Eli felt like she was stepping on clouds and that she was living in a dream.
Everything around her seemed to fall into place, especially regarding her relationship with Leon.
It feels too good to be true!
Eli would be lying if she said that she did not want to completely settle down with Leon as soon as possible. Deep inside her, she wanted to let everyone know that Leon, Little Han, and she are family.
She envied the noble ladies who could just go out with their fiance and announce their marriage without considering their own safety.
She envied them marrying without care, having children as many as they want, and celebrating their offspring's birthdays as joyous and grand as possible.
Because of the complications of their identities, they had to hold back in everything they do.
They have to hide the fact that they already have a son, that they were already lovers deeply in love with each other.
They have to work hard to solve the possible threats around them, to deal with the people who would surely come at them the moment they reveal their true selves.
Now, one day, in the midst of working hard to be a step closer to their end goal, Eli suddenly woke up marching in the banquet hall beside Leon with every person in the room looking at them as an engaged couple.
Add to the fact that it was not a normal engagement, but an engagement that brings the highest glory and respect to a woman - an engagement blessed by the Heavens!
She was afraid and nervous, that all of this was just a dream.
And that she would wake up realizing that this scenario was not her reality.
Her reality is to work hard with Leon to prepare everything on their way, especially for Little Han, for them to be recognized as family.
"Your hand is cold…" She was awoken from her thoughts by Leon's worried voice. Only then did she realize that they were in the middle of the dance floor, swaying to the melody of the orchestra with all eyes focused on them.
"I am surprised and nervous… I did not expect all of this to happen…" Eli replied in all honesty.
"I apologize for not telling you in advance… Actually, this isn't what I wanted…" Leon knew that Eli will not hesitate to say yes if ever he would propose to her at any moment, however, what he planned in mind was not as hasty as this.
"Why the long face? Even if you proposed to me quietly in the cottage, I would still accept your proposal. Leon, other things do not matter."
Eli could also feel that even though Leon had already planned to do these things someday, he was a bit regretful that he had to take action hastily for reasons she did not know yet.
Leon pulled Eli closer to his embrace as their breath touched each other's faces. "I promise to tell you everything later on. For now, please hold on until the banquet ends…" Leon kissed Eli's forehead, disregarding the surprised gasps of the people who were watching them.
"L-leon there's people around…" It was not the first time Leon acted sweetly in public, however, she could not help but become embarrassed now that even the Emperor and the highest official in the Empire were watching them.
Leon let out a chuckle and looked satisfied because their tense shoulders of Eli finally relaxed. He found her very rare expression cute and so he teased her a bit more, "Why were you embarrassed? Tomorrow we will have to even kiss in front of everyone in the Temple. Probably the entire heaves were watching."
Eli was so taken aback that she stepped on Leon's foot several times. Leon was not a bit irritated but instead could not help but chuckle a few more times.
Watching their interaction the people could not help but engage in a heated conversation as they were really convinced that the Third Prince was really smitten with Eli because it was only towards her that they could see the Prince turn gentle and even laugh.
After the dance, the people started to swarm toward Leon and Eli.
Leon stayed beside Queen Tehila, supporting her throughout the banquet. As she should still become the center of the banquet, Leon staying with him showed that he was filial towards her.
Alicia immediately went with Eli to help her navigate the conversation among the ladies. Because of her presence, the ladies who were looking down on Eli did not have a chance to trouble her until the end of the banquet.
Those who approached her were the ladies who genuinely admire her works and her relationship with the prince.
"You really rocked that moment Eli!" Alicia linked arms with Eli and grinned proudly.
"I guess, forcing you to become my friend is worth it now. Look at the faces of those b*tches! Gaaah! They are so entertaining to look at!"
"I will never get bored of watching you create chaos every time you appear!" Alicia laughed heartily as she passed a drink to Eli so that they can toast.
"So you mean, you only befriended me because I am entertaining enough?" Eli's eyebrows twitched in helplessness.
Alicia and she started really bad. Alicia treated her with contempt and even planned to steal her books in exchange for a good position in Vanderford.
But circumstances brought them together, or rather, a simple decision she made to drag her to the coffee shop led the two of them to evolve from enemies to friends.
From then on, they slowly improved from awkward friends to this stage where they could tease each other at this level.
"Yes and no! You are entertaining enough and you are intelligent enough to be my friend." Alicia put her hands on her chest as she answered Eli's rebuttal proudly.
"Hahahaha just admit that you just like me!" Eli teased her straightforwardly.
Alicia was a prideful person, and would not hesitate to cling to people who benefited her… but that was before she was enlightened.
Now she's just a simple girl who does not like superficial connections with shallow people. She wanted people who aren't pretentious.
"Well, I won't tell that because I am still sulking. How could you not tell me that you and the Third Prince are a thing? I thought you are my friend." Alicia pointed and looked at her as if she was aggrieved.
"Well, there's a lot of things that Leon and I had to fix first before announcing to everyone our state. I know that you knew some of them. But still, even if our relationship were revealed, there's still a lot for us to do…" Eli explained.
Even though Alicia told it in a joking manner, she could feel that Alicia was feeling quite a bit sad for being left out.
"I know… you do not have to look that guilty about it. I know you have your own circumstance. Besides, you have been that way before too. Just do not forget to tell me everything once everything was settled." Alicia patted Eli's shoulders, she was reminded of the time when she dragged Eli to the salon to dye her hair black.
That time they talked about the winter banquet, where Eli kept silent about her being the main reason for the winter banquet itself.
As they deepen their friendship, she kind of figures out that Eli's identity was a little complicated. From the way, the Grandmasters protect her, up to the abilities she slowly revealed to everyone.
It was like something very big and compelling was stopping her friend to reveal who she really is in the entire world.
"Thank you…" Eli looked at her and flashed a grateful smile.
"But!!! I will take dibs on the maid of honor's position on your wedding day! No other lady should take that position away from me! Is that a deal?" Before Eli could finish her words of gratitude, she indignantly demanded to become Eli's closest bridesmaid during her wedding.
Eli could not help but chuckle, Alicia acting like this is quite cute and childish. "Alright, that position is reserved for you!"
"Yay!!!! That's more like it!" Alicia clapped her hands excitedly as she smiled victoriously at Eli's reply. It was as of she was able to win a good deal out of their conversation.
The next part of the banquet was presenting gifts to Queen Tehila.
Envoys from the Allied Kingdom including the Rubino Kingdom whose current royal family was connected to the Seirendes have given lavish gifts to the Queen.
Eli also presented her gift, which was actually a violin made by Lainie's luthier father.
It caused a great uproar in the banquet as it turned out that the Yseult family was actually a famous artisan in the early years of the Empire!
Who would have known that Lainie was actually a descendant of such a reputed clan?
Once again, Eli was able to create another miracle by paving a way for Lainie's family to slowly go back to their original prestige.
