The Fifth Season

CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE: THE CRIMSON BALL PT. 3

SNOH

"To Princess Snoh of Wysteria." The thunderous sounds of the crowd around us unanimously sending me praises as an official member of the Imperial Family was a sight I don't think I'd ever seen in my life.

Though I could not mistake the looks of wonder and confusion after the confession Aunt Aquila had made about my true identity. I knew I would have to answer my friends later on in the evening once I got the opportunity to speak with them, but now, I had to face the inevitable.

What was behind me?

And what was behind me was precisely the High Chancellor and a lot of other puzzled individuals such as the Headmistress of Clouiths who I'm sure along with my false father, had a plethora of inquiries that needed to be answered.

Aunt Aquila nodded towards her subjects respectfully and turned back around signifying that her speech was over. She lowered her glass onto the table beside her husband and breathed a sigh of relief, "Dessert should be served soon enough." She stated nonchalantly as she took her seat once more. I followed suit, ignoring the constant gazes and eyes that followed my entire actions.

I felt as if I were a priceless portrait or sculpture set up in a museum for others to ogle at for countless hours, it was an unnerving feeling.

In my seat, I counted a few breaths before looking up once more. As expected, the expressions of the ones in front of me had not changed. Thankfully my mothers and the ones such as my extended family knew the circumstances of my birth; it would be difficult to explain to a crowd that up until now, had assumed I belonged to Taniel.

I'm sure he had a flurry of things to say, but as my gaze stumbled upon his, it was clear he was at a loss for words.

His mouth was still agape, and he had completely abandoned the food and drink that had been placed in front of him, while his fiancée sat beside him, very much bewildered herself.

Casting my glance even further down the table did I see Kezia clear and apparent surprise, and very much embarrassed by the red tint that tickled the cusps of her cheeks. Once our eyes met, she swallowed hard, the small bulge in her neck indicating she had become very nervous.

Then there was my brother. Like most times, he rarely seemed to show much emotion on his face; one could compare the expressions to that of a solid piece of blank paper. If he wasn't annoyed or fuming at something—most of the time that would be me, his emotion would remain dormant.

But as of current, his thick eyebrows were furrowed against the pleats of his forehead; his nose scrunched up in what I could assume was disbelief and disturbance upon hearing the news.

Though he was shockingly silent.

And finally, none other than Mr. Doan, a complete antithesis to the reactions around him, was a full smile etched against his face. Though this time the smiled seemed a bit more cunning—amused if I might even say. The news was clearly unexpected to him, but a great pleasure for him to be a part of in hearing.

I had no idea what he was thinking nor did I wish to understand the depths of his odd mind.

I turned my attention back to the front end of the table where the most prominent individuals sat, just in time for the High Chancellor to open his mouth and speak.

"Y-your Royal Highness... I think you have been mistaken. And I'm not sure if I heard correctly, but you are claiming that my daughter is your niece... that is impossible." His voice was clearly trembling and filled with angst as he dared question my aunt's former statement.

Aunt Aquila looked over at the Chancellor with tired eyes, "High Chancellor Taniel, I do not misspeak. Everything that I had said is factual. Are you claiming that I don't know what I'm talking about?" She inquired with a quick click of her tongue.