Chapter 115: the couple party

The sky was once again filled with the warmth of the sun as the darkness lost its place, sunrays touched the earth with its warmth and life. I opened my eyes feeling the same warmth on my face.

A new day, a new start, today I had to put a show in front of everyone hoping that Isabella would come. I knew everyone would think that Isabella would not come to the party but I knew that Isabella would not leave this chance in any way. It was already a wonder that Isabella had not come to the palace for the past one week.

After that lunch 2 days ago, even Cassius and Philip had not disturbed me anymore. What I regretted most was that Cassius had denied Killian to sleep with me in the name of discipline. I could swear I had the best sleep that day even after having fever. 

His warmth had given my deserted and frozen heart the warmth I desired for.

I stood up and saw Daisy putting the sleepers. Her behavior was much more normal than before, but i was sure that day, i had seen guilt in her eyes too.

"Daisy, go and prepare the bath, we need to work early today."

"Yes, Your highness,"

"Kate, I want to wear the green dress that has small rubies embedded in it."

"Yes, your highness."

I walked towards the pool and immersed myself in it, this warm water always did wonder on my skin.

As I walked out, Kate was already holding the dress in which she clad me. The dress corset was a bit tight, accentuating my slim waist and giving my neckline proper justification. I sat on the dressing chair in front of the mirror, Kate put a ruby set with matching earrings on my neck and ears, and a waistband with a mix of emerald and rubies.

My hairs were packed in a waterfall style braid, leaving the rest of the hairs to fall open as I still needed to cover the injury. Even my mother would realise that something was a miss when she would see more bandages than before.

"Hide it properly, Kate." 

"Yes, your highness"

After looking at myself in the mirror for one final time, I walked towards the central garden. This place was triple to the garden we each have personally. It was specifically designed to throw parties.

It was said that the late duchess Cassius's mother had personally designed the place. Too bad, I met that wonderful lady only twice.

There was a huge pavilion in the middle of the garden where the 2 tables would be organised, one for the couples and one for the kids came with them.

"Lina, the gifts that arrived yesterday from the jewelry store, have you wrapped them properly." 

"Yes your highness"

"Good, bring them when i signal you."

I took a round to the place, the whole area was surrounded by a ray of flowers of each colour in a line, it was better than a rainbow as it has 12 different lines of different colours of flowers.

There was a fountain on the other side too. For decoration I had only used drapes and beautiful covers with silver cutleries.

"Are the other things that I had asked for ready?"  I asked and the maid nodded, though she was still not sure why I was doing this, it was just a way to help others find out how much the other person knew about them.

"Mother, how are you feeling now?" asked Kilian as he walked towards us.

"I am much better, son, you are looking handsome." he was wearing a red and cream suit, with an emerald brooch, just in contrast to my attire.

"Thank you, mother. Tell me how could I help you?" he asked and I smiled.

"There is nothing much left, my son, except for the arrival of guests. I had checked everything personally." I assured him but he shook his head.

"You should have called me, as a host, it was my responsibility too." he added and I chuckled.

"It's alright. You will get plenty of chances to help me in the future.`` I replied to him running a hand in his hair and he smiled with a nod.

"Your highness, the guests had started to arrive."

I saw a maid and a guard with each noble family escorting them in, towards us.

"Welcome duke and duchess Stanford, it's been a long time." 

I wished Meredith and her husband, Meredith hugged me from the side, while her husband Carl just looked at Killian with surprise.

He must be expecting Cassius to stand by my side,

"My father was urgently called by the previous emperor, his majesty's father, duke Stanford." explained Killian and the man finally nodded and shook Killian's hand

"Welcome duchess Barnstone" I welcomed another group, each man had the same expression as Carl.

"Welcome marquees and monique Essendson, nice to have you again here.'' I wished my mother, formally like others, as I was higher in the post than her.

She hugged me, with a rather warm hug and my father patted Killian's shoulder like a proud grandfather.

"Welcome monique Baringstone" soon aunt followed, with Rosellia, who was  dressed as a lady rather than a knight. "You are the only one who is not coupled with your husband." i teased chuckling and she raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure i am the only one, who is with her child instead of husband" she replied and i shook my head.

"How could i let this be, i am here to company you monique" i added and Roselia pouted, as she looked at her pink dress with floral print.

"It's only because father is busy and Dami ran to the nearby city." she complained and we all chuckled.

"Welcome marquees and monique Wiltshire, i must say it was a surprise to see you here Adelia, i thought lady Elena would come like always. And even Lady Isabella had joined you, glad that you came, Killian had thought that after losing the case, you would be embarrassed to show your face, but I was sure that you would not have that much to worry about, after all your image had always been like that."