Chapter 7:
Opening Curtain
IT’S FINALLY TIME for the happiest ending of them all.
“Happy birthday, Princess Tiara!”
Elegant music lilted through the crowded ballroom. Tiara, Stale, and I were awash in a sea of eager guests. In anticipation of the event, we’d tightened security all over the castle. Knights were stationed in the ballroom, the royal residence, and all the way down to the castle gates.
We’d also informed our guests that people with the powers to detect heat signatures or see through objects would examine each of them. Those inspectors stood at the gates, along the castle walls, and at the ballroom doors.
This was no normal ceremony, as our added safety precautions demonstrated. The scale of this birthday party trumped all that preceded it. It was an extra special occasion, just as my sixteenth birthday and Stale’s seventeenth birthday had been, as Tiara was officially reaching the age of adulthood.
That was largely why so many guests from our allied nations and amiable neighbors packed the ballroom—though Freesia’s expanding relations with other countries during the last few years also played a big role in the hubbub. Not only would we be celebrating Tiara, but we’d also greet nobles and royals we otherwise never encountered. As a result, we Freesian royals were incredibly busy.
We’d already finished greeting various guests from the royal order—as well as Captain Callum, who’d shown up with Leon—Anemone, and the United Hanazuo Kingdom. Normally, this would be the opportunity to catch our collective breath, but there was no time to spare. The three royals from Hanazuo had arrived late, which was unfortunate because their presence would’ve drawn some attention away from us, but they were of little help. Once we were done chatting with them, it was straight on to the next guests.
The sheer number of attendees—many more than I’d seen at my own party—had me reeling. I could only imagine how overwhelmed Tiara must’ve felt as the star of the show. She wore an all-white dress with gold embroidery, attracting even more looks and conversation partners than I was. It was also possible that my crimson dress was too conspicuous, scaring off guests who opted to talk to Tiara instead. Compared to the sweet and angelic Tiara, I looked like an evil noblewoman who would “accidentally” spill wine on someone’s clothes. Well, I am the final boss.
Stale and Tiara had complimented my dress, but I knew it stood out, and not in a good way. I had to wear all this red to keep it from clashing with my hair, though. As if all that wasn’t depressing enough, the “sexy” cut of the dress revealed a bit of cleavage. Meanwhile, Tiara gets to dress like a graceful, feminine goddess!
Embarrassed at myself, I flushed red. The duke I’d been speaking to asked if I was feeling all right. I shook off my thoughts, then glossed over my slipup by pleading thirst and taking a sip of my drink. The duke used the break in our conversation to change subjects.
“That reminds me,” he said, “I’ve heard rumors that Princess Tiara has planned a special event for the occasion. Is there any truth to this?”
“Yes, there is. I can’t say anything yet, but you’ll find out before Mother addresses the room. I do hope you’ll enjoy it.”
“Oh my!” The duke broke into a wide smile.
Tiara’s event wasn’t far off. I’d been looking forward to it ever since she explained her vision to me. The duke said he was excited as well. His wife offered a smile, which I returned. Then the duke offered me a graceful bow before departing with the duchess in tow.
They were far from the last guests I had to greet. I eyed the line; so many new faces waited to chat with me. Mother had spent her rule forming alliances and peace treaties with different countries, and I’d only met a handful of these people before. Many were total strangers.
Just as many female guests had attended Stale’s birthday party, the majority of Tiara’s guests were male. Perhaps that also played a part in the many first-time visitors. There was a big difference in who attended a prince’s party versus a princess’s when they reached a marriageable age. Not only was the guest list quite different from normal ceremonies, but the ratio of young men and women changed as well.
“It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, Princess Pride Royal Ivy. I am the second-born prince of the kingdom of Misumi.”
Another new person. We exchanged greetings as I committed his face to memory. The prince hailed from a new ally of ours, so I would need to address him by name when we next met. Mother had warned us to stay focused during the party and look out for just these sorts of encounters. Fortunately, I had a pretty good memory, even if I wasn’t on Cedric’s level. The intelligence of the last boss Pride came in handy for things like social settings and politics.
I greeted the prince politely, then took another drink from my glass. The flurry of the party left me parched. As I sipped, careful not to indulge too much or too quickly…I suddenly found my glass empty. I must have overdone it. I scanned the crowd for a maid carrying drinks before another guest could approach me.
A glass appeared before me. “Please have this if you’d like, Princess Pride.”
Alarmed, I whirled around—and was relieved to see a familiar face. “Thank you very much, Prime Minister Gilbert. You really came to my rescue!”
“Of course,” he replied with a kind smile. “I just thought you might be getting thirsty.”
I’d have expected nothing less from a man like him. He would have made an excellent butler or waiter if he weren’t the prime minister, though perhaps that was a rude thought to have.
I took a sip. Whatever he’d brought me was far less potent than my previous drink, so I could indulge without worry. I looked up at Prime Minister Gilbert, and someone behind him caught my eye.
“Mari—I mean, Mrs. Butler! I’m so happy to see you!”
My voice came out louder than I intended. Mother and Tiara would be just as delighted as I was. Oh my goodness, I’m so happy! It was the first time I could recall Maria ever attending a ceremony at the castle.
“Stella’s finally old enough to stay at home without me,” she said. Her pale-pink hair tumbled over her shoulders, making her as much of a goddess as Tiara was, though in a different way.
Prime Minister Gilbert smiled and explained that the servants at their manor were looking after their daughter tonight. He wrapped an arm around Maria’s shoulders as he spoke. Ah, what a lovely husband and wife they made! Gorgeous, both of them.