"We offer these gifts as a symbol of our gratitude and devotion to you, our most beloved gods," the High Priest says as he raises a golden bowl.
Everyone present around the Imperial Temple square bow as the High Priest pours the contents of the bowl into a stone cauldron on top of a marble pillar. The summer sun blazes in the middle of the sky but the atmosphere is completely solemn. The Offering Ritual is a very important yearly event during the Founding Anniversary of the Empire with people from all walks of life and from different countries in the continent visiting the Capital just to witness it.
"Please accept our gifts and continue to watch over our Empire," Crown Prince Henrik lights up the cauldron using a torch and bows.
The clocktower bells ring, signaling that it is exactly 12 noon. The Offering Ritual has successfully been performed and all the people cheer. Nikolaidis gently grabs Estelle's hand as they found their way out of the crowd.
That was an interesting ritual, Estelle thought to herself as she walked with her husband. Most people in this world are quite devoted to their religion, which is surprising considering that this is a fantasy world in a novel.
"The rumors must be true," she overhears a blonde woman ahead of them whispering loudly to the man beside her.
The man takes off his hat and fans himself with it, "that the Emperor is very ill?"
The woman nods and says, "his majesty must be too sick to perform the ritual but the Crown Prince didn't look fitting doing it in his stead."
"Cousin, you shouldn't be saying that out in public! Although, I do agree with you..."
"Everyone in my town thinks the Duke of Blanchard should become the next Emperor. He's accomplished so much..."
Estelle couldn't hear the rest of their conversation as she had to get on their carriage. She knows Niko also heard what they were talking about but he says nothing as they rode to the Imperial Palace. He seems to be in deep thought as she turns to look at him from time to time.
I know Niko doesn't want to become the next Emperor but he can't stop the people from talking. I think they only want what's best for the Empire that's why they wish for him to lead but I don't want Niko to stress about this too much. We're supposed to enjoy the Founding Anniversary Festival.
"I'm so excited to dance with you at the ball tonight, Niko!" Estelle speaks to lighten up the mood.
She smiles at the duke and takes both his hands, "let's dance together until our feet become sore!"
He lets out a small chuckle and squeezes her hands, "no, my love. I don't want your feet to hurt. Let's just dance to... Three songs? Alright?"
The Duchess nods, happy to see Niko smiling. He frees a hand out her grasp and cradles her face. Gazing at her with his ocean blue eyes, he tells her softy, "no one else is allowed to dance with you."
~•~ ~•~ ~•••~ ~•~ ~•~
Nikolaidis taps his feet as he waits for his wife in the sitting area of their bedroom. He hasn't seen her for hours as she had to get ready for the ball. He knows that ladies take a very long time to prepare themselves, especially for special events but Estelle was taking longer than usual. It's almost time for the Imperial Ball to begin.
Finally, the Duchess emerges from the powder room. The Duke feels as if his breath has been taken away upon seeing his beloved. She looks absolutely beautiful, wearing a red ball gown with her hair braided softly to one side. It feels like I've fallen in love with Estelle all over again.
He stands up from the couch he was seated in and offers his arm, "I must be the luckiest man in the entire world."
"Why?" She asks as she takes his arm, her golden eyes twinkle like stars in the night sky.
"Because I'm married to the most beautiful woman."
Estelle laughs, her cheeks turning pink from her husband's words, "let's go to the ballroom now, Niko."
"Announcing the entrance of the Duke and Duchess of the Blanchard Dukedom, his excellency, Duke Nikolaidis Carvelho de Blanchard and, her grace, Duchess Estelle Beauvoir-Carvelho de Blanchard."
The majestic doors to the grand ballroom of Ghesquire Palace open and the Ducal couple step inside, all eyes on them. The Imperial Ball is held on the second day of the Founding Anniversary Festival and only the most important people in the continent are invited to the event. Mostly the royal families of the countries under the rule of the Empire are the guests. It's not the first time that Nikolaidis was asked to join this exclusive soirée but it's the first time he's coming as a married man.
Although he's worried about what will happen tonight, he has a sense of pride within him knowing that Estelle is beside him. I'm not the type to brag but, when it comes to Estelle, I want to show off to the world that I'm married to the most beautiful and amazing lady. My wife isn't just a pretty face but she's also kind, caring, supportive, intelligent, and the list goes on and on.
The Duke gives a nod to Grand Duke Marcos, who's standing beside his wife Grand Duchess Agatha, making eye contact with him as they pass by. The Grand Duke is talking to King Raymond of Wonheim, a prominent member of the Imperial Council. It's really sinking in that tonight my succession to the Grand Duke title will be made known to everyone.
Trumpets suddenly sound and all the guest face the entrance of the room. The court herald speaks, "announcing the arrival of the Imperial Family; her Royal Highness, Princess Athisha Ludington; her Royal Highness, Princess Athmichela Ludington."
The twin princess enter, wearing matching tiaras that shine under the lights, and everyone bows.
The herald continues, "his Imperial Highness, Crown Prince Henrik Ludington, with her Imperial Highness, Crown Princess Yulya Ludington."
It's been a while since I last saw him wearing a crown, Nikolaidis thinks as Prince Henrik enters with his wife holding his arm. The Crown Prince keeps his icy gaze straight ahead as he passes, not bothering to look at Nikolaidis and Estelle who were both bowing respectfully to the royals.
"And, his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Maghnus Ludington de Ghesquire the Third."
"May the gods pour blessings upon all your days, our Imperial Majesty!" Everyone says while bowing to the Emperor who slowly makes his way to the throne, his three children and daughter-in-law at his side.
"Thank you for coming to this year's Imperial Ball," the Emperor speaks. He looks weaker than the last time they had seen him.
Emperor Maghnus takes a seat before continuing, "we have many reasons to celebrate as our Empire has continued to prosper. I know that this is the blessings of the gods and it is also because of all of you, my loyal subjects' efforts. I cannot acknowledge every single one of you but I assure that your contribution to the Empire is not left unrecognized."
The crowd bursts into loud claps. The emperor raises his hand to silence them, "as per tradition, this is also the event where I make announcements that are significant to our empire. First, it brings me great joy to make known that my daughters, the twin Princesses, are engaged and to be wed next spring. Princess Athisha will marry Prince Krisham, Crown Prince of Avignon. Princess Athmichela will marry Prince Lazaro, Crown Prince of Ulydel. Their marriages will not only strengthen the alliance of our colonies but will also secure a strong bloodline for the future of our Empire."
The twins step forward with their fiancés and more applause follow. The men beside the Princesses are familiar to the Duke as he's been previously acquainted to them.
"Were their marriages arranged?" Estelle whispers to Nikolaidis. He nods to her in response.
"But they appear happy and seem to match well with their future husbands, good for them. It looks like we'll be attending a lot of events come spring," she says with a lighthearted laugh.
The Duke smiles at his wife, "it seems so, my love."
"Secondly, I'd like to announce that I, together with the Imperial Council, have already chosen the heir to the title of Grand Duke of Ghesquire. As you must know, my younger brother, Grand Duke Marcos, will retire from his position early and has left no heir."
The crowd murmurs, speculating who will be the person named. This is such an important title because in the Ghesquire Imperial line of succession, after the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, it is the Grand Duke who is third in line to be Emperor. Nikolaidis swallows hard, expecting what's to come next.
"The next Grand Duke will be Nikolaidis Carvelho, the current Duke of Blanchard. He will remain ruler of the Blanchard Dukedom while earning the higher title of Grand Duke and will be crowned after the end of the Founding Anniversary festivities."
All the guests are surprised but pleased with the revelation. They turn their eyes to Nikolaidis and clap for him approvingly. The Duke steps forward and gracefully bows to the Emperor.
"Let's hear a few words from Duke Nikolaidis," Emperor Maghnus says.
Nikolaidis didn't prepare a speech but he knows this is the perfect moment to appease Crown Prince Henrik and make the Prince know he has no intentions to compete for the throne.