Chapter 26 - The Autumn Banquet (1)

The dress was a metallic blue color, adorned with the embroidery of a rose. It had tiny crystals on it's form, shining nicely under the light. The sleeves extended long and a ribbon was attached to the waist. It was a marvelous dress, and it was custom made.

Looking at it, Iris nodded in satisfaction. Now this was a dress of a noble family's heiress. All she needs to do know is to find the perfect jewelry to wear with it..

...

Elsewhere, two women were siting in a spacious room. Libera spoke to her beautiful to the point of destruction daughter, Aria. "Aria, this banquet is very important. You need to be extremely careful in putting up appearances."

"I know, mother." Aria replied softly.

"And when you go on stage to claim the prize for the hunting competition, keep up a humble and surprised facade. Don't show any sort of inappropriate emotion, understand? This will be one of the good opportunities to help you in your future marriage, try to leave a great impression. You know, the Seventh Prince will be attending this time around, you don't want to let this opportunity go, do you?" Libera smiled meaningfully.

Aria blushed very hard, lowering her head to hide her bashfulness and shyness form her mother.

"What are you saying, mother..." She spoke softer than before.

Libera laughed heartily, "This child, don't think you can hide it from me, I know you like the seventh prince!"

Aria blushed deeper, as a sweet memory flashed in her mind.

The wind was blowing gently over the grass, making it sway slowly, as if following a symphony. There, a man was siting. His robes were extremely exquisite, his face cold, aloof and dangerous, yet perfectly handsome. His bloody dark eyes seemed as if they could see everything, adorned in a sharp gaze.

One look at that person, and her heart was captured beyond recovery. In the entire world, to her only he could be worthy of herself, only he would she marry.

"Aria, in this banquet, you should start making your move on the Seventh Prince. As attractive as you are, there's no way he wouldn't notice you. Not only that, you would be the one taking the initiative, so his pride won't be hurt! Take this chance to get closer to him, and your father will set up an engagement for you two!"

"Yes!"

....

In the Imperial family hall where the banquet was to be held, the guests were starting to arrive. There was no one from the royal family in sight, they had yet to arrive.

In the throne room, the Emperor was looking at the young man sitting in front of him, feeling slightly nervous.

Azura leisurely took a sip of his tea, not glancing at him at all.

"Old' Seventh, so...you will attend today's banquet, right?" He asked slightly anxiously.

"If Father Emperor has said so, how could your son decline." He replied aloofly.

"Great! Also...there will be many noble families coming. Many noble ladies will come too, and all of them are elegant and beautiful, knowledgeable and virtuous. How about you...pick someone to marry? You have come of age, and still have no consort..." He tried to recall something carefully, "Ah, there's this girl, Prime Minister Silcia's daughter, the eldest one. What was her name...Aria! How about her? She's famous for her beauty, and she's more talented than any other girl in the capital. How about you meet her today, and tell me if you like her?"

"Father Emperor is rushing this son. This son has no intentions of getting married." There was not a change in Azura's expression.

"Look at you, always like this. No intention of getting married? You just want people to gossip, saying you're incapable, losing face for this Emperor."

"Anyone who dares to gossip, see if this prince won't cut off their tongues."

"You really have no one you want to marry?" The Emperor sighed in regret.

"I don't want anyone to marry, but I do want to raise a fox..." Azura seemed to have thought of something and let out a deep, alluring chuckle.

"What? You want to raise a fox?" The Emperor was flabbergasted.

"Father Emperor, it's time." He got up and headed towards the venue leaving a stunned Emperor behind.

...

Iris arrived in the banquet alongside her family. This time, her father didn't defame her and let her ride in a normal carriage, all for the sake of reputation.

As Aria and Athia entered the banquet hall, everyone let out a gasp. Their beauty was unparalleled, exquisite, alluring, not letting them take their eyes off, a beauty capable of bringing downfall to the cities.

The two of them greeted the people and went along to talk to other noble girls.

As she entered herself, she aroused another round of amazed looks from the crowds.

As she entered in, everyone's gaze followed her figure, yet she didn't even flinch, much less panic.

Seeing her, people started to gossip,

"Who's she? So beautiful!"

"I don't think I've seen her before in the capital?"

"She came with the Silcia family, so could she be a member of their family?"

"Ah, I think I've heard of her before, isn't she Iris, the girl that was sent to the mountains to recuperate?"

"Wow seriously? She's such a beauty!"

Iris was unfazed as always, made her way to a seat and sat down, no intention of socializing at all.

she just casually glanced around the hall, her gaze landing to the table full of food. She averted her gaze, but it unconsciously drifted to the table again. She looked away again, but found herself staring at the luxurious delicacies once more.

Her eyes were staring intently at the food, ready to pounce on it any second. Her lips curved up into a small but subtle smile.

Little did she know that her actions were seen by somebody.