Chapter 10: The Banquet

The banquet was held outside on the Marechi pavilion south of the imperial garden situated in the center of a clear lake, its aquamarine tall pillars and expansive structure looming over the people entering like ants under its wings. There were pale-blue gauzes hanging decorously throughout the openings, flapping lightly in the evening breeze, as the milky-white luminous pearls imbedded in the aquine walls made the entire surrounding to be filled with brilliant lights and vibrant colors of blues and white.

Maids and Servants went back and forth on the moon stone bridge, carrying variety of dishes on their hands. Soft whispers and murmurs curled up the air, lighting the atmosphere with a lively vibe and vitality.

At the pavilion, a dozen or so tables were arranged from the outside to the inside, with the important ministers of the empire and their families sitting closest to the royal family inside the open building, which was already looking crowded. There were some fruits and snacks arranged on the tables with labels indicating which seat belonged to who.

Almost all the seats were already occupied, except for two conspicuous ones among the group of Jinn ambassadors.

A little distance from the area of celebration, three figures were making their way through a lush blooming garden that was full of life. As the figures drew near, the red, blue, and green of their clothing could be perceived, before their appearances were revealed.

They were Princesses Nari and Qamari, led by a servant girl to the pavilion where the banquet was being held.

As they left the imperial garden and crossed the moon bridge into the outer section of the pavilion, the murmurs and whispers curling in the air slowly decreased until the whole area fell silent.

Leading the two princesses all the way to the entrance of the pavilion, the little maid quietly backed away as the heated gazes of all the officials and their families gathered and fixed onto the two girls.

"Princesses, I have dropped you to your destination. May I take my leave now?" She nervously asked, seeking permission to quickly depart from the oppressing atmosphere.

"Thank you, you may take your leave." Princess Nari softly replied with a polite smile, repeatedly reminding herself to stay calm.

Getting the consent to leave, the little maid hurriedly scurried to a side hall in the building without looking back, before disappearing into a mix of servant girls moving in and out of the banquet hall carrying plates of sweet deserts and golden globes of fruit drinks.

Taking a deep breath, Princess Nari stepped inside the pavilion, followed closely behind by Princess Qamari. Stopping in the center of the quiet hall, the curious and scrutinizing gaze of a majestic middle-aged blonde man in golden robes, sitting on a golden throne at the highest position of all the gathered officials fell on them. On his left sat a middle-aged woman with ash-blonde hair and flawless complexion. Her sharp ash-gray eyes, straight back, and dignified appearance displayed her majesty and authority, honed through the years of sitting in the highest position of all the women in the empire.

Without any suspense, the couple were the Regent Prince of the Amayan Empire, his majesty, and his spouse, her grace.

Sitting slightly lower on the right side of the Regent Prince and on the left side of her grace, were the blue and white robed men they had earlier encountered.

"Your Majesties, please forgive us for the delay in getting here. My cousin was not feeling well and fainted on the way to the banquet." Princess Nari said with a graceful poise and deep bow of her head.

"The journey here must have taken a greater toll on me than I anticipated. I hope your majesties will not take offense and forgive me for the unintended disrespect." Princess Qamari naturally followed up with a slight bow and no change in her cold and indifferent appearance.

The people in the banquet hall silently observed and evaluated the two princesses set to marry their princes. One was garbed in a red dress with a blue belt, her large sparkly brown eyes and waist length brown hair adding to her warm, innocent and pure appearance, a hint of youthful vigor and charm in her every gesture. The other was dressed in a dark-blue robe and veil that hid her facial features, her otherworldly violet orbs and knee length midnight tresses radiating an aura of mystery and sacredness that could not be defiled by the mortal realm. Their graceful figures and elegant demeanors gave a clear indication of their noble upbringing.

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Although, the two girls' temperaments were the extreme opposites of each other, one warm like a spring sunshine, the other cold like a winter moon, each had their own unique charm that when placed together, enhanced their individual beauty and attractiveness.

Instantly, the faces of many unmarried ladies present in the banquet turned hostile with unbridled jealousy and envy.

This ladies all had prominent backgrounds and statuses as the daughters of the high ranking ministers of the empire. From a young age, they received all the education and lessons they needed in order to stand out from the rest of their peers and secure a good marriage that brought honor and benefit to their families. As such, to be the best, they were not only masters of poems and literature, painting and trade, music and archery, but also poise and decorum.

However, the so-called backwater country princesses in their gossips, just stood peacefully in the middle of the large hall without moving, exuding natural grace and elegance without any superfluous air from their bearings.

With such a deviation from the princesses in their imagination, they could not help but feel a sprout of jealously in their hearts.

"Uuhm, just superficial beauty." One of the ladies disdainfully snorted as she glared at princesses.

The others nodded along silently, with unreconciled expressions.

As the daughters of high ranking officials in the Amayan Empire, they could not admit themselves inferior to two princesses from an unknown kingdom. Hence, attributing the two's aura and bearing to their beauty.

But in the midst of consoling themselves, the ladies subconsciously erased from their mind the fact that Princess Qamari had a veil covering her face.

"The journey was a rather long one. I believe you are feeling well now?" The Regent Prince addressed Princess Qamari understandingly.

"Thank you for your concern your majesty. I am feeling a lot better now." Princess Qamari politely replied.

"I am pleased to hear that. You may take your seats. As guests, it is our duty as hosts to see to your well-being and." The Regent Prince said light-naturedly.

"Thank you, your majesty." The two chorused, taking their spot in front of the jinn ambassadors.

Once they were seated, the Regent Prince's gaze swept over the gathered individuals before addressing the crowd in a regal tone.

"As everyone present in this pavilion is aware, the Crown Prince Lail and Prince Noore will soon marry the the princesses from the Jinn Kingdom, bringing their national treasure, the 'golden bird' in the form as a dowry. To ensure the successful formation of the alliance between the Jinn Kingdom and Amayan Empire, many ambassadors and envoys from the surrounding realms will be arriving to bear witness to the this national marriage between a kingdom and realm."

Pausing slightly here, the Regent Prince looked towards the two princesses, indicated for Princess Nari to stand with a raise of his hand, turned to the man in blue robes on his right, motioning for him to stand as well, before declaring in a booming voice.

"Crown Prince Lail will be marrying the Beloved Princess Nari of Jinn and Prince Noore will marry Princess Qamari of Jinn!"

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