Chapter 26

Princess Liviana's POV

Later that night, Prince Elias' grand birthday party has begun. The whole castle was decorated and lighted up. The main event will be held in the grand ballroom. Kings, Queens, Princes, Princess, aristocrats, and many other important persons from different kingdoms were invited to celebrate my brother's twenty-fifth birthday. All guests are wearing their dazzling and lavish coats and gowns.

My husband and I were invited to sit at the same table with the King and Queen. I watched the arriving guests and how my foster parents are joyous today. Being part of the royalty even though I don't have royal blood running in my veins makes me frustrated. I was raised as a Princess, and I act like a Princess, but deep inside me, I feel guilt and pang in my chest.

"Do you want a celebration like this on your birthday?" I got back to my senses when I heard Conrad spoke. Since he got back from hunting with my father this afternoon, he has been so quiet. I don't want to prey that's why I did not ask what the matter with him is.

I shook my head as I looked at the chandelier above us. "I don't want any celebration on my birthday." I sensed he looked at me with knitted eyebrows. His eyes are asking. I sighed as I diverted my look at him, I smiled a little. "A simple dinner with my husband's family is enough." I said.

His expression softens, and he smiled. "It's settled. It's a simple dinner with our family for your birthday celebration." He said, and I smiled back. Why I have a lighter and good feeling being with his family than being with my foster parents' family?

"How old are you when they gave you this kind of birthday celebration?" He asked as his eyes roam around.

I smiled bitterly as I tried to recall if they ever gave me this kind of birthday celebration. All I can remember was my brother used to bake a chocolate cake for my birthday. I was extremely happy and contented with just one cake. I never dreamt of having this grand celebration.

"I don't know. I cannot remember." I lied. My life is full of drama. I don't want him to hear those, and I don't want him to feel pity for me. I always wanted to look strong to every person who knows me.

He looked at me for a few seconds and he sighed. I suddenly got curious why he had that kind of expression. "Why?" I asked.

He smiled just to hide that expression earlier. "It's nothing. I just realized I barely know you." My eyebrows knitted. "What I mean is I don't know any of your life stories, your childhood stories, your dreams, your experiences, and what's going in your mind right now. I just want to know all of them." He scratched the back of his head and turned his gaze on the opposite side while I was left looking at him for few seconds. I was trying to process and absorb what he just said. He must've felt the thick wall that I put between us. This is frustrating.

"My life story is boring." I said as I chuckled. "I just read books during my childhood days. It's a story that is not worth sharing, so stop bothering yourself, your highness." I said. He looked at me intently for few seconds like he was reading my face, then afterward he just shook his head while smiling.

After few more minutes, the birthday celebrant ostentatiously appeared on the top of the staircase, and he proudly flaunted his beautiful face. The guests greeted him with a happy birthday, and he gladly thanked them for coming to his birthday. I always admire my brother because he was the first person who treated me like his own sister. He is a good son also to our parents and a great future King to his kingdom.

"Happy birthday, brother." I greeted him when he reached our table. I hugged him tight, but after few seconds, my husband forcibly break off our embrace. What a jerk.

"Come on. You're still here?" My brother scorned him as I chuckled.

"Happy birthday, brother-in-law." Conrad greeted him with a solemn face. I almost hit him because of his attitude towards my brother.

My brother chuckled at his response. "By the way, Lili your suitors were bugging me to see you." He said while plastering a naughty smile. No freaking way. I slowly looked at my husband, who looks mad.

"Where are they?" He asked as he removed his coat. His hands turned into a fist, and before he could take a step, I immediately stopped him by holding on to his arm.

"He was fooling around." I said to calm him down. My brother likes to tease him and used me against him. "Brother." I called him out as he walked away laughing. What the hell?

"I can hear them." I looked at him while confusion visible on my face. What was he saying? "A bunch of morons is talking about you." He said as his eyes roam around the ballroom with an angry face.

"What are you talking about? The orchestra is too loud for you to hear their conversation." I said as I pulled him down to sit. "Do not fall for the same trick again." I told him. I offered him a glass of water to calm him down, and he took it.

"Why those morons did not know that you're married?" He said with an intense look.

"I don't know. Maybe they were not invited. Will you please stop annoying yourself?" I asked. He sighed and gulped another glass of water. After few minutes, the food was served, and we ate in silence while guests were constantly going to our table to greet the King and Queen.

"Do you like the food?" I asked him to break the silence between us. I can sense that he's still mad.

"Princess Liviana." Someone from my back called my name.

"Fck." I heard my husband cursed as he dropped the utensils he was holding on the plate.

"Conrad, please." I pleaded as I hold his hand. I don't want him to make any commotion at my brother's birthday celebration. The King and the Queen will be furious for sure. I looked at Conrad, and he looked like he was restraining himself.

"Princess Liviana." The guy behind me called my attention again. I stand up to face him without letting go of my husband's hand. I already know why he was acting like this, but I cannot let him do what he pleases because of his emotion. "Do you still remember me?" The guy in front of me asked.