Prologue

Two days ago, the date read which was printed on the red cloth, the man on the right side of the table eyeing it very keenly with a circular glass in his left hand, smoke coming out of his mouth as he spoke slowly, "It is indeed the highest quality rose silk, not torn or any threads loose, a skillful work of men of the West Elmswood." he explained, dusting the blunt of ashes into a tray as the chief stood from his chair, silent as if no words could leave his mouth.

The merchant, Cascar Denor, knowledgeable in different luxuries exported all over from other continents to Asterian Empire. The merchant flinched as the cigar flew out of his hand, looking at the head butler who looked at him angrily as his hand slammed against the table, I kept my head high, the silver cup of wine shook from the impact. This kind of anger would be hazardous for his weak heart, however, to explain this particular situation to the Duke of the Floreas was something death-embracing, someone would prefer dying from a heart attack than to tell the cruelest duke that a blood rose silk was found in his court's chamber this morning.

The merchant's confused eyes met mine from across the room, the butler shook his head from side to trying to calm down his nerves even though his neck broke into a sweat, the evening was approaching and so was the tension in the air, as the head butler wiped his forehead gracefully with a white handkerchief he ordered, "Knight, escort him with courtesy to their carriage and gather all the palace guards and knights to the Escuvier's hall within 30 minutes."

The merchant was interrupted as my fellow knight, moved forward to hold the door open for the merchant to walk out, his steps were hesitant as if he was being hurriedly chased out and his mind filled with curiosity because of the butler's wild reaction. However, pursed his lips as this was not the very best time to ask him any questions. Even though the head butler was consumed in his thoughts filled with anxiety and nervousness, he did manage to notice that Caesar was the one escorting the merchant out.

His eyes twitched, wrinkling his whole face in an ugly way as his eyes met mine, I took a deep breath knowing too well what would be spitted out from his mouth moments later "I suppose it's a lady's job to escort an important guest, especially on such an important occasion. I wouldn't want the House of Floreas to lose face because of an improper action by a knight."

So until before I had been scouted to serve in this castle, none of the guests would have been escorted? That is unimaginable, especially in a house of Floreas, where nobility and aristocrats are treated with utmost sincerity.

Escorting an overseas merchant wasn't in the job description for a knight, but oh well.

He glared at me, one… two… I could see his impatience in his eyes, three…. eyes almost becoming red as his blood pressure was alarmingly rising too, four… Caesar saw the resistance in my eyes vanish as I bowed my head,

"Yes, sir. I would have been held responsible if the nobles looked down upon Floreas.

 I'm terribly sorry for my rudeness, sir Cascar. I shall be the one to escort you to your carriage. I'll take my leave then.". He held his head high, complying to his demand made his ego go over the skies, but I shall be one to drag him through the deepest pits of mud and pile of shit, one day.

The sun was still above the horizon as we walked into the main hallways connecting to the garden on the left and leading to the main entrance halls. The merchant walked fastly with his short legs, maintaining pace with him was fairly easy but ignoring the not-so-cunning way to extract information was tiring.

"I'm not allowed to give you information related to the palace, sir," I said this for the sixth time now, monotonously. I saw the carriage parked, black with golden hooks and decorated with the symbol of a ship, this must be his carriage, I breathed a sigh of relief. 

Another guard of his own helped him up the carriage, as the palace guards opened the door to be ready to depart, horses neighed as the carriage departed the grounds, I bowed once for a few seconds and then raised my head to see it had crossed the gates. It should have been growing smaller but it only grew larger, there was a flag waving in the air, it wasn't black but red, crimson red.

This isn't the merchant's carriage, there were only two horses for his, this has at least four horses, white tall horses, not from Elmswood, and Orias, the neighboring nation, naturally have black horses which are a pride of these nations but to own a white horse they must be transported from other nations, then tended to with lots of care to make them adjust to the new environment and consecutively needing lots of golden robles.

The thing I was most confused about was, why the hell that head butler didn't tell me that another guest was to arrive today. The sun was almost gone down the horizon, making it difficult to make out the flag, if it weren't for the golden embroidery I wouldn't have been able to see the dragon's crest, and my heart thumped. Ripples went down my spine when I heard not one but three carriages, black uniforms, and almost red eyes, The Duke of Elmswood was the first one to arrive for the debutante ball of the younger sister of Duke Floreas, Lareina Floreas. 

Straightening my spine, keeping my grip on top of my sword by the waist, and pulling my chin up when the carriage came to a stop elegantly with the slightest tuck of the ropes. There was an exchange of eye contact between the chauffeurs and they stepped down to open the gates while I gazed at how the crimson light reflected on the dragons' golden pattern, I could see why they were intimidated by the armies of Elmswood before, its teeth were sharp but not in a scary way but enough to embody the power and authority of a dragon. As fitted to the most powerful duchy of the empire of the asteria, The King's son, Eiran Drach, half-Gaereain just like the king, Drystan Drach. 

As soon as I saw the golden-laced shoes step out of the carriage, I bowed my head in politeness which was the rule however to at least greet the nobility with the utmost courtesy in Floreas, especially if it's the First prince of Asteria. Two more feet stride towards him and I finally dared to look up to the most unnerving smirk on his mouth, I had seen him once during the Knight Ceremony, and ever since then I prayed mentally every day to never even let him see my face. 

Dark blue eyes, with a hint of green-like earthly touch to his golden brushed hair, the sun red hues complimenting and making his jaw look sharp, as his eyes mockingly looked at him. "Oh, Althea Ambrose, I remember you. I see you have been knighted by the Duchy of Floreas.  How truly fortunate! " Yes, I'd loved to gaze at his ethereal handsome looks until he opened his mouth.

Fortunate my ass! You sent me here knowing the Head Butler will give me hell. 

I pressed my mouth shut, If I just played along, hopefully, he'd be bored by me.

I just passed a forced smile, and his smirk dissolved and eyes narrowed as I bowed again but now even lower while a nerve ticked at my forehead, " I, greet the Sun of great Asteria kingdom. The Court of Floreas honor your gracious presence at the mansion of court of Floreas . "