We returned ho from the parade and I could see that Rune was itching to ask questions regarding what happened at the parade.
"How could they sense Ocean without even seeing him?" He asked once we were in the library.
"You know about the difference between mana and aura, right?"
"Yes,"
"Unlike us nobles and Imperial family who use Mana, the Grand Duke’s lineage carries Aura as their strength. They had t Ocean personally and they have sensed the mana that I carry that’s how they were able to sense despite being in my original body."
"They didn’t see your real face right?"
"Of course, they didn’t. Besides, they know I’m a master of disguises so, they might just think I was in disguise and ca to watch over them." I shrugged my shoulders and Rune sighed.
"What if they sense you at the banquet tomorrow?" He asked and I sighed.
"I have prepared sothing for that as well."
"What?"
"A special device made by Uncle Silas."
"What kind of device now?"
"A device that conceals mana presence."
"Does that kind of device actually exist?" He asked and I smiled.
"You’ll see. Uncle Silas is a genius he can make anything that I give him an idea of." I said and Rune sighed.
"I’m worried you might be overworking him."
I chuckled at his words and couldn’t help but wonder if he managed to figure out what the objects I handed him were.
"I guess, I am overworking him..." I spoke.
The next day, Dad seed a little tired but he was still dressed up and ready to go. We had decided to go with the color coordination of white and blue so, all three of us were in similar outfits.
"Reina, you look like a doll! So beautiful!" Dad smiled as he saw .
"I’m tired of that complint." I muttered making him tilt his head.
"She’s been hearing that from everyone at the tea parties that we visited, Father." Rune filled in and Dad chuckled.
"We still can’t deny that my little Princess looks so beautiful."
We set out in the carriage and I looked at Dad who had a distant look on his face while Rune looked out of the window.
Rune had asked the other night if I had a talk with Dad about sothing serious and I had to explain him everything of the plan.
"Does Uncle Silas know of this?" He asked and I had nodded.
I knew I was relying too much on the Mage’s Tower but I was also funding them, Ryujin family was the official trustee of the Mage’s Tower along with being business partners.
After so ti we entered the palace where the queue of the carriages was quite long. It was as if the whole kingdom was there right at that ti.
We managed to get inside the large ballroom and for a mont I was blinded by the amount of jewels and the other extravagant things that I saw.
It had been a while since I attended any grand ball so, I guess I was a little taken aback by the scene of ostentatious flaunting of wealth.
"It’s crowded." I mumbled as soon as we got inside.
"Let’s stay here until Father does his work and then leave after greeting the few people we’re here for." Rune suggested.
"Good idea."
Dad led us in but before we could even reach till the center we were surrounded, I kept my head down as the ladies and gentlen started praising and talking to Rune.
I gently tugged Dad out of the crowd and gestured for Rune to take care while we made our escape.
"I hope he’ll be fine." Dad said.
"He will be, he’s my brother." I replied making Dad smile down at .
"They will arrive a little later, right?" I asked and Dad looked around for a mont.
"Golden Serpent or..."
"Yes."
"Yes, apparently, a little late." He confird.
The people around were chattering and clinking their glasses and Dad also got busy while talking to his acquaintances while I strolled off on my own.
I knew almost every noble in the room and even the kids of my age but none of them were friends. Maybe it was because of trust issues that I made no friend while being in my original form.
[Giver of Gifts says you will find a good friend soon.]
"Is that a prediction?" I asked.
[Giver of Gifts says it’s her wish.]
"I hope it gets fulfilled, I need an ally to work with."
[Defender of Divine Glory asks you to see beyond work.]
"You’re contradicting my life purpose here. Aren’t I here to save this world? So, I need useful allies."
[Goddess of Wisdom praises your practical approach.]
The chattering noise was starting to get to my head so I was about to leave when I heard the announcent being made which suddenly drowned out all the sounds.
The crowd parted like Red sea before the four figures walked in dressed as lavishly as the other people in the ballroom.
I felt as if I was seeing two walking gold mines walking by as I curtsied in my spot followed by Prince Carlos, Princess Colette.
It was my first ti seeing the King, His Majesty Roger Vous Ferin Marismus, he seed like a man in his early fifties with blonde hair streaked with white strands and a beard and moustache peppered with white hair.
The air around him seed to carry the charged magic and I could see why he was said to be one of the strongest mages of the kingdom. I could see his mana presence blazing like fire, he wasn’t a person to be taken lightly in a fight.
Eric wasn’t with them this ti as he said he would make an entrance with his ntor Marquis Desmond Fairisles.
Speaking of him, he arrived just ten minutes after the Royal family entered and beside him was Prince Eric. He walked with full grace and confidence which he lacked in the previous banquet.
His air had completely changed making it hard for the others who looked at him to not notice it.
I smiled slightly as he walked in with his head held high.
"That’s the spirit, my boy." I mumbled.
Everyone started greeting the King and Queen along with the Prince and Princess while I walked over and stood beside my father who looked a little nervous.
We had gone through it over and over again and rehearsed it for him to rember the keypoints that he would require to say in front of the King.
"You rember what we practiced, right Father?" I looked up at him.
"Yes, I do."
"Good, relax for now. Let’s go greet them and then after the banquet starts find so ti to get to talk to him." I said as I held his fingers in my small hand giving it a slight squeeze.
He smiled at before we stepped ahead and greeted the King and Queen.
"Duke Aurelius, it has been quite so ti since we t." The King spoke up.
"Is this your son, Rune?" He asked looking at Rune.
"You are quite a courageous young man, exposing a traitor of the kingdom like that. I am delighted by your work, I’m glad to see that the future of Aurelius is in capable hands." Roger laughed loudly.
"I’m honored to hear such words of praise from Your Majesty." Rune bowed and I internally rolled my eyes.
"And this must be your little daughter,"
I curtsied with my head down and introduced myself, "Glory to the shining Sun of Sestia, my na is Reina Aurelius, Your Majesty."
"Reina, it’s my first ti seeing you, I guess I can understand why your father hides you from social events." Roger chortled making smile.
"Reina keeps sick most of the ti, that’s why, she doesn’t visit the banquets, Your Majesty." Dad piped in.
"Is that so? Is her condition better now?"
"I apologise for not attending often because of my weak body. But now, I’m recovering well thanks to you, Your Majesty."
"She’s quite docile and soft-spoken. She’ll make a good bride in future." He comnted and my inner-feminist and my Dragon almost reared their head.
A good bride? If only he knew what I had been doing up till now he would rather put on the throne himself.
"I’m honored for such a thoughtful praise, Your Majesty."
I could feel the Queen’s eyes on as we greeted her. She didn’t say anything but I could feel her mana being prickly as her emotions. She must be irked to stand in the presence of Rune since he was responsible for taking out one of her allies and blackmailer.
We moved on and walked over to a secluded spot.
"A good bride." I spoke with a sickly sweet smile.
"A good bride." Rune repeated.
"A good bride..." Dad also repeated.
All three of us held different tones, I was concealing my fury, Rune’s voice held irritation while Dad seed upset.
Just as I was about to get out of the ballroom to let out so steam I heard the announcent which made freeze.
I stepped beside Dad and brushed the stone over my bracelet which was the device that Silas had given to hide my Dragon’s Presence.
"Let’s see how good it works." I mumbled as I saw the Grand Duke and his family entering the large hall.
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