Chapter 223: Chapter 223 — Summer Ball of Sought Dances.
An unseen entrance after centuries was done.
The silent gazes appreciating the unique occurrence bowed aghast at the unknown custom of the Monarch escorting the chosen by Fenrir, as behind their steps his Wife and Heir to the Throne followed.
People held their gasps at the scene, surprised by how stunning Calla’s Confidant was.
The protocol was followed and introductions were made by the triumphant Emperor who left the Ninth’s presentation for the last.
"Now... Before our young nobles engage in their delightful ceremony... You may all be eager to hear this lovely Lady’s name and Title."
Smirking at the expectant audience The Emperor Commenced.
"... <<Our Empire’s Royal Family has arrived>>... Is what I requested for today’s announcement of Our Presence... The reason is as you see. A lovely Lady, different to my Graceful Empress walked by my side. And it is only respectful for our blood’s ancestors for I, their current Head of their Lineage, to introduce this Lady to the Empire."
Offering his hand to Marianne, Francois invited the child to give a step and stand next to him.
"People of our Reign... I have the delight of introducing to you, Our household deity’s Chosen One: Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, The Ninth Calla’s Confidant, Pristina Pars... Whose name shall be known by many in the Frotschter Empire... as centuries have passed in her wait... Rejoice! Yet behold... For her official day of celebration shall be done in the clearest day of Summer, where our people’s fruitful Festival is to commence and where the skyes shall be devoid of clouds for our Divine in Izeneya to join the Festivity!"
Glances of expectation under excited murmurs travelled through the grandiose Ball Room, which Hall was the biggest of all in the Royal Palace.
The buzz of the nobles was energetic at the entertaining news, but their noise was needed to cease as the Emperor wished.
"Aware I am... That anticipation is a must... Yet it is to be saved for the customary time."
Once the silence came back to the ambience, Francois gave a step aside doing a respectful reverence to the admired Lady while holding her hand over his head.
Swiftly, the Monarch let go and gave a step behind, ending her address to the little public assisting the event.
"She is to be treated as Royalty and above!... Pristina Pars, May thy worth bridge our Primal Regnant’ road again."
"May thy worth bridge our Primal Regnant’ road again!"
A deep reverence offered to our awaited child was given... Howls of Fenrir along the dancing torches in Izeneya joined the honour...
We rejoice... for the time for rehearsal has ended.
*******
"How many young ones are to have their private ceremony?"
"This season only four reached the age to commemorate... Yet only three have assisted."
"Hurmm... Wonderful news, are they not, Crown Prince?" — To the answer to his question, the Emperor told his indifferent son as they moved to the room where the ceremony was to be held.
"Yes."
"... Should I make it brief?"
"..."
"A dance... Was it?" — Francois maliciously implied.
"If you are aware, then do so."
"Hah. How come? I thought it would take you longer to learn how oblivious you were... Who is it that ruined your maddening journey discovering your heart, Crown Prince?" — The entertained Father continued.
"... If even his excellency was knowledgable of what hunted me, then I truly was as ignorant as your poor servants."
"You cursed–!"
"Husband. Do not disturb our son." — The Empress warned as she took her seat, turning then to face her offspring.
"Zeleskiaz."
"..."
"Be wise, son of mine. As it turns out, you made no effort to hide it in the least.
This shall be the only advice I am to give you for I know you don’t intend on asking for any other:
Be clever as you give your heart. And be strong so you come to keep hers."
"... I shall keep The Empress’s words in mind."
"...Tsk... The poor Cute child... I am conflicted... To let her end in my son’s hands~..." — Francois sighed, pained after being placed aside by his family’s members.
"..."
Murdering intent as impatience continued to pile on the discussed man was felt in the room, causing the present ones to flinch at its aura’s menace.
"... I told you not to bother him." — The wise Empress told her husband.
As the Mother she was, and as difficult her children were... She knew for the better with each of them.
"Ahem!..... Ervin. Let the celebrated youth come in." — Ashamed and in hast at the vibrating air, Francois mandated, giving start to concerned thoughts.
’Is he even more dangerous now that he knows he’s in love?? Before it was an unruly beast of a son... Now am I to deal with an unruly sensitive beast of a son??... Sigh... What type of fate am I to face, Oh Lords of Izeneya...’
*******
Many assistants came to greet the child once the Royals entailed on the ceremony procedures left.
Accompanied by the Princess and observant Second Prince, the admired child was soon approached by the expectant nobles that desired to speak with the chosen of their Empire’s Royal Deity.
"Greetings to the Ninth, May thy worth bridge our Primal Regnant’ road again... I am Marquise Jason Berold and this is my wife Fiona Berold."
"It is an honour to make your acquaintance, graceful Ninth."
"....."
As mute as she was, her reply was scarce with a simple nod of her head, which caused intrigue among the people.
"Uh... Is there a problem? Have we–"
"She’s mute, Marquese." — The Princess bluntly interjected, aware that if more was said the Lady’s impression on the people could turn sour.
"Gasp! Has she no tongue?! Poor child!" — The Marquise’s wife commenced, instilling dumfounded murmurs to the awaiting line of nobles.
"Marquise Berold, I suggest for your wife not to make assumptions. Lady Marianne has a certain condition which hinders her speech."
"Ah... Yes, I–"
"Also." — Jasmine cut in the troubled man’s words, rolling her eyes to coldly gaze at the unpolite woman.
"..."
"She is the Ninth. May I have to remind you who it is that protects her as she is the one it chose?"
Little glances of shame and fear went between the near assistants holding the answer to themselves.
"Mind your manners, elite of the Empire it helped to raise... As you may know... The beast is fickle... And thirsty for red."
A wise warning from the one who had a speck of the spirit that met Fenrir was delayed.
Tense air filled their surroundings as the menace was formidable at the lengthy knowledge of Fenrir’s natural violence.
Nonetheless, the one who the Princess had stepped forward to defend did not mind the awkwardness of the silence the reprimanded nobles held momentarily.
’Dayum~ What a sharp tongue the Princess has~... Even I wouldn’t have said it better.’ — The carefree girl admired.
"... I– I apologise for the discourtesy we have shown you, Princess."
"Apologise to the Ninth. She is not deaf."
"..." — ’... I’m... It’s just a guess... But I think this Princess might not have many friends...’
Appalled at her lack of courtesy, the foreign child asserted. Finally feeling uncomfortable in the situation she was in.
"... My apologies, Ninth."
’I’m sorry too... She kind of roasted you there, Sir.’ — Bowing, she inwardly told the sweaty man.
The next pair of nobles followed, yet their cautiousness was apparent at the warning received.
More continued to greet her until a familiar voice came to join her.
"Greetings to the Ninth."
"!"
"I am speechless... To think I would have to wait in line to greet my own daughter..." — The playful Duke’s smile stood before her.
’Ah~~ Mister~ help us~’ — The exhausted child whined inside as her hands reached for his to find comfort.
"Oh, sweetie... Too many are interested to meet you... You must already be tired although the Ball has yet to officially start..."
Sorry for her struggle, Orland warmly told her, caressing her thin hands laying on his.
’I think I was already tired by the time the first corset was tightened, mister~... that moody Madame made sure to make this dress a beautiful torture...’ — She silently commented, tilting her head to convey her difficulties.
"Do rest if you need to, dear... You can make people wait since it’s worthy."
’Hehe~ I know~ Marianne looks gorgeous. We should be charging for this... It’s kind of a fan meeting of sorts, isn’t it?’ — Happy, she agreed. Summoning some colour to her cheeks as his disguised compliment was heard.
"Am I not visible?" — Another familiar voice reached her, interrupting her joy.
’Ah... The Duchess.’
"Will I not be greeted?... Child?" — Elenaide dryly inquired. Struggling as she could not find in herself to call her child’s name.
"..." — ’It doesn’t seem like you want to be greeted, though.’
The girl thought as her gaze met the hateful one of her Body’s Mother, pausing to peek at her Father whose displeased expression showed with the slight tensing of his brows on a restrained scowl.
With no other option, Marianne respectfully bowed to her Mother, simply obtaining the flinch of her scrutinizing brow and the silent sigh in the aversion of her stare.