Elianna held the skirt of her dress up as she and the others walked down the hallway, escorted by Gavarian and Tri-Union guards. She noticed the halls were unusually emptier, with no palace staff walking by, and only a few guards in sight, with the number of guards standing or walking through the halls significantly lower.

  "Where is everyone?" Elianna asked.

  Freya looked over her shoulder at Elianna, "They're most likely walking around the first floor in the grand ballroom. I would imagine the majority of the guests have already begun to arrive." Freya looked forward, toward the guard leading the formation, "Would I be correct in that assumption, Lieutenant?"

  The lieutenant looked over their shoulder, "Yes, Your Highness. Most of the Royal Guard unit is situated on the first floor, or surrounding the palace itself. We also have a large group stationed at the entrance to the palace premises, who are conducting security checks as people come onto the palace grounds."

  "Why exactly are there Tri-Union soldiers here as well?" Tiffany asked. "I would think the Gavarian Royal Guard can protect the palace on their own."

  The lieutenant cast a glance toward Freya, not knowing how to answer as the king placed a gag order on the cultist attacking Elianna and Nicholas.

  "It's because we're here," Katarina stated calmly. "There to ensure there is more protection with the presence of their commander and his family."

  Tiffany raised a brow, "Their commander?" She blinked, and her eyes slowly widened, "Wait. Vail." Her eyes snapped to Elianna, "As in Lucian Vail? The Lucian Vail? The White Wolf? One of the four 9th-level magic users?"

  Elianna smirked, "One and the same. He's my father, and the one who taught me how to use the sword."

  Celine grinned, "So I would think twice before getting on Elle's bad side."

  Tiffany's jaw clenched before she looked forward.

  Elianna and Celine shared a gaze and smiled at each other before looking forward. That's when Elianna noticed they were heading in the opposite direction from the grand staircase. Elianna's brows furrowed, wondering if they were going to be using one of the tower stairs in the back of the palace. Her curiosity was confirmed when the lieutenant approached the door to the southeast tower and opened it.

  "Why are we using this staircase?" Elianna asked inquisitively.

  "To avoid the front of the palace, My Lady," The lieutenant advised. "We're using the back staircase to make our way to the rear entrance to the grand ballroom. The king ordered us to avoid escorting you through the crowd of guests and to meet them at the back entrance."

  "Makes sense," Freya nodded, and was about to step into the tower.

  "Please," One of the Gavarian guards began, stepping forward. "Allow us to go first, Your Highness."

  Freya smiled and nodded to the guard, "Of course."

  Freya took a step back, allowing a few of the guards to head down the stairs first, before she and the others followed. As they began their descent, Elianna smiled wryly when she saw her mother stumble a few times.

  "How do you like those heels, Mom?"

  "Oh, they're fantastic," Katarina replied snarkily.

  Elianna and Celine giggled, continuing down the staircase. They made their way to the first floor, where the guards held the door open for them again as they exited the stairs. They were waiting for all of the guards to exit the tower before they began to follow the lieutenant through the hall. They eventually approached a single wooden door, and the lieutenant opened the door and stood to the side. "Here we are."

  Freya nodded to the lieutenant, "Thank you." She approached the doorway, and Elianna observed her smile as she looked inside and said, "Ah, you're all already here."

  Elianna's spine straightened, and an intense fluttering sensation suddenly hit her stomach. She looked down at herself, realizing Nicholas was now going to see her in this dress. She swallowed hard, feeling a little nervous as she contemplated how Nicholas could react. But she also felt excited to see him all dressed up and groomed for this event.

  Taking a deep breath, Elianna looked forward as Freya entered the room first, followed by Katarina. Tiffany entered the next room, seeming to take a deep breath; then Celine walked in, and finally Elianna stepped into the room.

  Elianna's eyes immediately darted around the room, scanning her surroundings. She noticed they had entered a small room where decor was stored against the walls. Across from her was another single wooden door, through which bright light seeped from the bottom, and she could hear a chorus of voices from the other side. Standing on either side of the door were two Gavarian guards, who looked poised, along with another individual dressed in robes, holding a staff. On the right side of the room, Elianna noticed Victor standing there, with two maids behind them, and a few small chests between them lying on a rolling table.

  Standing on the left side of the room were the males, who had apparently arrived before them. Lucian and Mathew stood beside each other, dressed in their formal black-and-gold Tri-Union military uniforms. While Elianna had seen the uniforms before, she blinked as she noticed her father's now-short hair. And, by the shocked expression on her mother's face, she knew her mother wasn't expecting him to cut his hair.

  William looked elegant in his dark blue suit, which included a white undershirt with a thick blue tie, a blue vest with a thick golden pattern, a blue overcoat with a golden pattern embroidered along its edges, lapels, and wrists, and blue pants with a golden design on the sides.

  Beside him stood Tristan, adorned in an opulent suit: a white undershirt with a black bow tie, a long dark blue overcoat with a light blue front trimmed in gold and a golden pattern at the bottom, black pants, and black shin-high boots. Elianna noticed he stood out more than his father, which Elianna believed was because he was supposed to be the star of this event, as well as Tiffany.

  Then, Elianna's gaze flicked and finally settled on Nicholas. Elianna's brows raised, her lips went slightly agape, and her cheeks flushed as her eyes looked him up and down. He was adorned in a refined dark blue suit, with a blue undershirt featuring a bright gold clasp at the top. He wore a white vest beneath his dark blue overcoat, with white lapels and a golden trim. On his shoulders were two golden epaulets bearing the Rineheart family crest. On his left lapel was a golden badge bearing the Rineheart family crest. He wore dark blue pants, complemented by his shin-high black leather boots.

  Elianna's eyes flicked to Nicholas' hair, seeing it was trimmed slightly, but still medium length and combed neatly to the side. Elianna swallowed hard as she stared at Nicholas, thinking that while Tristan was dressed more opulently, Nicholas was definitely better looking. When her gaze met his, she noticed he was staring at her too, his eyes wide and his cheeks as red as an apple.

  William nodded toward the ladies, "You all look lovely tonight."

  Freya smiled, "You all don't look too bad yourselves."

  Katarina gaped at her husband, "Y-You cut your hair."

  Lucian chuckled, "I did." He looked his wife up and down, "You look absolutely stunning."

  Katarina just stood there, "Y-You cut your hair."

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  Mathew covered his mouth and chuckled, "I don't think she likes it."

  Lucian gestured to his hair, "Do you not like it?"

  Katarina tilted her head slightly, "It's definitely different." She stepped up to him and smiled as she raised her hand, brushing her fingers along the side of his head. "But, I think it looks nice."

  Lucian grinned at Mathew, "Told you."

  "Uh-huh," Mathew said, rolling his eyes. He smiled as he stepped up to his wife, placing his hands on her waist. "You look gorgeous."

  Freya returned her husband's smile, "You look good yourself."

  Mathew chortled, "I wear this almost all the time."

  "I know," Freya grinned. "It just means you look good all the time."

  "Oh my gosh," Celine rolled her eyes. "Get a room."

  Nicholas seemed to swallow hard before he stepped forward toward Elianna. Elianna nervously fingered the skirt of her dress, eyes locked on Nicholas, watching as he approached her.

  Celine grinned, watching Nicholas approach Elianna, but her brows furrowed when she noticed Tiffany straighten. She watched as Tiffany stepped closer to Nicholas, but stopped, seeming confused as she looked toward Elianna, then back to Nicholas. Tiffany blinked before her eyes flicked to Tristan, and an unreadable expression crossed her face.

  Elianna's soft-looking lips curled as Nicholas stepped up to her, her stomach fluttering, "H-Hey."

  Nicholas' throat bobbed, "Hey."

  Elianna stared at Nicholas, noticing his eyes weren't just sea green, but looked like polished gems that gleamed in the light. "You, uh, you look... good." She swallowed hard, reminding herself to breathe. "Really good."

  "You look," Nicholas began, shaking his head. He seemed to stop breathing for a moment as his gaze traced her frame.

  Elianna's skin tingled as she noticed Nicholas drink in her appearance with his eyes. It made her feel vulnerable... alive.

  "Wow." Nicholas met her gaze, running his hand carefully through his styled hair. "You look exquisite."

  Celine bit her lips between her teeth, her eyes darting between Nicholas and Elianna.

  "Lady Tiffany," William began, stepping up to her.

  Tiffany smiled, grabbed the edges of her skirt, and elegantly curtsied, "Your Majesty."

  William gestured toward Tristan, "Allow me to introduce you to Prince Tristan."

  Tiffany's gaze flicked to Tristan, seeing him standing there, twisting the ring on his finger, looking bored. Her smile faltered for a moment.

  Celine's eyes narrowed, noticing Tiffany's gaze flick to Nicholas, then back to Tristan. That's also when she smirked, noticing Nicholas and Elianna staring at each other in silence.

  William frowned at his son and cleared his throat, "Tristan."

  Tristan's eyes snapped up, brows raised.

  William slowly smiled, "Tristan. Meet Tiffany."

  Tristan's eyes flicked to Tiffany, and she smiled at him as his eyes slowly traced down her frame before meeting her gaze again. "Pleasure," He said simply.

  Tiffany's smile disappeared.

  William looked less than pleased at Tristan before he stepped toward Victor, "If I may have all of your attention."

  Nicholas and Elianna stared at each other a moment longer before they and everyone else turned their attention toward William.

  William nodded to Victor, who nodded in return.

  Victor turned around and gestured to the maids, who opened the trunks, revealing several ornate headpieces.

  Freya chuckled, "And here I was, thinking we weren't going to be wearing crowns."

  "You know me better than that, Sister," William said, before he reached down and picked up a golden crown, placing it on his head. He then picked up a golden tiara with a sapphire gem at its center and turned to face his sister. "This one is for you."

  Freya's brows raised as she stepped forward, "This was—"

  "Mothers," William smiled and nodded. "It was."

  Freya smiled as she took the tiara and placed it atop her head, "Thank you."

  William nodded before looking at his sons and niece, "Celine, Nicholas, Tristan, step forward."

  The three of them stepped forward, and the maids picked up their headpieces, then approached them. They carefully placed their headpieces on their head before backing away.

  Tristan was given a silver coronet with a blue gem in the center.

  Celine had a beautiful silver tiara with diamonds embedded in it.

  Nicholas also wore a silver coronet that had a gem in the center that matched his eyes. Nicholas lightly touched the coronet atop his head and approached Elianna, sighing, "I was kind of hoping not to have to wear one of these."

  Elianna smiled at him, "I think it looks good."

  Nicholas chuckled, "Thanks."

  "Tiffany," William began, and gestured to the maids.

  Tiffany smirked as she stepped forward, and one of the maids picked up a beautiful tiara with a teal gem in the center. The maid approached Tiffany and placed it carefully on her head.

  Tiffany smiled contentedly as she touched the tiara with the tips of her fingers.

  Celine and Elianna shared a gaze before rolling their eyes.

  "Elianna."

  Elianna froze and blinked before she looked toward William.

  Lucian and Katarina also shared a gaze, surprised.

  Freya and Celine smiled.

  Tiffany's brows furrowed before looking at Elianna.

  William gestured to Elianna, "Step forward, please."

  Tristan's eyes narrowed before he rolled his eyes and went back to playing with his ring, paying no attention.

  Elianna stepped forward, shocked, as she hadn't expected to be given a headpiece. Tiffany, she understood, since this was her engagement party and she would be joining the royal family. She looked at the table, noticing all of the trunks had been open and emptied, except for one that remained closed. She watched in shock as William personally opened the trunk and pulled out a beautiful tiara, silver at the center and gold at the edges, with a golden gem set into the top. He seemed to hold it gingerly with both hands as he carefully turned to face Elianna. Elianna stood there, watching as William approached with an unreadable expression and a glint in his eye.

  "This one is for you," William stated, his voice almost a whisper.

  Elianna was at a loss for words as she leaned her head forward, feeling William carefully place the tiara atop her head. Standing back up, she managed to say, "Thank you."

  William nodded to her.

  Turning, Elianna noticed her parents staring at her and smiling. Her eyes flicked to Tiffany, seeing her eyes narrowed, before Tiffany looked away. When Elianna looked toward Freya, she noticed Freya's eyes were wide, her lips partially agape, her gaze locked on the tiara on Elianna's head. Elianna thought Freya must've been just as surprised as she was to get a tiara.

  Turning toward Nicholas, Elianna noticed his brows were furrowed, as if he was confused. Standing beside him, Celine was grinning as Elianna approached.

  "How does it feel to have a tiara?" Celine asked.

  Elianna shrugged, "I don't know, weird, I guess." She looked at Nicholas, who was still staring at the tiara, looking confused. "Nick?"

  Nicholas' eyes snapped to her, "Huh?"

  "What do you think of her wearing the tiara?" Celine asked.

  Nicholas smiled softly, "I think it suits you."

  Elianna returned Nicholas' smile, her stomach fluttering and her beautiful, celestial-blue eyes glistening.

  "Alright," William began, looking around the room. "Now that we are ready, it is time to join the party." William looked at the male dressed in the robes, "Go ahead and begin the announcements in the order discussed.

  The male bowed, "As you wish, Your Majesty."

  The male turned to face the door, and the guards opened it, letting the tsunami of voices into the room. But the voices seemed to lower as the male stepped out.

  Elianna took a deep breath, now coming to reality that she was about to enter a ballroom full of other people, with the members of the Gavarian royal family. Her stomach dropped, and her breathing increased as she whispered to Nicholas, "There are a lot of people out there, huh?"

  Nicholas nodded, "Yeah." He looked at her, his eyes scanning her facial features. Smiling, he reached out and gingerly took her hand.

  Elianna looked at him, meeting his gaze.

  "Don't you worry about that, though," Nicholas reassured. "Just focus on me."

  Elianna stared into Nicholas' eyes, admiring how deep they were, and smiled, "I can do that." She looked forward, noticing her mother smiling at her, before giving her a thumbs-up. Elianna returned the gesture.

  A loud bang, followed by another sounded from the ballroom, and a male voice that matched the male's who just left the room boomed. "Attention, attention!" The voices all died down. "Now announcing the arrival of the Gavarian royal family and party members."

  "Lucian, Katarina," William began. "You're first."

  Lucian and Katarina nodded before sharing a loving smile. Lucian held out his elbow, and Katarina looped her arm around his.

  "Now welcoming Lord Lucian Vail, accompanied by his wife, Lady Katarina Vail."

  There was a round of applause, and Elianna watched as her mother and father walked into the ballroom. She watched her parents wave before they seemed to begin descending a set of stairs she couldn't see.

  "Now welcoming," The male continued. "Her Highness, Princess Freya Argyle, accompanied by her husband, Mathew Argyle."

  Freya and Mathew smiled at each other as they linked their arms, then walked out into the ballroom. They waved before descending the stairs.

  "Now welcoming, Her Highness, Princess Celine Argyle."

  Celine sighed, "Gotta do this by myself." She smiled at Nicholas and Elianna, "See you in there."

  Celine took a breath and walked out into the ballroom, where Elianna watched as she smiled and waved before descending the stairs.

  "Now welcoming, His Highness, Prince Nicholas Rinehart," The male voice boomed, and Elianna's heart began to beat faster. "Accompanied by his lady, Lady Elianna."

  Elianna's eyes went as wide as moons as she focused on his words, 'his lady'. She felt her face become hot, and when her eyes flicked to Nicholas, she noticed his cheeks were red as well.

  Nicholas seemed to swallow hard before he looked at Elianna, took a deep breath, and smiled, "Well." He released her hand and stuck out his elbow. "Ready."

  Elianna took a deep, shaky breath before returning his smile. She stared into his warm eyes, finding comfort there. She looped her arm around his, "Ready."

  Elianna and Nicholas looked forward, stepping closer to each other. Nicholas raised his free arm, placing his hand against the arm Elianna had looped around his, making her smile grow, and helping her relax. They shared one more glance before they stepped into the ballroom together.