The Second Lady of The Black Dragon

The Audacity

Then, I stood up and made a 45 degree bow(saikeirei) with my hand on chest to The Imperial Family along with the other nobles that are here. After 60 seconds later, The Emperor said, "Rise, everyone." with a voice that everyone can hear.

Just how can you make everyone hear your voice without any microphone? Moreover, you are not even shouting?

We rise our head and only standing with our face facing The Imperial Family. Then, The Emperor step back a little and a figure can be seen is at the front. I realised who it is. From a smile to an enjoyment-angry smile is written on my face after seeing who the person is.

The Cr- oh sorry. The First Prince....

"Thank you, everyone for coming to my banquet today. It is an honor for me. Now, let us begin The Banquet!" say The First Prince follow by the sound of clapping from everyone including me.

With that, The Imperial Family are on their way to sit on their thrones. From the left, The Third Prince is sitting follow by The Second Empress, The Emperor, The First Empress, The First Prince and The Second Princess.

The Grand Duchess suddenly came here and say, "Let's go. Our family will be the first to greet The Imperial Family. Along with your gifts." I stand up from my seat and follow The Grand Duchess to the Thrones.

It's not that we want to greet them first, it just The Algaria is so powerful that we have to greet them first.
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"We, The Algaria, greet Your Majesties and Highnesses." greet The Grand Duchess while doing the greeting bow for women and girls with The Third Lady and I at the back.

"Ah, you guys that came here. It must be a long journey coming here, eh?" say The Emperor to us with a happy smile.

"No, not at all, Your Majesty." reply The Grand Duchess with a smile after she raised her head. I also already raised my head and the first person I saw is.... The First Prince.

There are 6 people here. Why I saw him first out of all people?

"It must be a good journey then. Where is The Grand Duke? Or are you three came here by yourselves?" ask The Emperor.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We came here by ourselves. The Grand Duke and The Young Duke didn't came as they have something to do." answer The Grand Duchess.

"Is it something more important than my birthday?" intercept The First Prince.

"Ah no, I didn't mean it that way." reply The Grand Duchess with a 'what to say?' on her face but still a smile covering it.

"Then, what do you mean exactly?" ask The First Prince trying to troubling The Grand Duchess.

"It just that..." The Grand Duchess trying to answer the question.

"It just that your highness invited only three or less people in each family. Besides, The Grand Duke and The Young Duke asked us to come instead." answer me with a smile plus serious expression. Then, The First Prince glance at me... or glare at me.

The Third Lady then completed my talking with, "They said 'Happy Birthday, your highness." with an innocent smile.

"And this is your gift from my brother!" say The Third Lady with her innocent smile. The First Prince then focus on the gift and say, "Thank you!".

"This is my gift." says me to The First Prince. His eyes are on my gift. I give to His Highness and he take it from my hand. He give me a cold 'Thank you'.

"I also have a gift for everyone. Where can I put it, Your Majesty?" ask me to The First Empress. After hearing that, The Third Prince and The Second Princess show a silent enjoyment at me. I then smile at them.