously.
Sera, realising her mistake, fumbled, but Adna simply laughed it off.
"It's okay. I could sense your nervousness all the way there, so I understand."
She loosened Sera's corset, making the latter exhale.
"No, I've not been married before. But after witnessing my mother marry four times before I got to the age of eighteen, I learned something."
She turned Sera's chair to face her and sat on the floor in front of her.
"Your Highness, marriage is not all roses and honey. There are some pits where you'd find trouble getting out." She held Sera's hand gently. "After my mother's second marriage, I learned that marriage is all about endless compromise, endless endurance, and tolerance."
"What if you do not love the person — or even know them?"
"That's perfect for marriages. You don't have to love the person to marry them — you have to get accustomed to them.
It's like going to the tailor to get yourself a dress. She takes your measurements and provides you with a beautiful dress. The seamstress might make a mistake, but overall, it might still suit you.
That's how it is. You marry to get someone to partner with you, someone you can grow old with, someone to share your grief and look after you when your hair turns snow white."
Sera blinked, trying to process the inflow of information.
"Duke Erin is a kind young man. Apparently, all the women in Relanor are his crushes. The place has also developed, so you can see for yourself how it reflects him," Adna said. She rubbed Sera's hand with her thumb and smiled.
She got up and turned Sera back to the mirror. "Though the only thing you have to fear is not being beaten by his crushes. Apparently, they're hard-core crushes."
Adna and Sera burst into laughter at the statement.
"Thank you, Adna."
Sera smiled gratefully. She was genuinely thankful for the endless patience and tolerance her maid had for her — though now, she saw her as a sister.
The door echoed with a knock and a voice reverberated through the doors.
"His Royal Majesty summons the Princess to the parlour."
Adna and Sera stared at each other before a chuckle escaped their lips.
"Good thing I didn't destroy your hair."
---
Half an hour later, Sera walked down the halls, her mind racing with thoughts on why her father would suddenly summon her.
She saw the double doors ahead and quickened her steps to get there faster.
Getting to the gate, she saw Veyron coming from the opposite side.
"He's been summoned too?" she wondered. Inwardly, she still felt annoyed that he hadn't helped her that day — even though he'd given her his coat.
She humphed and looked ahead, opening the doors.
Sera walked in and curtsied. "Good evening—Ah!"
A shoulder bumped into her, making her almost lose her stance. Gathering herself, she saw it was Veyron passing by. He paused and turned to her.
"Don't stand in the way to greet."
His voice was as cold as the aura he carried. Sera could feel her face heat up in embarrassment. She glared at him for a second before straightening her expression.
"Sera, are you okay?" Garran jumped to her side.
She nodded and walked with him to her seat.
"I apologise for the mistake…"
"It's okay, you weren't at fault. However, I must say that I was quite surprised when I saw you."
Baron Leoric commented, a smile hanging on his goateed face.
"You are truly stunning, as the rumours say. Truly deserving of the title."
His smile grew wider, and Garran smiled slightly, while Elara had a scowl on her face.
Sera blushed when she heard it. Granted, she had been told this several times, but this was the first time in front of Veyron — and though she abhorred him, he was still a foreigner.
She lifted her eyes to see his reaction and saw only him seriously sipping his tea.
As someone called the Star of Eldoria, she had some pride — so not receiving the reaction she wanted bruised her ego.
"You flatter me, Baron Leoric." Sera smiled politely.
"If everyone is here, I guess we can start," King Hendrick boomed, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Baron Leoric is here to officially welcome Prince Iskaria to the Southern Continent on behalf of the Assembly — and also wish me well."
Baron Leo smiled and pointed to the gifts neatly laid out in a corner of the parlour.
"I couldn't come empty-handed, so I brought gifts. Also, Prince Veyron, I purposely brought you this. It contains a pendant forged—"
"I do not need it."
Veyron curtly replied without even looking at the item.
Everyone in the room had a peculiar expression — except Hendrick, who was well aware of his behaviour.
Elara's gaze burned deeper when she realised that her father had been disrespected. He was the General Secretary for the Assembly, for crying out loud.
"How…" She felt her father hold her hand to stop her, and she could only swallow her displeasure.
Garran and his sister looked on with intrigued expressions — one amused at his response, the other wondering if that was how he usually was.
"I understand. Oh, I also brought this for you, Prince Garran."
The Baron held a box that had been carefully wrapped. Garran took it in his palm and looked at it curiously.
"It's an amulet. It was designed to keep your aura in check — to prevent random bursts."
Garran's smile turned forced, his aura flickering weakly, but the Baron didn't mind.
King Hendrick also had a cold expression on his face. They all knew what the amulet meant — a way for the Baron to mock the Prince, and a literal chain around his neck if nothing was done.
Already annoyed by the mere fact of his complimenting Sera, Garran was about to retaliate when Sera held him.
He turned and saw her looking at him. Even though she said nothing, he felt calm and smiled.
"I truly appreciate your kindness, Baron Leoric. I will remember it someday."
The tension in the room became palpable — each smile representing an exposed fang.
"Your Majesty, this is why I didn't want to come. But you still told me to," Veyron muttered.
Even though he didn't raise his voice, he made sure everyone heard what he said.
Baron Leoric and Elara froze, understanding the implication. The fact that he settled in Eldoria already pushed their suspicion buttons — and now this.
"You mean… His Majesty forced you to come?" Baron Leoric asked.
Veyron frowned. "No one can force me to do what I don't want to do. I simply have a story with His Majesty."
King Hendrick, upon understanding what Veyron wanted to do, shook his head silently.
"Such a rash kid," he thought.
Sera nodded quietly to herself, understanding why everything happened.
The rest of the conversation sounded subdued, and soon Baron Leoric bid his leave.
"Elara and I will be expecting you to her birthday party next month," Baron Leoric said. He smiled at Sera and left with his daughter.
Before boarding the carriage, he came to Veyron and whispered,
"Just in case you are in need of a local companion or anything, simply call by my house and I would be happy to help."