Chapter Seventeen
_ The Victory Festival
The week passed quickly, and Elite had prepared everything she needed for this day. As she added the final touches, she looked at herself in the mirror with a quiet calm.
A wine-red dress—long, voluminous, with short sleeves suited for the spring season. She wore the ruby necklace she cherished deeply, and for the first time in years, she let her long chestnut hair flow freely, adorned with a red diamond butterfly clip.
Her look was bold and powerful, suiting her magnificently. Elite left her room and reached the staircase to find Ian in his elegant attire; he wore white clothes and a white cloak embroidered with red and gold in a beautiful, unique pattern. Ian was cutely pouting, so Elite lowered herself to her child's level and asked kindly:
"Why is my sweet child so angry?!"
"I heard that your escort for the party will be Sir Neva.."
Elite's smile widened with amusement; Ian only called Fermin formally when he was irritated with him.
"Mamaaaa, don't tease me..."
"Alright, I'll stop now... Why the anger? It's a simple matter.."
"Why are you escorting him?"
"Because he is one of the war heroes, and a noble lady must have an escort for the festival."
"But Rin and Viola don't have escorts.."
"Viola will attend with her brother Gorin, and I will accompany Fir to the party. He is a war hero, and I must encourage him by escorting him.."
"I will become a hero so that Mother will be my escort."
Elite laughed at her child's sweetness, took his hand, and they headed toward the carriage. Fermin helped her and Ian climb inside before joining them. He kept his head lowered throughout the journey, unusually quiet...
"Fermin, why are you so quiet?! It's not like you."
Elite spoke cheerfully to break his tension. Fermin sighed and said softly:
"Thank you, My Lady, for escorting me to the party.."
"It's no problem, I was the one who asked you anyway... You are officially becoming a nobleman and will be granted a title. You must find a beautiful, noble fiancée to strengthen your position.."
"My Lady!!.."
His face turned incredibly red from embarrassment. Elite smiled mischievously.
"The party will be a good opportunity to meet young ladies. Don't worry, Fir, your looks are good; that will help..."
Fermin's face turned even redder as he looked away toward the window. Ian looked at Fermin and then at his mother with genuine innocence:
"Why is Fir's face so red? Does he have a fever?!"
Elite laughed, pulled Ian closer to her, and whispered playfully:
"He's embarrassed because we are going to look for a partner for him..."
"Great! He'll have a partner, and I can go back to being Mother's escort..."
"Your mother is yours alone, rest assured.."
Author's Note: Ian's jealousy is so sweet! 😁
Elite hugged her child deeply, laughing sincerely. How could her child be so cute and wonderful...
* * *
"Sir, will you attend today's party?!"
He ruffled his soft black hair, which had been perfectly styled a moment ago, turned to his assistant, and pouted with boredom. He wrapped his arm tightly around his assistant's neck and rubbed his fist against the young man's blonde hair with some force:
"Jean! How long have you been working with me?!"
"About eight years."
The young assistant raised his head and looked at his master with emerald eyes, speaking with confusion despite the pain; he was used to his commander's crazy antics. Eric let him go, sighed, and laughed in frustration:
"If it weren't for my pity for Lucia, I would have rid this world of your stupidity, Jean."
"What did I do, Sir?!"
"Your eyes sparkle just at the mention of her..... "
"Sir!!!"
"Good grief, why am I always surrounded by fools?!"
He tousled his hair for the thousandth time, then stepped to the mirror and tried to fix it with his hand. He smiled mischievously:
'Didn't she like it messy?'
He laughed secretly and moved it slightly so the chaos looked stylish. He put on his black cloak, decorated with beautiful gold patterns, and left his palace heading for the Imperial Palace—specifically the Great Banquet Hall, where the festival was in full swing.
* * *
Finally, the carriage bearing the Altan crest arrived. Fermin stepped out first, followed by Ian and then Elite, whom Fermin helped down—much to Ian's frustration. Elite enjoyed the sweet scene; it was like a fight between a purple wolf and a beautiful silver rabbit. She found it endearing..
"If Roc were here, the troublemaker team would be complete."
The ears of both Ian and Fermin turned red, and they moved ahead of her, each looking in the opposite direction. This made her laugh even harder; she had always felt Fermin was like her eldest child despite the small age difference...
After reaching the hall gates, she said with a kind yet serious smile:
"Fir, Ian, come here.."
She took Ian's hand in one of hers and hooked her other hand through Fermin's arm, and the three of them entered the hall..
"Duchess Elite di Altan, Young Duke Ian di Altan, and Sir Fermin Neva."
There was a solemn silence upon their entry. The Duchess had appeared at the Prince's birthday, but Lord Neva's attendance today was a stunning sight. If Second Prince Eric was the war's first hero and invincible force, Fermin Neva was a fierce beast sweeping through the battlefield... a handsome beast with purple hair and honey-colored eyes. It was amazing for them to realize he was the third of the genius Neva siblings: Viola (Viscount Viola Neva), the doctor who received recognition from the head of the Imperial Academy; Gorin Neva, whose inventions became a lifestyle in Sardia and was also granted the title of Count. It seemed news that the third son would receive a title and land had already reached the people's ears..
As soon as they entered, people swarmed them to satisfy their curiosity..
"Why is the Duchess escorting Lord Neva?!"
"Isn't it obvious?!.."
People looked at Elite and Fermin with curiosity. Before their imaginations could run wild, Fermin spoke with boredom and coldness:
"I am Her Grace's loyal dog."
She knew Fermin's loyalty, but describing himself as a dog was unexpected. She laughed cheerfully:
"Lord Neva, wouldn't 'wolf' be a better description?!.."
"I serve Her Grace the Duchess and the Young Duke with all my heart."
He spoke as his ears turned red, but his embarrassment was broken by a familiar voice...
"It is my loss that Lord Neva did not choose me."
"Fermin Neva greets His Highness the Second Prince and Commander of the Orlin Knights. My greetings, Sir."
The crowd made way for that man of powerful and arrogant appearance. Fermin, who was the closest to Eric in height and build, bowed, and the respect and pride in Fermin's greeting were clear..
"I haven't offered my greeting. Eric von Di Roshan greets Her Grace the Duchess and the Young Duke."
He offered a greeting to Elite and then greeted everyone quickly and elegantly. Then he looked at Ian, who was shifting his gaze between the three: Fermin, Elite, and Eric..
'Who is this man, really?!'
* * *
Finally, the entry of the Imperial Family was announced. It was necessary for Eric to be among them, so he went to join them. As usual, the usher presented them with great pride. After the usual speech and welcoming words from the Emperor, he finally spoke about the reason for the festival:
"On the occasion of this great festival and in honor of the heroes who achieved victory for our Empire, I ask them to please step forward..."
"Prince Eric von Di Roshan, Commander of the Orlin Knights; Lord Fermin Neva, Commander of the Silva Vanguard of the Altan Knights; Young Master Jean Kenneth, son of Count Kenneth... Baron Merend Konya; Lady Lucia Carol... Lord Stephen Lizard..."
The six individuals were presented as heroes of the Great War. Finally, the Emperor's assistant announced:
"And the Young Duke, Ian di Altan, will step forward on behalf of the late Duke Leopard di Altan, who served the Empire until his last breath."
Viola huffed in annoyance, unnoticed by anyone but Elite, who patted her quietly and whispered:
"It's alright, Viola."
Viola smiled at Elite and then looked at the youngest among those who stepped to the platform, standing next to Eric. He looked at the Emperor and then at Eric calmly. The Emperor stepped forward with his assistant behind him and spoke in a booming voice, approaching Jean first..
"Jean Kenneth, for your powerful insight and cunning in strategy, I grant you the title of Viscount Roxana—Viscount Jean Roxana—and the palace and land of Roxana on the southern borders."
Jean knelt, and Arthur placed the medal, the cloak, and the royal decree. The Emperor left him and moved to the next, who knelt:
"Lucia Carol, young lady of Marquis Carol, in view of your exceptional combat experience, you are granted the title of Baron Miranz and a palace in the south..."
As usual, he reached the next person, applying the same rituals:
"Baron Merend Konya, for your extensive medical knowledge on the battlefield and your ability as a commander and doctor in combat, I grant you the title of Viscount Klaus, and the palace and land of Klaus in the northeast of Sardia."
"Lord Steve Lizard, for your great efforts in supporting the knights, I grant you the title of Baron Anka and the land of Anka in the west of the Empire."
Steve bowed, and the Emperor reached Fermin, who looked for a moment as if he might eat him. Arthur felt a shiver for a second, but he was a bold man nonetheless..
"Commander Fermin Neva, leader of the Silva unit of the Altan knights, for your great strength in battle and your powerful support of our knights, I present to you the title of Count Hozan and the land of Winter in the north.."
Everyone stared intensely at Fermin, who opened his eyes in shock. The land of Winter had become part of Sardia, but it was a massive territory full of problems. Giving it to a knight of commoner origin was a shock. The Emperor didn't just give him the highest title among his colleagues, but land that—despite its destruction—was considered significant, as it was the first territory the Emperor had seized after much effort...
The crowd remained silent, but the Emperor looked at Elite as if to say, "Are you satisfied now?" Elite smiled back, meaning "Yes." He spoke in as joyous a voice as possible:
"Mr. Neva—excuse me, Count Hozan—Winter is a land that requires patience. Although it joined the Empire more than twenty years ago, it remains a tiring place. I wish to see a new Winter... let's say a strong Hozan.."
'My lady intervened in this.'
Fermin Neva bowed with genuine sincerity, feeling his loyalty to his mistress grow even stronger. Arthur sighed, then turned to Ian and said in the same booming voice:
"Duke Ian di Altan, in view of the services of the late Duke who died in the path of protecting our great Empire, I grant Altan a wish that the Imperial Family will fulfill at any time.."
Ian bowed as he had been taught by his mother. Arthur lowered himself slightly to place the medal, but before he could place the robe, Ian stood and said with a sweet face:
"I have no desire to wear it..."
"..."
Everyone in the hall was shocked by the child's firm response. Arthur looked at Ian again, and the child spoke with a kind smile:
"In the end, I am not the one who participated in the war."
The Emperor was amazed and looked at everyone; they were torn between admiring the child's intelligence and being angry at his behavior and interruption of the royal ceremony. However, the Emperor, sensing that this boy would not be easy, smiled at him, patted his head, and left him. Ian had a primal instinct; he felt ill intentions from the Emperor, but he clenched his fist tightly and looked at the heroes still kneeling, then watched Eric return to a seated position like the others. His eyes remained fixed on Prince Eric..
"My young and dear brother, Prince Eric von Di Roshan, first hero of the war and commander of the Orlin Knights, I wish to grant you the Duchy of Estroyn and make you the Duke of Estroyn, but...."
Eric looked calmly at the words of his brother, who continued..
"As everyone knows, the Estroyn region has been abandoned for over sixteen years. Therefore, for my brother who spent most of his life on the battlefield, the life of a Duchy and political life will be exhausting. Because Estroyn is the inheritance of our late mother, I have decided to give you the Duchy on one condition..."
... To be continued ...
Note: For those who would like to see pictures of the characters, you can find them on my Wattpad account or Telegram channel.
@sara_luffy11