6 6. Engagement Party Part 2

"You look really pretty, Your Highness."

"You're so stunning, Princess."

"I am flattered for your kind words." Catherine smiled at the flattery of noble ladies surrounding her. After she changed her shoes that were ordered by Lucas, he went to talk with the noblemen, leaving her with the ladies who attended the engagement party.

"When will this end?" Catherine whispered to Ria who was sitting beside her, wearing a simple lime green evening dress that complimented her green eyes. 

"After the second dance, I think you may be able to leave saying you're tired," Ria whispered back while the ladies continue to gossip about the elites of the kingdom.

"I saw Sir Isaac dancing with her sister in the hall earlier. He looks so lovely. His face is so perfect that combines with his soft charisma, he could melt any heart of the ladies this evening!"

"Did you see Sir Konnor? My eyes keep getting drawn to his mysterious aura! He's like a lone wolf separated from its pack to wander into the wilderness!"

"I think the brothers of the Lokos are much more eye-catching. Would you look at the smile of Sir Malcolm? He looks innocent but I heard that he single-handedly created a blood bath when the rebels were trying to take down His Majesty after he ascended to the throne. Also, look at Mattias with the child-like attitude that makes me want to protect him from everything and just keep him by my side all day and all night!"

"Ladies, let's not forget Sir Raiden with his strict personality that makes me want to disobey everything he would order just to make him lecture me. Of course, Sir Ryker must not be left behind in this talk. He's so beautiful people call him a flower. He like a struck of lightning, electrifying my whole body!" 

"They are truly the kings of high society!"

Catherine looked at Ria who giggled at the comments of the ladies to the bachelors in the kingdom. True enough, these six bachelors were the elite and treasure of the kingdom. They were the most sought in hand for marriages among the nobles. With their status, capability, and looks, they would be able to get their hands on any lady in the kingdom if they set their eyes on it. The ladies felt like they casting out the princess from their talk so they turned to Catherine's side who smiled at them sweetly.

"The dress your wearing matches that of His Majesty's, Your Highness," A small girl with brown hair commented, that made all the noble ladies surrounding her to examine the dress Catherine was wearing and then Lucas' clothes. The girls squealed in excitement at what they saw.

"My God, His Majesty must truly love Your Highness to wear matching clothes. But he's still scary." Another girl said that made them all squealed again. Now that Catherine thinks about it, they were truly wearing matching clothes that made them like a loving couple, she smiled at that thought. 

"Did you see His Majesty smile while he was dancing with the Princess. He didn't look that scary at all, in fact, he looked heavenly." The girls continue to chatter in excitement while Catherine looked at Lucas on the opposite side of the hall who was busy talking with the heads of the main houses and their heirs.

Catherine thought that if he would just smile, maybe the people of this kingdom would not be that scared of him. The ladies would also gossip about how handsome Lucas is. Catherine thought that out of all the bachelors mentioned by the ladies earlier if they were called the kings of high society, Lucas would be the emperor. With his standing and looks with his unique raven hair and golden eyes, ladies would flock around him asking his hand for marriage, but with that personality of his. Catherine shook her head at the thought and continue to look at him.

Lucas felt like someone was staring at him so he looked at the direction of Catherine who looked surprised by the sudden eye contact with Lucas, averted her eyes, and continue talking with the ladies who just saw what happened. Catherine cleared her throat and gulped down the drink that was served in their table.

"His Majesty is still a tyrant who killed his own parents to get the throne." Another girl said, who harbored hatred against the king. "He's a person that enjoys killing people who shouldn't have the right to rule." One of the ladies nudged her arm to stop her from speaking. The girl looked at Catherine and left the venue when a familiar figure approached Catherine's table with two girls on her side.

"Congratulations on your engagement, Your Highness." Clementine who was wearing a red v-neck ballgown covered in rubies that shine when light strikes the gems. Clementine and her companions, Quintin and Caitlin, curtsied before Catherine and sat beside her, scooting the previous ladies who were seating aside from Ria.

"Thank you very much. I hope you are enjoying your time here." Catherine replied and gestured for servants to get some drinks for the ladies who just arrived. 

"So you were here, sister. I've been looking for you everywhere." Quintin called to Thalia who was sitting quietly in the farthest part of the table, minding her own business.

"Pardon my sister's rudeness, Your Highness. She doesn't like this kind of events, you see." Quintin grinned at her sister who just look at her briefly and looked away. The Maraboli sisters have never been on the same page ever since. Quintin felt like she was always competing with Thalia who was more knowledgable than her. In a house of scholars, Quintin was the only one who didn't inherit the brains of the family, hence she was more spoiled than Thalia, who grew up giving more to her sister than required.

"It is almost time for the second dance. Who will you be dancing with next, your Highness?" Clementine asked knowing that Catherine has not been in the kingdom for a while to know some good bachelors to dance with. Clementine has always been in the spotlight for her elegance and beauty. Men would swarm around her like flies during this kind of event but her goal was to go higher. Clementine wanted power and authority, the only way to obtain those was to become the Queen of the kingdom who holds the second most powerful authority next to the king thus, she has always been taught that she will be the next Queen of the kingdom, to be able to get her hands on everything and that was how she was raised. 

The band starts playing and the bachelors start to invite noble ladies for a dance. They went to Catherine's table as most of the noble ladies were there. The so-called kings of high society also went to there table while Lucas sat on his throne, with Sir Konnor by his side watching what will happen. Isaac was the first to arrive at the table, extended her hand at Thalia but Quintin grabbed Isaac's arm.

"Oh my, Sir Isaac I can't believe you came here yourself!" Quintin beamed and led Isaac into the dancefloor. Quintin has like Isaac ever since she saw her in the Churchill Residence when Clementine invited the Maraboli sisters for tea when they were younger. Raiden who grew up with Clementine asked her, who gladly accepted his invitation. Ryker was captivated by the beauty of Ria, gather up his courage, and asked her for a dance that Ria welcomed with a smile.

"May I have the honor to dance with you, Your Highness?" A tall man with light yellow hair and innocent brown eyes extended her hand in front of Catherine. She smiled and took his hand to the dancefloor. Catherine recognized the man from the ladies' illustration of the king of high society earlier.

"You must be Malcolm Lokos. One of the kings of high society." Catherine chuckled at her description of the man. Malcolm flushed at the princess's comment and cleared his throat.

"I am honored that you know this humble servant, Your Highness," Malcolm replied and started to waltz in the hall with the music.

"I heard that you fought for His Majesty's sake when he ascended to the throne." Catherine started. She wanted to know other people's perspective about the man she is about to marry. "Isn't he called a tyrant?"

Catherine doesn't know where this conversation was heading but she needed to try her luck.

"The people call him tyrant because of what he did to ascend to the throne and the noble people are wary of him because he does not like corrupt officials but the commoners think he's wise. His Majesty does all the work and carries all his responsibilities, that is why this kingdom is not in ruins. If you would ask me, I would say that His Majesty saved this kingdom from the previous ruler." Catherine was stunned with what she heard. It was the first time someone said something favorable about Lucas. 

"You must look up to him," Catherine smiled as the song ended. They bowed to each other and went their separate ways. Catherine made her way to the balcony and she was greeted with the cold breeze. In the last few days, this is her way to console herself whenever she missed her home so she decided to contact her parents through their own communication. 

[Mother.]

[Oh honey, how are you doing? Is the party finished?]

[Not yet. I'm having a break.]

[A break?! What about your betrothed?]

Catherine chuckled at her mother's response. She thought that was like her mother at all. 

[How's everything there?]

[It's the same as always. Ah, that's right, your brother has something to announce tomorrow.]

Catherine knew that it was about his brother and Airis' relationship that would be announced tomorrow. They must be planning for the wedding. She wondered if she could at least come to the wedding of her brother when the date is already set. She thought maybe she could ask Lucas to come with her. She scoffed at her own thoughts, that rude man would never.

[Alright. I hope everything will always be alright there. I need to go back now.]

[Take care always, my little princess.]

Catherine felt energized after her talk with her mother but she wants to rest so she went in and looked for Ria. When she found Ria, they excused themselves to the ladies and told Lucas that they will be retiring for the night which he approved after glancing at Catherine who looked worn out.

Ria and Catherine were greeted by Josephine who prepared the princess's bath and had some light snacks prepared for them. After Catherine's relaxing bath, she slumped on her bed.

"How was the party, Your Highness?" Josephine asked.

"It was great, the ladies were very extraordinary and energetic," Catherine replied, feeling the weight on her eyelids. Josephine saw this so she gestured for her and Ria to leave the chambers so that the princess can rest comfortably.

That same night, on the grand hall where the party is taking place, Clementine walked towards Lucas who was alone in the balcony getting some fresh air.

"Where is your princess, Your Majesty?" Clementine asked as she stood beside Lucas in the balcony but he ignored her sentiments.

"Austin." Lucas flinched at the name he was called for his mother was the only one who called him that and he loathe that woman. He looked at Clementine who was now grinning from ear to ear, she knew this was the nerve to touch to get his attention.

"Now you're looking at me." Clementine closed the gap between them and caressed his pale white cheeks with her soft fingers. Lucas held her hand that was touching his face and remove it. 

"I am the only one who can be by your side, Your Majesty. Not her, not anyone else. Only me. Remember that." Clementine kissed his cheeks and left Lucas in the balcony. 

"This will be very exciting." Lucas snickered at Clementine's action and wiped his cheek in which she kissed.