The Dragon's Flame Queen ✔

✔LII - Wrapped around by Spider webs

"Prince Demian Salamander and Princess Seraphina Salamander are entering." There was an announcement as Seraphina and Demian entered the banquet, their chins held high.

All of the eyes present there moved toward them and whispers washed over the crowd. Women peeked a glance at their princess as most of their faces carved with envy and as soon as their eyes fell on Demian, the crowd's jaw fell to the ground before their feet. They had heard about the young prince of the Salamander family but certainly they hadn't expected him to be a child. Some of them had scowls and some of them even scoffed while hiding it behind their decorative fans. The rumours had been false.

Alonzo and two guards joined them, following from behind as the couple went to their designated place as Seraphina was concentrating not to trip in front of them while maintaining her eyes up ahead.

Lord Heartstone welcomed them and led them to their seats. As soon as both of them sat, the crowd bowed before them. 

The ceilings and walls of the hall were painted with the murals that seemed to depict the story of the great dragon. It was fascinating to eye as the watcher would follow across the vast hall to know the whole story. The beautiful glass and diamond chandeliers hung from the ceiling lighting up the whole place even making the jewelry of the people present there glow. 

"Your Highness, Prince Demian and Princess Seraphina, I welcome you to my humble abode, my heart is filled with happiness to have you here with us," Lord Heartstone said bowing deeply and pressing his hand over his heart.

Demian resisted his scoff at Heartstone's hollow words and peeked at Seraphina who had almost scoffed but coughed at the last moment to hide it. He smiled slightly at that and Heartstone thinking it was for his words as he continued, "I hope you will enjoy your stay here with us."

"Sure," Demian said.

Heartstone grinned now showing off all his whites and raised his golden glass facing it to the gathering.

"Now, in the presence and honor of our mighty Prince Demian I announce the commencement of this Ball!" His voice boomed through the Hall followed by the cheers of the people and clinking of glasses.

Demian gave a false small smile as he clinked his glass with Heartstone and Seraphina hid her scowl at Lord Heartstone as she clinked her glass with Lady Heartstone with a smile.

Her eyes moved toward her daughters as one of them sat beside her, Lady Diana and the other one had already gotten a man's attention. The daughters were literally flowing out of their dresses, Seraphina wondered why wouldn't the jewelry around their necks choke them or rather pull their necks down. Seraphina smiled slightly as she shifted in her own dress, the deep blue dress had too many sapphires and onyxs adorning them. What irritated her more was that compared to her other dresses this one was heavier and its gown was wider. She was hoping she wouldn't fall wearing so many skirts in front of the nobles and take Demian's prestige to ground with her. 

Men and women had selected their dresses to show others of their wealth. A lot more jewelry and stones than the clothes needed. She wondered why weren't they suffocating in them?

As she moved her eyes, she felt blinding by those glittery stones that screamed off their aristocracy and wealth. Wealth that had extorted from the poor people of their places yet they had no compassion for them. She sighed. 

Demian had read all of their reports and all the lords present there had affiliated with Lord Heartstone to transform their cities into a decorated spots. Everywhere the same was happening yet, they had the gall to show off their dresses and accessories.