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"Shouldn’t you be out with Nicklaus? I thought there was an outing for both of you?" Celeste whispered to me, careful not to draw attention.
"It was...", I took a deep breath. "Canceled" I cleared my throat, trying to seem composed.
"Canceled?", her features grew puzzled.
I forced a smile to face her. "Nicklaus is a very busy Emperor... and besides we have all the time in the world"
Celeste sighed, she opened her mouth to speak.
"Empress do check this and tell us what you think?" Layla spoke, handing me a scroll.
I observed it. "The designs seem okay" I replied with a nod.
"Lady Layla... I have the audience of the Empress" Celeste said, sounding slightly annoyed.
"WE all have the audience of the Empress, right ladies?"
The other royal ladies just stroke a nod. And here we go again, every meeting was with these two clashing like storms. I surely do not want these two to give me a headache.
Celeste shot her a death glare and she returned it with a smirk, but it wasn’t pleasant.
"Alright alright, let us not bore into quarrel so soon for it is early" I snapped.
"Of course Empress" they replied in unison.
"Good," I murmured.
"Empress the Royal Ball is about to take place" Claudia intoned with a smile against her lips, her crystal blue eyes shining in amusement.
"The Royal Ball?"
"Yes, one is held every month and this is your first" Elvira squealed in excitement.
"Oh"
"We should begin preparations" Aerith tipped in.
A perfect distraction that I needed to free my mind from all that was happening.
"It is traditional for the Empress to set everything for the ball for it is her first" Lenora said, pulling some strands of her brown hair behind her ear.
"Let’s get down to it shall we?" I mused.
☆☆☆
The large door spread open and then I walked in with the company of the royal ladies. I grew astonished when I saw the grand hall, majestic in every way, it looked wonderful and the outline designs and the golden chandelier that graced the top, lit with a hundred candles, seemed almost magical.
"This is..." I was breathless as I observed the area like I was gazing upon the heavens themselves. "...amazing, every detail is put in place"
"This is where all balls are held," Layla said.
"Yes indeed for the Royal ball is the grandest of them all" Aerith said.
"Indeed I can see that" I faced them with a smile on my lips, I have always wanted to plan a grand ball, back in the Mortal Realm I was told by Mother that I would but I never got the chance to.
"Now" I began clearing my throat. "Shall we plan?"
They smiled. "Yes Empress"
Planning a grand ball like this was no easy feat... flowers, decors, colors, refreshments, wines. gods it has come to my knowledge that Vampires loved wine like a second meal... well then lots of wine.
My head was practically filled with nothing but planning now, I went through the scrolls of the list, my eyes scanning it. I then turned to the hall merely halfway ready, I sighed heavily.
"You didn’t think it was easy, did you?" Celeste mused sauntering towards me.
"The flowers go over there" I directed a worker.
"Yes Empress"
"And the red lanterns, let it be up"
"Yes Empress"
I sighed once again. "Indeed" I replied to her.
"Do not worry you will get used to it for now you’re in charge with such stuff"
"Well, I have you ladies so I have nothing to worry about" I went back to the scroll.
"Music... what kind of music do you listen to here," I asked.
"Well Empress... everything is similar like in Mortal Realm, instrumental at the top"
"Really?"
She nods.
"Then I guess I would put in all I have learned in the Mortal Realm"
"If it pleases you so Empress"
I smirk, putting down the scroll and rising, my gown a bit.
"I know that look," Celeste said with a tilt of her head. I guess she now knows something was up to my sleeves and I couldn’t have thought it better.
I walked towards the wall, Celeste hurriedly followed behind me.
"We need a window, a big now about six"
"What? I mean... Empress, these halls have never had windows" Celeste said with wide eyes.
"Well none of the parts of the palace barely have windows and it gives it a really gloomy outlook," I said with an eye roll.
"Em-"
"I’m also in charge of the outlook of the palace, right?"
"Yes Empress"
I smirked.
¤●¤
"The plans still a long way done... you must know My liege planning war against a Realm is not an easy feat," Bartholomew said.
Nicklaus’ emerald eyes remained on the map of the Celestial Realm, in deep silence.
"I know why you want such a war... this is all for the Empress’ sake is it not?"
Nicklaus leaned on his throne, even if he didn’t say he knew that was the truth.
"Does the Empress know? About what you intend to do to her Realm?"
"It is no longer her Realm!" he snapped with furious eyes. Bartholomew gulped. "It is no longer her Realm since her own people cast her aside for loving me... they will all pay, every one of them and their Mother goddess will face my wrath for all the pain she made us endure"
"She has a right to know... My liege"
"There is no need!" he hissed, rising to his feet. "She had no memories so it does not matter... she is safe here with me and she will forever and always be"
"But My lie-"
"She’s MINE!" he growled at him, facing him with his dark eyes.
Bartholomew lowered his gaze. "O-Of course my liege... any threat to the Empress is ours too"
"Yes, her Realm is a threat and I will flip the earth so that I may get rid of them all"