A kiss???
Dinner at Juliette Palace was an experience that I approached with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation. The grandeur of the palace was matched only by the elaborate table setting that awaited us. As I entered the dining hall, the elegant decor took my breath away. The chandeliers cast a warm glow over the room, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air.
The royal family was already seated when I arrived. Emperor Kevin sat at the head of the table, exuding an air of authority that was impossible to ignore. Princess Sara, dressed in an exquisite gown, smiled at me from across the table. Andrus, the enigmatic First Prince, observed me with a calculating gaze that sent a shiver down my spine.
The rest of the family members were a blur of unfamiliar faces, each one representing a different branch of the empire's power structure. I took a moment to steady myself before approaching the table and taking the seat that had been reserved for me. As I settled in, I noticed the curious glances exchanged among the family members.
Emperor Kevin raised his glass, and the room fell silent. "To the unity of our family and the safety of our realm," he proclaimed, his words carrying the weight of his responsibility as ruler.
"Here, here!" the family members echoed, and the clinking of glasses filled the room.
The conversation flowed, and I found myself engaged in small talk with various family members. Julian, the emperor's younger brother, struck up a conversation about military strategies and the empire's defence. Laura, his wife, shared stories about the palace's history and its role in maintaining traditions.
Zoe and Lisa, Julian's daughters, were surprisingly friendly. They asked about my experiences in the realm and whether I found the palace overwhelming. Their genuine curiosity put me at ease, and for a brief moment, I forgot the weight of my role in this world.
Across the table, Princess Sara and I exchanged knowing glances. Her presence provided a comforting anchor amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces. It was evident that her relationship with her family members was both complex and multifaceted. Her interactions with Andrus, in particular, held a tension that was impossible to ignore.
Andrus himself engaged in conversation with other family members, his smile charming and his words carefully chosen. Despite his outward demeanour, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. His role in the realm's power dynamics seemed significant, and I wondered about his true motivations.
As the evening progressed, the atmosphere grew livelier. The family members shared anecdotes, jokes, and laughter, and I found myself drawn into the camaraderie. Even Andrus's icy facade seemed to thaw, if only temporarily. It was as if the palace walls held the power to bridge the gaps between even the most strained relationships.
Emperor Kevin turned to me, his expression warm yet inquisitive. "Kali, I'm curious to hear about your journey. How did you find yourself in our realm?"
The question caught me off guard, and I hesitated for a moment. "Your Highness, I'm afraid I don't have clear memories of my past. It's as if I woke up in this world without any recollection of who I am or how I arrived here."
The family members exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and sympathy. Princess Sara's gaze held a touch of concern, and I appreciated her unspoken support.
"I see," the emperor mused. "Amnesia is a peculiar condition. It must be disorienting to find yourself in a world without a sense of identity."
His words struck a chord within me, reminding me of the emptiness that had accompanied my arrival in this realm. The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and I found myself sharing anecdotes about my experiences in the empire. The family members listened attentively, their interest genuine.
As dessert was served, Emperor Kevin's voice filled the room once again. "Ladies and gentlemen, I have an announcement to make. In three days, we shall gather for a grand banquet party right here at Juliette Palace. It is an occasion to celebrate the unity of our family and the strength of our realm."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the room, and I couldn't help but be intrigued by the upcoming event. The intricacies of the royal family's dynamics would undoubtedly be on display, and I knew that navigating the web of alliances and rivalries would be a delicate task.
As the announcements concluded and the evening drew to a close, I exchanged farewells with the family members, a mix of gratitude and apprehension swirling within me.
Then suddenly Andrus approached me as he came quite close to me.
His voice was low and cryptic. "You've navigated the evening well, Kali. But remember, appearances can be deceiving in this realm."
Princess Sara approached me, her expression thoughtful. "You handled yourself admirably, Kali. The intricacies of our family can be overwhelming, but you held your own."
"Thank you, Princess. Your presence made the experience much easier to navigate."
She smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting a depth of understanding that spoke of shared experiences. "Perhaps, in time, you'll unravel the mysteries of this realm and your past."
With those words, she left me with a sense of both hope and determination. As I exited Juliette Palace and gazed up at the night sky, I couldn't shake the feeling that my journey in this world was far from over. The interactions with the imperial family had left me with more questions than answers, and the web of intrigue that surrounded me continued to tighten.
As I walked back to my quarters, I couldn't help but wonder what new challenges and revelations awaited me on the horizon.
***
Kali Was thinking about what to do about the Banquet. In The novel, it didn't happen and he did not know how to dance.
'While I can say I can't dance in this way he did not have to dance'
Thinking that he found the solution to his problem he was going to sleep.
Knock knock
"Kali, are you in there?"
'It's Sara but why she is here? It's sleeping time. Let's see what she is here for first.'
"Yes I'm, please wait there I'm coming "
Opening it up he was met by Princess Sara who was standing with her hands on her hips looking rather impatient and annoyed nervous for some reason. With them now both standing, he realised how short she was, standing maybe 5'4-5'5 compared to his 6'1 height yet she somehow still held a very intimidating aura.
"Hey, are you ok?"
She flinched at his concerned voice but she regained her confidence and said in a cold voice.
" I'm Fine But You're supposed to come and say good night."
'What's up with her and her mood swings?'
"Good night then?" Kali called back uncertainly. It appeared to be the wrong response because he heard a "tsk" from the other side of the door.
"I mean come here and say good night to my face."
Her attitude made him not want to he doesn't know what happened to her, but he knew that he'd be rude if he didn't muffle a sigh, so he made his way to her.
"If this is your best attempt to say Good Night to me, you're going to need to put a lot more effort into it
"I'm sorry, alright? I just had my first dinner with his majesty and all of your family members and everything is a bit overwhelming for me. I'll do better tomorrow, but I need time to adjust." He sighed, feeling a bit annoyed.
"How about goodnight for tonight and we can try this again tomorrow." he tried to close the door but Before he got that far, he felt a firm grip on his upper arm that forced him to turn back around.
"You're forgetting something important here."
"What am I forgetting Sara?"
He asked genuinely confused by her words.
"You should give me a goodnight kiss." He could hear the teasing tone in her voice, but it didn't stop the blush from rising to his cheeks.
What happening here? Does she want to goodnight kiss? What should I do? Why she is weird now?
"I-I don't think it's the best idea, Sara."
Hearing he is suturing her smirk widened. It didn't help her though her chicks getting red by the second. Gulping down saliva she regains her composure.
"Don't worry, I won't give you a proper kiss, one on the cheek will do tonight." Sara purred as he felt her lips against his cheek.
The kiss was quick, but enough to catch Kali off guard even after the other pulled away.
"And Kali will you please make breakfast for tomorrow, I want to eat something from your hand." She Said gently and patted on the cheek before she made her way into her room not caring that he was still standing there shocked over what had happened.
"Huh, what the hell happened?"
He was so shocked that he forgot what she said.