🌹🌹🌹
THE court orchestra played while members of the nobility stood in a line on either side of a red carpet that ran down the middle of the great hall. At the end of the carpet was a dais where the king of Heilland sat on his throne, with Alicia sitting quietly by his side.
“Look, it’s Princess Alicia. She’s so lovely today.”
“She looks more like Queen Lisbeth by the day.”
“She is truly Heilland’s blooming Blue Rose Princess.”
“Will King James be selecting a gentleman for his beloved princess soon?”
Alicia held back a sigh as she tried her hardest to ignore the stares of the numerous nobles around the great hall. Perhaps this was too much trouble after all.
In Alicia’s memories, her mother was a beautiful woman who always wore a gentle smile. She used to stroke Alicia’s hair and call her “my beloved child.” And because of his deep love for her mother, King James had never taken a second wife, despite only having Alicia as his sole heir.
Therefore, the aristocracy were more invested in Alicia’s life than they would be in the life of a regular princess. After all, whoever became Alicia’s husband would one day become Heilland’s king.
Of course, there had been periods in Heilland’s long history when the nation had been ruled by queens. However, it had always been a temporary reign until the queen’s husband was pronounced king or a male relative stepped in to take the throne.
Therefore, all the noble families with a ranking of marquis or higher would flock to present their sons whenever Alicia made a public appearance. Even on the best of days, attending her royal lessons from morning until night exhausted Alicia. The additional chore of having to be surrounded by these hopeful nobles was a true pain.
That’s why I hate these public appearances so much.
Despite her inner complaint, Alicia maintained a smile, as she’d been taught to do during her lessons. Besides, the reason Alicia decided to break her routine and attend this ceremony was that problematic man with the jet-black hair.
He’s not here…is he?
Alicia frowned as her gaze swept over the nobles lined up along the great hall. Thankfully, she was seated on the dais, giving her a great view despite her short stature. She spotted countless heads of blond, silver, red, and brown hair, but none of that conspicuous color she was looking for.
Would this be a waste of time, after all?
Alicia hadn’t expected to find the man so easily, but she was disappointed all the same. Suddenly, she realized that she was also anxious about meeting the man again.
“Cia, are you feeling all right?”
King James’s gaze was full of worry as Alicia’s shoulders drooped and she leaned back against her seat. His Majesty’s retainers once called him the Fortune God of the East. While Alicia had never seen a Fortune God before, she thought the name fitting for her father, a sociable man with a personality and appearance that everyone, from their retainers to the common people, loved and admired.
“I’m all right, Father,” she told him with a smile. “Will the ceremony be starting soon?”
“You are free to leave anytime you feel unwell.”
Alicia nodded, and King James smiled, stroking her hair gently so as not to mess up the hairstyle Annie and the maids had made for her. Then, as if on cue, the king’s chief adviser, Nigel Otto, raised his right hand.
A loud fanfare played as King James and Alicia rose, spreading their arms to welcome the inspection squad. Two knights in full armor pulled the double doors leading into the great hall open. The members of the inspection squad stood on the red carpet, right in the center of the opened doorway.
All ten members of the squad were remarkable individuals, ranging from those handpicked by the various government ministries to several sons of influential noblemen on the Privy Council, the advisory body of the king, to top graduates from the Royal Academy, the kingdom’s top educational institution.
Two years on an inspection mission in Erdal had made their gazes discerning and their demeanor dignified. Alicia watched them bow, then froze as her eyes landed on a particular member.
There he stood, right before her petrified eyes. His glossy black hair moved as he slowly lifted his handsome, fair face up, and Alicia lowered her gaze before those impressive eyes could meet her own.
He was here. She hadn’t expected to find him so soon.
The music played by the court orchestra, together with the murmuring of the nobles as they watched the squad move down the carpeted walkway, all faded away. Alicia could only hear her heart beating wildly in her chest and the sure footsteps of the man as he came closer.
She lifted her gaze slightly, seeing the man she’d first met on the night of the revolution. The one who drew near her with his dimly shining sword in hand, his violet eyes burning with hatred, and curses on his thin lips.
Her body trembled with terror as sweat dripped down her back. Each step the man took towards her filled her heart with despair. Death, death itself, was bearing down on Alicia.
Just as she was about to scream, a large hand landed on her shoulder.
“Cia, you look very pale.”
King James’s whispered words dispelled the illusion, and Alicia was brought back to reality. The black-haired man was not holding a sword, nor were his features twisted with rage.
“…I apologize, Father.”
Suddenly exhausted, Alicia let out a breath as the ten members of the inspection squad lined up before the throne.
“Your Majesty. I am Riddhe Sutherland, the first son of Loid Sutherland. We would like to express our sincerest gratitude for arranging such an occasion for us tonight.”
The squad members knelt down, bowing before the king as the man in the center spoke on their behalf. The House of Sutherland was a ducal family whose current head, Lord Loid, sat on the Privy Council. Perhaps Riddhe’s manner of speech and conduct seemed pretentious to Alicia because of the status of his house.
“I appreciate the hard work all of you have put into this long mission. Was the time abroad well spent?” King James asked.
“Of course. And while we fully trusted in Heilland’s prestige, our neighbor was still full of surprises.”