9 Meeting the Vansandairs

Guests have already started arriving in the castle. The celebration will be a week from now so people are occupied attending errands to fulfill the demands of the Queen who is organizing the event.

Vysela was very excited as her special day drew nearer and Allyria was too. The only thing she's not pleased about is meeting the royal family of Cesparia.

She eyed at the dress she's wearing in the mirror.

The bodice hugged her waist tightly and spread down into shocks of midnight blue with minute diamonds adorned on the large slits; the hem ruffled like peaceful waves by the shore. A spidery lace crawl from the breast up to the collars consummated the ensemble. It was beautiful but not too overdone, simple but not too bland.

She thanked Vysela after she has called the seamstress for the final touches. Since Allyria wasn't an expert in fashion, she asked her younger sister for help.

"The prince will be head over heels the second he sees you on that dress," she teased.

Allyria rolled her eyes, "Excuse me. I'm not dressing up to impress anyone."

And she was not wrong. It was the Queen who requested her to dress appropriately for the meeting. Just a while ago, several laundresses entered her room dragging mannequins wearing different cuts and shades of dresses.

"Well," Vysela said in a playful tone. "It's up to him if he can resist the charm of an Aleshkovsky."

Before Allyria could speak, Vysela winked and scooted her way out of the room.

Allyria just heaved a deep sigh.

The day went by fast. She had the entire day to prepare so as soon as the clock struck 5, she and her siblings were requested to be at the main entrance to welcome the visiting royal family.

The four of them stood alongside the King and Queen, who as well looked dashing and elegant with their suit and gown.

Allyria felt so jittery that she had to hide her sweating palms on her back. Markolin and Nikolai only gave her a reassuring look while Vysela smiled as if telling her everything's fine.

But she knew deep down it's not.

The trumpets sounded, indicating that the Vansandairs have arrived. Suddenly, the portcullis made of hard iron unbolted and the carriage carrying the royal family appeared from their sight. The sentinels clad in full-dress uniform of gold tunics gave a snappy salute as they passed by.

Once they had arrived, King Maximilian Vansandair of Cesparia walked out of the carriage and marched up the stairs to greet the King and Queen.

King Maximilian had a stocky build of a warrior. Like the King of Vervali, he was stalwart and had just enough muscle to look commanding. From Allyria's history class, the King was once mentioned as someone in his 50s, but it was different in person. He looked younger with his jet black hair and recently shaven stubble.

"Queen Elysande," he glanced at the Queen and kissed the back of her palm.

"We are pleased to have you here in Vervali, King Maxmillian. Welcome and I hope you enjoy your stay," the Queen said in a gentle voice, showing a small smile.

"It's my pleasure, Your Highness," he replied and then went to the King of Vervali, his longtime comrade, and crushed him in a bone-crunching hug, "King Averardus! It's been a long time. I'm glad we finally meet again," he burst a deep, loud hearty laughter, patting his back. The king looked him over top to bottom, "You have not changed at all."

"I'm also pleased, Maximilian, and stop with the formalities," the King chuckled. "It's not like it's the first time we've been introduced."

The King tilted his head in the royal children's direction, "Are these the kids?" he asked.

The King and Queen nodded.

"Why they have grown a lot!" he glances at Nikolai, "The last time I saw this young man, he was just a little kid who couldn't keep his feet still."

The King and Queen laughed at King Maximilian's statement, Nikolai did not.

'I guess I'm not the only one who's not pleased about this meeting.'

King Maximilian patted Nikolai's shoulder, followed by Markolin's.

"And your daughters, such jewels to the eyes," he planted a peck on the back of Vysela's palm, "Hello, beautiful one."

"Welcome, Your Grace," Vysela curtsied.

And then the King turned to Allyria's direction. The piercing gaze made Allyria uncomfortable. He took her hand and did the same but didn't let go immediately, scanning her from head to foot. Allyria would have pulled away if King Averardus hadn't spoken.

"Let's not keep the introduction long."

"You're right," the words brought King Maximillian back to his senses and let go of her hand. He glanced at her for the last time and looked away, "Son, come out here."

A man, probably of her age, went out of the carriage and walked straight towards where they stood.

"This is my son. I am sure he will make me proud once he becomes king and seals the tie of the good bond between Cesparia and Vervali," the King introduced as his son walked on the flight of stairs to the main entrance.

"Well?" the Queen mother eyed at Allyria, waiting for her to say anything.

She raised her hand to greet him when they finally meet eye to eye; "Pleased to meet you..." she paused, not knowing what to call him since she wasn't yet accustomed to the prince of Cesparia.

"Kaius," he accepted her hand and kissed the back of her palm. "I'm glad we finally meet, Princess."