章 27: Chapter 27

The ballroom was filled with chattering and clinking of glasses. A celebration everyone wished to have an invitation. The party that could change a person's life or entirely destroy a House. The nobles flashed their smiles, none knowing whether it was genuine or another charade to boost their status.

Everyone liked fame and authority, the power to control those below them. Cailina hid her annoyance well as she sweetly smiled at the people that greeted her and gave their good wishes. She has yet to meet nobles real enough to greet her, the ones that showered her with praises were as fake as they can be.

The music accompanied the ones who chose to dance the night away. Some indulge themselves with the party's delicacies. It was a common sight for any gathering of nobles.

Cailina missed being with Aris, at least with her puppy around, one genuine person can wish her a long and joyous life. Appearances were what she hated the most, but couldn't throw unnecessary complaints. It was not only her reputation would be sullied, but her parents also.

She knew how much hard work her father placed in restoring the family name. The incident truly shook the foundations of the Grandis, gladly it ran too deep that the empire couldn't uproot.

After a stream of endless curtseys and bows, Cailina sat down and drank her favorite tea. Her father has forbidden her to partake any drinks contained with elements that might intoxicate her.

Her parents entertained the adults while she was expected to converse with their children. She looked at the pair of twins. Children among her kind were considered as rare and treasures unlike other creatures that could pop many children they want. Cailina pursed her lips and smiled, she waited for the siblings to talk, but all they could do was stare back at her.

None tried to save the little lady from the uncomfortable silence as they thought the princesses of the Imperial Nobles were enjoying their time. Cailina held back the audible breath that wished to escape from her lips.

Lai observed his Lady from afar, wearing a mask as all of the servants do. He chuckled, his Lady never failed to display various expressions. Cailina glanced at Lai, she narrowed her eyes and the twins followed her line of sight.

He bowed and went over, "Yes, my Lady?"

Cailina wished Lai wasn't dull as he appeared to be. She tapped her ring and paused, it would be disrespectful to brush off the siblings as they were the Imperial Marquess Thyne beloved daughters.

The only difference from their appearance was that the older twin has a dot-like mole on the corners of her lips. Lai broke the silence that stayed for a while. He has enough of finding his Lady's awkwardness amusing.

"My Lady, would you like some cake?" Lai asked.

The twins' attention landed on the masked servant, "Cake?" They said in unison.

"Stop copying me, Odessa." The older twin rolled her eyes.

"I do not, just because you're older by a few minutes gives you the right to claim every word," Odessa crossed her arm.

"I will take that as a yes," Lai disappeared from the crowd.

Cailina was left alone, again, with the siblings who's ready to wrestle at any moment. She sighed, "I hope your journey wasn't exhausting.'

She gave a small smile, she deserves a pat on the head for putting up with them. After all, women, no matter what age or status, were draining to deal with. She played with her ring as she listened to the beginning of endless chatter.

Cailina's lips twitched as Lai took his time with the cake. She was aware that the daring butler of hers, found enjoyment with her predicament.

Her puppy was prohibited from joining her party. Duke Grandis stressed that it would damage their reputation if a full-blooded werewolf roamed around the event tailing the birthday celebrant. A sight for nobles to heightened their vigilance, only a lunatic would wish for the incident to reoccur and bring misery unto each being.

"Lady Cailina…" A soft voice called out.

A small hand waved in front of Cailina's face. Odessa grinned as she caught the little lady's attention.

"Are you feeling out of the blue?" She asked to which her sister rolled her eyes.

"My Lady, don't mind my sister…"

Cailina once again fell silent, she heard the words yet her mind wandered to her puppy. She looked at where her father was and saw him flashed his warm smile. Duke Grandis was the master in conversing and turning the topic favorable to him.

On the other side of the hall, her mother's sweet grin matches her father's. The couple led the dance conversation the way they wish. One look of disapproval, a noble's reputation may plummet. Especially within the ladies that surround her mother.

Her mother was careful with her words and action, noble ladies were sensitive to the changes to her mood. They tread cautiously as if they were walking on thin ice. Excessive praises would annoy someone of higher status than them, and lack of response would be disrespectful.

Duchess Grandis remained expressionless as she listened to her late sister-in-law's dearest sister. The unending bragging of the luxuries she inherited from the former heir of the Grandis. Sadly, they chose the wrong side of the game.

Marchioness Thyne glanced at her, she was considered as the Duchess' close friend. The duo covered their mouths with their decorated fans. Let the fools run their mouths, instead of bickering with them, enjoy how they trip themselves.

Lady Iona continued her heroic narration of how the first-born had fallen from a great height. She told the story as if she witnessed the scenes firsthand. The ladies who rarely joined such topics were refreshed as they remember the misery the empire plunged into decades ago.

She matched her words with expressions that knocked into the hearts of these feeble women. Her plan to slowly turn the tables into her favor was nearing victory.

"Yes, Lady Iona. Your sister was supposed to be… but never did," Marchioness Thyne had enough of Iona's persistence of reminiscing the past.

She despised women that couldn't accept their place and greedily aimed for a mountain when what they deserve was a pebble.

Iona frowned, "I'm just saying that the rightful owner must enjoy his own…"

Her sister was supposed to be the one in the position of this vile woman, but her brother-in-law has chosen the wrong master to serve. She refused to acknowledge that she can no longer return to her former glory.

"What are you implying, Lay Iona?" Duchess Grandis' eyes gradually glowed, "It seems you're dissatisfied with how the Emperor handles things?"

Another word from the phony, her eyes would close for eternity. She had held her temper quite long. The woman in front of her has already exhausted her patience.

Her voice silenced Iona's ridiculous claims. She wouldn't let anyone sully the family name again. The women that were lured with Iona's impressive storytelling, she could pass as the great gossiper of the empire, were snapped back into reality as they lowered their gazes.

Lady Thyne patted the serpent's hand. She reminded her friend that it was her daughter's special occasion, a mouse can be dealt with later.

Cailina smiled, her mother doesn't care for what others think whenever someone angers her. The twins blabbered away and would sometimes grab the little lady's hand.

"Lady Cailina, can I look at the tags you got?" Cailina nodded at Odessa's innocent question. Her mother's resolute expression made her mood slightly better.

She waved her hand and a few breaths passed, Maaike arrived with a box, she opened it and displayed the tags in front of the little ladies.

The tags were enough to catch the twins' hearts with their patterns. It has the same size as a child's thumb. The owners of tags have long lost their abilities to control their lives. They live for the master that they'll serve.

A perfect gift for a noble child.

"Look, Ouida!"

"Yes, I have eyes," Ouida rolled her eyes and tilted her head, "Duchess Grandis never settled for less. Odessa would never stop talking about these tags."

The younger twin scoffed, it wasn't her that opened her mouth just to request it. This older sister of hers always places the troubles onto her head. She was always like this, passing her mistakes as she did with the maid.

Cailina giggled at the siblings bickering, "They're still few tags left. I'll accompany you if you like."

Odessa's eyes brightened, "Really?"

Cailina nodded, it wouldn't hurt to form connections early. The ladies talked more lively as the little lady opened her heart to them.

They enjoyed each other's company as the night ticked away, Cailina was relieved as none approached to chat with her, even the other children have their own group. A favored one, and yet...

"I hope I'm not interrupting my Ladies."

A boy with a grin on his face made Cailina and the rest paused. She looked up and saw it was the well-known son of the Imperial Marquess Icarus. Her lips tugged upwards, a brave one.