Special CH. 04

The garden of Allandis imperial palace was packed with invited nobles and aristocrats to celebrate the seventh birthday of the prince. Some guests truly wish to greet the prince, but of course, there is an ambitious family who dreamt of settling close ties with his royal highness' son to gain favor. 

It is undeniable that social gatherings were one of the paths to the social ladder.  Hence, it is like a battlefield instead of an ordinary celebration. Thus, the marquises are on high alert to ensure the safety of everyone. 

Since the empress is fond of flowers, she decided to use her beautiful garden as a venue for her son's birthday which took her a week to finish the interior, with the helping hands of servants.

The table clothes are decorated with the usual embroidered sparkling diamonds attached to the hem of each blue cover, and on top of the tables are gold cutleries and dishware. 

Those with a vulture eye that captures the unspoken wealth displayed had assumed amassed fortune was spent to pull off extravagant textiles, such as fabrics, lights, and so forth, but this was nothing new for the guest because it was a royal family's celebration, after all. 

One of the guests had failed to keep his curiosity to himself. Before he knew it, his mouth blabbered to the emperor. He asked, “Your royal highness, this place is beautiful. Dear me, I assumed it cost a lot of fortune."

"Worry not. The materials used here are all gifted to the imperial palace," the emperor replied, followed by a wide smile as he thought of his wife. Then added, "The empress is frugal and wise enough to use them instead of putting them in the auction, for it was a waste and disrespect to put them in an auction since they were all valuables from other homelands."

"The empress organized this party, your royal highness?"

"She's an amazing woman, isn't she?" Viishaun replied, still wearing a sweet smile. It's not just his lips that were smiling, but his eyes, as well. "Now, if you excuse me, gentleman. I have to fetch my wife and son," he added.

"O-of course, your royal highness," the guest replied as he gave way for the emperor to pass through.

On his way to the main mansion, he asked the passerby maid, "Have you seen the empress and the prince?"

"Your royal highness, why did you leave the guest?" Scheriziel asked as soon as she recognized her husband. She was on her way to the garden to officially start the program.

"Everyone is looking for you and this fella'  too," Viishaun replied as he lifted the young prince.

"Father, I'm big now, so do not carry me like a baby," Vinziel uttered as he kissed the emperor's cheek.

"If you say so," Viishaun replied. 

 The emperor let Vinziel walk on his own. Then, Viishaun insisted on holding the prince's left wrist. Meanwhile, the other hand was held by the empress.

They greeted everyone as they joined the feast. Shortly after, guests suit themselves at the table and enjoy the delicacies. However, when a new delicacy had passed through, the empress suddenly felt nausea.

The guest who witnessed the empress's nausea had gasped and whispered among themselves.

Viishaun caressed his wife's back and uttered, “I think I've seen this sign before.”

“Don't grin yet. We're not yet sure," Scheriziel reacted.

"Happy birthday, Vinziel. Your sister will be joining us on your next birthday," says Viishaun.

"Didn't I tell you not to spill it yet? We're not yet—" The empress was not able to finish her statement as she rushed to the nearest lavatory.

"Really? Does it mean you guys had drawn my sister without me?" Vinziel asked while following his father, who had chased after the empress.