The massive golden doors swung open with an echoing creak, revealing a breathtaking sight before . The grand hall stretched endlessly, its ceiling soaring high above, glimring with countless chandeliers that sparkled like captured stars. Red and gold banners draped across the walls, their fabric shimring under the warm glow of enchanted lanterns. The floor glead like polished mirrors, reflecting the sea of nobles and knights gathered for this oh-so-special occasion—my official introduction to society.
Oh boy.
"Presenting His Majesty, Emperor Cassius Devereux, and Her Highness, the Imperial Princess Lavinia Devereux!" the royal announcer’s voice bood across the hall, making sure that everyone in the empire would know exactly who had arrived.
Papa stepped forward with the grace of a ruler born to command. He was draped in the full imperial regalia—a deep crimson cloak embroidered with golden threads flowing behind him like the wings of a mighty eagle. His golden hair shimred under the dazzling lights, and his piercing crimson eyes held a power that sent shivers down the spines of every noble present. He looked every bit like the emperor he was.
And then... there was .
Held securely in my father’s arms, I gazed upon the sea of nobles, knights, and esteed guests that filled the enormous hall. A wave of gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as they laid eyes on . My golden curls glead just like my father’s, and my ruby-red eyes—undeniably a mark of my imperial lineage—blinked curiously at the scene before .
One by one, the nobles fell to their knees, heads bowed in deep reverence. The weight of the mont settled in the air, thick with awe and formality.
Papa lifted his chin, his voice calm but filled with authority. "Rise."
Like a perfectly rehearsed performance, the sea of people rose in unison, their eyes locking onto , their expressions ranging from adoration to curiosity. I sat there in my father’s arms, feeling like the star of a grand play.
Oh, the power I held at just three months old! I love it.
Just then, Theon stepped forward with a smirk. "Your Majesty, the people are eager. Please introduce the princess to them."
At his words, Papa nodded, and in a single, fluid motion, he raised high above his head—
He lifted high into the air.
...
...
What.
WHAT?!
For a mont, I hung midair, my tiny arms flailing slightly as Papa held up for the entire court to see. The hall went silent. The nobles, knights, and attendants held their breath as if they were witnessing sothing divine.
I, on the other hand, was screaming internally.
PAPA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!? PUT DOWN!
This was it. My royal introduction. My grand mont. And THIS was how it was happening?! Just like Mufasa introducing Simba to the Pride Lands?! I could almost hear the invisible choir breaking into a dramatic chant, a heavenly sunbeam shining down upon as if the universe itself were acknowledging my greatness.
At this rate, soone might actually throw flower petals or, worse, start crying from the "holy experience" of beholding .
That’s when Theon’s voice rang out like a royal proclamation:
"Behold! The only daughter of His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Cassius Devereux! The Imperial Princess of the Elarion Empire—Lavinia Devereux!"
...That’s how you introduce soone?!
And then, in perfect synchronization, the entire hall bowed deeply, their voices echoing in unison:
"We greet Imperial Princess Lavinia!"
My tiny baby brain short-circuited.
Wow... I feel like I just beca a deity
I looked around at the sea of bent heads. Even the knights, even the scary-looking nobles, even the ladies in their shimring gowns—EVERYONE was bowing to !
I suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of power. I, Lavinia Devereux, was indeed soone special!
Papa finally lowered back into his arms, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusent and pride. My wide, stunned expression was still frozen in place.
What just happened?!
anwhile, on the sidelines, Nanny and Mariella looked ridiculously proud—eyes glistening, hands clasped together, expressions so dramatic they could easily win an award for "Most Emotionally Overwheld Attendants of the Year."
Was I crowned queen already? Did I defeat a dragon while being held midair? Because, judging by their faces, I had just achieved the greatest feat known to mankind.
I gulped.
If this was only my introduction, I feared what future ceremonies would look like.
Then, Papa took his Majestic emperor strides toward the grand throne, my eyes locked onto it like a moth to a fla.
Whoa.
What a beautiful chair.
A ridiculously huge, golden, jewel-encrusted chair that looked like it could swallow ten of . It glead under the chandeliers, its intricate carvings forming dragons, phoenixes, and celestial patterns. It was practically screaming power and authority.
I want it.
I want to sit on it.
I wiggled in Papa’s arms, staring longingly at the glorious seat of absolute authority. But before I could make my move, Papa gracefully took his seat, and with still in his arms.
Wait. That works too.
That’s when Theon chuckled. "Looks like she likes the throne, Your Majesty."
Papa humd, his gaze never leaving . He reached out, his long fingers gently caressing my tiny face. Instinctively, I grabbed onto his hand, my tiny fingers curling around his.
A hush fell over the hall.
I felt it imdiately—the shift in the air. The shock. The disbelief.
Not adoration. Not lted hearts.
No.
They couldn’t believe it.
The cold-blooded, ruthless, rciless emperor—the very man who sent shivers down their spines with just a glance—was holding as if I were his entire world.
And for the first ti, they saw warmth in his eyes. A ripple of hushed whispers spread across the grand hall like a wave. I may not hear what they are whispering. But I can guess.
"Is this real? The Emperor... smiling?"
"I must be hallucinating. He looks... gentle."
"Gentle?! His Majesty?! The sa man who once ordered an entire noble house executed without blinking?"
"Look at how she holds his hand... and he lets her!"
"This is the first ti I’ve seen His Majesty touch soone without intending to kill them!"
"Perhaps the princess is blessed by the heavens to ta the dragon himself."
I smirked.
But—hey! That’s only for , okay? The warmth belongs to . No one else.
Then Theon leaned in with a bright smile. "Your Majesty, shall we begin the gifting ceremony?"
Wait—what?!Do we have sothing like that too?
Wow... I’m ready. Gifts!
Papa gave a small nod, and then—without warning—he shifted onto his lap so that I could have a better view. The hall remained eerily silent, filled with people watching our every move.
Then, with a dramatic sweep of his arm, Theon stepped forward.
"The gifting ceremony shall now comnce!"
I blinked.
Slowly, I turned my head—only to be t with an endless, long, long, LONG line of nobles and officials stretching across the hall. Each one held sothing—a fancy-looking box, a golden tray, or mysterious items covered with velvet cloths.
Whoa.
This... This was going to take forever.
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