'In behalf of the empress'

There were more eyes on her than she expected. As soon as her arrival was announced, it was as if gallons of water was poured over her. Amelia tightened her grip on Alexander's arm as the both of them walked to their seats, close to the emperor. Playing the gentleman, Alexander pulled a chair for her before he sat beside her.

Greetings and cheers were said then the banquet began. The table was full of chatters and laughter as food and beverages were ushered in and out in a timely fashion.

The banquet is meant for eating, cordial smiles, and small talks; the socialization will be later when the ball finally starts. As much as Amelia wanted to engage in small talk to a marquis from Aclador who's seated on her right, her focus is more on the man on her left.

Inhaling discreetly, a musky scent of vanilla and what seemed to be sandalwood engulfed her. She's never seen Alexander in his all-black uniform as the Commander of Osmea's Naval Fleet with his hair slicked back. As she tried to remember all the times she saw Alexander, he always had this haughty demeanor around him when he enters the room. That's why she's now at awe at the regal, righteous-looking, and undeniably handsome duke beside her.

She wasn't able to compliment him earlier when he stopped by her room to escort her to the banquet hall because she felt like no words could express how dashing he looked. Amelia tried to look for the words, but her mind wasn't cooperating, and then her palms started to sweat along with the disagreement in the pits of her stomach that she lost the chance to ever tell him a thing!

"Is the food to your liking, duchess?" Amelia was forced to look past Alexander.

"It's delicious, your majesty," she answered with a faint smile. 

The servant who guided them to their seats earlier pulled the chair right of the emperor, which to Amelia's knowledge was where Duncan was supposed to sit. Though it has been set that the seat was meant for her, Alexander made a bold move and pulled out the chair next to it, offering it to the duchess—more like forcing her to seat there while he took the seat offered to Amelia.

Whispers died down when the others saw this, but the emperor was in a rather jovial mood and let this slide.

"In behalf of the empress, I apologize to you all that she couldn't attend the ball that she took time to prepare."

'The empress? She prepared this ball for me?' Amelia thought as she tried to remember the handsome, golden-haired woman she met a while back. Due to their inauspicious first meeting, the duchess didn't expect that the empress would take the time to plan her birthday ball.

"I hope the Great Mother of the Empire is faring well. I must give her my thanks once this is over. Would you be so generous to tell me what she likes, your majesty?"

There was a slight pause before Augustine answered her, saying, "Ah, well..." but as soon as he was about to continue talking, Vernon butted in.

"I think it would be best to meet her majesty once she's feeling well. I heard the cold air of winter takes a toll on her fragile body every year. Isn't that right, your majesty?" Vernon gave Augustine a sort of warning glance that made Amelia tilt her head. The duke's voice was firm, a little threatening, and as soon as he's done with his suggestion, he was quick to bring his focus back on the plate in front of him.

This made Amelia curious.

Ever since the Gathering earlier, the duchess noticed that the duke of Aclador seemed to be keeping the emperor in check. Is this how they are normally considering they're childhood friends, or is this Vernon's way of protecting her from whatever ideas the emperor has on his head regarding her?

Amelia didn't have a clue. Not even a speck! And since Alexander doesn't seem to be bothered by it, maybe it's something she should wait in the coming times for answer. Or maybe, she's overthinking again like she has been these past few days.

Yes, that must be it.

"Are you alright?" Amelia blinked twice and stiffened as the breath of the person that filled her thoughts earlier warmed her ears.

"What?" She looked at him, distancing herself a little.

"You seemed to be in deep thought." He said, brushing some stray hairs from her forehead.

"I..." Amelia was already leaning slightly to the other side, surprised by the sudden gesture that had the whole table whispering again. She managed to steal a glance past the duke, and was thankful that the emperor had a rather stoic expression. "I was just thinking when gra--I mean, Mister Vance will arrive."

"I see... I'm sure he'll come here as soon as he arrived. I know he wouldn't want to miss this for the world." Alexander smiled charmingly at her, and she almost lost her balance--and to think that she's seated!

Amelia only nodded before she returned her attention to the food in front of her that was taken away a few minutes after.

When the last plate after desserts were taken from the table, Emperor Augustine stood from his seat and clapped his hands twice. This prompted the others to stand up as well, straightening their coats, and gowns, or brushing their hairs lightly. Others were looking for something, while others were itching to get out of the hall.

"I hope everyone had their fills. We'll meet again at the Grand Ballroom where there's liquor, music, and dancing." With the announcement from the emperor, one by one, the hall grew quiet.

----- 

Music escaped from the opened towering wooden doors of the Grand Ballroom. Aside from those invited for the banquet, others have also started to arrive. It is, after all, the ball of the year. From nobles and aristocrats to wealthy businessmen and scholars to commanders and captains--and last but not the least, all eligible bachelors and bachelorettes of the empire.

Kearndal Palace's grand ballroom boasts a gold interior with large arched windows, a high ceiling with a painting of the depictions of the creation of the empire, and large gleaming crystal chandeliers. On a small makeshift dais at a corner a small orchestra, a sweet-sounding singer with jet black hair at the center set the mood for the night. She caught the lady glance at her, and Amelia swore she's seen her somewhere, but before she was able to dwell onto it further, her eyes darted at the lavish array of flowers decorating almost every post and every other vacant space--and then she remembered.

The boxed flowers she received earlier were probably from the empress herself. She must really remember to visit her once everything's done and thank her for her generosity.

"Greetings, your grace, Duchess Florence... Duke Clement." An elderly couple were the first to greet them when they arrived.

"Ah, Count Jemiah." Alexander smiled at them and bobbed his head. "Cice, this is Count and Countess Rodnik Jemiah of Thuenia," the duke paused, looking at the black-haired lady behind the count, "And this is... Anika, if I'm not mistaken? Their daughter." Anika said her greetings and curtsied at Amelia, and she showed her a curt smile as Amelia didn't like how her eyes sparkled when Alexander recalled her name.

"Greetings, Count and Countess... I hope you will enjoy the remainder of the night. And I hope Lady Anika would enjoy herself as well."

"Thank you, your grace. And though we may be late, please accept our congratulations for your eighteenth birthday." They bowed their heads again and the duchess, freeing her hand from clutching on Alexander's arm, extended her hand held the countess' hands with warmth.

"Thank you," she simply said. Before their conversation deepened, another person came to greet them; then another, and another... and another.

Given that the emperor himself insisted that a ball for her birthday be held at Kearndal Palace meant that she's greatly favored by Augustine. This notion didn't sit well with Amelia, but what was she to do? She's past declining.

As the night started to deepen, Amelia's already feeling tired. She has never conversed this much in a night before. All the others that seemed to just past by her before, came to have a chat. Alexander also excused himself as he had some people to meet, so she was left alone to fend for herself.

When she was able to take a breather, she scanned the room to look for a familiar face--probably someone close to her so she can recharge her energy.

And she saw one.

At the far end of the hall, at a window near one of the opened doors leading to the garden, a man with a broad back and a blue royal sash stood out like a sore thumb. Recognizing who, the duchess quickly walked towards him. But as she did, Amelia noticed that he wasn't alone. Vernon was talking to a man, and since she saw Elias being swarmed by hopeful brides-to-be, it couldn't be him. It didn't look like her grandfather too... so could he be having a slight argument with? She can hear him trying to control his voice as she closes the distance between them.

"I'd rather die a thousand … over than … … to you," she couldn't hear everything because of the music but she knew Vernon said it between gritted teeth, his hands clenched firmly as he loomed over the person in front of him. Sensing that it's a conversation she shouldn't involve herself with, Amelia was about to take a step back, but just as she did, the person in front of Vernon peaked past him and called her.

"Duchess Amelia..."

"Oh, Emperor Augustine... I didn't know you'd be here early."