Beginning

Chapter 14

As all the royals were finishing their meal, Titania and her mother were deep into another round of gossip, which seemed to be the only thing they can talk about when they aren't patronizing each other. Lucain sat in his seat and shook his head at the two before he spoke up, interrupting the two as they fell into a fit of giggles, looking in Stefania's direction, "My dear, don't you think it is about time we should give Titania a quick briefing on tonight's events before our guest arrive?"

Titania tried to hide a smug smile that tried to form at her lips when her father mentioned the briefing her. In all honestly, she might be able to brief her father better than he could her.

Stefania tipped her glass back, emptying its contents has she tried to keep her laughter down, "Oh why bother, we haven't been able to surprise her in decades. She probably already knows what the cake tastes like and what age of sange we are going to be using." It became relatively harder for Titania to hide her smirk when her mother was exactly right about her knowing everything. Stefania noticed this small grin on her daughter's face, and her own mischievous grin started to form as she said, "That is, except for your surprise later tonight, I highly doubt you have been able to spy your way into such knowledge as of yet my little flower."

Titania grew annoyed again at the mocking her mother was giving her for not knowing a well-kept secret. This was the very situation she didn't want to be in when she assigned William to figure out what it was and to report to her. She thought for a moment that perhaps her parent's took extra precaution and ordered William ahead of time not to inform her. She, however, dismissed the thought, knowing that WIlliam's loyalty lied with her more than in the king and queen. Not that William would ever admit to this personally, he is a loyal guardsman in general, but Titania was certain of this fact.

Stefania took pleasure in seeing her daughter squirm in ignorance and couldn't help a bit of laughter to pass from her lips. Lucain also let out a chuckle, both of them not used to having an upper hand on their daughter and we're enjoying it while it lasted. Titania straightens herself up and was determined to not give her parent's anymore of the satisfaction, even if the thought of not knowing burned at her. She kept her chin up as she took a sip of sange, fighting back a look of disdain from appearing on her face.

"Mother, Father, why keep up such a secret from your supposed beloved daughter? I mean honestly, what difference will it make if you're just going to tell me in a little while at my ball?" Titania tried to appear reasonable, to perhaps get her parents to tell her the secret themselves.

Stefania, however, immediately put down that thought. "My dear, you are not getting this surprise until it is time to receive it. But trust that it will be worth the wait and you will love it, it is a birthday present from your father and I. We would never disappoint you."

Titania was disappointed. And irritated now. A present she would love? She concerted begging for the information for a moment but withheld herself from doing so. She trusted William would figure out what the secret was and tell her before the ball. She needed the information before the ball because she will certainly not enjoy being surprised in front of so many people.

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After everyone had finished their meal, a servant came to inform everyone that some of the guests started to arrive already. Lucain stood as he was shaking his head, "Ah the Ozears and Istoks are always the early birds. My dear, you mustn't be seen until the ball tonight, go through the garden back to your hall and you should avoid any guest that may be around."

Titania and Stefania also stood and left the table. Titania nodded her head, "Yes father, I'll start having my maids prepare me for tonight." She then went to both her parents and gave them each a kiss on their cheeks.