Officially engaged

After Uncle Jake retreats from the stage and gives my father the chance to give the speech, my father steps up to the stage and greet our guest first.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen…it's my pleasure to see you all gather here in this joyful time. First of all, let me say my appreciation for your presence in this banquet. It's been a long time since the last banquet held in this hall. I remember the last time we gather together in this hall was when my first wife passed away. It wasn't a joyful time, it's a moment of grief and sorrow. But I believe my late wife didn't want us to mourn forever and today we gather again in here for a joyful moment"

When my father said about my late mother funeral moment, which also held in this great hall, the air around the great hall suddenly feels heavy and solemn. Well, my late mother was also loved by people in Harvard territory and they feel lost after she passed away. And after that funeral, there no other gathering like the banquet today ever held in this great hall. My father continues his speech after a short pause

"I'm not good at giving a speech, so I will make it brief. Birth, wed, dead is a cycle in human life. I remember we have a great gathering here as well when my son, Henry, was born. Now he's already grown into a splendid young man, as you see there"

My father waves his hand to the direction where I'm seating. I rise from my seat and give my father a bow.

"Yes, young master Henry truly a splendid young man"

"You've raised a good son, Sir Harvard"

Some guests reply to my father remarks on me.

"Indeed. My son already becomes a young man that I can be proud of. Now he already reaches the age where a young man can marry a woman. And that's the purpose of our gathering today…ladies and gentlemen, on this joyful moment I want to announce my son Henry engagement with Sir Earl Stamfort's daughter, Lady Celes"

Loud applause comes from our guests. Words 'congratulations' showered on us like rain. After the applause sounds recede, my father continues his speech once again

"But that's not the only good news I want to share with you today. In the matter of fact, yesterday, during the welcoming party, Sir Earl Stamfort's son, Sir Anthony also becomes liking with my daughter, Eliza as well. He proposed her as his wife, and my daughter accepts it. As her father, I only can give my blessing to her and hope she will found her happiness with Sir Anthony. So this banquet today is not just announced my son engagement, but also announced my daughter engagement as well!"

Loud applause once again echoing in the great hall with congratulation words showered to my sister and my father. She and Sir Anthony rise from their seat and give a salute to our guest.

"I will not talk much since I believe Sir Earl Stamfort also want to say one or two words as well regarding our son and daughter engagement. Sir Stamfort, you may take the chance to speak now"

My father ends his speech and steps down from the stage while Earl Stamfort takes his place in the stage and give his speech as well.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen…Maybe this is our first time to meet each other. Well, as Mr. Harvard already mentioned before, I'm Edward Stamfort, currently appointed as administrator in Southern Region of Erathia Kingdom. But now I'm not standing here as Erathia Kingdom officers. I'm just a father of a son and daughter who engaged with son and daughter of my friend here, John Harvard.

If I may say, fate really works in a mysterious way. At the first time, my trip to Harvard territory was to accompany my daughter visiting her fiancé who gets injured from the accident, with my son altogether. Who knows it would end with my son find a woman who will be his lifetime companion. And that woman is no other than my daughter fiance's sister, Miss Eliza. There's no greater happiness for a parent than to see their children finally grown up and find their soul mate, married and later having their own children.

Since their engagement only happens yesterday, we still haven't decided the time when they will marry. But I must inform you that the wedding will take place in Stamfort Castle. It's not that I prohibit you to come, on the contrary, I will glad if you can come to Stamfort castle on their wedding day, giving your blessing and enjoy the happiness we have that day.

For you who can't come, I still wish you a blessing for our children as well. And consider today's banquet as the wedding party in advanced. I'm grateful that you all can come today and expecting you could attend the wedding party either. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen"

Clapping sound once again filled the great hall after Earl Stamfort finished his speech. After Earl Stamfort steps down from the stage and before Uncle jake continues his duty as the host, I use this chance to give Celes my dowry. I stand up from my seat and raise my hand to get our guest attention.

"Excuse me…your attention please"

The great hall becomes silent and all of our guest's eyes staring at me.

"Thank you, it won't take a long time. I only want to use this chance to give my fiancé, miss Celes, what should she receive from me as her fiancé. I want you all to witness me giving my dowry to my fiancé and fulfill my obligation as her fiancé just as our custom stated"

I take the black pearl box from my pocket and show it to our guest before giving it to Celes.

"This may be not valuable enough for you, but I want you to receive it as my dowry for our engagement"

I told Celes that before handed the box to her. The audience, including my father and Earl Stamfort also watch this scene carefully

"Oh Henry…even you only give me a silver coin, I will gladly accept it…mmm…what's inside the box?"

"Why don't you open it and show it to our guest?"

"May I?"

"Sure…it's yours"

Celes slowly open the box to see what inside the box. When the box finally opened, a surprising remark come out from Celes' mouth

"Henry…this….is this real?"

"Yes, that's real. Just like my love for you, it's also a real thing"

Celes smiles sweetly and put her handkerchief to take the pearl from the box. It seems she also knows how to handle the pearl. Yes, pearl mainly made from calcium element within oyster body, acidic liquids are the most dangerous thing for the pearl. Direct touch with hand or human skin which moist with body liquids like sweat can erode the calcium layers in the pearl and later will diminish its shine. The best way to touch pearl is indirect touch using something like handkerchief like Celes did.

"Father, I received Henry's dowry…with this, our engagement is final and we can be married anytime you decide"

Celes show the black pearl in her white handkerchief in her hand to Earl Stamfort. Not just Earl Stamfort, but our guest can also see that black pearl in Celes' hand.