When we finally regained our composure, I made the mess disappear with a simple cleaning spell and dressed with deliberate calm before setting off back to the mansion.
However, before leaving, I gave Elizabeth a couple of additional instructions. I ordered her to inform Adela about the need to assign permanent shadows to watch over Elara, along with other specific matters I wanted her to handle during tomorrow's event.
…
In front of Sylvia Sterling's office door, Seraphine paced back and forth, hesitating to enter. When she finally gathered enough courage, she knocked.
"Who is it? Come in," came a voice from inside.
Seraphine poked her head in and entered slowly.
"Oh, Sera. I thought you'd be taking advantage of the break week to enjoy the festival."
"I am, Grandmother, but… I wanted to ask you something, so I came here."
"And what is it about?" replied the headmistress with an amused smile, thinking it was probably about someone she knew very well.
"You knew Cassian, right?"
"Are you referring to the second son of Count Varkas?" she asked, pretending not to understand.
"Yes, that one. He's my friend, you know? But lately I feel like I don't know him as well as I thought."
"And why do you think that?"
"I feel like he's hiding something. Haven't you noticed anything strange about him?"
"We all hide things, Seraphine; but if he's good to you, I don't see the problem."
Seraphine lowered her head, looking upset.
"Mmm, maybe you're right."
"But this concern of yours is so… interesting," Sylvia added, drawing out her words with a meaningful look. "It seems he matters to you much more than you're willing to admit."
Seraphine blushed intensely and immediately took a defensive stance, waving her hands in front of her.
"No, it's not like that! With him… it's impossible!" she exclaimed awkwardly.
However, as she spoke, an image of the two of them flashed through her mind, causing her blush to deepen all the way to the roots of her hair.
Sylvia kept her amused smile, but inside, her eyes sharpened with a cold spark of possessiveness.
«I'll have to scold that boy…» the headmistress thought, her fingers softly tapping on the desk. «To think he's also going after my granddaughter when he already has me.»
"But don't worry, Sera," she added out loud, recovering her maternal tone. "If he's hiding something, your great-aunt can find out. You know nothing escapes me."
Sylvia gave her a smile that seemed comforting. «Oh, I'll find out very closely,» she thought, already planning how to confront Cassian for playing "best friends" with her granddaughter.
…
"Cassian, I've been looking for you everywhere. I told you we were going to try on dresses for the banquet."
"Yes, I know. Sorry, Margery; I fell asleep in the courtyard and by the time I woke up, it was already late."
She slumped her shoulders in resignation.
"You… Anyway, let's go. Bethany and Rosalind are waiting for us."
"I really don't understand why you're dragging me along for this," I protested.
Margery shot me a withering look.
"We need a different opinion, isn't it obvious?" She grabbed my arm and dragged me outside.
"We were almost about to leave," Rosalind complained as soon as she saw us.
"Come on, we're going to lose our reservation at Nexus's textile house."
When we arrived, there was a long line of commoners and even nobles waiting to get a design from Nexus. We entered through a different side and went up a staircase to the private VIP fitting rooms.
«I should have stayed with Elizabeth,» I thought by the time they were on the fifth dress.
"Come on, Cassian, you should try something on too," said Margery as she handed me a deep blue suit. Unable to resist, I tried it on and came out just to get them off my back.
Bethany's eyes sparkled, while Margery nodded as if she had chosen well.
"You'll definitely be the brightest star tomorrow if you wear that," commented Rosalind. "Though I'm not sure if it's good or bad that you draw so much attention."
"I don't know what you're talking about, Rosalind. I only see three much more radiant stars here," I said in an amused tone.
"I don't know how you still don't have a girlfriend, always with that sweet tongue of yours," Margery commented, narrowing her eyes with a mix of amusement and something deeper that Cassian preferred to ignore.
He simply shrugged, keeping that magnetic smile he knew how to use so well to get out of any tight spot.
"I'm engaged, remember?" Cassian replied, arching an eyebrow with smugness.
"Hmph! Don't talk about her," Margery retorted, looking away in annoyance. "Rosalind says she's not good for you."
"Big brother, you'll marry me when I grow up, right?" little Bethany chimed in innocently.
Cassian smiled, visibly struggling to hold back his laughter.
"Of course, if that's what you want when you're older…" he said in a teasing tone.
If looks could burn, Cassian would already be ashes under Margery's scorching glare.
"Well, I guess that's enough dress trying for today?" Cassian ventured, hoping to leave soon.
His words only served to bring everyone back to the task at hand. They completely ignored his question and went back to trying on more outfits, occasionally asking him how they looked.
Although Rosalind seemed to restrain herself quite a bit; she had always preferred office suits over long, uncomfortable skirts.
…
"Your Majesty, the preparations for the banquet are ready. The Lucratis delegation arrived this morning; I'll schedule a meeting between their princess and Prince Bastian so they can get to know each other before tonight's announcement."
"What do you know about the person we sent for Cassane's betrothed?" asked the Emperor, his gaze fixed on the large window in the throne room.
"He hasn't reported back yet, Your Majesty. As soon as I have news, I'll inform you immediately."
"Hmm… I really didn't want it to come to this. Sending a Seventh Circle after a boy who hasn't even opened the first one and doesn't practice aura either…" The Emperor frowned, weighing the risk.
"But, my lord, it's better than leaving things to chance. Now that the negotiations with Lucratis seem to be working… Besides, he appears to be quite skilled with the sword."
"And the Beaumonts? Will they not attend to celebrate my birthday?" the Emperor asked coldly. "No matter how bad their situation is…"
"Your Majesty, you cannot blame them," the advisor replied, lowering his voice. "The Valois are really pushing them to the limit. In fact, I believe we shouldn't allow that to continue…"
"Enough! You know I cannot interfere too much. It's not as if it were the first marchionessate closely tied to a duchy; the Montrose in the East have always been far too close to the Astaford."