As the grand doors swung open, the trio was met with a dazzling sight—tables overflowing with food, lively festivities, and the cheers of an eager crowd. Nobles from across the kingdom, dressed in their finest, applauded enthusiastically, their admiration clear. Even Isla’s parents, overwhelmed with pride at their daughter’s accomplishments, smiled warmly among the celebrants. Isla, however, shrank behind Sylveria, her usual aloofness giving way to visible discomfort. "Gah... This is embarrassing," she mumbled, unused to such attention. Meanwhile, Isao basked in the excitement, her grin wide. "Wow, look at all these people! They really like us!"
"Ugh... shut up, Isao. I'm not used to this," Isla muttered. In their past lives, Isao had been a famous fashion model and the revered "Flower Maiden," always the center of attention at grand events. Sylveria, known as the "Ice Hero," was frequently invited to royal gatherings and prestigious celebrations. Isla, however, had been a Sword Saint who avoided such occasions entirely. She preferred solitude, enjoying tea and cake in peace rather than mingling in extravagant parties.
Amidst the whirlwind of admirers, the trio was whisked away by discreet maids, each returning dressed in their finest attire - outfits carefully selected to accentuate their natural grace and beauty.
Isla's pure white robes billowed around her feet like an ethereal mist, perfectly complementing her regal bearing and pale complexion. The flowing fabric reminded one of an eastern empress.
Isao's elegantly arranged hair framed her face like a porcelain doll, while her kimono gleamed with intricate silkwork in shades of purple and lavender. The maid had outdone herself, turning the petite warrior into a true princess of the East.
Sylveria, resplendent in her light blue and white gown, shimmered under the candlelight with her beautiful tiara, the very picture of nobility and poise.
As always, they drew plenty of attention. Nobles eagerly approached, hoping to court them, ask for a date, or even propose marriage. Suitors lined up, each attempting to win favor with flattering compliments and tantalizing gifts, Isla's stoic exterior betrayed her discomfort. With a dismissive tilt of her head, she muttered under her breath, "Tsk. Creepy," her words catching the ears of the awaiting admirers.
Sensing an opportunity to defuse the tension, Sylveria stepped in with a masterful diplomat's aplomb. "Ahem, ahem, perhaps 'my friend' merely remarked on some of the less appetizing dishes available?" she suggested tactfully, her smile softening the blow of Isla's blunt assessment. Isao, not wanting to draw further attention to her aloof companion, swiftly jumped to agree with Sylveria's explanation. "Yes, exactly! Isla noticed some weird-looking foods on the table, haha!"
Prince Seig's expression twisted in disbelief as he processed Isla’s blunt remark. "By the gods, that audacious commoner brat! She’s far too bold for her own good. And to think—she’s only ten! That’s ten years younger than me!" he ranted to his older brother, Prince Percival, who merely chuckled at his frustration. Sensing trouble brewing, Princess Luisa and her ladies-in-waiting—Princess Blight, Jane, and Lisette—hurried toward the trio. With suitors swarming them, it was clear the girls needed guidance to navigate the complexities of courtly romance. Determined, the group of princesses moved as one, ready to use their charm and wit to shield their younger sister and her friends from the overwhelming flood of marriage proposals and flirtatious advances.
Thanks to the skillful intervention of their female allies, the trio managed to navigate the throng of suitors and admirers, making their escape towards the decadent dessert table. "Their numbers have tripled since our birthday celebrations," Isla noted dryly, her gaze still piercing despite the exhaustion evident in her step.
"Completely exhausting," Isao agreed, propelling Sylveria and Isla forward with a push. "Let's get some cake, stat! Before they come after us again!"
Sylveria concurred, her voice laced with resignation as they reached the lavish spread of sweets. "It seems our royal titles have made us more sought after... But honestly, being asked to marry at our age is just unnerving. We're mere children, after all."
"Children who wiped an entire goblin nest that is"
Isao's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the familiar yet disconcertingly calm voice beside her. Turning, she spotted Veldina, the formidable princess she had grown up fearing, now indulging in a slice of decadent chocolate cake with nary a care in the world.
"G-Gorila girl!" Isao stammered, her gaze flickering between Veldina's peaceful demeanor and the intense aura surrounding her. The usually brash Veldina seemed to shrink, her breath hitching as she recalled Kite's words about treating his little sister with kindness. "Ugh, Isao, stop calling me Gorila you damned- Ah, er, Isao, please refrain from using that nickname," Veldina corrected herself, her stern tone softened by a hint of embarrassment.
Sylveria's melodic laughter and Isla's muffled chuckles echoed through the hall, their amusement directed at the unlikely prospect of Veldina as Isao's sibling. "Good luck with that, Isao," Isla teased, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she glanced away, trying to hide her grin.
Meanwhile, Kite approached Veldina with a charming smile, his hand extended in a gentlemanly gesture. "May I have the pleasure of dancing with you, Princess Veldina?" he asked, his tone dripping with old-world gallantry. Veldina's cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she registered the implications of his request, her engagement to Kite already a matter of public record. Yet, Kite's playful demeanor, as if they were simply acquaintances rather than betrothed partners, left her flustered and off-balance.
Kite's words washed over Veldina like a soothing balm, each sentiment striking a tender chord within her heart. "I remember always dancing with you ever since we were kids," he began, his voice low and intimate as if sharing a cherished secret. "In grand parties or royal gatherings, we would always find ourselves moving together, lost in the rhythm." Veldina's blush deepened, her eyes widening as Kite continued, "And it's one of the things I cherish the most about our friendship." Her gaze faltered, unable to meet the warmth in Kite's eyes as they twirled across the ballroom floor. Veldina's lips parted, but no coherent response emerged, her thoughts scattered by the sincerity behind his words. "D-dummy... saying those words with a straight face," she finally managed to stammer, her protest weak against the tide of emotion threatening to overwhelm her.
As the music transitioned to a sultry, intimate melody, the dance partners found themselves drawn closer, their bodies pressing together in a slow, sensual rhythm. Amidst the whirl of gowns and uniforms, Kite and Veldina stood out, their gazes locked in a moment of pure, unadulterated devotion. "I love you, Vel... Always and forever," Kite breathed, his voice a whisper that carried the weight of eternity. Veldina's eyes, pools of adoration and affection, mirrored his sentiments, the love they shared palpable in the charged air between them.
Time seemed to stand still as they swayed to the music, lost in the depths of their own private universe. The world outside faded into insignificance, leaving only the two lovers, their hearts beating as one, their love a flame that would burn bright for all eternity.
"My queen, is our Veldina...?" The King's eyes darted to Valleria, his wife and Veldina's mother, seeking confirmation of the scene unfolding before him. Valleria's face broke into a delighted giggle, her expression radiant with joy. "Yes, my dear," she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "Our Veldina has finally found her match." The King's heart swelled with pride and relief, his earlier concerns about Veldina's prospects melting away in the face of this tender moment. For so long, he had despaired of finding a suitor worthy of his daughter's fierce spirit, a man who could tame her rough edges without breaking her. But now, as he witnessed Veldina's gentle side blossom for Kite, he realized his doubts had been unfounded. Lord Lavender's eldest son, renowned for his chivalry and mastery of the spear, embodied the perfect blend of strength and gentleness.
Isao's initial skepticism melted into resignation as she watched Veldina and Kite, their love story unfolding in a way that even her brash nature couldn't undermine. "Ugh... no way," she grumbled, but her muttering lacked conviction. Isao knew better than to interfere with her brother's happiness, even if it meant accepting a "tamer" Veldina. Sylveria, ever the optimist, saw the silver lining in this development. "Well, hopefully this will make Veldina more... manageable," she quipped, a playful twinkle in her eye. Isao rolled hers at the understatement, while Isla remained blissfully oblivious, too caught up in her sugary snack fest to bother with her friend's banter.
