Creative works made in my likeness? I can tolerate that, just...please keep them away from people I know! I could already imagine the embellishments, the dramatizations in such works—the portraits of a Saintly figure so lovely and charming that even I would have to do a double take, picture books filled with stories so exaggerated, I’d find myself muttering, Well, that certainly didn’t happen!
I understood that such works would be a sign of the people’s respect and admiration, and I had to admit that I didn’t entirely hate the idea. But if I were honest with myself, it did bother me—a little more than I’d care to admit. I suppose the people can do as they wish, as long as I never have to see or hear of it!
“All right, Lina, if that is your desire,” Ed said. “I don’t need reproductions anyway—not when the real Saint is right in front of me.” He gently stroked my hair, his eyes crinkling in affection.
I... I swear this man has no idea how much of a flirt he is! My heart raced, and my cheeks flushed even more. Ed’s teasing was as effective as I was sure it was unintentional! Despite the stir he caused within me, I miraculously held on to my composure.
“S-So, when is the party tonight slated to begin?” I asked, in a voice that sounded (mostly) calm. “I don’t think Their Majesties informed us of any details beyond the fact that it’s happening.” I turned my gaze to Teodore, hoping to distract myself from Ed, but also because if anyone would know the specifics of the agenda, it was certainly him.
Teodore met my gaze, then adjusted his glasses with a practiced motion. “It shall begin this evening at six, if I’m not mistaken. A white tie event, as it were, so it might be wise to change. Though I’m certain no one would object if you were to attend as you are. The party is, after all, ‘officially’ to celebrate Noel.” He gave me a knowing smile.
But we all knew there was a secondary, less ostensible reason for the gathering, didn’t we? Given that, my course of action seemed clear.
“Perhaps so,” I replied thoughtfully. “It might not be improper for me to attend in my Saintly regalia. But personally, I’d prefer to attend this party not as the Saint, but as the princess consort to the second prince.”
Indeed, since this evening was actually going to be about Prince Gilbert and the announcement of his ascension as crown prince, it seemed fitting that I should embrace my other, more stately role.
“Very good,” Teodore agreed with a curt nod, his lips curling with approval.
Seems like I made the right choice...
Glad that I had correctly read the situation and avoided a lecture, I let out a breath and turned my gaze out the window...only to realize we were less than twenty paces from the castle. All too soon, it would be time to prepare myself for the grand ball and for the announcement that would rock the entirety of Malcosias.
And thus, a few hours later, the second grand event of my day began. After a brief moment of relaxation—though “relaxation” was a generous term, as my mind was swimming with the weight and importance of the forthcoming occasion, and I had been swept up at once into the complex tasks of dressing and readying myself for the evening. Now, that whirlwind of preparation complete, and adorned in a new and gorgeous gown, I stood with my stalwart companions just outside the grand hall, allowing my nerves to settle before our entrance was announced.
I glanced down at the dress I had chosen to wear—a gown of purest white, selected to honor the festive spirit of Noel. When I looked back up, I caught Ed staring at me.
“You look beautiful in white too, my darling,” my husband murmured softly.
“And you as well, my dashing husband,” I replied with a smile, admiring him in his full dress uniform. It was a rare sight, and one I hadn’t seen in some time, so I took an extra moment to savor it.
“Ahem,” came the sound of a pointed throat clearing I’d come to recognize all too well. I turned to see Teodore. Must you two do this right before our entrance? his long-suffering expression seemed to say.
Ed and I straightened up immediately and shook ourselves from our reverie in one another, forcing our bodies back into our slightly rigid formal positions. Really, Teodore, you can’t cut us some slack, even on the eve of Noel? a sulky voice in my mind protested. Not even after my exemplary performance over the past few days? But I kept those thoughts to myself, maintaining a polite and neutral expression as I awaited whatever choice words Teodore had prepared.
But no such words came—at least, not immediately. Instead, a resigned smile floated onto his face, as if my thoughts had somehow reached him. With a resigned shrug of his shoulders, he said only, “It’s almost time for your entrance. Carry yourselves with dignity, Your Highnesses. The nobility will be watching.”
That was perhaps the kindest way he could have phrased his reminder. Teodore dipped his head ever so slightly before retreating a proper step behind us, and Ed and I both let out synchronized breaths of relief. But before we could truly relax, a regal fanfare rang out, muffled behind the thick doors. The trumpets were followed at once by the booming voices of the royal guards.
“Presenting Their Imperial Highnesses, Prince Edward Ruby Martinez and Princess Carolina Ruby Martinez!” they announced with perfect cadence. The doors were pulled open, revealing the grand hall before us.
As the echo of the announcement faded away, silence rushed in to fill the void. All eyes turned towards us as we strode forward, taking our first steps down the red carpet. The crowd appeared unusually...diverse for an imperial gathering—nobles not just from the capital and central regions, but also some who appeared to be from the empire’s far reaches. Perhaps they had come to appraise their new Saint in person? If so, that was a fortuitous development. The presence of regional members of the nobility would ensure that word of the crown prince’s selection would spread to every far-flung corner of the empire.
Quite the happy coincidence, I thought to myself, amused. We proceeded down the red carpet to the empty thrones atop the dais, bowed respectfully, then stepped aside—a formality we executed flawlessly, just as we had done at the Founder’s Day Fete.
“Lina,” Ed’s voice gently caught my attention. “Would you like to sit? We haven’t had much time to rest since the lighting of the flame.” He gestured towards a nearby sofa, his eyes filled with concern.
Though the offer was tempting, I didn’t feel so fatigued that I needed to sit. “I’m all right, darling,” I assured him with a soft smile. “I appreciate your concern, but let’s wait until Prince Gilbert makes his entrance.”
“Ah, right,” Ed said, nodding. “Just promise me you won’t push yourself.”
I couldn’t help my face settling into a fond expression at the sight of his large, puppylike eyes, filled with concern. To reassure him, I gave him a big, affectionate nod to convey my love and appreciation.
Then, another booming announcement echoed across the hall: “Presenting His Imperial Highness—Prince Gilbert Ruby Martinez!”
We glanced up just as the doors swung open once again, revealing the star of tonight’s gathering—Prince Gilbert. He strode in with the elegance one might expect of a member of the royal family, his pastel-blue ponytail swaying lightly with each measured step. Upon reaching the dais, he bowed with practiced refinement, then turned and moved in the opposite direction from us. As he settled on the other side of the dais, he glanced at us—a simple, fleeting look meant to acknowledge our presence. Even that small gesture seemed to exude a nearly tangible charm. Was this what it meant to have “a magnetic personality”?
“I know he’s not doing it on purpose, but he could at least be mindful of his...pronounced effect on women. I can hear them swooning from all the way over here,” I murmured. Glancing at the ladies who had practically already thrown themselves at his feet, I gave a small shrug, unable to resist a wry smile. I supposed some men were simply destined to enchant. Prince Gilbert, though, brushed off the attention as if it were second nature, his smile gentle and poised. It was almost alarming how comfortable he seemed basking in the admiration of those around him—a thought I found rather disagreeable.
“He certainly seems to have regained his...vigor,” I muttered quietly.
“The spotlight’s always suited him, that’s for sure,” Ed replied with a hint of amusement. Then, in a more serious tone, he added, “But more importantly, it’s almost the top of the hour. Let’s be on our best behavior.”
Or else Teo will never let us hear the end of it was what he didn’t say, but the furtive glance he cast towards Teodore standing watchfully in the corner conveyed the message perfectly. That silent look was more than enough to spur me into action. I quickly straightened up, wiping the small smirk off my face and biting back any more idle chatter.
At last the bells struck eight, and as that final clang echoed into silence, a reverent hush descended upon the grand hall. In the thick silence, the tick of the second hand on the great clock that adorned one corner of the chamber seemed to reverberate in my ears. Then the orchestra began to play. It was an unfamiliar piece, one that I knew had been composed specially for the occasion. Just as I found myself slipping away into the entrancing melody, the royal guard’s booming voice violently shattered the peaceful spell.
“Bow your heads in reverence! Behold, the radiant suns of our realm, Their Imperial Majesties, Emperor Eric Ruby Martinez and Empress Vanessa Ruby Martinez!”
With a posture of obsequience reserved only for the sovereigns, the guards took hold of the ornate door handles and pulled. Every head in the hall dipped in a gesture of respect. The familiar refrain echoed through the chamber like a well-rehearsed chant: “Glory to the Empire!”
The hall was awash in deference, awe, and fear. And yet the two who stood at the center of this adoration seemed to float above it all, untouched by the weight of the moment. The emperor and empress began their measured walk down the red carpet. Unseen to my respectfully downcast eyes, their footsteps echoed, closer, closer—passed right before us—then stopped. A rustling of rich fabrics signaled that they had taken their places upon their thrones.
“Lift your gazes, my esteemed guests. And be at ease,” the emperor’s voice rumbled.
Another great rustling followed as everyone straightened, lifting their heads high, standing as tall as they could in the presence of the emperor with his fiery red hair and the empress with her cool, regal blue. The dignity and solemnity of the empire radiated from them like the very suns they were often proclaimed to be.