The next three days came and went, Julia spent as much time as she could with her family. The best thing was that her mother miraculously recovered enough to get out of bed and have meals together. Which was wonderful for everyone. When Julia was not with her family, she and her father would train. True to his word, he was very helpful to her, seeing as a rapier for fencing is quite different from a normal sword in this time period.

But tonight was different, tonight was the ball to honor Ian for his accomplishments in the previous war. Even though he had to leave the front early due to Ingrid's condition and his injuries, his plans and strategies were helpful. The ball was to take place in the imperial royal palace, in the very same room where the wedding of the imperial prince and Julia will be held when the two come of age. The major surprise to the royal family will be Ingrid's attendance, seeing as her condition is good enough to make an appearance at an important event for her husband.

Inside Julia’s room were a few maids fluttering around to make sure her appearance was up to the family's standards and to the standard of an empress-to-be. Julia’s dress had long sleeves and a tight bodice that flared out to a semi-poofy skirt, it was colored a deep shade of blue, the color of the family crest, with trimming and details in gold thread. Her hair was curled into long flowing waves. Her face was framed by a pair of gorgeous gold sapphire earrings with a matching simple necklace. Lastly, she chose not to wear her engagement ring. Julia thought of it as her subtle act of defiance to the story and Laurence. When she looked in the mirror, she smiled, making all the maids sigh a sigh of relief since, in the past, Julia was difficult with her outfits.

When Julia went downstairs to meet up with her family, she saw her father scolding Tobias for messing with the collar of his shirt over and over. When he saw his daughter, he smiled.

“Julia, you just look perfect. Spitting image of you mother, just with my eyes and hair,” he chuckled as he pulled her into a small hug.

“That can’t be comfy, sis,” Tobias commented.

“It’s really not, but oh well. Also, thank you father, you look nice,” Julia responded.

Ian's outfit was much different than a standard suit like Tobias was wearing. While yes, he was wearing a suit, his was decorated with all of his previous metals from old wars and skirmishes he had done with the emperor. As well as having a large cape that was lined with black fur at the top and the same blue as Julia was wearing was the rest of the material.

Ian glances at the large grandfather clock near the door, “Now, just where is your mother? We are almost going to be late-,” he’s cut off.

“Now we can’t have that, darling,” Ingrid was the one to cut him off. She stood smiling at her husband. Who was now staring in awe at his beautiful wife.

Her dark blue hair was pulled into a curly bun showing off dangling sapphire earrings and a matching necklace. Her dress was much like Julias except it was tighter to show off her figure. The color was the same dark blue, but there were small golden dots all about to make her dress look as if it were the night sky itself.

She gracefully went down the stairs taking her husband's arm, “Ready to go children?”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the family of four made their way into their carriage and headed for the ball.