CHAPTER 14

"The beginning is connected to an end, the very end is rounded to another new beginning, may this year's moon banquet bring peace and prosperity to your majesty, the great emperor and empress of Ambrose."

A woman dressed in pure white standing at the very end of the banquet gates walked slowly with her attendants at the back following the regal woman of eighteen seasons, her hips swaying in rhythm as her hands were conjoined in a silent greeting, green eyes focused right infront had a potion of seduction deep as if engraved in one's bones.

"Sub commander Lady Nevix, princess of Daxtros Empire." The attendant at the back announced the arrival of the woman with boundless beauty.

She walked at the front standing right beside Lilith the same moment her and Azarios was retreating and people had the chance to compare. If Lilith was pearl at the top of General Azarios's head then Princess Nevix was the most precious diamond in Daxtros empire, not only their beauties rivalled each other but the mannerisms too were somewhat similar.

But how do you compare a princess with a woman who appeared to have nothing yet displays the bearing even higher than any empress.

"This Emperor welcomes the Royal Princess, her highness Nevix." The princess curtsied before turning her head a little to look at the people standing beside her. Her greens clashed with the goldens of Lilith who watched her in indifference and then moved above her head to take a glance at Azarios whose face was as if the otherworldly matters did not bothered him.

The smile which was gracing the seductive face vanished for a second before appearing once again.

"This princess has heard a lot about the beast of Ambrose, one is fortunate to meet in person." Azarios gazed at the forest irises lazily before curtsying a little and leaving to go at his own position right beside the nobles in court after entwining Lilith's fingers with his.

Nevix took her seat beside Princess Quare but not before watching the conjoined hands of the couple.

"Sub Commander Liex, please present father's tribute to Ambrose." Liex who was standing at a corner bowed before indicating his men to bring forward a veiled object before the people in the banquet.

Golden threads covered the draping and the veil itself costed more than some of the emperor's bestowed gifts.

As soon as the commander dressed in navy blue leather of panther removed the veil gasps were heard all around.

"This princess has heard that the people of Ambrose worship goddess Riera and thus brought a clope glass statue, this one belonged to my forefathers and was said to bring blessings upon those who had the possession of it. Once in Daxtros, a calamity broke out ten years ago ,the skies raged continuously for a month and many villages were submerged under the flood.

A priestess of seven years old was called and she breathed life into the statue from her pure soul, after that the last priestess disappeared and even after long search my father was unable to find them." The words were soft as if dew drops falling from the veins of bamboo leaves but the indication was clear.

That now this statue was of no use other than decorative purpose thus Daxtros empire gave it as a gift but the emperor did not had too much attention dedicated to it since the clope glass in itself was expensive enough to buy cities.

"This Empress expresses her gratitude." Seycea smiled magnanimously before indicating the people to start the fire show designed specially for entertainment. One moment the hall was thrumming with brightness and the very other it went partially dark with patterns of flowers and scenery start forming on the ceilings of the great palace.

The people were in awe as they have to crane their neck up to enjoy the show as if a second of delay and they would miss out the fire borne deer running or the butterfly fluttering her wings.

What started as a small display of various figures morphed into the ancient story of Ambrose. It was said that the very first emperor to establish the dynasty had to go on a war with the neighboring countries and have encountered a majestic beast in the forest that helped him win the battle.

The beast was a wolf depicted by fire and the king himself was a shadow.

The nobles had their breath taken away but there were some that rolled their eyes at the childish thing they called a great act.

"You like the show?"

"Not bad"

"This general will bring the artisans to display it every month with different colour fire. Would you like that?"

"This wife would love that." When Azarios smiled delightfully looking at the carefree look of Lilith many of the onlookers were stunned. The man was made of iron and steel and yet when looking at his wife, his look was full of warmth.

The show had not ended but the low voice of his had resonated to far off ears of the emperor and the prince and princess who had completely lost their interest in the fire act and were just looking at the couple without blinking.

Men gritted their teeth while Seycea was fuming in rage. The countess were no better. Among this unimaginable chaos the only one to remain calm was Princess Nevix who watched the two keenly observing every word and expression and then there was Prince Baez who looked frostly as if finding the interaction especially disturbing.

The brightness returned but very few cheered at first making the others remember to follow the course.

But why did Prince Baez felt this way, as if something belonging to him was ripped apart from him by force and then it is now bound to never be his again.

General Lady Lilith who are you truly?

To make the prince feel this way, what qualifications do you have?

The dam of emotions in Jillian's heart broke and like a wounded beast she smiled charmingly bleeding blood in her heart and stood up before bowing a little.

"This countess would like to display one's singing skills." And soon without any invitation, a competition broke.