บท 26: Banquet 1
"This, Your highness." Mary flailed a dress in Lily's face.
"I think this one would be much more better." Queen Hannah disagreed, picking up another dress from the rack.
"But her highness is still so young, pink would suit her the most."
"I disagree, white and ocean blue would do justice to her fair complexion and her mature attitude."
Lily watched them half-heartedly. She could not help but wonder why they had to do this on the day of the birthday banquet.
"Lily, what do you think? Pink or blue?" Queen Hannah held both dresses up.
"Blue."
"Haha, I told you." Queen Hannah laughed victoriously, placing her hands in her waist, "Now for the brooch. Which one do you prefer?"
Lily carelessly pointed at whatever her gaze first landed on, earning a happy squeal from Mary. "Yes!"
"Tsk." Clicking her tongue, Queen Hannah raised another accessory up and Lily picked absentmindedly. It continued that way until she was fully dressed. The young nanny and the third queen looked at her proudly as they admired their work of art.
Lily sighed at how heavy everything felt, yet, she shouldered it. After all, she wore much worse during her past life.
"Do you have an escort?"
"Do I need one?"
"Well, not really. You're still a child after all, however, my father held my hand on my every birthday till I came of age." Queen Hannah said, straightening the wrinkles on Lily's dress. She then stood up and held out her hand, "Hence, I'll be your escort today and for years to come." Her lips stretched into a divine smile as Lily placed her hand in hers.
"Now, come on. Let's go."
"Have a happy celebration, Your highness." Mary smiled, wishing her well from the bottom of her heart. Her eyes gleamed with tears as she watched the young princess leave the room. It was like watching your once little daughter walking down the aisle.
Mary chuckled at this thought before leaving the room too.
* ~ *
The amount of complements she heard while walking to the banquet hall was staggering, however, the child walking behind her was as mum as ever. He barely even glanced twice at her.
"It's time, Lily. Take a deep bre-"
"I'm fine... really." Lily flashed Queen Hannah a reassuring smile and held her hand tightly. It seemed like she was trying to calm herself down instead of the young princess. Lily could understand this, it was the third queen's first time of attending a banquet since the death of her children and her sudden madness.
"Her highness, First princess Lily Selena de Florain, and Her majesty, third queen Hannah Paige de Florain has arrived!" The Lord Stewart announced as soon as the large double door to the banquet hall opened.
Lily wore a perfect smile on her face as she looked down on the people who had gathered to celebrate her tenth birthday. Since she had left the invitations to Queen Hannah, Lily knew only a few people from the crowd - Lady Lilian Capulet and her little niece, Christina Capulet, some of the kids from the tea party alongside their parents, and an overwhelming presence, the Duke of the North, Duke Blithwine. The rest of them were unknown to Lily.
The crowd burst into whispers as Lily walked up to the royal celebrant seat.
She peeked at Queen Hannah who had a straight face on, seeing her unwavering resolve, she decided to ignore the rowdy crowd.
"It's the first princess."
"Hush. That's not it. What's even more surprising is the third queen."
"I heard she ran mad."
"Shush, you might be killed if you speak to loudly."
"But still, the second queen and the second princess are nowhere to be seen."
"I hear they have quite the ambiguous relationship."
"Then who is supporting the first princess? Without the second queen's support, she is as good as done."
"Why are we here even?"
"The princess is so young, what could she possibly do?"
"The Duk-"
"Silence!" The loud thunderous voice resounded in the hall, causing the chattering nobles to wince and shudder in fear and pain as their eardrums almost shattered.
Duke Blithwine stepped forward admist the crowd, "Happy birthday, Your highness."
"Yes. Thank you, Duke Blithwine." Lily smiled, her eyes wandering as she observed the guests' reactions.
The Duke was the noble with the highest title here but he was no mere guard. Shouting for order was something he wasn't supposed to do, still he did.
He then handed her a gift, "The Northern Duchy wishes for your long life and prosperity."
"My sincerest appreciation." Lily took the medium-sized box and placed it on her laps.
"Do you want me to carry that for you?" Queen Hannah who was sitting beside her asked in a whisper.
"No, I'm fine." Lily smiled, her eyes still on the guests as Duke Blithwine had returned to his place after delivering his gift, "Thank you all for coming today. To celebrate my birthday with me, I... cannot be any happier. However..." Her words trailed off as she glanced at the box in on her lap, "I cannot stand up and greet you since I have a rather precious gift in my hands."
Silence fell before it was sharply interrupted by a shrill scream, "Greetings to the young sun of the kingdom."
Like an evil uprising, the entire population bowed, greeting in unison, "Greetings to the young sun of the kingdom!"
Oh, that was easy. Lily thought with a wry smile dancing on her lips.
The nobles trouped in one by one, handing her gifts which she piled up by the side.
Queen Hannah stared at the little girl, she had started off by saying weird words, however, her words slowly started to make sense, it even managed to bring those conniving nobles to their knees. Her words were her way of implying that she had the Northern region behind her, hence, she had a fever fighting chance.
"His highness, First Prince Perez Hillary de Florain, and His Majesty, King Silas Darius de Florain has arrived!" The Lord Stewart's announcement caused the nobles' merriment to come to an abrupt pause as everyone turned to the door.
"It really is his highness."
"And his majesty even."
"I wished I brought my eldest daughter along."
"Me too, his highness barely ever attend social gatherings."
"What is this?"
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