The grand ballroom shimmered with opulence, its walls adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of valor and triumph. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the assembled guests who mingled and danced with an air of excitement. I stood away from the curtains, filled with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

My princely attire was impeccable, a tailored ensemble of midnight blue velvet adorned with silver embroidery that shimmered in the soft light of the ballroom. A dark blue tunic peeked out from beneath the jacket, its collar adorned with a silver brooch in the shape of the royal crest. Similar to how Kozani had been dressed when he summoned me, a long white cape flowed from my shoulders, showing hints of the  interior when I moved. 

Beside me stood Lucilla and Azriel, both resplendent in their own finery. Lucilla wore a gown of pale pink silk, her curls done up with elegant glass beads. A delicate tiara adorned her brow, sparkling with diamonds and sapphires that caught the light with every movement. Azriel, meanwhile, was dressed in a tailored suit of deep navy blue, his expression a mask of stoic determination as he surveyed the room with a keen eye.

“Glad to see my children are all so handsomely dressed,” the three of us quickly bowed as Konzai approached with Nisha, each dressed in royal attire. Kozani wore a regal ensemble of deep crimson velvet, embellished with intricate gold embroidery that highlighted his status as Emperor. Empress Nisha was a vision of grace and elegance in her gown of blood red silk, accented with delicate lace that trailed behind her like the wings of a butterfly. 

The music swelled, signaling the commencement of the ceremony. I glanced at Lucilla and Azriel, feeling a surge of nerves coursing through me. This was a big moment, one where my presence would finally be revealed to the entirety of the empire. Arlathan had drilled me over and over on Aesatia’s lands and history and I was certain I could recite the facts in my sleep. The story was that I was found abandoned on the southern border of the empire, but for some reason, my memories of my parents were hazy. Due to my appearance and initial magical promise, Kozani decided I was a perfect age and candidate to become his heir.

“Presenting his Imperial Majesty, Kozani Chaol Shadowsoul Ath'tal and his esteemed wife, Nisha Anylth Ath’tal,” I took a deep breath as the Emperor and Empress disappeared through the curtains, out into the ballroom where the three of us would soon follow. I looked down as I felt a small hand in mine, and saw Lucilla smiling up at me brightly. I returned her smile, pulling my hand away as he spoke again. “Presenting the Royal children, Lucilla, Azriel and Javier.”

Before my nerves could get the better of me, I stepped out into the ballroom, Lucilla and Azriel trailing behind me as I walked through the room. Whispers and glances followed my movements, and I almost felt nauseated from all the eyes on me. So many faces I had never seen or even heard of and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled to keep my composure. 

As I glided through the ballroom, every step felt like a weighty decision, each glance a scrutinizing appraisal. The opulence surrounding me seemed to magnify the tension in the air, as if the very extravagance of the setting demanded perfection from every guest. Lucilla and Azriel remained by my side, their presence a comforting anchor in the sea of unfamiliar faces.

The music, a melodic symphony of strings and woodwinds, enveloped us as we made our way toward the center of the room. Each note seemed to echo the rhythm of my heartbeat, a steady drumbeat of anticipation and apprehension. I could sense the weight of expectations pressing down upon me, the weight of a role I was about to step into, a role that had been thrust upon me by fate or perhaps by design.

Lucilla and Azriel passed me as they moved to sit beside the Emperor and Empress and I noticed the throne that sat between Kozani and Azriel. My throne.

“As many of you know,” the music stopped and the room grew silent as Kozani stood, his voice carrying all over the room. I took a deep breath as I met Kozani’s eyes and I was reassured by the gentle look I noticed on his face. He was proud of the progress I had made in just three weeks, and I managed to relax slightly as he continued. “It has been a long time since I welcomed another demon into the royal family.

“I am happy to present to you the new Crown Prince, Javier Myrin Silverlight Ath’tal,” I bowed deeply as the room began to applaud, surprised to hear my full name. I had figured my family name would be Ath’tal, but I was confused by the two middle names. Nisha had only been introduced with one middle name and Silverlight was close to Kozani’s Shadowsoul. Was there some sort of importance on the second middle name?

I straightened, my heart pounding with relief as I made my way toward the emperor, sitting down beside Kozani as he also sat back down. Now facing the crowd from the front of the room, I finally managed to recognize a few of the faces, including Valerian. He seemed to be standing with who I could only imagine was his father, and I frowned as I noticed how similar they looked. Had Valerian been adopted into the Heskel family due to his resemblance to Sir Idris?

“Congratulations, Prince Javier,” my attention was pulled back to a guest who stood in front of me, and I bowed my head. It was Lady Taz'garis and her children, and I did my best to smile politely. Taz’agris was another of the Royal Families, and I had expected that it would be the other six families who would greet me before anyone else. Even though they had all known about my presence, they would have to pretend otherwise in the presence of the other aristocracy. 

I mostly ignored the other families that came up to greet me, only paying attention as Valerian approached with his father. Valerian wore a tailored doublet of deep crimson velvet hugged his frame, the fabric catching the light in subtle gleams as he moved. Intricate gold threadwork adorned the edges, tracing intricate patterns reminiscent of ancient sigils and symbols. 

As he approached, a faint smile played at the corners of his lips, betraying a hint of warmth beneath his facade. I couldn’t help the smile that came to my lips, and I barely heard his father’s greeting as I kept my eyes on Valerian. His gold eyes were playful like always, and a part of me wished that I would be able to mingle as I pleased after all the Royal Families congratulated me. We hadn’t spoken since the night Valerian showed me the mirror, and I couldn’t shake the memory of our awkward exchange.

"Congratulations, Prince Javier," Valerian spoke, his voice smooth as silk yet tinged with a hint of something I couldn't quite place. 

"Thank you, Valerian," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. His gaze held mine for a moment longer than necessary before he turned to join the other guests, and I could only hope that my flushed cheeks weren't obvious to anyone else. 

“Can we get up now, please!” I looked over as I heard Lucilla’s voice, unsurprised by her pleading. It seemed her desire to move superseded any desire to be presentable. “Sir Idris was the last one!”

“Usually, you’d be right, but we have a special guest tonight, Lucilla,” Kozani chuckled, but I couldn’t help my confusion. Was there someone visiting from Rasu or Paxe? As I thought this, I noticed a new figure approaching, passing by Valerian and his father as they retreated.

The newcomer moved with an effortless grace, gliding through the crowd with an air of regal confidence. Tall and slender, he had the unmistakable features of an elf, with pointed ears peeking out from beneath a cascade of silver hair that shimmered similarly to my own. His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of emerald green, sparkled with a hint of amusement as he surveyed the room.

As he drew nearer, I couldn't help but feel a pang of unease fluttering in the pit of my stomach. There was something about his presence that seemed to unsettle me, a subtle energy that prickled at the edges of my senses. The same way Valerian seemed to pull me in, this elf seemed to be almost attacking my very being.

"Your Imperial Majesty, esteemed guests," the elf spoke, his voice smooth and melodious, carrying a faint accent that I was surprised to hear. "I am Aldrin, ambassador of the Sylvandor Empire."

His words were polite, his demeanor gracious, yet there was an underlying intensity to his gaze that made me instinctively tense. It was as if he saw through the facade I wore, peering into the depths of my soul with a scrutiny that sent shivers down my spine.

"Welcome, Ambassador Aldrin," Kozani greeted him with a nod, his expression cordial, "we are delighted to have you join us for this auspicious occasion."

“Indeed, it is not often an outsider gets to witness such an event,” Aldrin returned the nod with a small smile. “I offer congratulations to Prince Javier on the behalf of her Imperial Majesty Lensa Beijeon.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd at the mention of the elven queen's name, and I couldn't help but feel a prickle of curiosity. From my reading, I knew that the elves weren’t particularly fond of demons, since they considered demons ‘unnatural’ due to being born from the dead. For her to send an envoy just in time for my coronation was… suspicious to say the least, and the vibe I was getting from Aldrin didn’t help.

"Thank you, Ambassador Aldrin," I replied, my voice steady despite the tumultuous whirlwind of emotions churning within me. "It is an honor to receive well wishes from the Empress herself."

Aldrin inclined his head in acknowledgment, his gaze lingering on me for a fraction longer than necessary before he turned to rejoin the gathering. The ballroom hummed with a newfound energy, a current of anticipation swirling around us like a gentle breeze as Lucilla bounced from her seat, ecstatic that we could move around the ball. As she attempted to drag me from my seat, I did my best to push off my worried thoughts. 

This was a night to celebrate, after all.