The prime minister said he’d finished greeting the most important guests and was now introducing Maria to people. He was always so quick to complete his work, but I wondered if he’d wrapped up his business faster than usual out of a desire to show off his lovely wife.
“I’m so happy to finally meet you in a formal setting, Princess Pride,” Maria said with a cheerful curtsy. “We wish Princess Tiara a very happy birthday!”
I thanked her and shook hands with them both. She and the prime minister were as beautiful as they’d ever been, as if they never aged. I’m pretty sure Prime Minister Gilbert hasn’t been using his special power on either of them…
“The next formal event we meet at will probably be the birthday party where your and your sister’s fiancés are announced…or perhaps even your coronation,” Prime Minister Gilbert said.
Maria agreed, and it raised my spirits to learn she’d be attending future events at the castle as Mrs. Butler. “I’m so glad I can stand alongside my husband in public like this once more,” she said. “It’s all thanks to everyone’s efforts.”
By “everyone,” she was including Father, Mother, Stale, and Arthur.
“I’m glad too,” I said, and joy bloomed on Maria’s pretty face. It was hard to believe someone so youthful and stunning was already a mother—though I found it less strange when I remembered she was friends with my own mother, who was just as striking.
When I expressed my disappointment at missing Stella, the pair invited me to visit their home again. I told them I appreciated the generous offer. After that, Maria and Prime Minister Gilbert left to chat with Stale. Maria’s presence would surely lift his spirits just as it had mine.
As the couple moved on, new guests rushed in. I said hello to a few familiar faces until a man I didn’t recognize reached the front of the line. Just as I was wondering what sort of prince or nobleman he might be, voices rose in the center of the ballroom alongside a blare of fanfare. Every last guest fell silent and turned toward the noise.
It was time for Tiara’s special event. I quickly finished my greetings and hurried to the middle of the room, knowing she’d need me for this. This is something I absolutely can’t be late for!
“We shall now commence with a dance party, as organized by Princess Tiara Royal Ivy!”
My heart raced as gasps of excitement filled the ballroom.
Tiara had first presented me with the idea of a dance party about a month ago. She’d wanted to use her birthday party as an opportunity to announce something of her own creation, just as I had announced the establishment of a Freesian school system on my sixteenth birthday, so she had gone to Prime Minister Gilbert for advice. Mother, Father, and Uncle Vest had joined in to help, resulting in a project organized by Tiara herself.
Such a lovely scene never existed in the game, of course, as Tiara spent her days locked away in an isolated tower.
“Thank you for joining me, Big Sister, Big Brother!”
She grinned at Stale and me, and we beamed back at her. The birthday dance party wasn’t all that grand, as this was Tiara’s first attempt at planning such an event on her own. The three of us would simply dance with guests in the center of the ballroom.
Stale would choose a different female guest for each song, while Tiara and I were to select from the men who offered their hands. Perhaps it was closer to a dance exhibition than a dance party.
Princesses our age normally danced with their fiancés, but we were still keeping our marriage candidates confidential at this time. Therefore, Tiara’s first pick was going to draw a lot of attention and speculation.
She walked elegantly in time with the musical prelude, walking past the many men extending their hands toward her. It was an honor to dance with a member of the royal family, and every man she passed reached eagerly for the opportunity: young, old, engaged, even married. If she’d invited them to this party, they were already worthy of dancing with a princess.
Tiara approached the crowd with small, careful steps…and took the hand of none other than Cedric.
It happened so suddenly that Cedric’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. With the entire room watching, she smiled sweetly at him, every bit a perfect princess. Cedric’s mouth fell open as he flushed bright red. Only once Tiara pulled him closer did he finally manage to snap it shut.
It had been a long time since Tiara offered the prince much more than a glare, so it wasn’t hard to guess the effect her smile must’ve had on him. Maybe I was mistaken, but Tiara’s cheeks also appeared to glow slightly pinker than usual. She was definitely nervous in leading her very first event.
The two kings at Cedric’s sides chuckled at his reaction, clearly pleased with this whole display. They covered their mouths to hide their smirks, watching Cedric fondly as he joined Tiara on the dance floor.
During our time in the United Hanazuo Kingdom, we’d all participated in a celebratory dance. That had inspired Tiara to recreate the occasion in Freesia. Our country held large dance parties in our castle and at other social events, but guests didn’t get to dance with the royal family. That was the custom Tiara was eager to bring to the kingdom, starting at her own birthday party.
Cedric had his own reasons for not dancing with us at that celebration one year ago, but now he had the chance to dance with Tiara for the very first time. I could only imagine his joy. Their golden hair fluttered elegantly with each step as they reached the center of the dance floor. I let out a dreamy sigh, captivated by how they sparkled under the lights.
Eyes lingering on Tiara and Cedric, I chose my own partner. I gave his hand a squeeze, and he did the same. Pleased, I tore my eyes off Tiara and Cedric to smile at the man I’d chosen.
“Thank you, Stale.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
The event would begin with a dance between me and Stale. As the star of the party, Tiara had selected a partner, whereas Stale and I would dance as brother and sister. But if the tradition continued, Tiara would probably dance with Stale first at my next birthday party.
Stale had been my partner at many other dance parties already, but the attention of all the guests left me anxious regardless. It would be just the four of us dancing this time, surrounded by a massive audience.
Hand in hand, Stale and I joined Tiara and Cedric on the dance floor. We kept enough distance to avoid colliding with them, turned toward the guests, and bowed. Then the music began.
We locked eyes and placed our other hands on each other’s.
It was time for Stale, Tiara, and I to have our first dances.