The Announcement

The ballroom was just as suffocating as Dione remembered it.

As soon as she entered, she could feel the piercing gazes of nearly everyone around her but they tactfully looked elsewhere when they noticed Ezra by her side.

If possible, she felt even more isolated than she did previously, as rumors of her promiscuous behavior spread among the nobles present. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the Marquess from afar, staring at her with thinly veiled hatred.

Dione immediately cast her eyes to the marble floor beneath her feet, not noticing that Ezra had come to a stop in front of her. Her nose burned after bumping into his hard back, and she looked up with a bit of embarrassment.

"Are you alright, Your Highness? Did you see the Marquess again?" Ezra reverted back to the proper way of addressing her since they were now in public.

"No, no. I was just distracted, that's all." She answered. She did not wish to burden him or worry him over something so silly. Even though she said so, her body trembled slightly and it did not go unnoticed by the observant knight.

He was not unaware of the harsh looks they were receiving now nor the deliberately loud whispers that aimed to defame the Princess' character.

It must be said that Ezra's reputation as a knight was held in high regard. Adding to the fact he came from a highly renowned family, there were many nobles who found it not worth it to go against him. So, when his chilly gaze set over a group of ill-intentioned noblemen who made Princess Dione their target of scorn, their lips clamped shut and they tactfully moved away.

"Shall we move to a quieter area, Your Highness?" Ezra's hand gently caressed her shoulder. With Dione's permission, the pair walked to a less-trafficked area of the ball, as if in a world of their own.

Unbeknownst to them, the Duke had been watching their every move. He stood far above the crowded ballroom, on the second floor which permitted only the higher-ranking noblemen.

He had seen every intimate action that Ezra had taken with her which included touching her shoulder and being too close for comfort. The frown on his face deepened. Was this the man she had rejected him for? In what way was this lanky knight better than him?

Sure, he had a pretty face but the Duke's face did not lose in comparison. He had the looks of a devious God and a sinful, tempting body to match. He was fully confident that he was the better-looking one between the two.

"Caleb, am I ugly?" Azriel's voice was low as he turned his head to the side to ask his subordinate.

"I apologize, My Lord?" The subordinate felt as if he were hearing things.

The Duke grew irritated, "Am I ugly?" He pointed to his face with a serious expression.

"No…?"

"Am I at least better than that guy?"

Caleb followed his master's gaze to the long-haired knight in a less crowded area of the ballroom. He noticed that the knight was Ezra Fallon, a man widely praised for his skills. He simply did not understand why the Duke would ask such an outlandish and out-of-character question until he noticed Princess Dione standing near.

He immediately misunderstood that Duke Devland and Ezra were somehow competing to win the affection of the powerless princess. It was as if a fire had been lit under his butt as he nodded crazily, "Of course, My Lord! The Duke is unparalleled in looks, there is truly no one on this Earth that can match you! Don't give up, My Lord!"

Azriel only wanted a simple confirmation so he did not understand why Caleb was suddenly so serious.

"Am I interrupting something?"

The Duke turned and met the inquisitive gaze of Emperor William. On his right, was Princess Valerie, and on his left was a well-known High Priest from the Holy Church, Lael.

"I did not know that your subordinate was so passionate about your looks, Azriel." William chuckled lightly and patted his friend's shoulder. "I suppose it is to be expected. Not even the men can resist your charms. Right, you've met High Priest Lael before, haven't you?" He gestured to his left.

Azriel smirked lightly and nodded, "We are loosely acquainted." His eyes dragged over the older man cloaked in robes specific to the Holy Church. The High Priest did not dare to meet the Duke's dark eyes. His only thoughts were that he absolutely could not mess up today!

Emperor William did not notice anything off. In the first place, Duke Devland was a man made of terrifying and exaggerated rumors - there were not many men alive that could look into that bloody gaze of his.

"Valerie has a knack for running her mouth so I'm sure you have already heard about my plans for tonight. There is no need to delay any further unless you have an objection." Emperor William's words may have seemed as if he were asking for the Duke's opinion in a genuine sense but to the trained ear, there was clearly a thinly veiled threat in his words.

William's character was not unknown to Azriel. He understood very well that William was the type of ruler who would get his way by whatever means necessary. He was someone who kept his lapdogs on a very tight leash and even then he would pull even tighter, ensuring that there was never the slightest chance for them to escape his control.

In this case, Valerie was the chains he wanted to put on the Duke, and having their marriage blessed by the Holy Church would give him even more control than he already had.

But Duke Devland was also a man known not to be taken advantage of. There was only so far this leader of his could push him and tonight, he would be sure that Emperor William was reminded of what lines he should and should not cross.

"What reason could I have to object, Your Majesty? The Holy Church has not given a sacred marriage blessing in decades, I am actually extremely interested in receiving one tonight." The Duke did not forget to throw a sidelong glance at High Priest Lael who had begun to form beads of sweat on his forehead.

Princess Valerie still held her suspicions about the Duke's sudden change of heart. All her years of pining after him and attempting to force him into a marriage with her and now he suddenly has no objections?

It was strange.

She decided to chalk it up to her brother and the Holy Church being involved this time. Before, her father was against forcing the Duke into a marriage with her but now he was a dead man who could no longer stop her and her brother was now the Emperor. Duke Devland was bound not to escape her clutches this time. Soon, he would be in possession.

Emperor William did not waste time. With the rest of them in tow, he stepped to the extravagant gold railing on the second floor and looked down from above. He tapped his wine glass softly and swept his eyes over the guests below, instantly commanding their attention. The music died down, the chattering stopped and there was no movement. This was the power of a true ruler.

His majestic voice boomed throughout the ballroom, "Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed nobles of the Salian Empire, I stand before you today with a heart full of pride and gratitude. Recently, our nation has witnessed a momentous triumph, and it is my honor to recognize the unwavering courage and skill displayed by one of our own - Duke Devland!"

The crowd erupted into polite applause as they watched Duke Devland walk forward and stand side to side with the Emperor.

Princess Dione looks up toward the balcony. Though she hates to admit it, her brother was a great Emperor, beloved by his people. Or rather, the people loved the facade he presented them. Her eyes wandered, falling on Duke Devland who stood tall beside her brother. Her heart skipped a beat. He was watching her too.

When the applause dies down, the Emperor continues, "There are many rumors floating about tonight that I am sure most of you have already caught wind of. Let me say this now - it is true. Tonight, as recognition of such exceptional service, High Priest Lael on behalf of the Holy Church will be granting Duke Devland with a privilege that has not been granted in decades - A Sacred Marriage Blessing."

"Ah, the Duke will receive a sacred marriage blessing? Wouldn't that mean he would be marrying Princess Valerie then?"

"That makes plenty sense."

Some nobles discussed this softly amongst themselves. Obviously, only Princess Valerie had a status that could match Duke Devland. And, to everyone here, it was clear that she would never take her claws out of the man. The Emperor could not possibly be marrying him to anyone else.

The applause from the crowd of nobles became even more enthusiastic. How long had it been since one's union had received a blessing from the Holy Church? The last time it happened had been so many generations ago that it was barely remembered. After all, a sacred marriage blessing was not something that was given to just anyone, and its rules were considered strict in their marriage-without-love society.

Princess Dione did not join in on the applause, a small questioning frown donning her face. It may not be common knowledge but as a member of the Salian Empire's royal family, she knew very well that this was impossible. In the first place, a sacred marriage blessing could not be given by just anyone, even if the person delivering it was a High Priest. Its requirements were very specific - it had to be given by a Saintess.

Their current Saintess, Saintess Naraina, had only been found in the last five years or so and she had never made a formal appearance nor was there any further news about her. She did not participate in any of the nation's end-of-the-year prayer ceremonies and she did not even show the slight of her face in the Holy Church despite being requested by many people. She was akin to a ghost.

So how..?