I was resting in my room when someone knock, when I opened the door it was the maids that keep on glaring at me back then.
"We are sent here to help you prepare for the Dinner, Miss. If you are ready we could start the preparations now."
My eyes widened when I saw the dress that the emperor sent. It was adorned by jewels!
"But I don't need it, why did the emperor even sent a new dress."
"The Emperor said that if you refuse he will not allow you to go to the festival." I squint my eyes and let them inside. I asked them if Sir Bram already arrived and they said he is currently on the way.
"Miss please do close your eyes."
"Just a light make up will do."
"Yes, Miss." I closed my eyes and let them do my make up. When they are done I opened my eyes and smile, it looks good on me.
"Thank you."
"Now Miss, you need to get dress. We will help you put it." I nod and I told them to adjust the dress because it was tight on the chest part, I can't breathe well.
When I was done they excuse and leave me, I look at the mirror for the second time.
My brown hair was curled and was adorned by gold hair pins. And the pink dress that complimented my skin tone well. I touch my face and do a smile.
"I hope, I don't look weird." After I was done checking myself I go staright to His Majesty's office.
"Your Majesty, it's me Shanara."
"Yes, come in." I take a deep breathe and nervously put my hand on the doorknob.
Well this is my first time wearing such a beautiful dress so I don't know If this really suit to me.
"I greet His Majesty the Emperor."
"Hmm. Can you look at me and do turn around." Confused I do what he said.
He put his hand on his chin, squint his eyes and studied me then the corners of his mouth turned up.
Is he laughing inside because I do not look good in it? Floor I want you to eat me, right now!
"You look perfect, Pink looks good on you." I made a smile and then I heard him murmured something. I just ignore it and said my thanks.
"T-Thank you for the compliment." I felt my face heated and he offered his hand I took it and we exited his office.
Then the knights opened the door of the dining room. I closed my eyes for a moment because the lights are blinding and there I saw the twins and Sir Bram. When they saw us his mouth curved into a smile.
+++
After questing the man Altemere immediately changed his clothes and go to his office, while waiting for Shanara and Raven Bram.
The man finally talked after an hour when he saw the things they will used to torture him, he immediately talked. He said that he act all alone and no one sent him. But the emperor doubt it...
"Your Majesty we already sent a carriage."
"You may go now."
The Emperor waited for Shanara. Getting bored He then tapped his feet on the floor then rest his chin on his right hand.
"Why is she taking too long? Does ladies really spent hours just to dress?"
Sighed. The Emperor continue his work and sip on his tea. When he is finally done there is still no sign of Shanara.
"Should I go to her room..."
Tok Tok Tok
"Your Majesty, it's me Shanara." his whole face lit up.
"Yes, come in." The Emperor slightly gasped when she saw Shanara.
"I greet His Majesty the Emperor." He nod.
"Hmm. Can you look at me and do turn around." Even though she was Confused she do what the Emperor said.
Wearing the pink dress that he carefully choose, Shanara turn around. Satisfied by her look, He plastered a smile on his face
"You look perfect, Pink looks good on you."
'But she looks more beautiful perhaps in white?'
A sudden  thought popped and his heart started to beat fast.
"This is bad for my heart..."
"T-Thank you for the compliment." Her Brown her eyes twinkled when she made a sweet smile. He then offered his hand and she carefully take it.
The knights opened the doors and the twins welcomed them.
"Shanara you seat beside us, okay?"
"Yes, young prince." Then the two of them snatched Shanara away from Altemere.
"Your Majesty, again thank you for this wonderful opportunity."
"No, we thank you for saving Shanara."
"Yeah, Brother's right." Then the two prince thank Raven.
"Let's all sit down, enjoy the dinner."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Shanara, I want that."
"Help the prince-"
"No, I only want Shanara." the young prince cut the emperor.
"Okay, Fine." Then the two of them smiled widely. He wanted to get mad at the twins for bothering Shanara but she looks happy so he just continue eating.
"Did you already think of a reward you want?"
"No need Your Majesty. I didn't save her so I can receive a reward, This dinner is enough."
"That won't do, perhaps a land or a title."
"I'm from Erden Empire Your Majesty, so I cannot accept the title or land."
"Shanara, come here for a second." The prince grabbed Shanara's hand, then she come close to the prince.
"What is it?"
"That man keeps on looking on you."
"What is wrong with that?" Shanara looked at Raven who was talking to the emperor.
"I don't like him."
"Uh I also don't like him..." then the prince face turned red.
"Cute."
"You two stop bothering Shanara."
"No were not, you are just jealous."
"Ha! Me jealous? Just you know, well we are planning to go on the festival, just the two of us. And you two will be stuck in here."
"No!"
"Yes!" Then the Emperor started to laugh.
"I really hate brother."
"The twins really like the Lady." They all looked at Raven, the twins groan and continue eating while the Emperor nods.
"What a warm and harmonious family you have, I suddenly miss my parents."
"Come to think of, are you here perhaps to saw the festival?"
"Well, there is another reason. I was finding this person..."
She watch Raven and shrugged her shoulders. Shanara think that he was kinda suspicious because of his mysterious aura but she disregard that thought.
"Who is that person, we can help you."
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. He is my uncle, Dwayne Campbell. They were banished from the Erden Empire and its been years since the last time I saw him."
"Look forward on meeting him again."
"Rest assured Sir Bram we will find your uncle."
"Thank you..." the dinner ended peacefully and after that the Emperor offered to drink, just one glass of wine. While the twins requested that Shanara should sing a lullaby to them.
Time goes by so fast it's already the festival. The Emperor and Shanara made sure to finished work before the pink moon showed up. Wearing a commoners clothes the Emperor offered his hands.
"Let's go." Shanara hesitated first if they should sneak out without any knights. He then smiled. "Trust me."
"Yes..." and the time he held the Emperor's hand the door suddenly open.
"There you are, brother let us go with you two!"
"Sleep early so both of you will grow tall, Bye!"
"Brother!"
"No Shanara, wait-" she bit her lip and mouthed sorry to the twins.
"Pardon me." He also held her other hand. "Now, Jump." Shanara felt her heart started to beat so fast. She made a smile and face the Emperor.
"This is amazing, Your Majesty! I woudn't know that you knew how to wield magic if I was not there when they tried to well assassinate you."
"I never knew that I was going to be the emperor at such a young age. But if father was still alive maybe I am now a mage."
They landed on a place where there is no one around, there is a loud music, beautiful lights that shine brightly and food stalls.
He then watch Shanara's whole face lit up, her eyes was sparkling because of the lights and the wind that slightly blowing her hair.
"Beautiful..."
"Your Right, Your Majesty!" Then she excitedly grabbed his hand and pulled him to one of the stalls. Shanara smile fade when she suddenly remember.
"Ahh, Your Majesty your face." She tried to cover his face using her hands. People look at them wondering what is going on. Then Altemere chuckled.
"It's fine Shanara, I altered our apperance. Now take a deep breathe."
"That scared me."
"Let's buy foods now and get immediately on the tower." When they finally get enough food Shanara hold onto the emperor hands as they fly to go on top of the tower. Sitting on the roof top, Shanara look down.
"Woah, it's really high. Scary."
"Don't be scared we won't fall. Now don't take off your eyes to the moon."
Just like magic the moon slowly turned into a pink moon. She got goosebumps as she watch it. She thought if that was some kind of magic.
"Its fascinating." The crowd who was watching it clap their hands and then the fireworks diaplay started.
"Well you can only see this here in Orion."
"Your Majesty, I am truly grateful that I met you. Thank you for letting me see this."
"We still have many years ahead, we can watch it again, buy foods from the stalls, eating under the fireworks."
"Yes, I would love that." Then it was suddenly interrupted the twins already found them.
"No way, they really find us."
"That was cute." No choice they get down, Altemere glared at Sir William.
"I have no choice they won't stop crying."
"Shanara let's go buy foods."
"Sure Your Highness."
"No, please don't ruin everything." The twins look at their brother then stuck out their tongue.
The emperor was not in the mood after that while the clueless Shanara and the twins enjoyed the rest of the night. Not knowing someone was watching them.
"Found you."
-IAmRoseee