I walked towards the chatters of the ballroom and the music as I started getting nervous. No turning back now I thought. Yet the only thing I had to do was to Greet them and sit on the throne, overlook the debutante ball and when I was satisfied leave.

I spotted my brothers who were waiting in front of the big door. They were well groomed, head to toe. Since the stylist did a same theme fashion on both of them, they both bore a resemblance of each other as half brothers.

“Hey.” Ian greeted me.

“Yo,” I replied. “Alright. I hope you guys know what to do.”

“But there is nearly nothing for us to do.” Aeson complained.

“I know. But if they are enjoying their debutante then that's fine. Ready?”

“Yeah.” Ian said.

We linked arms, me in the middle, since I didn't have a partner. I felt like a squashed flower in a thick book, since those two guys were taller and more bigger than me.

“Here goes nothing.” I whistled underneath my breath, The servants opened the doors to the ballroom.

The light, the lukewarm air and the smell of wine and perfume. It was overwhelming, it made my nose itch.

“The imperial Family, Aurelia Helena Asterias, Aeson Alistair Dilan and Ian Calix Boman!” boomed a voice.

I looked down the podium stairs as they all curtied. We went down the stairs and walked towards our seats.

Just before sitting down I decided to toast them.

“Citizens! I wish you a nice debut in society.” I said way louder than expected. “Now, let us toast, for the coming-of-age ceremony!” Aeson handed me a cup filled with water, or clear wine. I raised my glass as a sign of toast.

“May Arlene give light to the Empire!” They chanted.

After a few dances, the guests gathered for the formal greetings.

“We greet the Great Ruler of the Empire!” cried Sir Larkin, Captain of the imperial Knights.

“Hail her Majesty!” The other knights shouted. They pounded their shields.

“We thank you for this grand party-” Sir Larkin continued.

My mind started drifting elsewhere as I scanned through the knights. I spotted the dude who led me out on the hunt. Hmm. He said he was my ‘Personal knight’. Did he beat me when we were dueling? I had nearly no memories while I was asleep.

Talking about dueling, I had to set an official date for the sword competition for the knights. Plus I felt like I really needed a personal knight, for my safety. (Fine fine, frankly I was getting tired of my brothers chiding me to get a personal knight.)

Talking about personal matters, I realized I totally forgot about my consort. After the night I went to check on the Second Prince, paperwork got nearly out of control because of the ball and the invitations I totes forgot. Hopefully after this ball, I’ll have a lot of time that I’ll be nearly bored to death. Then I’ll finally have some time by going on nightly spying or even go spying in the broad daylight.

“Hey, Aurelia” I snapped back into the present. “Yeah?” I asked. I looked up to Ian.

“Remember the consort from the Halio Kingdom?” He emphasised the Kingdom part.

“Yeah I do.”

“Maybe,” he looked around the room. “We can see him here today.”

“What? Why is he here?”

“He’s just a Prince from a foreign country. We thought he would go to the normal class.” Ian laughed as if he made a nice joke.

I fumed. “This isn’t a laughing matter!” I hissed.

“What do you mean?” he asked, quickly masking his playful side.

“He’s still second in line to the throne. Plus isn’t he the same position as Aeson?” I whispered ‘Aeson’ since I didn’t want Aeson to come running up to us, asking what we were talking about. Luckily he seemed busy talking with Sir Liam.

Ian raised his eyebrows. His face looked surprised as he wrung his hands.

“Then, we should invite him to the Ball in September as well.”

“Well, I guess. Then what will his title be? Since he works at the knight’s apartment-”

“Huh, he works here?” I asked.

“Yeah he does.”

Then I remembered that the King said that too. But the King said it so lightly, I assumed he was kidding. And also Aeson did.

“What title should he have, other than the Empress’s consort?” I asked. What could go wrong?

Ian’s ears turned slightly red. He covered his mouth with his hand, clearly embarrassed.

“Work on the documents for him then”. I ordered.