Before long, Alenward and Ivancore appeared on the mezzanine, their regal figures framed by the golden railing. Everyone present in the ballroom bowed their heads paying respect to them.

"We are delighted to have you all in this special occasion of Eravi's Royal Concubine's birthday celebration. We hope everyone present here will enjoy the event."

Alenward said to everyone present in the ballroom before he stood closer to Emperor Ivancore and introduced him to everyone-

"This is Emperor Ivancore of Sevelrum and an old friend of mine. Iam really happy to announce that the Eravi will have a much greater bond with the Empire of Sevelrum in the near future with the marriage between Crown Prince Zen and Princess Aria."

Everyone in the ballroom clapped at Alenward's announcement meanwhile Aries, Aria and Zen stood at the entrance greeting the guest before the palace servants lead them to the ballroom.

"Sis what is 'your husband who is not yet your husband' doing here?"

Aria raised one of her eyebrow ,a smirk playing on her face when Aries whispered to her and soon turned towards Zen and said-"Zen, my darling brother was just asking what my 'husband who is not yet my husband' doing here."

As soon as Aria said that, Aries stomped her while Aria burst into laughter watching Aries turn red with embarrassment.

"Zen, doesn't red go well with my brother's face? haha!"

Aria laughed while pulling Aries's cheeks.

Zen stood in his place smiling warmly while watching the two.

"Don't play innocent, I know you must be dying to join my sister into pulling my legs, aren't you?"

Aries turned to Zen and said.

"Well...I would have loved to join your sister in this but on a second thought you already dislike me, I wouldn't want to make things worse."

Aries sighed hearing Zen say that. After a brief moment of silence Aries took a long breath and said in an apologetic tone-"....I apologize for making you feel that way. The truth is, sis is getting married really soon and I have been feeling a bit lonely. I didn't mean come off as hostile towards you, I am truly sorry."

Aria smiled proudly at her brother's sincere apology.

"Oh! no, I wasn't complaining. To be honest, I really envy the bond you both share. All my life what I only had with my own brother was the race to the throne of the Emperor."

"...."

 Both Aries's and Aria's smile sank when they saw Zen smiling weakly at them.

"Do not get a wrong idea, I'll always hold onto this grudge that you took away my sister."

Aries said with the motive to change the mood.

"About that, I promise, I'll never snatch away your sister from you. So... can I have Aria's hand in marriage?"

Aries glanced at Aria, who was too stunned at Zen's words to say anything at all.

"....."

"You...surely have a way with words."

Aries was so much in a loss of words that he couldn't say anything more than that.

Soon one of the palace servants approached the three of them.

"Empress Fisairi and Royal Concubine Evistia have arrived. It is time for everyone to present their gifts to Royal Concubine Evistia. So Emperor Alenward has asked for Crown Prince Aries, princess Aria and Crown Prince Zen to be present there as soon as possible."

The palace servant passed Alenward's message to the trio and bowed his head before leading the them to the ballroom.

The trio quickly moved to their arranged seats sitting next to each other. They could hear all type of gossips going on around the ballroom especially the discussions wondering about what type of gift Emperor Alenward has chosen for Royal Concubine Evistia and how would Empress Fisairi react to it, about how Royal Concubine Evistia must have been waiting for this very moment when she could look down on Empress Fisairi and how Empress Fisairi must be feeling so jealous right now.

"They just don't know how to move on from the past."

Aries said clenching his molars in a voice that only Aria could hear, who was sitting beside him. 

"I know right, I guess breakups and divorces must be also really hard on these people"

Aria said in a low voice to lighten the mood and as expected Aries let out a chuckle but quickly cleared his throat before putting a nonchalant expression on his face.

                                                                                                                                                       -To be continued