Luna stood in front of me adjusting my coat and bow tie.
"That’s enough, Luna, I think I look fine."
She patted my chest before stepping back. I was preparing for the engagement party and the debutante ball. School had gone by uneventfully since it was the last week. Everyone had been pretty excited and that was the only thing they could talk about.
I wasn’t an exception. This meant I could go back to the duchy after all this.
My hand came to her cheek and moved down to her neck touching the new black collar. It had a small green gem that glittered in the light every time it got exposed. It was one of the pieces of jewellery I had bought at the jewelry store during my visit with Seraph.
"It looks beautiful on you."
Luna’s hand covered mine, her eyes bright. A small smile graced her face.
"I think so too, master, you know what’s best for Luna."
This had been the happiest I had seen her. Her green eyes shone more than usual. Though she rarely smiled, I had raised her and I knew what little change on her body or face meant.
"Shall we go, I’ll need to be downstairs before mother and sister. Came down."
She nodded and stepped behind me.
"Have Donovan and Blair organised everything?"
I asked Luna. Since I would be leaving for the duchy, I couldn’t leave my most important experiments out. The baby was on the verge of being born, and she needed a timely transfer to the growth tank.
The incubation tank could only house a foetus since it was a copy of the womb. Abelion, despite his unusual character and quirks, was a competent inventor and engineer.
All the tanks were built differently, temperature-wise, maintenance-wise, none of them were the same, and he made all of them just after telling him their use.
"Yes, the transfer will be done tomorrow you should be able to find them organised. "
Luna said confidently.
"That’s good, I don’t expect less. By the way, what should we name the baby?"
"That is for you to decide. "
"You helped birth her."
I fired back.
"No, young master, I only provided assistance. "
She firmly said denying any credit.
"I don’t care. You’ll be responsible for naming the child."
Luna sighed loudly her frustration escaping.
"Yes, young master."
She answered coldly. I chuckled at her reaction. It was cute.
We arrived at the seating area, and Luna left me to go and check on the carriage to make sure no one tampered with it. It has happened a few times.
"Lucian.."
Seraph’s seductive voice came. I turned to see her coming down the stairs looking gorgeous. A royal blue mermaid dress that hugged her body tightly.
A deep V-neck line left a small glimpse of her breasts, just enough to tempt. Her hair fell over her left shoulder in massive curls, exposing the black earrings I had bought for her.
I extended my arm to her before she stepped down the last stairs and she placed her gloved hands delicately. I lifted her arm and kissed her while maintaining eye contact. She giggled softly.
"You look ravishing."
I whispered softly. A blush appeared on her cheeks before she pulled her hand out of mine.
Footsteps echoed from upstairs, signaling the arrival of mother. She appeared on the stairs and looked down at us, her gaze still cold.
She descended slowly, her high slit wine red gown revealing one of her smooth legs, and came to a stop just two steps on the stairs and extended her arm.
I stepped forward and took it before kissing the matriarch ring which dubbed as the seal on her hand.
"You look exquisite mother."
She smiled and nodded. Sister also came and took her hand. Instead of kissing it she placed her forehead on the ring and stepped back.
"You look stunning mother."
She softly said. Mother touched her cheeks and nodded.
"Be careful, both of you, during the ball."
"Yes, mother."
We both answered at the same time. We walked out of the house with both of them by my side. Luna was waiting by the carriage door her head bowed. I helped mother, then Seraph, before I followed.
Luna, unfortunately, couldn’t come; she had to use the servants’ carriage.
"I hope there will be no incident. "
Seraph’s voice broke the calm silence in the carriage.
"I doubt that with the saintess character, she’ll probably want all the attention to herself. "
I answered a small snicker escaping. The rest of the journey to the palace was filled with small talk between Seraph and me, with Mother listening in.
The carriage came to a slow stop and the door was opened. I got out and helped both of them down the carriage.
It was clear we were the last to arrive since there weren’t any other nobles around, only maids standing at the entrance of the carriage.
"Let’s go."
Mother said and led the way with both of us following behind her. The ballroom was only a small walk away.
I stood between them waiting for our arrival announcement.
I flashed a small smile at Luna before the announcer announced our family’s arrival, and the massive orkan doors were pushed open.
The moment we stepped in, the whole ballroom went quiet, and all their attention turned to us. Opposite us on a balcony slightly above the ballroom was the king and his family.
The saintess was also standing there in white shooting daggers at us. We walked down the red carpet until we came to a stop in front of the king.
We all barely bowed before looking up.
"How nice of you to grace us with your presence duchess. "
The king’s voice vibrated across the whole room. The light from the crystal large chandelier in the middle of the ballroom shone too brightly making his face shine a bit too much for his own good.
"Thank you for the invitation, your majesty, and congratulations to the prince and saintess for their engagement. "
The king chuckled and waved us away. We bowed and walked into the crowd.
"You can interact as much as you want make sure nothing bad happens ."
Mother said before walking to the group of older women sitting in the right corner of the large ballroom. They were the wives of high nobles or the rich ones.
"Want to go with me to the drinks table? I want a glass of champagne."
The table was the least populated area of the ballroom.
"No, I’ll be staying with my friends. "
She pointed at a group of young women waving at her. I sighed deeply, was I that alone?
I looked towards the main door. Just a few steps away stood luna her gaze on me. I waved at her, and she responded with a nod and a smile.
I wished I could just go and sit with her. I took a glass of red wine and gulped it down. It burnt its way down my throat and into my stomach.
Looking at the debutants dressed in different clothes, each dressed to impress, and the young men dressed in black suits lined with different kinds of jewellery to show their wealth, danced on the floor swaying rhythmically with the music, it all felt boring.
"Hello, young master Lucian. "
A woman dressed in a black round ball gown approached me. She had beautiful black hair and black eyes.
"Having a good night miss Irylne?"
I asked with a small smirk on my face. She was the northern duke’s second child and famous for her grace and musical abilities. I could feel the male gazes directed at us ready to pounce on any opportunity.
"Well, yes, would you care for a dance, young master?"
She asked directly. Those near us turned to fully look at us. To others it was an honour, to me it was nothing but a burden.
I was about to refuse when Seraph came and stood between us protectively. I wanted to smile but refrained. I like how jealous she gets most of the time.
"Unfortunately for you, Irylne, I’ll be having my brother’s first dance."
Seraph linked her arm around my forearm and leaned against me. I had noticed her approach the moment the lady approached.
"I’m sorry, Lady Iryline, I had promised my darling sister the first dance."
"It’s okay young master."
She bowed and vanished into the crowd.
"Let’s go and dance, then, sister."
She nodded a graceful smile painting her face as we walked to the middle of the dance floor. We slowly waltzed to the music.
"You shouldn’t dance with anyone but me and mother."
Seraph said the moment I pulled her back to me. My hand went to her waist making sure we were almost stuck together.
"I was going to refuse but my dear sister saved this damsel."
She leaned back my hand going to her right thigh as it raised.
"Must you be sarcastic about it?"
I pulled her back up her hair swaying with the motion. I chuckled softly at her complaint.
"I wasn’t, I find it sexy. Do you know how much I want to kiss you?"
I whispered in her ear. Her heart skipped a bit.
"We are in the ballroom do not be so profane."
She whispered harshly, but her face didn’t lose the blush. I was about to continue when the music came to a stop. We separated and bowed to each other and walked off the dance floor.