Alicia raised her brows with interest, "Hmm, I get that the Forgeworns and Faraulds were hosting this banquet, but what makes everyone so crazy about this?"
From Alicia's point of view, the two families hosting a banquet weren't anything special. It's not something a person like her could be excited about. Every year, there would be one or two aristocratic families who would be holding a grandiose winter banquet and it was never new.
Their conversation also caught Eli's attention. Although she knew very well what would happen in the winter banquet, she was still curious about how the people viewed the upcoming banquet.
"Milady, the banquet isn't a normal one! For it was the Emperor himself who offered the Moonlight Hall as the venue of the winter banquet! Everyone was really surprised to hear about this! We all know that the Emperor never showed direct support to any influential family in the capital. This is the first time and yet he didn't hold back at all! It's the Moonlight Hall! The largest banquet hall in the palace!" The stylist explained these things in a lively tone, her eyes were brightly shining. She was excited and proud as an employee of the Forgeworn family.
"Hmm, that really sounds so interesting." Alicia also agreed after she heard the explanation.
She grew up knowing the Emperor's background. When he ascended as the young Emperor of the Seirende Empire, he almost fell short due to the pressure of the noble men.
When he was able to stabilize his power, he showed that he would be the kind of leader who would never curry favors for the aristocrats in order to consolidate his power.
Yes, he was still constantly pressured by these nobles, just like how he helplessly sent his third son on the battlefield at an early age.
But he also never showed favor to any of them, no matter how influential they were.
This was the reason why the Vesalas and the Astazes were forever on a stalemate, no matter how much they schemed at each other in the council. They couldn't get ahead of one another because the Emperor never showed any biases towards any of them.
Even though their sisters were the Emperor's wives.
Even though their nephews were the Emperor's sons.
Hearing that the Emperor showed favor to two of the most influential families in the capital, the nobles and the common folks were in an uproar. They all had divided opinions.
Some believed that the Emperor was finally using his brain and used the two families as his strongest backing to suppress the haughty nobles. Others would just nonchalantly assume that the Emperor was just giving face to the late Emperor's sworn brothers and should not take this matter to heart.
Afterall, Grandmasters Reuben and Andvari are people worthy of respect for everyone in the Empire, as legendary S class grandmasters and also as the Empire's strong foundation during the war of the Blood Valley.
"I know right, Milady?! So this time, Milady's hair would very much be in time for the winter banquet! That is for sure!" The stylist answered proudly, while carefully putting the coloring concoction to Alicia's hair.
Alicia looked at Eli's reflection in the mirror and asked curiously, "Are you attending the banquet too?"
Eli looked back and calmly nodded, "Yes, I will be there too… I guess."
"Hmm, I see... Then I'd have to prepare for it too! It's boring to attend a banquet without knowing someone out there." Alicia looked satisfied at Eli's answer, she started to look forward to the banquet too.
Eli didn't reply any word and just gave Alicia a profound and assuring smile. She didn't voice out the question in her heart about Alicia saying that she would not know anyone in the banquet if she didn't attend.
Perhaps, she really was so haughty that other ladies would prefer to avoid her?
Thinking about this, she decided to shut her mouth and not hurt Alicia's pride.
It will take one hour to ensure that the colors were deposited in Alicia's hair properly. During this time, they never became bored as the stylist kept on entertaining them with countless news, rumors and gossip around the capital.
Other than the news of the winter banquet, the stylist divulged the news of the homecoming of the three princes which would also be held soon. Ever since the decree was announced, everyone knew that the Emperor sent all his sons to sweep the Empire clean of the sinister terrorists.
Knowing that the mission will be finally complete, everyone was looking forward to their homecoming. It meant that the Empire was also finally free of the threats from the Spectre!
"The homecoming and recognition ceremony would also be held on the day of the Winter Banquet!His Majesty planned to reward the entire army who were involved with the cleaning operations of the terrorists! Oh! There's also a portion where the Great Inventor and her project team would appear in public and receive recognition!" The stylist enthusiastically continued.
Upon hearing the news, both Alicia and Eli felt a surge of excitement in their hearts.
For Alicia, she looked forward to his little brother coming back after more than half a year of not seeing each other. She was sure that her parents would be elated with this news too.
For Eli, she was looking forward to seeing her Papi come home along with the rest of the blades too.
Of course, she was also looking forward to Leon's coming. There's also the thing where she would appear publicly to face all people.
"I guess, His Majesty would want that particular day to be really festive! Everyone in the capital would celebate morning 'till night…" Alicia replied with a nod, casting a meaningful glance towards Eli, the Great Inventor.
"Indeed!"
Soon Alicia's hair was ready. The stylist carefully brushed Alicia's now silky long black hair and styled it according to her facial features.
"Wow!" Eli couldn't help but exclaim in shock, astonishment filled her eyes.
"Is this really m-me?" Staring at the large salon mirror dazedly, Alicia looked at her reflection with her mouth agape.
"You really look good!" Eli and the stylist praised her in unison.
Prior to coloring her hair, it could be said that Alicia looked like a lady with fair and delicate features, if she decided to simply stand on a corner and not open her mouth. The moment she did, everyone would be shocked at the stark contrast of her personality and appearance.
However, right now, when she colored her hair black, she looked like a fierce femme fatale. Her delicate features were now alluring and dangerous. Her aura changed into a lady with a strong yet captivating presence. Following Alicia's haughty and prideful personality, her new look was perfect!
Alicia was stunned at the sight she saw, she looked at Eli with disbelief in her eyes, as if asking if it was an illusion that she was actually seeing.
"No, Alicia, it's you! You look beautiful!" Eli smiled sincerely while giving her an assuring look.
Alicia looked at the mirror once again, this was the first time she discovered this side of herself. The Alicia she saw in the mirror was something she never expected to see.
However, her heart feels so satisfied. With misty eyes, she smiled deeply while saying, "I'm glad that I did this…"
"Uhn! It's very worth it!" Eli supported her with praise.
The two women went home with a light and happy feeling. They even forgot the awkwardness of Alicia's confession of her hostility towards Eli earlier.
All that the two had in mind was how amazing the effect of coloring Alicia's hair was in her appearance.
Alicia excitedly went home to the Cross Estate. She couldn't wait to meet her mother and father to let them see her new look.
As soon as she reached the estate, she immediately inquired the whereabouts of her parents. She didn't even notice the shocked and astonished gazes of the servants around her.
"M-milady, Master and Madame are in the lounge having tea." A butler tried his best not to stammer in answering Alicia's question. He was clearly distracted by her new look.
"Alright, I'll head there right away!" She immediately replied and dashed to her parents' location.
The butler was too helpless to stop her from running through the estate. However, there was a relieved smile on his face, along with the other servants of the house, "Finally, young miss looked truly happy…"
In the Cross Family lounge which was warmly lit by firewood, an old couple was silently having their afternoon tea in the cold winter weather.
Although the couple looked silent and calm, there was an air of worry and longing in their eyes.
Perhaps it was because of their old age or perhaps because there were only the two of them in the seemingly large estate.
Bang!
The tranquility enjoyed by the old couple was shockingly disrupted by the sudden opening of the lounge door.
After that, a 'figure with silky black hair' suddenly pounced in their direction.
"Kyaaa!" The old couple was too startled, they yelped in distress at the figure speedily coming towards them.
They even lost grip of the tea cup they were currently enjoying.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢