Chapter 57: Aftermath (1)
In the Valemere Kingdom, in the capital, Esmire, within the royal grounds, in the heart of the main palace—currently, the banquet celebrating the foundation day of the kingdom was still in full swing. The grand hall shimmered under the crystal lamps, as soft music played and tables overflowed with fine wine and delicacies.
The atmosphere was merry... at least for those who supported the fourth prince, who had just been selected as the crown prince.
For the others? They were quietly wondering how to change their allegiance, scrambling in their thoughts to patch up the situation they now found themselves in.
Seemingly uncaring about all of that, inside one of the palace’s terraces, stood the said fourth prince.
He wore while ceremonial robes with silver dragons and stars, a flowing mantle clasped with white-gold pattern, and a thin silver circlet marking his new title.
Caelan Merrik Valemere was clearly in high spirits. His head was held high, eyes distant, as though gazing far beyond the capital.
Everything, it seemed, was going his way.
Standing in front of him was a girl who appeared to be in her mid-teens... a young one, just fifteen years old. And she was the girl he was engaged to.
The age difference between them was eight years, but in the noble circle, such a gap was barely worth a mention.
She was a woman already stepping into early maturity, possessing a presence that defied her youth. Her long hair was a deep purple, falling behind her back, and her icy blue eyes shimmered like frozen starlight. She had sharp, elegant features, and a beauty that demanded attention.
Her black dress, tailored to perfection, hugged her figure in a way that emphasized her developing grace, making her appear even more mature.
And her expression?