The royal family

Albert and I make it to the tea party in one piece, nothing out of place. Bria greets me with a smile. A smile trying to flaunt her relationship with the first prince. Did I care? No babe, I hated the first prince more than I hated myself.

"It's lovely seeing you, Bria!" I hug her as she hugs me back. She's impossible haha.

"Prince Terence," I nod. "I wish you both the best life together."

"Brother," Albert shakes the prince's hand and nods. "I hope you both have a lovely future ahead."

The words were laced with venom. Though Terrence didn't notice, I did.

"Speaking of which." I look around. "Where are the other princes and princesses?"

Bria leads us to the back of the palace, and I spot them. I make sure there's no servants, and I look at Albert for confirmation, he nods. I take that as an ok.

"Paris!!" the prince catches me with a thud and I grin. "How have you been?"

"I've been well! How have you-"

"CRYSTALIAAA!" Another person squishes me onto Paris's chest and I laugh.

"Princess Iyla!" I gasp. I turn around to hug her properly and she smiles. Seven princes and three princesses. "Where's Princess Lilith and Freya?"

"It's nice seeing you," Lilith walks up to me and I bow. Freya follows behind.

"It's always a pleasure to see you, princess," I hold back my laughter and I hear Lilith snicker a bit.

"Who am I kidding, come here" Lilith holds her arms out and I hug her.

The royal family has more drama than necessary, but for some reason, I did not mind. I had learned to get along with many of the royal family members, and

"I was wondering which one of us would break first," I laugh.

"Aah you know I would never," Lilith smiles. We let go of each other and I get tackled to the ground.

"Hades!" Lilith gasps.

"Hi Prince Hades," I laugh. "Could you let me get up?"

"No- aCK" Albert grabs him by the back of his neck and pulls him up so that I can get up.

Hades grumbles and I feel a pair of eyes staring holes into me.

"What's with the greeting Prince Edward?" I look behind me and stare into his soul. "would you like a hug?"

The male wraps his arms around me and I grin. "It's a pleasure seeing you again Duchess Crystalia,"

"Speaking of which," Albert glares at his brother. "Aren't they a little too old for you to be treating them like children? They're all married."

"Oh calm down Albie, he's mentally a baby," I look around. "Where's Prince Michael and Prince Zachary?"

"The seventh little prince is still on his way here," Terrence speaks up. "Speaking of which, when did you get to know Prince Hades and Prince Edward Miss Crystalia?"

"Isn't it normal to get to know your in-laws?" I smile through my irritation. Terrence walks back and I speak up. "Where's Prince Michael and Prince Zachary?"

"They're returning from the academy today," Albert helps me pat off the dust from my pants. "Both of them were at the wedding but they left as soon as the ceremony ended since they took a day off to come visit."

"Albert I'm surprised you're actually close with your sibings," I hum. "I always thought the loving family was just an image to uphold,"

"No no," Lilith shakes her head. "I assure you Crystalia. The are a lot of lies behind the title perfect family. We love each other until we don't and need the title of crown."

"On top of that," Iyla smiles. "The battle for succession is a civil war. So far, the only topic we still haven't lost interest in is you."

"You flatter me Princess," I shake my head.

"She's not lying though," Paris shrugs. "Out of all of our estates, we visit yours the most."

"It still baffles me that the only subject we can all discuss at dinner time with our father is the fifth prince and his wife," Hades grins. "Father also loves you. He says that if you had been his daughter, he would've handed the throne to you in a heartbeat."

"Now that has got to be an exaggeration," I grumble.

"I'm telling you right now Crystalia," Albert smiles. "They had a whole conversation about whether or not you were the right one for me. Father mentioning that he wanted you as a daughter wouldn't come as a surprise."

"I-" I blink.

"We only came to the conclusion of yes after I mentioned that you wore pants at your debutante," Paris snickers.

I stare at him in awe. "Out of all the points, that was the one that won you all over?"

"No one's wore pants to their debutante before or after you you know?" Freya smiles. "If there have, then there was no documentation because of the misogyny."

"If I had known that someone would've worn pants to a debutante then I would've done so too," Lilith grumbles.

I laugh. "I was the talk of high society for a while after that. The news of a woman succeeding the duchy was even more outrageous."

"How's your grandmother by the way?"

"She's alright," I smile. "her tongue got a pretty bad burn from her tea the other day so she can only communicate with paper for a while. Saves me the nagging,"

"How villainous," Freya laughs lightly. "Not that I'm surprised though-"

"Everyone's here!" Terence calls as Bria walks up next to him with the other two princes behind her.

"I greet the imperial Prince Michael and Prince Zachary," I bow.

"You... are duchess Crystalia?" Prince Zachary eyes me.

"Yes, your highness,"

Zachary grins. "Nice meeting you officially... Lily,"