Rubbing the tiredness from her eyes, Elianna walked toward her bedroom door, where she heard someone knocking. Reaching out and grabbing the doorknob, she thought about who could possibly be knocking on her door at this early hour. However, before she turned the knob, she cast a glance over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the empty-looking bedroom behind her. Looking forward, Elianna opened the door slightly and poked her head out, and her brows raised at the sight of her mother standing in front of her door, with several guards, both Gavarian and Tri-Union, standing around in the hall.

  Katarina smiled warmly as she met her daughter's gaze, "Good morning, Sweetie. Sleep well?"

  Elianna smiled and nodded, "Yeah."

  "Good," Katarina said, smiling at her daughter. She clasped her wrists in front of her and cast a glance to the side as an awkward silence fell over them. Looking back at her daughter, Katarina chuckled, "Are you going to invite me in? Or, keep me standing out here?"

  Elianna blinked, "O-Oh! Sorry!" She cast a quick glance behind her, which had Katarina raising a brow. Elianna then looked back at her mother, smiled, and stepped to the side as she opened the door, "Come on in."

  Katarina nodded before she stepped into the room, her eyes immediately scanning the area from corner to corner as she walked deeper into the room.

  Once Katarina was inside, Elianna closed the door and looked at her mother curiously. "So, what's up?"

  Katarina looked around the empty room a moment longer before she turned toward her daughter and smiled, "I wanted to come by and see how you're doing."

  Elianna returned her mother's smile, "I'm good."

  Nodding, Katarina sat down on the corner of the bed. "Excited for today?"

  Elianna's smile grew as she shifted on her feet, "Yeah."

  Katarina tilted her head slightly and chuckled, "And a little nervous?"

  Elianna shrugged, "Maybe a little."

  Katarina nodded, "That's fine. But, trust me, you'll do just fine danci—"

  "I know," Elianna quickly said, gaining a surprised look from her mother. Elianna smiled at her, "Thanks for the lesson yesterday."

  Katarina chuckled before standing up. "You're welcome. You caught on quick, too." She walked over to her daughter and gingerly placed her hands on her shoulders. "Now, get dressed and head down to the dining room for breakfast." She grinned, "We have things to do before the party later."

  Elianna's brows raised, "We do? What exactly?"

  "You'll see," Katarina chuckled with excitement. "Now, get dressed and hurry to the dining room."

  Elianna smiled and nodded, "Okay."

  Katarina gave her daughter a small kiss on the forehead before making her way toward the bedroom door. Elianna watched her mother as she exited the room, closing the door behind her. Once her mother was gone, Elianna let herself relax and let out a sigh of relief.

  "What kind of lesson did your mother give you?"

  Turning around, Elianna eyed the corner of the room where the voice had come from. A moment later, there was a flash of emerald light, and Nicholas appeared, dressed in a T-shirt and shorts.

  Elianna's cheeks reddened, "Oh, nothing really." She turned to fully face Nicholas, her lips curling slightly, "Thanks for staying last night."

  Nicholas returned Elianna's smile as he began to approach her, "Of course." Coming to stand in front of her, he looked down at her, meeting her beautiful, celestial blue gaze. "And for the record, I'm excited for tonight too."

  Elianna's blush deepened. "Good to know." She tilted her head slightly, "You should probably get back to your room in case Freya goes to try and wake you up."

  "Wow, kicking me out already, I'm hurt," Nicholas jested, placing a hand over his heart.

  Elianna rolled her eyes, "Oh, just go, you doof."

  Nicholas laughed, "Yes, ma'am."

  Elianna shook her head lightheartedly, watching as Nicholas walked toward the window.

  Nicholas opened the window, then looked over his shoulder and shot Elianna a grin, "See you in a few."

  A flash of emerald light enveloped Nicholas, and a falcon with silver wings now stood in Nicholas' place. The falcon swiftly flew out the window, and Elianna smiled as she approached, watching the falcon fly out of view.

  "See you in a few," Elianna whispered to herself as she closed and locked the window.

  Turning around, Elianna walked to the bathroom, washed, and got ready for the day, then went back into her bedroom and got dressed. Tying her hair back into a ponytail, she made her way to her bedroom door and exited her room into the hallway, where the guards standing outside snapped to attention. A smile formed on her soft-looking lips as her gaze fell on Nicholas, who was casually leaning on his door with his arms crossed.

  Looking up, Nicholas returned her smile as their eyes met, "Good morning."

  Elianna's smile turned into a grin, "Good morning. Sleep well?"

  Nicholas chuckled, "Very well. You?"

  Elianna chuckled as well, "Very."

  They stood there, eyeing each other for a moment, before Nicholas pushed off the wall and jerked his chin down the hall, "Come on."

  Turning, Nicholas began to make his way down the hall, and Elianna immediately began to follow him. They made their way through the hall and down the stairs, eventually approaching the double doors to the dining room. As they approached, the guards standing by the doors opened them and bowed. Nicholas stepped to the side and looked at Elianna with a smile, gesturing for her to go first. Elianna returned his smile, meeting his gaze with a blush, before stepping into the room.

  As she stepped into the room, her gaze flicked around the table, seeing that everyone was already in attendance and seated, looking in their direction, except for Tristan, who was busy twirling a knife on the table, looking bored. Platters of food were already placed on the table, but no one had filled their plates yet.

  Freya smiled, "Good morning, you two."

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  "Good morning," Nicholas and Elianna said simultaneously, as the door closed behind them.

  William gestured to the empty seats, "Come and sit, we waited until you arrived to start eating."

  "Yeah," Tristan began, and gave Nicholas a side eye. "Thanks for keeping us waiting."

  Celine glared at her cousin, "Like we haven't waited for you before."

  Tristan met her gaze, "Unlike my brother, I'm worth waiting for."

  "Enough," William snapped, shooting Tristan a warning glare.

  Tristan grumbled and went back to twirling the knife as Nicholas and Elianna moved around the table, then took their seats.

  Once Nicholas and Elianna were situated, William gestured to the table, "Dig in, everyone."

  "Finally," Tristan sighed.

  William gave Tristan another glare before he and everyone else reached out, beginning to fill their plates.

  As everyone began to eat, Freya looked across the table, "So, Elianna." Elianna looked at Freya inquisitively. "Before you arrived, we were discussing the plans for today before the party. Once we're done with breakfast, we'll head over to the beauticians. They'll help us get ready for today."

  Elianna raised a wary brow, "Get ready how?"

  Katarina chuckled as she looked at her daughter, "They'll help with the makeup, nails, and hair." Katarina smiled at Freya, "I'm actually a little excited for the 'royal' treatment."

  Freya returned Katarina's smile, "It will be nice."

  "Yeah, sounds fun," Nicholas teased with a chuckle.

  "I'm glad you think so," William said, taking a bite of his breakfast. "Because you will be coming with us to the groomers."

  Nicholas blinked, "What?"

  Elianna stiffened a laugh at Nicholas' reaction.

  "I would like for all of us to look our best for this occasion," William advised, looking toward Nicholas. "So, while the ladies will be at the beauticians, we gentlemen will be at the groomers."

  Nicholas raised his hand to his hair, "They're not going to cut my hair, are they?"

  Elianna's goblet froze halfway to her lips with her eyes darting toward Nicholas' hair. She tried to imagine him with short hair, but couldn't. Plus, she really did love his medium-length shiny blonde hair. She especially liked it when he was standing in the sun, and his eyes and hair glowed. She quickly shook her head as her face began to feel hot.

  William shrugged, "They may cut it a little, but it will be styled. As I said, I want us all to look good." His eyes flicked to Katarina, "I met with the seamstresses early this morning. They advised me that they have finished making the proper adjustments to your dress. They'll keep it with them until it's time for you to put it on."

  Katarina smiled at William, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

  William nodded, then looked between Lucian and Mathew, "And then I understand you two will be wearing your formal military attire?" Lucian and Mathew both nodded. "Good," William said, before eyeing them more intently. "And have your forces been briefed on today?"

  "They have, Your Majesty," Lucian nodded.

  "Master Yenfrea is taking charge of the operation," Mathew stated. "She'll inform us of anything pertinent. The Infernal Cult will be stupid to try anything."

  Elianna and Nicholas both looked toward Mathew before their gazes fell onto the table.

  Freya immediately noticed Nichols' and Elianna's expressions, and casually took a bite of her breakfast before she said, "Let's not talk anymore about the Cult. Today is supposed to be a joyful day. So, let's all try and have a good time."

  "Agreed," Katarina agreed, placing a hand over her daughter's forearm.

  Elianna looked at her mother, and they shared a smile before returning to eating.

  ***

  The doors to the dining room opened as everyone began to make their way into the hallway after breakfast. Lucian and Mathew said their goodbyes to their wives and daughters before following William and Tristan down the hall.

  Nicholas shot Elianna a smile, "See you later."

  Elianna returned his smile, "Later." She watched as Nicholas turned and followed the others toward the east wing of the palace.

  "Alright," Freya began, and looked at everyone with a smile. "The boys will be getting ready in the east wing, so we'll be going to the west."

  Katarina looked at Freya humourously, "Just how many rooms are there dedicated to grooming and such?"

  Freya looked to the side and hummed before chuckling and shrugging, "A few." She jerked her chin, "Now, come on."

  Elianna began to follow Katarina and Freya as they turned to head down the hall. As she took a few steps, her head snapped to the side, feeling as Celine wrapped her arm around Elianna's.

  Celine grinned at her, "Sleep well?"

  Elianna tilted her head slightly, "Yeah, why?"

  Celine looked forward and shrugged, "No reason." She leaned toward Elianna and whispered, "Just good to know that Nick helps you sleep."

  Elianna's eyes widened, and her cheeks turned crimson, "W-What... I don't know w—"

  Celine chuckled, "My mom sent me to wake up Nick this morning. Imagine my surprise when I found he wasn't in his room." Celine looked at Elianna out of the corner of her eye, smirked, and winked, "Don't worry. I just told my mom that Nick would be coming down for breakfast."

  "O-Oh," Elianna said, and looked forward, her face feeling warm. "Thanks."

  "You're welcome," Celine chortled as they continued down the hall. Celine eyed Elianna from the side, "So, is there anything going on between you two?"

  Elianna looked at Celine curiously, "What do you mean?"

  Celine grinned, "I mean, are you two just sleeping in the same bed? Or..."

  Elianna's eyes widened to the size of moons, and her face turned the same shade as an apple. "N-No, we're just sleeping in the same bed. I couldn't sleep after..." Elianna's eyes fell, her face turning back to its original shade. She cleared her throat, and Celine's eyes softened. She met Celine's gaze, "I don't know how to explain it. Being beside Nicholas brings me comfort and helps me sleep."

  Celine smiled softly, "Don't worry, I understand entirely, and I'm glad. Now, enough talk about that. We're going to focus on today and have fun, okay?"

  Elianna returned Celine's smile and nodded, "Okay."

  They both looked forward and continued to walk beside each other, arms linked, as they made their way through the halls. Eventually, they reached a set of double doors, and Elianna watched as Freya pushed them open and walked inside, followed by Katarina. Elianna walked into the room beside Celine, and her brows raised at the sight before her.

  The room was large and elegantly decorated with several paintings. The flooring was a beautiful marble, with golden chandeliers overhead. On the right side of the room were several marble backwash sinks, with comfortable-looking black leather chairs in front. Connected to the chairs at the front was what looked like a foot basin. Several female attendants were standing around the room, and all their heads turned toward the doors as the four of them walked in.

  The attendants immediately came together into a group and bowed, with the female in front speaking, "Good morning, Your Highness' and Ladies." The attendants stood straight. The head female smiled, "My name is Vivian, and I am the head attendant here. I will be overseeing your care while you're here." She gestured to the hall to the right, "Down the hall, we have several changing rooms. Please pick an empty one and get changed into the robe we have set out for you. Once changed, please return here, and we'll get started."

  Freya smiled and nodded, "Sounds good." She looked at the others," Let's go."

  The four of them turned and began to make their way down the hall. More beautiful paintings lined the walls, eventually leading to a large circular room. Looking around, Elianna noticed open white wooden slatted doors, revealing the large changing rooms. Though she curiously noticed one of the changing rooms was closed, she shrugged it off.

  "Okay," Freya said, and smiled at the others. "Let's get dressed, and we'll head back together."

  "Sounds good," Katarina said, while Elianna and Celine nodded.

  The four of them chose a changing room, and Elianna closed the door behind her. She noticed the changing room had a large floor-to-ceiling mirror, and beside it hung a white robe with golden trim. On the floor below the robe was a pair of white sandals. Elianna quickly undressed, keeping her underwear on, and put on the robe, content with how soft the material felt. She put on the slippers and made sure her clothes were neatly folded before walking out, where she suddenly froze.

  The changing room that was closed was now open, and at the entrance to the hall, about to leave, was a familiar figure with brown hair.

  Tiffany stopped, turned toward Elianna, and raised their brows before scoffing, "What are you doing here?"

  Elianna crossed her arms, "I think I should be asking you that."

  Tiffany grinned, "I was invited here to help get me ready for my engagement party with Prince Tristan. So, I have every right to be here."

  Elianna's eyes narrowed.

  "Have you forgotten that Nicholas is escorting Elle?"

  Elianna's head snapped behind her, seeing Celine standing there, staring down Tiffany. She hadn't even heard Celine approach, but she was glad she was here.

  Celine grinned, "So she has a right to be here too."

  Tiffany sighed, "And here I was, hoping to have this place to myself."

  Elianna tilted her head slightly, "Sorry to disappoint."

  Tiffany shrugged, "It's fine. After all, I'm sure you will be more disappointed later."

  Elianna raised a brow, "Meaning?"

  Triffany smirked, "Meaning, just because Nicholas is escorting you at the beginning of my party, doesn't mean you'll still be with him by the end."

  Elianna's eyes flared at the implication.

  Tiffany chuckled as she tossed her hair before heading down the hall.

  Elianna's jaw clenched as she watched Tiffany walk away. "She's a bitch."

  Celine nodded, "Agreed."