The gate to Drakethorne Palace opened. The royal carriage, followed by knights and troops on all four sides, moved slowly through the entrance.
Alex Drakethorne stood at the palace entrance with his parents. His mother, Sera Azurestorm, was to his left, while his father, Shane Drakethorne, was to his right.
The carriage slowly approached the Drakethorne family and stopped. A knight, distinguished by his decorated armor and commanding presence, stepped forward from the group of soldiers and made his way to the carriage door to open it.
Catherine Fairwind, the empress of the Evernight Empire, stepped out in a crimson dress that hugged her waist, emphasizing her mature appearance. Her daughter, the royal princess Eva Evernight, followed behind.
Catherine smiled at the Drakethorne family, who in return bowed their head and welcomed them to the Drakethorne estate. Eva was busy looking around. She found Drakethorne's garden and fountain at its center beautiful.
Empress Catherine Fairwind said,"There is no need for such a formality when we are by ourselves, and we are family now". She said, looking at Alex Drakethorne, who was a miniature version of Shane Drakethorne and Sera Azurestorm.
All three of them lifted their head. Shane Drakethorne said, "We are not close enough yet, as this marriage is not set in stone. We must show respect to the royal family, just as our previous generation did."
Empress Catherine Fairwind just smiled at his response; she, too, had felt how everyone wanted to be formal around her, but she didn't want this from her daughter's future family.
The Empress turned to Sera Azurestorm, ready to suggest her husband drop the formality.
Empress Catherine Fairwind and Sera Azurestorm had been friends for a long time, drawn together by their personalities. They often met at banquets and ceremonies. Sera Azurestorm faked a cough to ease the tension and said, "We should talk inside. Let's go inside."
Alex Drakethorne observed his fiancée, who was busy looking at their garden. Her beauty captivated him; she wore a long white dress that stopped a few inches above her feet. When Princess Eva Evernight turned and met his gaze, Alex's cheeks flushed red. Embarrassed, he looked away and tried to calm himself.
"Calm yourself, Alex. You are meeting her for the first time; make a good impression," Alex told himself.
Alex turned back to face Eva Evernight. He noticed she had come near them, with Empress Catherine Fairwind following just behind. Alex looked straight into her eyes, maintaining the dignity of the heir, but from within, he was screaming, "Why is she coming towards me? Indeed, she is beautiful, but I have not fallen for her yet. What if she has fallen for me and wants to talk?" At this point, Alex had thought too deeply, unaware that Eva Evernight was not thinking any of this at all.
Princess Eva Evernight took a few steps back from the Drakethorne family. Lightly pinching the edges of her dress, she offered a measured, restrained bow. It was graceful and dignified, befitting someone of imperial blood, and acknowledged the power of the Drakethorne family.
Soon, Sera Azurestorm slowly touched the sides of Eva Evernight's shoulder and said, "No need for such things, I am like your mother, talk freely to me. You may not have known me, but I have seen you many times when you were just a small child".
Shane Drakethorne, who was rigid and unyielding, loosened himself up, gave a fake cough, then turned around to go inside the palace. The others followed him into the hall. Sofas were neatly arranged, and a table stood at the center, topped with cookies and tea.
Alex Drakethorne quietly followed behind his dad and Eva Evernight, as if she wanted to talk to Alex. She quickly ran up to Alex and followed just a step behind Alex.
Sera Azurestorm and Catherine Fairwind slowly followed from the end as they talked about their little things, as they hadn't been able to meet for a long time.
Ragnar Drakethorne and Nyra Blackheart were not present as they had gone to fulfill their respective duties shortly after their stay at the estate. The former went to the borders while the latter went back to her magic tower. They could only stay with Alex for a few months, where they looked after Alex Drakethorne and guided Shane Drakethorne to stabilize his Paragon rank.
They felt resistance to going back as they didn't want to miss seeing Alex's childhood and growth. So they came back periodically and stayed one or two days each time. During those one or two days, they would cling to Alex and play with him.
- - - -
Alex Drakethorne sat on the center sofa with his mother, Sera Azurestorm, while Shane Drakethorne took the single left-end seat. At the other end, a royal duo, mother and daughter, occupied the right-hand sofa.
Alex Drakethorne was eating cookies with his little hand, looking at Eva Evernight, who was also enjoying cookies.
Meanwhile, the other three busied themselves with conversation. They discussed the state of the economy, borders, demons, gates, and politics. The way they spoke suggested they were accustomed to such topics, likely trained from childhood to uphold noble standards, which made them seem flawless.
These topics were minor, and Alex and Eva were mostly well-informed about them on their own, except for a few occasional things. So, they quietly listened to the conversation.
After a while, Shane Drakethorne looked through his side eye at Sera Azurestorm, who was busy talking with the empress as if queuing her to say what they had been thinking.
Sera Azurestor, understanding the intent of her husband, said, "Catherine, we've talked about this a lot of times, and I don't want to repeat it again. But, you know, right now this marriage is not set in stone, and your family or my son can nullify it."
She added without waiting for the response of Empress Catherine Fairwind,"My husband doesn't like this marriage arrangement between Alex and Princess Eva. He feels this binds both Alex's and the princess's freedom, and that is not right. Should we cancel it?"
Empress Catherine Fairwind replied, "Oh dear, you've told me this a million times by now."
Catherine Fairwind sighed and said,"Yes, indeed, we can end it from our side, but I can't do so without the Emperor's permission. And, we must let them have their choice, let Alex and Eva grow and think for themselves, isn't that what we should do for now?"
Shane Drakethorne was not satisfied with this response at all, but knew that Empress Catherine Fairwind couldn't decide this without her husband's permission; if not, the consequences wouldn't be good for both parties.
Empress Catherine Fairwind, tired of being questioned about the marriage by Sera Azurestorm on every occasion, glanced at her daughter and Alex. "They have just met. Let them talk and play," she said.
Sera Azurestorm, understanding the Empress's intention, gently smoothed Alex's hair, careful not to disturb his neat appearance, and said, "Go out and play with Eva. She seems interested in the garden. Take her there."
Alex Drakethorne looked at his mother, his eyes pleading, "Do I have to? I don't want to right now." He was unsure what to discuss with his fiancée; he had not spoken with anyone of the opposite gender of his age, and he was restricted to the palace and was not allowed to leave its gates. All the maids and servants in the palace were older than him.
Sera Azurestorm looked at her son's azure eyes that resembled her azure eyes to say there is no other way, and he must do it.
Alex Drakthorne stood up and looked at Eva Evernight, who had been quietly watching his interaction with his mother. He moved from his sofa to the right end, approached Eva Evernight, took her hand, and said, "Let's go to the garden."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and began walking, prompting Eva to stand and follow him. Their hands remained joined as Alex guided Princess Eva to the garden.
Looking at his son's boldness, Shane Drakethorne smiled and thought maybe he should let go of this matter of marriage to his son's hand and let him decide for himself.
Both Sera Azurestrom and Catherine Fairwind looked at each other and laughed, saying, "Alex is so bold."
They soon regained their composure and shifted to more serious matters—ones they preferred their children not hear. Earlier, they'd discussed trivial topics, mindful of how perceptive their children were, as they didn't want them to worry much about the state of the world just yet.
As he guided the royal princess towards the garden. He found out he was still holding the hand of a royal princess, and he had initiated this. He felt his cheeks turning red, but decided to control them as they both continued marching towards the garden.
All the servants, maids, and troops bowed their heads in respect to their heir and royal princess as they passed by them, and were shocked to see this side of their heir.
They laughed it out inside and gave a thumbs-up to the heir in their mind for his bravery.