the kiah

chapter 3: the debut ceremony [part 3]

The ride to the royal capital took four hours. Ailith was sharing a carriage with her stepmother who constantly nagged her to behave herself and find a good man in the ball to get married.
[just like any other female on this continent]
Ailith seemed unbothered, her face emotionless the whole time, always stoic making it difficult for others to read her thoughts and emotions. She had been same since her mothers death.
Ailith ignored her stepmother's nagging and focused outside the window. Looking over the fields passing by, her eyes taking in everything not letting her inner thoughts out.
The fields were soon replaced by houses made of stone and having beautiful gardens. Ailith waved at the people gathering around to see which noble arrived.
When the people saw the emblem of the grand duke of house zosia they cheered, wishing ailith happy birthday and a long happy life, while some also gave greetings to the others in her family. Some bowed in greeting while some focused more on the knights around the four carriages.
Under the blessings and watchful eyes of the public the carriages entered the gates of royal palace vanishing from the eyes of commoners but they werent bothered afterall ailith was famous for being kind and understanding yet strict. A perfect candidate to become a crown princess.
As the public gossiped, the carriages halted in front of the royal palace. The head maid was waiting there for escorting the zosia family to the royals.
"remember what i told you, do not mess up anything understood?" ophelia was a nervous mess as she reminded ailith to mind her manners again whispering while ralan just shook his head.
"give the child a break milady, you are just increasing her nervousness. Its not the first time she is meeting the royal family" ralan smiled softly at ailith who gave him a grateful glance secretly hidden from ophelia.
Nichol who was moving beside ailith behind their parents glanced at the girl who was focused, confident and elegant.
Ever since he arrived in the zosia household and became her brother, ailith had taken at least one meal with him per day. She also cooked something for him everyday for his afternoon snacks but till now no matter how many times he tried he couldnt understand this sister of his.
She was like a puppet moving on someones orders but sometimes she would just act out of character.
Most of the time she was just like how a lady should be, learning how to cook, embroider, gardening and studying but sometimes he secretly noticed her sneaking into the kitchen, in the library and even the training field.
Yet he didnt know how much she knows, as ailith had barely spoken much to him, yet behaved like a good little sister that made him be protective of her.
"if you want to leave just tell me, i am there for you" nichol whispered to ailith who glanced at him nodding and smiling softly.
Nichol wanted to protect that smile.
"we are here, the royal family would meet you now" the head maid spoke as a steward announced their arrival and the guards opened the doors.
Ralan and ophelia entered first followed by nichol who was escorting ailith.
Once in front the ducal family bowed.
"greetings to the sun of the empire, his majesty philip arsenia, to the moon of the empire her majesty serena reynard, to the brightest star her highness queen melisende atman, may the blessings and longetivity befall the arsenia empire"
"raise" a voice called.  The voice was filled with commanding aura which demanded respect, loyalty and submission. The majestic voice belonged to the emperor of arsenia empire philip arsenia.
Ailith glanced up after standing straight, the place they were in was a throne room where three thrones sat after the light stairs.
The whole. Place was coloured in red and gold, the walls held the rare paintings and antiques, the floor covered in carpet while the paintings filled ceiling contained huge glass chandelier.
On the throne sat the emperor in his late thirties, his golden blond hair shined below the crown, while his blue eyes were focused on her. On his left was the empress, with her black hair and golden eyes while the queen was on his right her blond hair and golden eyes judging her.
"you have grown well, i believe the ceremonial rituals went well?"
"the rituals went well. Ailith completed the rituals outstandingly, properly reciting the scriptures and cooking a delicious meal"
The royal family looked satisfied by the responce as their gaze returned to ailith who was silently observing everything around.
"then we believe you would allow us to taste your cooking someday" the emperor laughed lightly as ailith bowed
"as your majesty wishes"
"for now let us bless the child" the empress motioned for a servant. Soon there were several boxes presented in front of ailith. None of the boxes seem simple but were inticately designed with jewels. Ailith touched the boxes before the royal servants handed the boxes to zosia house servants that arrived with them.
Ailith bowed again "i ailith ione zosia thank your royal majesty for the blessings"
"good child go get ready for the ball, you have to meet many aquaintances today" the empress smiled as the zosia family bowed and left.
"dear what do you think? Is lady ailith fit to be the crown princess? To marry the crown prince?" the empress asked
"not to sound offending but your majesty the children should chose their partners themselves. What if lady ailith likes someone else such as the second prince? We should not kill the love" the queen who had been quiet spoke her challenging gaze meeting the empress steadily.
The two ladies glared at each other until the emperor felt the sparks begin igniting.
With no choice he stopped the fight giving his opinion and the final decision on the matter
"lady ailith would be free to choose whom to marry, while the princes and any other noblemen would be free to court her their way. But make sure they do not force her for anything"
Satisfied the two ladies grinned making the emperor shudder praying for ailith's well being. While he too was curious who lady ailith would choose as her partner hopefully it would be one of the two prince.