Two Weeks Later – The Imperial Ball Night
The ball at the Arcadian Imperial Castle was lively. Guests from all corners of the world gathered to celebrate the victory of the Empire's forces in pushing back the demon army.
Nobles, princes and princesses, elves, dwarves, and beastmen filled the main hall adorned with the glimmering light of crystal chandeliers. Gallant knights and great adventurers from various lands participated in the festivities.
From the main door, a man with black hair appeared, wearing an elegant dark grey suit. Arthur stepped into the hall, his eyes carefully scanning his surroundings. For him, this scene was all too familiar. A dance party.
"I've searched the entire castle, but I still can't find her," Arthur mumbled in frustration, then took a sip from the glass of milk in his hand. "I might as well go home if I don't see her. It's pointless to come here."
He drained his glass of milk and raised it towards a passing servant. "Servant, refill my drink," he said with an annoyed expression.
"Ah, of course, Hero," the servant replied, for some reason sympathetic towards him, but quickly left Arthur's side.
Suddenly, a loud voice filled the room from the main entrance. "Everyone, please pay attention! The Emperor and the Princess have arrived!"
The atmosphere turned silent; the earlier bustle faded into silence. Guests quickly moved aside, standing elegantly to welcome the Emperor and the heir to the throne.
Arthur merely glanced towards the door and sighed quietly. "So the news is true," he murmured to himself. "The direct descendant of the Emperor was kidnapped by demons, while the prince has fallen under a long sleep curse for which no cure has been found."
In the midst of his thoughts, a man suddenly stood next to him, also sipping from a drink at hand.
"That's why, the Emperor must seek a descendant from the former concubines of the Emperor to be appointed as the heir to the throne," the man said casually. "At least until the prince awakens or the kidnapped princess is returned."
Arthur turned slightly, surprised. The figure standing beside him had a sturdy build, a handsome face, and distinctive long ears. An elf.
"Ah, sorry for speaking so suddenly. I haven't even introduced myself," he said as he placed his drink down and gave the imperial salute. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Rafael Milhelm, the crown prince of the Northern Elf Kingdom."
"Nice to meet you, Hero."
Arthur stared at him expressionlessly. "So, what do you want here? Are you here to propose to that 'Doll Princess'?" he asked in a sharp tone.
Rafael chuckled. "So the rumors about you are true." He took back his glass and gulped down its contents. "Ah, cultivated human wine is truly unmatched."
Arthur sighed and relaxed his shoulders. "It turns out you're just another fool," he said casually.
"Hey, you really are a rude hero!" Rafael let out a small laugh. "But, well, you're not wrong. I was indeed sent here to propose to that Doll Princess."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "But you don't want to, right?"
"Of course not!" Rafael snorted. "If I did, my girlfriend would surely be furious and break up with me!"
Arthur looked at Rafael in confusion. "I'm baffled how you could become a prince."
"Hey! I told you to watch your words!"
Before their conversation could continue, the Emperor began to speak. Arthur only just realized that the Emperor and the Princess were standing in the middle of the hall. The atmosphere became silent as all the guests listened to the Emperor's speech.
The content of his speech was nothing more than expressions of gratitude and joy. However, the interesting part finally arrived.
"Alright, before I conclude my speech, there is one thing I would like to announce," said the Emperor.
"Due to the current state of the Empire, I hereby appoint Serena van Arcadia as the current heir to the throne, and also bestow upon her the highest rank in the military for her achievements that have been accomplished," the Emperor declared with authority.
Serena knelt and bowed her head, followed by the Emperor placing his sword on her shoulder.
"Her presence on the battlefield has shown extraordinary accomplishments in defending her territory from the onslaught of demon forces,"
"Serena van Arcadia, I grant you the title of General of the Arcadian Empire," the Emperor lifted his sword after delivering his command.
"I, Serena van Arcadia, swear to wield my sword only for the Emperor," Serena, who had sworn, then stood up, and the celebration continued to the next part.
---
"A somewhat confusing narrative, so I'll explain it myself," Arthur thought.
The current Emperor is the father of the previous Emperor, who fell in the first war against the allied forces ten years ago. At that time, the crown prince was only ten years old and not old enough to lead, so leadership was returned to the previous Emperor.
However, six years ago, demons attacked the castle. The princess was kidnapped, and the crown prince was cursed to sleep for a long time, it sounds cliché but that is the fact.
In this critical situation, the Empire attempts to seek another descendant from the line of the old concubine. Unfortunately, the demons are also aware of this and have killed almost the entire lineage of the Imperial family.
Except for one who managed to survive. Serena van Arcadia. With her mother and grandmother, she successfully maintained and rebuilt her own army. She defended the territory granted to her and fought against the demons for years truly a heroic tale to be told.
However, despite her remarkable achievements, she is still regarded as the "Doll Princess" by the elders and the council of the Empire. Arthur sighed.
"Why does the council always seem to be a source of problems?" Rafael whispered to Arthur, "It seems the Emperor can't do much about that council either," Arthur nodded.
"Poor woman," he muttered.
"Exiled from the Imperial family, but now she is protecting those who have abandoned her," Rafael suddenly panicked.
"Ah! I didn't mean to offend the Emperor just now!"
"You still offended the Emperor before," Arthur replied flatly. "Please keep it a secret!" Arthur grinned.
"No way." Rafael huffed and tried to leave, but Arthur stopped him by patting his shoulder.
Arthur looked towards Princess Serena, who was standing in the middle of the hall.
"If... if someone saves that girl, will she be grateful?" Rafael looked at Arthur warily.
"Hey, what are you planning to do?" Arthur did not answer. He began to walk slowly, sneaking through the crowd, and then appeared before the Princess. Princess Serena looked at him, confused.
"Who are you?" she asked. Arthur smiled faintly. He knelt down, took out a luxurious jewelry box from his pocket, and opened it in front of the Princess.
The guests were stunned to see the ring inside it. "What does this mean?"
"He... he is proposing to the Princess?!"
"How dare he!" The Imperial knights readied themselves to advance, but they could not get closer. Arthur had already set up an invisible magic barrier. He lifted his face, gazing into Princess Serena's eyes attentively.
Everyone fell silent, watching Arthur's actions.
Arthur was momentarily speechless, as if everything he had prepared had vanished from his mind, but he did not care; he just did what he remembered,
saying:
"Princess Serena van Arcadia, I love you."
"Marry me."