7. Of Receptions and Deceptions

The dinner banquet was held the next day. Servants bustled around the castle endlessly, and if one entered the kitchens, they would be met with a scene straight out of nightmares. The floors were cleaned until they sparkled and curtains were changed to those with harmonious designs inlaid.

After all, a Prince was getting engaged to a foreign Princess. Was this not a momentous occasion?

Darien watched the movement of the servants with a quiet glower, seething but unable to express it. He was angry, and even more so that he had no right to be. That his anger would not result in any change.

He had overestimated himself. Myriem was a Prince and Darien was just his lowly servants. Darien pushed aside the endless memories of the times they met at night. From their prideful rivalry in their youth to eventual comfortable companionship, to the times they shared a bed quiet whispers shared between the two, fingers touching, but the fear of taking more preventing them from solidifying their long-held desire.

Darien looked at the luxurious silk banners with delicate bells streamed over the entrance, their soft chimes an omen of bliss as the wind blew. He remembered the bells on the Aselan Princess and scowled, taking his horse and riding out far, far away. No matter how far he travelled, he couldn't seem to shake the bells off.

The banquet was held the following night in the grand hall, transformed overnight from an imposing office of governing affairs to a festive reception hall. Tables were set up with namepieces, the distance from the thrones and what side they sat on indicating the status of the person. As a sign of courtesy towards the Aselans, the servants separated the blood food from the regular.

Keel and the Aselan Princess were the main guests of honour, but Myriem knew he was just as important. Every court minister, official and diplomat who could make it in time was present, and those that could not were bitter.

After all, this was not just another social formality. This was the first official meeting between the Aselans and the Lees, but also a crucial event in terms of the candidacy of the heirs. It was unsure if this was more beneficial to Keel or Myriem, and the ministers debated amongst their advisors. Niman was rather overshadowed, but his influence in the court was significant, and Geulpri and Havine's positions on the matter were unclear. Their supporters had yet to determine their positions on the matter.

Regardless, all ministers appeared at the banquet in the grand hall with extraordinarily lavish gifts that King Sepalem waved away with indifference. He spared more gratitude with the gifts brought by the Aselans, but refused all beautiful women thrown at him. The Aselans were confused, unable to see the way Queen Karin's heel dug into King Sepalem's foot the way the Lee ministers were.

Many things could be said about Queen Karin, but she knew how to keep her husband under control. She was not to be underestimated.

Keel stood with charming grace as his accomplishments were listed, an envious inventory of accolades listed out in recognition of his achievements. The ministers clapped politely, but the sense of anticipation was palpable. When he was finished with his polite speeches and prayer of gratitude, intentionally drawing out the suspense, the doors opened and Keel introduced the third Siren child of King Aselan, Julie Anne.

There was a quiet mutter as Julie Anne was led in by an entourage of tall, handsome and upright Aselan soldiers. Even before Julie Anne was seen, a shocked murmur spread through the crowd.

The Aselan soldiers were unlike any they had ever seen. The soldiers of their country of Lee were mostly vampires or had some level of vampire blood in them, and as such, they wore heavy cloaks with colours and insignias designating ranks. Their outfits consisted of standard dark outfits with little fanfare, as the only time they would ever remove the cloaks during battle was at night, and thus needed to blend in with the surroundings.

But the Aselan soldiers were sirens who had had no qualms about sunlight. Even the palest of them had skin kissed by sun, giving them a radiating glow that caught your eye. Men were seen with both short and long hair, and some were unable to be distinguished from women. There were even women amongst the soldiers, likely to appeal to First Princess and Lieutenant General Havine, and their beauty confirmed in everyone's hearts: the sirens truly were as beautiful as was rumoured.

Third Princess Julie Anne was flanked on all sides and veiled. Her face could not be seen through the veil, but her long, perfectly arranged hair hung out of the back. Each step made her silky hair dance, and even just the few strands were enough to confirm that Julie Anne was the beauty promised.

Queen Karin frowned at the arriving Princess, but Keel and his men were quick to have her seated at the side, on the side of King Sepalem and Keel, across the carpet from Myriem.

Myriem grudgingly took a look at his future wife, and was still not impressed, so he looked away. While ministers thought he was displaying a sense of propriety and not ogling what was already known to be his, he really was just wishing Darien had been there.

As he looked away, he didn't see Julie Anne remove the veil nor her face underneath. He heard the gasps of awe and the chatter of servants, but Myriem kept his eyes cast upon his goblet of blood.

Across the hall, the Siren Princess kept quiet. Keel had not said anything, but they were in unspoken agreement. This charade was amusing to the both of them.