Selene's 16th Birthday

Two silhouettes stood in front of a gigantic door, appearing as shadows under the dimly lit hallway, which was guarded by Dark knights on both sides of the carpet that numbered in the hundreds, fitting for the massive hallway that spanned hundreds of metres long.

The two silhouettes were chatting inside their heads, waiting for the time of their grand reveal.

<Ugh, I hope my face doesn't cramp when I'm making speech.> Selene

<You'll be fine, you do this every year during your birthday> Theo

<I don't like getting so much attention though, it's a pain to deal with. Can we have small gathering of people I know instead? feel it'll make everyone's lives easier> Selene

<Yes, it will, but you're the princess of Vitoten. You have a responsibility to bear. This showcases that imperial family is competent hold big birthday parties like this. know and I that. do stupid speeches for my birthdays as well> Theo

<..... Fine, but if I become a queen or leader of nation, only certain birthdays are celebrated for my descendants, not every year> Selene

<You? A queen? Stop the jokes, Selene. You'll be a terrible rul-! Ow! watch foot!> Theo

<Sorry, there was a cockroach on your shoe, I missed, but I'll get it next time when comes back to filthy leg> Selene

<Tsk, I wish you bite your tongue when speak in front of hundreds people> Theo

<I wish you pour a glass of drink on your suit and stain it> Selene

<I wish you trip over while your going down the platform> Theo

<I wish flies straight for your face> Selene

<I wish a real bug crawls on your shoe> Theo

<I wish your belt get's cut and expose yourself in embarrassment> Selene

<I wish-> Theo

"We hereby present to you, The Lady of this very special day. The eldest daughter of Aventus and the Saint of Death, Selene Aventus! And her beloved fiance, Theodore Ignatius!"

A voice from the other side of the two gigantic doors mentioned their names in a grand announcement, signalling their time for their entrance.

<Sh*t! This is totally different from before! How can they do this to me!? should I go arm in with bastard!?> Selene

<I can hear you and just get it over with. We have to keep up the act for sake of us our two nations. We're symbols peace, remember? Woman> Theo

<I don't need your reminder, I just want to vent, so let me. Anyways, try not get outshined by me> Selene

<You don't need to worry about that. I'm none other than Theofode Ignatius, the most handsome man alive> Theo

Selene rolled her eyes and gave Theo an enchanting grin

<Well, you should feel lucky because your going to the ball with a beauty that transcends mortals> Selene

Theo's heart skipped a bit, pausing him for a second before he gave Selene a wry smile.

<Sure, miss goddess, I'll accompany you till the end> Theo

<Good, your actually being nice now> Selene

The Two gigantic door creaked as they opened backwards, revealing a blinding light that made Selene and Theo cover their eyes for a brief moment to adjust.

Theo wore a pristine black suit that, for some reason, contrasted yet complimented his blonde, slicked-back hair, revealing his two dark red crimson eyes.

His straight figure and slim yet robust figure was an eye candy for any lady that dawned upon Theo.

Selene, on the other hand, had a black dress that radiated the epitome of beauty. Many gasped at the sight of Selene's reveal. She only had light make up placed on her, yet the effects rippled waves of disbelief throughout the crowd.

Her black hair that flowed straight like a calm river to her waist, her heterochromatic eyes that glinted in their own colour and her supple and slim figure caused envious sighs from all over the venue.

Many fell in love and became heartbroken at the same time, knowing that she was already taken by a man that almost had an heavenly appearance.

Theo and Selene donned their work face, making them radiate a cold and authoritative aura, befitting of their title as prince and princess of their respective empires.

Everyone agreed unanimously to one thing, that the two, walking down the staircase to the ballroom, were a match made in heaven. A perfect pair that no one could compare.

They steadily walked on the red carpet with a confident and calm gait towards the temporarily made throne of the Dark Emperor sat.

The Throne was designed for Selene's birthday and could be moved around easily. The throne room when Theo first arrived in the Aventus palace was entirely different.

Theo and Selene knelt down in front of Renwick when they were at the appropriate distance from the Emperor.

Renwick looked down on the duo and smiled, at the same time bitter, knowing what kind of future the two were destined to become.

He stood up from his throne and approached Selene, telling both of them to rise, before giving Selene a gentle embrace.

"You have grown beautifully, my daughter." Renwick spoke with tender and loving words, far different from his image and aura as an Emperor.

"Thank you father." Selene muttered as she also embraced her father back.

The crowd simply stayed silent, understanding that giving respects to the two daughters and father was something they could never disturb.

Renwick let Selene go and placed his attention on Theo.

"Theodore Ignatius, I shall leave you in charge as my daughter's company for tonight, I hope you treat her well."

Theo bowed respectfully at the words of Renwick.

"I will follow your words with my heart, Your Majesty"

Renwick nodded with approval and went back to his seat, preparing to speak to the masses that were invited to this event

"As The Dark Emperor of Vitoten and as the father of Selene Aventus, I thank you all for coming on this day blessed by Thanatos."

Renwicks voice echoed and reverberated throughout the ballroom.

"My daughter is also glad that everyone has decided to visit for this gracious day of celebrating her birth! I encourage all the visitors today to let my daughter have a word of thanks to everyone here."

Renwick signalled Selene with a nod. She went up a few steps up the staircase to the makeshift throne and faced the Emperor with Theo accompanying her by hand.

"I thank everyone that has come here to honour my 16th birthday...-"

******

<Theo, drag me away, I can't keep shaking peoples' hands for hours.... I'm exhausted> Selene

<Endure, it's not like you're the only one getting bombarded by people. I'm also approached as much you are> Theo

<Fine, but after I entertain one more family, I'm done heading straight for you help> Selene

<Sure, It's been a couple of hours already anyways.> Theo

Selene and Theo were surrounded by many of the nobles inside and outside of Vitoten, wanting to make connections to the two teenagers even if they were not the prime candidate to the throne.

The power of a single imperial blood was something that should never be underestimated. One word from a single imperial blood could topple a whole country if they so desired.

Each empire amassed more than a thousand master tier Knights and mages, not even counting the number of experts reaching almost ten times the amount.

Grandmasters were of fewer sides, but each grandmaster the empire held had enough power to conquer a single kingdom, so many fear and revere in front of the might of the imperial powers.

It was only normal that getting into the good side of the children was worth doing. 

Only fools wouldn't take this chance to get to know the two important figures.

I knew Selene's birthday was big and crowded, but this is going too far. I can barely breath with the amount of people basically lined up just to get to know and befriend us.

A noble or royalty's 16th birthday was always important to almost every human country. It was the age where you enter exponential growth physically and magically, it was the age where you get treated more as a part of society and as an individual that is developing into an adult, and the age where it was legally drink alcohol, which many nobles exchange drinks as a way to respect each other. 

Though there were too many people who desired to exchange drinks with the two imperial teens, they opted not to for the sake of not getting knocked out in the first hour of the celebration.

At least most of them just wanted to introduce themselves so I'm not as perturbed.

"I greet the imperial highness of Virtus, it is a pleasure to meet you with my own two eyes."

A man with a familiar coloured hair bowed politely towards Theo.

"Oh, It is great to see you here, Duke Florian Rosenberg"

Theo smiled comfortably seeing the person that greeted him was a familiar face that escorted him during his last stretch to the Aventus capital.

They didn't particularly had a conversation and only exchanged pleasantries, so Florian took this chance to get to know more about the prince of Virtus.

"Please, simply call me Theodore or more preferably Theo, I am a friend of your daughter, it is only right to be treated as such."

Florian smiled at the casual response of Theo, hinting that he wasn't against a having a conversation with him