4.1 - Victory Celebration
Slender hands moved back and forth as the woman pondered which jewelry to use in her box. She was excited about this day and had to be in perfect and in the best condition, because today, the whole day, was an important date. It was the day of the Victory Celebration, an event that occurred a few times in an emperor's reign to mark a significant event in the empire's history. And also the day that his son would be awarded for his accomplishments.
Of course, he had to be very well and very proud.
Her hazel eyes landed on a gorgeous amethyst necklace that would match her purple hair and red earrings to pair with her dress for the occasion. She would not go to the banquet, no, that would happen later, in the palace, what she would go to was the award presided over by the emperor himself, where she would gather nobles and their guests, as well as important people, all in the main hall of the temple.
In front of the mirror, she looked up and down, admiring her outfit to see if it was spotless. The woman wasn't much of that, producing herself to be at the height of beauty, even though she loved to dress well and wear good clothes. Her skirt was long, going down to her feet, but not touching the ground, and was wrapped in lace, forming beautiful figures that caught everyone's attention. It was a pretty thing that fell right next to her gentle face, making her look younger than she really was.
It reminded her of her youth. And a smile spread across her face.
Suddenly, large, firm hands were on her waist and squeezing, with a presence that brought his chest to her back and a chin touching her ear. The image of the man was seen in the mirror and, therefore, she was not frightened. The lover she married looked at her with the same lovely eyes as when they first fell in love, making her feel a little self-conscious, even though she was no longer a young girl. Only he could bring out that side of her.
"You are very pretty." He praised her, kissing her hair and hugging her a little more, seeing her in the mirror.
"Today is a special day." She replied, adjusting her sleeves a little and placing a hand on top of the man's. "It's our son's award show. I need to be well dressed."
"You always look beautiful." She snapped.
The woman's brown eyes met the man's black eyes and she couldn't help but stare at him a little.
"And you always look gorgeous too. After all, you're the man I married." She commented a little arrogantly and with a smile on her face, making the man laugh.
"Of course, how could I not marry the most stunning woman I've ever seen? As soon as I saw her, I knew it was you." He said romantically, earning a look from the woman.
"Today you're more flirtatious than usual." She squinted a little, looking suspicious, before letting go of the man and staring at his clothes, touching parts of the outfit to straighten it.
"Like you said, it's a special day." He shrugged. The whole way he acted was very different from her usual image. "And I just want to tell you that I love you."
The man brought her face close and brought her lips together. A quick kiss that showed emotions. And as soon as she let go, a smile appeared on her normally serious face.
"You're going to smudge my lipstick, Ivan." And he clicked his tongue.
"Before you fix it, how about a few more kisses, Clarie?"
A sigh came out of the purple haired woman's mouth and then she looked at her husband. The man was two years older than she was and looked to be in his early thirties still being so well preserved. He was so affectionate, just like he promised in the same place he confessed to her and asked her to marry him. A feeling of joy and nostalgia came to think that even after all these years together, that part of him has not changed, the same part that he only showed her and now that includes their children.
She was very lucky to have discovered this man and to have hooked and conquered as hers, compared to other girls of her time.
"Okay, just a few." She laughed, kissing him a few more times.
The slender, white, delicate hand went to her chest, and after a while, she patted twice, indicating that it was time to stop. They would still have to leave the house to go to the temple for the event. Although the place is close, she doesn't want to be late.
"The boys, are you ready yet?" She asked the man, while touching up her lipstick again.
"Ferion was early, he had to be early. And Phillip must be getting ready with Johannes." He replied, also getting ready.
"And James?" Her third child was a concern, after all, he was her youngest and had never been to such an event, she felt that there could be a problem.
"It's with Brandon, so no worries." Ivan said, without thinking too much.
Indeed, Brandon was someone they both trusted and had a very good relationship with little James. Shaking her head, the woman muttered a 'hum' and finished getting ready, leaving the room soon after, with an earl in tow. She took her husband's arms and went straight to the hall, where she would meet her sons, Brandon and Irvin to go to the temple.
In the hall, the butler waited in the same posture as always, straight and elegant, dressed a little differently than usual, but still formal, with black gloves on his fingers. Not just him, James was there too, half-closed, his fingers going straight to the collar of his shirt, touching the tie he hated wearing. This was very different from the accessories he wore, leaving it very loose, and it didn't feel very good, starting to have a feeling of imprisonment, however much he could breathe very well.
"James, stop, you'll end up messing her up." He warned Brandon, running his hand over the tie again and leaving it in the perfect position, earning a pair of nonconforming eyes for him.
"But it irritates." He said, with a pout on his lips.
"Remember you made a deal with the lady. It's either a tie at the awards or it's the banquet, and you chose the award."
"Of course I'll choose the award. The feast takes hours." He exclaimed, still indignant, at having to wear a tie.
James didn't want to have to wear it, there were so many clothes without the need for a tie or accessory to put it in place, but he had to wear the strap that looked more like a rope around his neck. All he knew was that it was his mother's revenge for playing a prank on her, and so he had to follow what etiquette demanded. He would definitely be one of the kids wearing this around the adults, however much he would rather have the neck area loose. However, that didn't stop him from making a deal with his mother. It was better than wearing it all day.
"Good, then don't complain." He finished warning.
The earl and countess came down and saw the interaction of both of them next to Irvin. They attracted the attention of the three. Count Miller wearing a well-tailored suit by a skilled designer with a good reputation and the countess the red dress that made her, in the count's view, like a goddess. They two were a beautiful couple and looked good together.
As soon as they touched the last step and approached, Irvin bowed slightly and in a polite tone, praised them both.
"You look great. And you look stunning."
"Thanks, Irvin. I say the same." Claire smiled at him and went straight to her youngest son. The young man looked at her, afraid that she would tell him to use it at the feast as well. "It turned out great. Really cute. Good job, Brandon."
"Thank you Madam."
The boy didn't respond when she stroked his head, he just looked at his father for help and said a low 'Father…' to him.
"Don't look at me. I heard what you did. It's your mother's punishment, so talk to her." the earl said, dashing his son's hopes.
"Hmph." He snorted with his arms crossed.
"Brandon, you're looking good today too." She said to the redhead.
Brandon was wearing one of the finest clothes he'd bought during one of his outings with Nott around the capital. Both agreed to go out a few times and, during a day off or when they were released early, they decided to have fun, going to shops and restaurants. In the midst of this, Nott has bought a new sword for his father at a well-reputed weapons shop and he has bought some books and pieces of clothing, as he too will be taken to the temple awards.
Green eyes sparkled as he was praised and again a thank you came out of his mouth, no less polite and kind as that of Irvin, the butler with years of experience. His handsome appearance, eliciting sympathy from the opposite sex, and because Claire had seen him grow up, looked pretty cute in his eyes.
Footsteps were heard amid conversation at the top of the stairs and the engaged couple of the Miller family appeared.
Johannes was the first to catch the attention of all five, with her blue dress that fit her so well and turned the blond strands of her hair to pure gold. The curves of the waist and the raised breasts were highlighted and all the beauty that was seen was very admirable and will surely draw sighs from some men when they see it. Even her green eyes were beautiful.
She wasn't wearing the white dress that was bought at the boutique because it was reserved for the banquet. The temple event is important as it will be in the presence of many prominent figures, but the banquet is where those with power and status really make connections, as the awards are more for those who were brought with them.
Phillip didn't lose to his bride in terms of good looks or clothing, as his whole figure conveyed an arrogant image while there was harmony with the black suit he wore and his black hair, coming from his father. His knightly posture added a little more charm and it was obvious that the well-proportioned muscles by the outfit highlighted some parts. It was a male vision of a noble knight in formal clothes.
The two were praised by the earl and countess before they all got into their carriages and headed to the temple.
Brandon didn't say anything when he saw the two of them descending together and remained with the usual streak of indifference on his face and professionalism, a far cry from when interacting with James alone or standing in front of the lady and lord while watching them.
The last time he saw Phillip was a few days ago when he went to visit him in his room for a reason as ridiculous as jealousy, when he was the one who brought a woman and was engaged. Honestly, he was outraged by this and, after he calmed down, he felt like laughing at how absurd it sounded. He definitely had no idea how their relationship, which he always thought was strong, even more so before the war, got to this state.
And he had to feel irritated, because every time he saw him, he was still beautiful to him, as if he hadn't been affected by being separated from him. It seemed that he was the only one hurt by the separation.
So Nott was a good distraction. He took him to different places in the capital that amused him, and when he wasn't with him, he was with his work, dedicating himself from the heart, so that the mind was occupied and not thinking, again, of what happened in his room. The mind felt like it wanted to go back and forth to that moment, remembering everything that happened in the conversation, especially how Phillip was looking.
He felt like he enjoyed suffering, because even if he suffered, he wouldn't stop.
So, as before, he avoided him or tried not to meet him. If before it was just because looking at him caused him pain, reminding him of the feeling of betrayal in knowing he was engaged, the feeling and relationship they both had, and his wounded heart; this time it was out of indignation at the other's actions while formally betrothed to Johannes, going after him for satisfaction.
He didn't want to see it, because it would make him angry. And also, because even those times away from him, even though their contact had been greatly reduced, he still liked the bastard who dared to betray his love. As well as recognizing that he was being affected every time he saw that appearance.
A love of years does not change quickly, or at least their love was like that.
Brandon was just seeing him and being in the same room as him for the occasion. Count Ivan warned him that he would go to the awards with them, and therefore he could not refuse. The earl's warning was the same as his appreciation for her good work and years of service, so much so that he would go along with Irvin to the temple.
It was a necessary evil to endure Phillip's presence next to her. What he had to do was the same as he's been doing since the day the second son of the Miller house returned from the war, contain his emotions and not let anything show on his face, so that he doesn't know that he still has an effect on him.
Pride made him behave like this.
And with those thoughts, he sat in the carriage seat, across from Irvin, heading towards Lucan's temple.