It was already time and everyone was waiting for the Crown Princess to finally appear. Although the coronation of the Crown Princess was a royal ritual, still it was not just the people from the royal background present there, rather there was a great mix of all the important titles from all over the country.
Royals shared the powers of governance with the house of elected commons, still their presence and the power were considered supreme, one of the great influencing factors in the politics and the development of Chiboa. And now that the future heir to the crown was ready to be announced and take the seat beside the actual throne, people were desperate. Desperate to not just to know the face that would be representing the royals in future but also desperate to build a favorable relationship with her.
Being relatives now, the Feng family was also invited. While the main family sat at the table set for them, the few accompanying relatives moved around to mingle with the royals for their own benefit. Feng Yu Hao didn't bother about them. He was there for his daughter-in-law and apart from seeing her elevating the position in society, he had not set any other motive for the day and event.
"Yi Lan, you have been roaming around all the time. Since Xiao Xue will be arriving here sometime, you better sit here and give some rest to your legs. Running around in your situation is not good for the baby. Also, you will get tired." Feng Yu Hao said when he saw Feng Yi Lan appearing back from inside.
Feng Yi Lan looked down at her bump and pouted. "This baby is really a tease, father. I can't even my friend's big day. He just exhausts me all the times." She said and then pulled a chair to take the seat. "Also, he is a big glutton. Every other moment he thinks of food and makes me crave for the same." Saying that she took small bite of lemon tart from the plate, before gobbling it up in another two bites.
"Mhmm… this is tasty." She looked around, but finding no servers there, she sighed, "Tasty enough to make me carve for one more. But aish, there is no one around." She said and right at that moment a small plate holding the same tart popped in front of her. Her eyes shone and she at once reached to get it in her hands then turning to look at the person who brought it for her.
She thought it would be Qi Shuai. But her eyes and breath paused for a moment when she saw it was actually Feng Shufen standing there with the plate. Her breath hitched and she no longer knew whether she should take it or not. This was the first time Feng Shufen would have done that for anyone other than Li Xue and WeiWei. And Feng Yi Lan was not able believe that the exception in the world was no other but her.
Was she seeing thing? Hallucinating?
She stared at her brother and then pointed at herself to ask, "For me? I-I mean did you bring it for me?"
Feng Shufen's expression remained poker as he set the plate on the table in front of her. "Have it if you crave it. Otherwise let it be there." He said nonchalantly and then walked to another empty table to take the seat.
Feng Yi Lan opened her mouth to say something but then closed it looking back at the tart on the plate. Staring at the tart she was still in disbelief when Feng Yu Hao coughed to break her trance of shock.
When Feng Yi Lan looked up at her, he said, "Have it. You weren't dreaming. Your brother actually came to give it you."
Feng Yu Hao shook his head and Feng Yi Lan turned back to look at her brother who sat like few moments before he didn't come to do something out of the world.
While Feng Yi Lan took the bite of the tart and savored the taste of deliciousness, the big door of the courtroom opened and first entered the maids of honor, garnering the eyes of everyone.
People's eyes turned to look at the door, eager to get a look at the Crown Princess. But the way in which the palace was designed, the light was against the direction of the door which made it hard to get the proper look of the people coming inside. The ambience was well ventilated but the sunlight was planned in a way through which it was meant to give the halo effect around the person entering the room.
"Although the setting of the royal court has always been like this, why does it feel that everything has been planned for this day only? Don't you think the light todays holds the glamour of majestic-ness today?" One of the royal women commented when she figured out the silhouette of Li Xue amid the bright light of the sun.
Another woman standing next to her slowly hummed, "Yeah. The effect is real. Can you see how different the room has turned suddenly? I mean wasn't this girl the one who was talked about being incapable?"
"I don't know about the talks but seeing her in the shadow itself it can be told that she was born for this day and the title. No doubt, Her Royal Majesty has been so sure of her being able to learn everything in such a short time. The princess has really stood on their expectations."
"I have heard Her Highness has even scored well among the commons. Her recent visit to several towns and villages around the country has grown people fond of her and because of it they have also drawn close to the royal family. Several ministers have been appreciating it."
"Sigh only if we have found her before. The prince and the dukes would have gotten a better chance to get into her line of sight. But now with her married, she simply has no interest in any of them. Have you heard how Prince of the East City got outcasted by her? Without making it obvious, Her Highness has easily limited his powers and authorities. Now he is not allowed in every meeting rather has gotten limited on his visits."
"Really? I have heard it vaguely but never thought it was real. Does that really happen?" Someone asked and the former woman nodded with a hum. At which the woman again asked, her tone holding a vibe of curiosity, "But was it that easy? We all know that the Prince from the East City is not so simple. He might …"
Before she could complete, the woman gestured her to look at the other side of the room, "That was the story of the past. Get a look of him now and confirm if he still holds the same influence." She said and the group of women turned to look on the other side of the room where Su Ce was standing alone, slowly sipping his wine with an evident look of distress on his face.
When did the princess become so powerful? How come it never became evident to any of their eyes? It was just like the swift kill that none ever noticed but was the cruelest.