Tak— Tak——!
Roaming the Academy halls, the clicking of her heels echoed throughout the entire hallway.
Her bright golden locks fluttered at each step, and she could feel several gazes follow her.
"Ahh… It's Alia."
"She's as pretty as always."
The murmurs of the other student reached her ears, but she paid no heed to them as she continued to stride forward, not sparing them any glance.
It was the sa as usual. Growing up, she was often told how pretty she was and she would soon grow up to beco such a beauty.
Nothing new.
She frowned at the thought. There was more to her than her beauty, and yet it would always outshine her other perks.
Her azure eyes swept the view, eventually landing on a familiar figure that stood to block her path.
"Alia, you're going to the party, right?"
"Yes."
"Then,"
Adrien paused and flashed her a slight bow.
"Will you give the honor of being your escor—"
"No."
Refusing him, Alia walked forward and left the academy without even looking back.
Adrien.
They knew each other for a long ti. They could even consider each other as childhood friends.
But for Alia, the friendship ended when he tried to court her a while back.
Too many admirers.
Yet she knew all too well how shallow his feelings were.
The way he looked at her as if she was so kind of prize, a trophy.
Alia shuddered at the thought.
"Disappointing."
She clicked her tongue.
Looking ahead, a white car was parked outside the academy. A man stood with a butler uniform and greeted her.
Looking at her butler, she fixed her expressions and flashed him a smile.
"Good evening, Richard."
"Good evening, Miss Alia."
Richard opened the car's door for her.
Nodding, Alia gave her thanks.
She then entered the car as it drove off shortly after.
***
7:21 PM, La Britannia Venue.
—If I may have your attention, Field Marshal Locke has arrived as well as his family. Pay your respects, officers.
As the Locke's family na resounded across the entire hall, the previous noise and chatter imdiately silenced.
Tak!
Everyone present stomped their feet and straightened their postures.
"Welco, Field Marshall Locke."
The words were spoken loudly and in unison, and all the officers present gave a salute.
From beside Brandon, Omar gave his salute and nodded back with a smile.
Waving his hand down, he motioned for them to stop.
"At ease."
And as those words left his mouth, everyone halted their salutes.
The banquet hall was spacious and elegant. Long tables covered with crisp white linens stretched across the room, set with polished silverware and sparkling glasses.
Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a bright warm glow over the room.
The walls were adorned with flags and insignias, the significant symbols of the Imperial Army.
The guests present were dressed in their finest attire. n wore tailored suits and polished shoes, adorned with dals and insignias.
Won donned elegant dresses in various colors, complented by expensive jewelry and graceful hairstyles.
As the Locke family made their way further in the venue, the officers continued to mingle with one another.
A burly old man with white hair approached them.
"Field Marshal Omar, pleased to see you again. And to his family, welco!
"Haha, likewise, General Chro."
Turning his head back, he looked at his family.
"I'm sure you're familiar with my Wife."
"Greetings, General Chro."
Brianna gave a light bow and greeted the man.
"Greetings as well, Lady Brianna."
Chro then looked at the two siblings, who stood with regal and confidence.
Looking back at Omar, he opened his mouth.
"I presu they must be your children?"
"That's right."
Omar nodded with a smile.
"Allow to introduce you."
He then motioned his hand and introduced the young lady.
"This is Belle, you may have seen her a couple years back."
Belle stepped forward beside her father, and gave Chro a smile of her own.
"Greetings, General Chro."
With a hearty laugh, Chro waved his hand down.
"Haha, at ease, Lady Belle."
She adorned a graceful white dress which accentuated all her curves, a pair of gold dangling earrings on both her ears. And makeup to finish her look.
Most of the guests present were completely entranced by her beauty, and she could as well feel their gazes.
Chro then looked at Omar and pursed his lips.
"Belle's grown up to be a fine woman. I rember the little girl, always hiding behind your back during these parties."
"She's my Daughter after all."
Omar then frowned and motioned his hand in front of Belle.
"Now don't get any funny ideas, Chro. I've known you for over 23 years. Stay away from my Daughter."
"..."
Belle's brows twitched at the sight. What the hell was her Father doing in such a public place?
Slightly, Chro twitched and retorted.
"Calm down, Omar. I've recently found myself a girlfriend."
"Oh? You've managed to trick a poor soul? I'm impressed."
"Trick? Nonsense. This woman loves . In fact, we went all down and dirty before this party—"
"Kuhum..."
A cold cough cut him off. Noticing the icy gaze from Brianna, Chro imdiately shuddered from the sight.
"If the two of you are going to continue with these topics, then please go away. In fact, please leave, my children are here."
Omar then shuddered at her words again.
"Haha, now, now Brianna. Chro here is just as excited as I am. We haven't seen each other in two years after all."
"And the two of you are still the sa from your Academy Days."
"..."
They were silenced at her icy voice. Truth be told, Omar and Chro could consider each other best friends.
It was a familiar sight for the three of them, Brianna being their mitigator.
Composing himself, Chro turned to look at the tall young man with strikingly similar features to his mother, as well as his sister.
"And this is your Son?"
Omar then motioned his hand to introduce his son.
"Yes, this is Brandon. It's his first ti in an Imperial Army setting."
"I can see that."
Chro then gestured his hand in front of Brandon for a handshake.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir Brandon."
"The pleasure is all mine, General Chro."
"Haha, what a dignified boy. At your age, your Father here–"
"Kuhum..."
Brianna once again cut him off.
As they continued to mingle, they were soon halted and the entire venue fell into a hushed silence as another announcent resounded.
—The Grand Marshal has arrived as well as his family. Pay your respects, officers.
A tall bulky man with golden hair entered the venue, followed by a young lady with bright golden locks and azure eyes.
The entire family walked with an air of authority. But what caught Brandon's attention wasn't the Grand Marshall.
No, his gaze was fixed at the young lady who continued to walk graceful steps.
Her azure eyes continued to sweep the view, slightly bowing and smiling at the guests that would greet her.
The image of the young lady who had just arrived was deeply imprinted in Brandon's mind.
She was familiar.
He had definitely seen her before.
He had not t her, not even once. But the sight of her left him with wide open eyes.
"I see Alia has arrived."
Belle scanned the Grand Marshal's family as well.
Brandon was transfixed and his eyes continued to follow Alia's figure.
She adorned a graceful golden dress, etched with all kinds of silverware jewelry. Her hair fluttered at each step she took as all eyes seed to follow her.
The entire room was completely captivated at the sight of Alia.
Brandon was no exception, but for a different reason.
"She…"
There was not a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Alia Constantine was the woman from the visions.
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