As soon as the duke shouted, the grand door opened and a young lady with silver hair with lavender undertones came into sight. She was dressed in a flowing lavender gown embroidered with silver wisterias, the train shimmering with tiny crystals. Her hair was styled in loose waves, pinned partially with a crescent moon hairpiece adorned with pearls and amethysts.
Calista's teal eyes roamed around the place. Everywhere she laid her eyes, she met the gazes of different people.
She can feel her heart beating faster as nervousness rises in her system. She feels a warm and tingling sensation on her skin and even feels lightheaded.
Calista shifted her attention from the crowd to the duke. She met the duke's steel-blue eyes, which were looking at her intently as if encouraging her.
She gulped, then accepted the duke's extended hand as he guided her to the center of the great hall.
Whispers and murmurs started enveloping the whole great hall at the unexpected announcement.
"Did I just hear it right?"
"Oh my gosh!"
"I thought this was an engagement announcement."
Different reactions erupted from the crowd. All the guests felt shocked and flabbergasted at the announcement.
However, one thing appeared on their mind in unity.
Scandal!
Everyone glanced subtly at the woman with molten gold-like hair with heated gazes as if they were anticipating something to happen.
Beatrice, who was aware of the heated gazes directed at her, feigned ignorance and continued watching her husband announce to everyone his daughter while still minding her own actions.
She knew that her every move would be misinterpreted by everyone, and some would exaggerate the meaning behind it. Even a few seconds of her moving her eyes away from the sight will be judged.
"That child doesn't look like the duke and the duchess—oh my—is she an illegitimate child?" One of the female guests gasped in shock, but deep down a hidden intention was present.
"I really pity the duchess. If I were in her shoes, I would feel betrayed and mad."
Meanwhile, just beside Beatrice, two figures are also standing still and watching as their father guides a young lady they barely know.
Elias, with his dark auburn hair and bright amber eyes that were almost golden, stared intently at the subtle expression on his father's face that he saw for the first time.
He felt like he was looking at someone he doesn't know.
Lilian, on the other hand, was also looking at her father with her eyes wide open; a hint of shock and envy was present in her eyes.
She shifted her soft violet eyes from her mother, who was watching intently on the duke and her new sister, back to the duke.
Lilian reluctantly raised her small hand and gently grabbed her mother's hands.
Beatrice shifted her eyes away from the duke, then looked down at the person who was grabbing her hand.
"What is it, Lilian?" She asked in wonder.
"Mother, I want Father to do that at my birthday party," she said in a demanding voice while pointing at the duke and Calista.
Beatrice's eyes went wide and immediately brought down Lilian's pointed hands.
"Not now, Lilian," Beatrice said in a flat tone, trying to hide her annoyance.
"But, Mother—"
"Shush, shut your mouth, or you're going back to your room," Beatrice said in a calm but firm tone.
Lilian immediately shut her mouth tightly as her eyes went watery.
Beatrice heaved a sigh at Lilian's expression and was about to open her mouth to appease the child when Lilian suddenly turned her back against her and then left in a hurried step.
Beatrice heaves a sigh again and then glances at a woman with small wrinkles around her eyes.
"Maura, please calm Lilian down," Beatrice said in a tired voice.
"Right away, madam."
Beatrice watched Lilian's nanny go to follow Lilian and just hoped that child would calm down.
Beatrice calmed her raging emotion and then met a pair of bright amber, almost golden eyes.
She gave Elias a questioning gaze but was left unanswered as Elias just avoided her gaze.
Beatrice breathed in and out before mustering a small smile again and shifted her eyes back to the event in front of her. As much as it hurt her, she painfully watched the whole thing.
Once the introduction of Calista was finished, the duke extended his hand once again to invite her into a dance.
Everyone watched intently at the two as they maintained an intimate yet poised hold with their hands clasped as they moved their feet in perfect harmony.
They sweep across the polished floor with practiced ease. They glide in synchronized steps as the duke guides Calista into a smooth spin.
When the music finished, everyone clapped their hands at the wonderful performance. Even Beatrice was impressed.
Not bad.
She was deep down proud at the performance of her student that only learned under her for a few weeks.
"That was wonderful, dear," the duke complimented as they bowed to each other.
With her chest moving up and down, she gave a satisfied smile towards the duke.
"Thank you, Your Grace."
"Rather than calling me that, how about calling me 'Father'?"
"As you wish...father," she said in a low voice.
A satisfied smile appeared on the duke's face.
After their dance performance, the duke finally announced the start of the feast. However, that doesn't mean that Calista can finally take a break and get something to eat.
She was guided to a table where three chairs were placed, with only one left empty.
Calista briefly looked at the two people sitting, a man with dark brown hair and deep stormy gray eyes and a woman with dark black hair and deep amber eyes.
"Greetings, Your Majesties. Meet my daughter, Calista Vermilion," the duke greeted and then introduced her.
Calista's eyes dilated once she heard the greeting, and she immediately bowed her head in respect towards the two important individuals.
"It's an honor to meet both of you, Your Majesties," she said sincerely.
Calista slowly lifted her head when she heard laughter and saw it came from the king.
"Hahaha. No wonder Magnus cherishes you. Such an innocent child," the king said in amusement.
The queen cleared her throat, which made the king stop laughing before the queen turned to them.
"Likewise, young lady. You are quite lovely, quite admirable in my opinion," the queen said in a calm and composed tone while marveling at Calista's whole appearance.
"I agree! You should marry Thalion instead!" The king chimed in.
The table fell silent at the king's joke.
The queen glanced and gave a sharp look at the king, which made the king shut his mouth, realizing that he took the joke too far.
A few seconds later, the queen cleared her throat and then turned to Calista and the duke, who was waiting patiently. Calista was clearly uncomfortable at the king's joke, while the duke still maintained his indifferent demeanor.
"Enough with the greetings. The star of the banquet should enjoy the event. You have my congratulations, young lady. Welcome to the noble world," the queen said in a calm voice.
At the queen's cue, Calista and the duke left the table after greeting the king and queen.
Calista finally got a break, or so she thought.