Chapter 98: Chapter 98

"Congratulation on your birthday, His Majesty." Armano bowed and Cecilia, who stand beside him, was doing the same. "May the sun of Atrazal's Empire, shine brighter than before. Please accept our small gift to celebrate this spectacular event."

His daughter knitting her eyebrow because she's noticing no warmness on his voice. It's almost looked like Armano was mocking him.

Duke Lancia smile gently and took out a brown envelope inside his suit. The Emperor raised his hand and Nolan, the Crown Prince, walk approached him to take the gift.

In a brief moment, he stole a glance at the Duke's daughter. He felt a bit disappointed to see her who seem already moved on. Nolan didn't see any sign of an admiration in her eyes. Something about her was different, and he can't figure it out.

Nolan almost felt that that Cecilia was changing into someone else.

"Thank you for the gift, Duke Lancia." The Emperor said in an uninterested voice. He didn't even take a glance to that envelope. Both of Lancia's family members, bowed again before left from the line.

Maxwell threw a gentle smile to Cecilia, which make her heart a bit flutter.

Armano guided his daughter to the table and take a glass of red fruit punch to Cecilia, "It's watermelon and pineapple. Tasted great."

"Thank you, Father." She said while take the glass. "But, may I ask, what is the envelope's content? It's look thin and, well, light."

Armano take a glass of yellow sparkling champagne and drink all of that liquid in one sip, "A paper."

"Oh, like a certificate?"

"No, just a blank of paper."

Cecilia's mouth opened widely, failed to hide her astonishment. "I, I beg your pardon."

"It's okay. You don't need to concern on that small thing."

"B-but, you said it was a spectacular gift."

Armano take another glass and smile faintly, "It's true. A blank paper is the most suitable prize for people like him. Besides, it's not like the first time he got it."

"Wh-what? Is that the reason why did he look uninterested?"

He shrugged, "Probably. Well, he gave me an empty bottle of ink for my last year's birthday. So, you can call it as a draw."

"Oh, my." She shook her head in disbelief.

Then her attention drawn to the main character of this banquet, The Silver's family. They bowed and smile proudly when presented the gift. It's a rare blue jewel called as Azure Sky.

She can't hear what is Marquess trying to say. But, she was able to saw Aileen's smirk when bowed to the Emperor.

"Cecilia, don't forget to stay with Maxwell after the first dance. Perhaps, thing will be getting ugly, and I don't want you to witness such a troublesome event."

"Then, please be careful, Father."

Armano almost laughed, but he successfully suppress it. "No need to worry, My Dear. I am a strong man. Much stronger than that masked brat."

Before she can answer, several noblemen greet the Duke. Suddenly, he looks cold and have an unreadable expression in his face. He threw an intense gaze to Max and that second prince nodded before approached them.

"This will be a boring conversation for you, My Dear." He whispered to his daughter. "So, take your time and don't forget to kick his xxxxx if he's trying to do something to you."

"Father, Max isn't a man like that!"

"We will see. I'll watch your move. If he's doing something weird, I am--,"

"I understand, Father. Thank you for your concern. I'll try my best to not disappoint you." Cecilia said after, unconsciously, kissed his cheek lightly.

Then she bowed to her father and the noblemen around her before approaching the second prince who smile widely to her.

That couple movements stir a confusion among the crowd. How could an illegitimate prince, smiling like an idiot to that evil duke's daughter?

The noblemen around Duke Lancia dropped their jaws in disbelief. Fortunately, Armano clear his throat to make them back to their senses.

Even Arthur, the Emperor, knitted his brows and starting have his suspicion.

After the gift giving event was over, Arthur slowly open the gift from Armano and let out a heavy sigh.

"My, my. I thought, in my current age, nothing can surprise me anymore."

Nolan tilted his head, wondering why did his father look tired.

"Take this, Nolan. After that, give it to your careless brother."

The crown prince nodded before he read it and starting to understand his father's reaction.

It just a letter that consist of one white paper. He recognizes the Duke's neatly handwritten on it.

[Congratulation of your birthday, Your Imperial Majesty.

I want to give you a friendly warning because of our long and cute relationship. I don't know how but, your second son see to destined with my precious daughter because of that dragon's bless.

If you or your children do something bad to her, then, you will face some consequences. I'm sure both of us didn't want it. ♡

Sincerely, your best friend.

Armano Lancia.]

Nolan folded the paper and put it to his suit. "The timing is... bad."

"Yes, he likes to put some pressure on me. The way he drew the heart make me shivering." Emperor said with a faint smile.

"Father, I think it's the time to start the dance. Duke Lancia is looking at our direction."

Arthur nodded and rise from his chair. His firm voice resonance to the whole room, "Then, the first dance is start, now."

The music become more cheerful yet still slow and steady.  Cecilia recognized it instantly, "Wait, Allamande?

"Oh, you know this?"

"I do remember this a little."

"Don't worry, your father won't complain, even you step his toes."

"My father reject me. He said that dancing with an old man is boring. But, now, I wonder if he did want me to step your toes. Since Allemande have several quick movements."

Maxwell laughed, "He is indeed a scary man. Then, do you want to give an honor to having your first dance."

"My pleasure, Your Highness." She bowed and smile gently. Cecilia take his hand before come to the dance floor along with the guests.