After the small episode with Kuina's mother, peace returned to the hall, and soon the princes and princesses made their entrance.
It was the first time since he separated from her at the temple of Gods that Alex and others saw Priscilla again; she winked at them. Alex saw the other princes; the first prince, Adler, glared at Alex as if he had stolen something precious from him, this confused Alex.
''Say, what is his problem? Do I owe him something?" Alex asked Maria secretly; Sakuya and Luna happened to overhear it.
''Isn't it because you stole his dear sister?" Maria responded with a question; Alex was surprised.
''What a siscon?"
''Say another siscon,'' Sakuya commented.
Alex frowned, being called siscon; he didn't believe he was one. It was like when drunken people never admit to being drunk. Just as Alex was about to deny Sakuya's claim, the emperor's arrival has been announced.
His most beloved daughter, Artemia, accompanied Julius; she wore a stunning sequin sparkle dark black evening long maxi dress off shoulder. The mermaid fishtail dress was a bodycon tight fitted with a side slit thigh split. It was a perfect match for her blue hair. Behind them were the empress and the concubine.
''Please have a seat.''
Julius said and greeted his fellow's Emperors and Empresses. The celebration began shortly after.
Half of an hour later, Julius stopped the celebration to announce something. Alex immediately had a bad feeling.
''We are happy tonight that you all came to celebrate our anniversary; however, I'm proud of one man, this man alone took care of cancer trying to erode our beautiful empire, although it was a small operation, we are still proud of this man achievement. Alexander Kael Touch, please come forward.''
The other Emperors and Empresses seemed not surprised by Julius's move.
Even though he didn't wish to go, Alex sighed and stood up, and strolled toward the emperor.
''Alexander greet the emperor and wish him a long life.''
''You may rise,'' Julius ordered, and Alex did as he was told.
''You are handsome, boy. Why don't you marry my daughter?" Kuina's mother said; Alex sighed; because of scenes like these, he refused to come.
''Cough! Cough! I hereby announce Alex as Drexia empire honorary knight.'' Julius declared.
His declaration was like a bombshell. Although the owner of this title held no territory, he is the guardian of the empire, except for the emperor; nobody was above Alex.
''I thanks the emperor for this generous gift. I will help the empire in a time of crisis.'' Alex declared.
''We are happy to hear this. We also have another important piece of news to announce. Come here, my daughter.''
When Alex heard Julius calling Artemia over, he knew that what he feared what about to come true.
Artemia stopped at her father right; Julius looked at his daughter lovingly.
''We bestowed our daughter, Artemia Eretria Von Havens, to Alexander Kael Touch. We hope you will take care of her from on.'' Julius declared in a solemn voice.
''What?" The other Emperors stood up, shocked. So was the crowd.
''Old fox.'' Kuina's mother mumbled.
Alex sighed.
''I swear I will take care of Artemia and cherish her for the rest of my life,'' Alex vowed while ignoring the murderous aura coming from Adler.
How can he not understand Julius's goal? Announcing his daughter's marriage was a political move. Alex was like a pie that everyone wants to take a piece of it, and Julius made the first move. He would be a fool if he didn't make use of what happened between his daughter and Alex. From Artemia helpless expression, she didn't have the choice; she might be the reincarnated Human goddess, it doesn't mean she was born out of a tree, she has parents, obligation to follow after enjoying the benefits of being born as royal, so it was the least she could do. If when Julius noticed that his daughter had lost his innocence and immediately connected the dots, Artemia had said she didn't wish to be tied to Alex, Julius wouldn't have made today's move.
The banquet continued, but you could notice the unusualness in the air; Julius was all smiling as if to poke others, saying, I have beat you. Ferris and Eris's father called his children to have a brief conversation with them; he talked more with Eris; from time to time, she would sneak peek at Alex with a helpless expression.
Artemia joined Alex's group; the girls were smiling; however, the atmosphere was tense. Luna sat on Alex's left, Maria on his right, Sakuya sat behind him with his back against his, the strangest thing was that the girls were leaning on him. How can Artemia understand what this means? She only smiled before kissing Alex on the cheek and sat beside Gracier, who was sweating because of the pressure. Although she wished for more sisters-in-law, suffering like this wasn't part of her plan.
Kuina watched the drama from the side with an amused grin; she even brought out popcorn. The girls were not feeling any shame as they continued their little war; Julius smiled.
''It's good to be young.'' He said.
''I'm happy for our younger sister. How about you, little sis?" Priscilla asked Katherina, who seemed absentminded; it took her some time to respond finally.
''Y-yeah, I'm happy for Eretria.''
''What with you?" Priscilla questioned her sister; since their arrival, Katherina was like this as if something was weighing on her mind.
''Nothing,'' Katherina responded.
''Could it be that you're jealous?" Priscilla decided to tease her sister, the latter frowned.
''Not all. Alex and I didn't have that kind of relationship. It's just that I have been short-sighted. If someone told me that the young man I saw a few months ago will now become powerful than me, I would have refused; not only he became strong possessed exceptional talent, he knows how to make friends, none of his friends are normal.''
''Well, exceptional people will always call for exceptional talent. It's a good thing that you have mended your relationship, it-"
Priscilla stopped speaking and looked at her brother walking toward Alex's table.
''This fool.''