Banquet Party

Chapter 6

"Jaromir!" I exclaimed, rushing forward to envelop him in a warm hug the moment he stepped down from the carriage. My delight at his unexpected visit was evident, and I didn't bother hiding my enthusiasm to see my adoptive brother.

"Oh, Tina! How have you been?" Jaromir inquired with a wide grin, and in response, I giggled as he lifted me off the ground, spinning us around in a playful embrace. After that, he placed his hand on top of my head, blessing me with a gentle wince in my hair. "Father... I am home," he said, looking behind me. 

I hastily cleared my throat, almost forgetting that Edison wouldn't miss this for this world, as he nodded at Jaromir with a big smile plastered on his lips. "How are you, Romir? Your mother already missed you."

Jaromir and I exchanged glances before I nodded at him, indicating that he needed to continue the act. Melancholy served his expression as he tried to fix his composure by having a beaming smile.

"I shall apologize to Mother for worrying her, Father." He tapped Edison's shoulder. "Well, I shall say this at once so you won't ask later. I shall be staying here after tomorrow. I will need Faustina for the banquet party I am going to attend at the royal academy this weekend. Will that be alright, Father?"

I creased my forehead from the words he just uttered. "Is this for the foundation day?" Curiosity crept me in, earning a nod from Jaromir. 

"Yes." He winked at me before glancing at Edison. "What can you say, Father?"

"Haven't you found your mate yet?"

"Unfortunately." Jaromir did not seem bothered by not having a mate yet, assuring Edison that he would grant him a grandchild in the near future. 

Jaromir had been studying at the royal academy for almost four years already, hoping to graduate next year. He was taking the political science program and would be serving the royal palace soon as he graduated. It would also mean that he would be taking over the Beta position.

"I am so sorry to trouble you, Tina," Jaromir said, offering an apologetic smile as he followed me to the balcony. I had poured myself some wine after attending to my duties and ensuring that Edison was already resting. He took a seat beside me and shared a bottle of wine I was holding. "I have heard from Arsenal that Father has accused you so many times."

I leaned my head on his shoulder. "It's fine. I know Edison did not mean to. He is just sick." Hearing his sigh, I knew that he had been feeling troubled a lot.

"Father told me something interesting." I stiffened, assuming already what he was going to say. "So, Crown Prince Alucard stayed here in our mansion? Why the hell was he doing here?"

At the mention of Alucard, I couldn't help but blush profusely, vividly recalling our last encounter a week ago when he stayed with me for a few days to attend to some 'special' tasks together.

This made me clear my throat. "Um... Alpha Navarro said that His Royal Highness is actually looking for someone. It was said that a friend of his was heartbroken from the rejection of the girl his friend liked, so, he has come to see that woman to confront her." That reasoning was bugging me.

If Alucard was actually looking for a woman, who could that be? He did not even ask me when he was staying here. It was making me confused.

"Oh... Did he find her then?" I shook my head, and Jaromir nodded in understanding. He reached for my hair, gently massaging my scalp, sending shivers down my spine as the pleasant sensation washed over me. "Don't worry, Faustina. I will graduate soon, and I'll release you from this position you're in. But before that, I want to thank you for being our Beta in my absence," Jaromir said with gratitude in his voice.

Nodding, I hugged Jaromir's side, seeking solace from the things I had been through. Jaromir, showing his affection as my brother, kept caressing my hair until I felt drowsy and fell asleep inside his arms. 

The day before our departure, I received a letter that bore no emblem in the opening of the envelope. However, I immediately recognized the familiar handwriting of my name on the front, causing a smile to grace my lips as I carefully opened it.

My beloved dollface,

I missed you. No words can I ever come out of my mind, but I missed you. So bad. Even if our worlds were apart, I could have found myself going back to you, Faustina. I want to see you soon, but it will be hard for now since Brother Azarius is punishing me for the pending work I need to do. All I could do was write a letter and express my longing for you.

Your pudding,

Alucard

Suppressing a giggle, I bit my lower lip and managed to contain my excitement, preventing myself from squealing with joy. Taking a deep breath, I reread the letter once more before tenderly pressing my lips against the paper, as if I were kissing Alucard himself.

I couldn't believe that I would fall head over heels for this man, who I knew was my mate. In just a short amount of time, I knew that Alucard and I were falling deeply for each other. I thought that there would be no chance that I would be mated with him as I suppressed my feelings for him.

Gazing at my reflection in the mirror while still holding the letter, my fingers instinctively reached for the mark Alucard had left on the crook of my neck.

Yes, we had marked each other since that night we fulfilled the mating ritual.

"I miss you, too, pudding." I couldn't help uttering how I longed for Alucard already before hugging the letter.

Pudding... That was my endearment to Alucard.

I thought of that endearment when he extended his stay in our pack, which Alucard was elated by it. Now, that I was going to the royal academy, I thought that I might surprise Alucard by visiting him in the royal palace.

"You seem to be glowing, Tina. What's with that big smile on your face?" Jaromir playfully inquired as we disembarked from our journey to the royal academy.

"Nothing," I replied, suppressing a smile that threatened to creep onto my lips again.

Jaromir arched his eyebrow, looking like he was not buying my words. But he only smiled before proceeding to read the past summary reports I made so he could be updated about the happenings in our pack and how I worked. 

After a journey of more than six hours, we finally arrived at the Emerald Dorm, located in the east wing, an exclusive and prestigious dormitory reserved for royals, aristocrats, and elites attending the Sowinski Royal Academy. The dormitory was known for its opulent amenities, and having been here on numerous occasions, I could attest to its luxuriousness.

"My dorm is your dorm, Tina." Those were Jaromir's usual words every time I would be here in his room. "And your dress is already. I assumed that you still have the same size?" He showed me to the wardrobe where an extravagant gown was in the hostage.

My jaw dropped in awe as my hand delicately brushed against the smooth fabric of the gown, feeling its softness. It was a beautiful creation, crafted from a combination of linen and cotton, which would make it comfortable to wear. The color of the gown was a stunning emerald green, a hue that almost seemed to mirror the mesmerizing shade of Alucard's eyes.

"Wow, this is absolutely breathtaking," I whispered in amazement, my eyes never leaving the gown as I admired its intricate design. "Who could have thought that such an elegant piece would be waiting for me here?"

Jaromir chuckled, clearly pleased with my reaction. "I had it specially made for you, Tina. You deserve to be adorned in the finest attire for the banquet party while staying at the Emerald Dorm. After all, you are not just any ordinary student here, but you are presenting yourself as the member of the House of Kerez and my sister."

My heart was filled with overwhelming appreciation words from Jaromir. He was a great brother I could ever have. 

How I wished he would meet his mate already. I would be thrilled to meet her and accept her as my sister-in-law.

The day of the banquet party had finally arrived, and I could hardly contain my excitement. I stood in front of the mirror, wearing the stunning emerald green gown that Jaromir had prepared for me. The gown fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right places and making me feel like a true aristocrat, even though I was only an orphan of the House of Kerez. I couldn't believe how fortunate I was to have such a caring brother like Jaromir, who always looked out for me.

As I admired my reflection, Jaromir walked into the room, dressed in his formal attire. His dark eyes widened in admiration as he saw me, and a proud smile crossed his lips. "You look absolutely breathtaking, Tina," he said, his voice filled with genuine happiness for me.

I blushed at his words, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Thank you, Romir. Your gift means the world to me."

He placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned in, giving me a brotherly peck on the cheek. "Now, let's head to the banquet hall. I'm sure you'll make a lasting impression on everyone there."

We made our way through the elegant corridors of the Emerald Dorm, and as we approached the grand hall, the sound of music and chatter grew louder. The banquet was in full swing, with nobles, royals, and dignitaries mingling and celebrating. The atmosphere was charged with excitement and anticipation.

Upon entering, I caught glimpses of familiar faces, some of whom I had met during previous visits to the royal academy. Others were new to me, and I wondered if I might find any potential allies or friends amongst the crowd. 

"Come, I shall introduce you again to my peers." Nodding at Jaromir's words, he gently dragged me to the group of men in the corner, who were busy chitchatting and drinking some wine out of their wine glasses. "Everyone, I would like you all to meet my sister, Faustina Kerez."

That was all that happened at the party. I had to mingle with them and laugh with them like a daughter of a noble. 

The night wore on, and the banquet continued with lively conversations, dancing, and entertainment. I found myself becoming more at ease as I socialized with Jaromir's friends and acquaintances. They were all polite and welcoming, which eased my initial nervousness.

Among them, I noticed a young woman who seemed familiar. Her name was Lady Evelina Whitewood, the daughter of a prestigious aristocratic family known for their involvement in politics and diplomacy. She had long, flowing golden hair and striking emerald eyes that seemed to mirror the color of my gown.

Lady Evelina approached me with a warm smile. "Ah, you must be Faustina Kerez. I've heard about you from Jaromir." Her voice was soft and graceful, befitting her aristocratic upbringing.

I slightly creased my forehead, confused, before glancing at Jaromir, who was busy with his peers. "Um... Indeed, I am," I replied with a polite nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Evelina."

"The pleasure is mine," she said, her smile never wavering. "I must say, you look stunning tonight. That gown suits you perfectly, Lady Faustina."

I smiled, still a little perplexed as to why she was talking to me. Jaromir did not even say a word about her. The way I see it, Lady Evelina seemed like she knew... Jaromir in other circumstances.

My mouth had already opened to utter another word, but the grand entrance of esteemed guests interrupted me. The two-way doors swung open, and my eyes widened with surprise as my heart skipped a beat. There, standing together, were Crown Prince Alucard and a stunning lady by his side.

Their presence commanded attention, and the room seemed to come alive with excitement as  one of the professors' voices rang out, "Here comes His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Alucard, and Her Royal Highness, future Crown Princess Charity!"