The unexpected encounter between Lilian and Calista lingered in Calista's mind. It was bothering her as she felt like her life was slowly but surely going to the same destiny as the original Calista Vermilion. However, the preparation for the banquet and her daily hectic schedule made her temporarily forget it.
On top of her everyday lessons, she also met the couturier from a high-end boutique to make the outfit that she will use for the banquet. A cordwainer was also invited to take the measurement of her feet.
It took at least a month to prepare the banquet. And the invitations to selected important individuals are sent out 4 weeks in advance.
When the invitation was sent out, it immediately became a hot topic in high society, as not only was the banquet sudden, but it also did not mention the purpose of the banquet in the invitation. Nevertheless, the individuals that received the invitation still accepted it.
It was an invitation from one of the duke's households in the kingdom. How can they decline it?
The banquet is not only a perfect place to seek business opportunities, form alliances, and search for marriage prospects; they can't really just decline the duke's invitation. It would be bad for their image.
One more thing is that they knew that the duke's family doesn't just hold a banquet for nothing. They feel like something is happening.
As soon as the invitation was received, all the expected attendees started preparing for the banquet. The ladies went to tailor new dresses and heels, while the men also did the same.
Everyone was preparing for the stage held by the duke's family and was itching for that day to come.
When the day had come, the ladies woke up early in the morning and spent the whole day on their appearance for the banquet without even eating anything heavy and only settled for water, afraid that their belly fat would be visible in their dresses.
When night came, the gate of the manor of the Vermilion family was open, with multiple carriages queuing for their turn to enter the manor. However, those that are of higher status than others have the privilege to not queue and are able to enter immediately.
As they arrived at the entrance of the towering building, they got off their carriages and were guided by the servants individually to the great hall, where the spacious space was adorned with tables and chairs, with some spaces left empty for dancing.
On the ceiling, ornate chandeliers are hanging, while on the walls, tapestries are placed for every guest to see.
Huge windows that are overlooking the garden are also available for the guests to see. Even a door was opened connecting to the garden for the guests to venture outside the great hall.
The guests gaped at the lavish preparation of the banquet that solidified their guess about the banquet not only being a simple banquet. They eagerly took their seat and waited for the banquet to fill in and start.
"Oh my, the royal family is present. I didn't think the rumors were true. They really attend," one of the female guests whispered to the person next to her.
"Do you think it's an engagement announcement?"
"You think so too? Maybe the duke's eldest son and the princess?"
"That's unlikely. You do know that the princess and the duchess are relatives, so maybe the engagement is between the ducal princess and one of the princes?"
Different kinds of speculation could be heard among the guests as soon as they saw the presence of the royal family.
Meanwhile, the individuals involved are just sitting comfortably on their own seats that are fancier than the rest.
"Engagement? How I wish," a man with dark brown hair and deep, stormy gray eyes mutters in amusement pertaining to the whispers from the crowd.
A woman with dark black hair and deep amber eyes glances at the man beside her and gives a disapproving look.
Seeing the woman's disapproving gaze, a smile appeared on his lips. "Is that supposed to be a gaze you gave to the king?"
"I'm your wife before you became a king," the woman said bluntly.
It was the queen and king of the kingdom. King Aldemar Virelle and Queen Elowen Virelle.
"Make sense. However, do you get my disappointment? This kind of event is supposed to be my child's engagement," he marveled at the lavish decorations around them.
The queen glanced at her husband. "How come? From what I remember, the duke didn't agree to any engagement, you're saying."
"It was a given, sweetheart. No one would think to decline the proposal. Everyone is dreaming of getting those familial connections to our family. Oh—for example, Viscount Pembroke. He was slightly nudging me to get her daughter and Thalion to meet even just once, as if that's enough to make her daughter the future queen of the kingdom," he chuckled in amusement.
"Isn't that kind of topic not suited to the public?"
"No one cares if no one hears about it," he nonchalantly responded.
"You seem to be amused about the idea that one meeting will charm Thalion into marrying any girl. However, let me remind you, Your Majesty, that in our society, even those that didn't even meet once got engaged. Marriage for us is a political tool to use to maneuver in our society. So don't let any girl meet our heir," the queen says with a strong emphasis.
"Don't be so serious, darling. We're here to enjoy the celebration," the king shrugs off her seriousness.
"Aside from that, you should think about Thalion being fixated with the duke's child. He has been a headache ever since he met the ducal princess, as if he was enchanted when he met her once." A sense of frustration was evident in her voice.
The king chuckled, "Is there even something to worry about? If Thalion and Lilian get married, the Vermilion family will support our child to be the future king. Isn't that something that you want?"
The queen heaves a sigh. "Getting too fixated on one person is not a good thing, Aldemar."
"I know," he gives up, "I'm sure it's only a temporary thing."
"Speaking of Thalion, where is he?" The queen glances around, trying to get a sight of a young boy with dark black hair.
"He's probably on Lilian's side."
The queen sighs, "This kid."
The queen and king kept talking to each other as the great hall was slowly getting filled up with guests. It took roughly almost an hour before all the seats were filled.
Once all the expected guests were present, one of the staff gestured to the herald. Once the herald saw this, he cleared his throat and shouted as loud as he could.
"May I present the Vermilion family!"
Everyone shifted their attention to the grand door as it opened and four people appeared out of it. First, a man with midnight-black hair and steel-blue eyes is standing beside a woman with molten gold-like hair, both dressed in lavish clothes.
It was Duke Magnus Vermilion and Duchess Beatrice Vermilion. They walked side by side while Beatrice's hand was placed on Magnus's arm.
Behind them, a young boy with dark auburn hair and bright amber eyes is standing beside a young lady with platinum blond hair with pastel pink undertones. They also walked beside each other with the young lady's hand placed awkwardly on the young boy's arm.
It was the ducal prince and princess, Elias Vermilion and Lilian Vermilion.
Once their grand entrance was finished, the duke and his wife went to the center of the great hall and gave an opening speech for the guests, even acknowledging the presence of the royal family.
Once he was done, the guests thought that he was done when he didn't walk away from the center.
Everyone was confused by it.
"Today will be marked as an important event to me," the duke paused as if he was emotional.
Everyone glances at one another as if they can't believe what they saw.
"Tonight, I stand before you not only as the Duke but as a father as I make an important announcement." He gave a brief pause as he turned to the grand door.
"May I present to you my lovely daughter, Calista Vermilion!"