Why The Hell is Fate Trying to Kill Me?

Chapter 60 Opening Feast

The distance between our White Pavilion and the Royal Pavilion was short, yet it felt like crossing in a thousand steps. We had changed our dress and matched as a family, pristine white.

We moved as a single family. Father led the way with Mother on his arm. Aurelio walked a step behind them on the left, looking flawless in his white suit. As I walked on the right, mirroring him.

"Shoulders back, Aurelio," Mother whispered. "You represent the future of this House."

"Yes, my mother," Aurelio replied instantly.

The Royal Pavilion was a cavern of blue velvet and gold pillars. As the herald in front of the tents saw us, he immediately announced our arrival to the inside.

"Presenting the House of Aurelius..."

As his voice shouted, echoing off the tent walls.

"The Duke and Duchess of Aurelius with their young lord and young lady."

As we entered, some eyes turned toward us.

To my right, the House of Aemilia was a little bit chaotic, as laughter erupted from their table. As Lady Eliana was there, loud and lively, though her eyes lingered for a moment on my father before she raised her glass to him.

To my left, the table draped in black leather was completely empty. Looking at the table, I assumed it was the table for House Valerius, yet they had not arrived.

However, near the High Table, there was another significant group.

"The Regent is here," Father said with emptiness in his voice.

Sitting at a table was the Regent of the Kingdom, Cato Justina. The position that should have been held by my father. And beside him sat his daughter, Lady Anna Justina.

While everyone in here was sharp and imposing power, she was... soft. She wore a gown of pale lavender that floated around her figure. Her short red hair and her gaze looked perpetually innocent.

As I looked at Lady Anna, I saw her glance towards the High Table. She wasn't looking at the food; instead, she was looking at the Crown Prince.

We approached the High Table. The King was absent as the Queen sat alone in the centre. To her right sat the Crown Prince Fabian. He sat at the edge, looking utterly bored. To her left sat the Second Princess and the Third Prince, both engaged in conversation with each other.

"Your Majesty," my father said as we didn't show any bow towards the Royal.

"Duchess," the Queen said. "We were worried the 'pristine' white of your dress might get stained by the rustic surroundings."

"The mud is an inconvenience," Mother replied smoothly. "But one endures for the sake of..." Her smile sharp as a blade, "unity. Besides, white is easily cleaned if one knows the proper methods."

The air between them snapped.

"Please, take a seat..." the Queen said coldly. "And for Aurelia, I think Aurelia should take a seat beside Fabian..." She showed a smile toward my mother, "For sake...Unity..."

My mother's smile didn't change, yet I saw her eyes sharpen. It was a command from the Queen. To refuse would be to break the fragile illusion of unity, as my mother, who presented the word first, and the Queen just echoed it back with me as captive.

"Go, Aurelia," Mother said softly, though her voice was stern.

I said while clutching my skirt. "Yes, Mother."

I stepped away from my family, seeing that Lady Octavi was behind my family and immediately walked behind me. Aurelio and my parents took their seats at their table, which was covered in a white tablecloth embroidered with gold thread.