"Everyone, thank you for coming here today," King Septimius said, addressing the guests who had been invited to attend his youngest daughter's birthday.
"I believe that all of you have been well since our last meeting?" King Septimius' voice was calm and laced with a teasing tone, which made the atmosphere very casual and lively.
Everyone cheered as if to agree with their King's inquiry.
"Good!" King Septimius smiled. "Alright. I shall not make a long speech today. Thus, let me present to you my youngest daughter, Princess Shayna!"
The King of Agartha gestured for everyone to look up to the top of the staircase.
There, a young lady, whose beauty was already starting to show at a young age, walked down with a sweet smile on her face.
She was dressed in a very beautiful pink gown that highlighted her outstanding features, making those who saw her feel like their hearts were melting.
A silver tiara sparkled on top of her head, making Eiko, who saw it, become very interested in it.
"Shayna, do you have anything to say to our guests who have traveled far and wide just to be here today?" King Septimius asked in a voice filled with affection.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Princess Shayna replied before scanning the crowd of people whose gazes were locked unto her small frame.
When her gaze landed on Lux and Gaap, her eyes lingered there for a few seconds before once again scanning the crowd, making sure that she had looked at them all.
"I thank all of you for coming here today to celebrate this very special day with me," Princess Shayna said. "I hope that my Father has prepared enough food and drinks to fill your stomachs, and enough performers to keep all of you entertained. If the preparation for this celebration is somewhat lacking, please feel free to voice your concerns to me so that I may complain to him later on."
The sound of laughter and cheers resounded within the ballroom after everyone heard Princess Shayna's amusing speech.
Even Lux and Gaap, who weren't expecting much, found the young girl to their liking.
The King of Agartha looked at his daughter fondly, and a faint chuckle escaped his lips.
Clearly, he liked how Princess Shayna made everyone feel at ease with her gentle and soothing words, making the atmosphere more amiable.
"You heard my daughter, everyone," King Septimius smirked. "Feel free to complain to her if you find this celebration lacking."
Everyone knew that even if they found the preparations lacking, none of them would dare to complain about it. Even so, they still nodded their heads and smiled at their King, who had ruled Agartha for many years.
"Now, without further delays, let the celebration officially begin!" King Septimius declared.
As if waiting for that cue, the musicians started to play their instruments, and the Princess and the King headed toward the dance floor.
The two gracefully danced together under everyone's watchful eyes. It was a custom among the Royal Family for the birthday celebrant to dance with one of their own first before allowing others to take their turn.
After their dance ended, they both headed to the table reserved for the Royal Family, while the rest of the guests made their way to the dance floor to dance with their partners.
"Ei!" Eiko, who had been holding herself back, nudged her Papa's cheek, making Lux chuckle.
"Okay, let's eat." Lux smiled before heading towards the buffet-style tables that were laden with food.
Just as he expected, he garnered a lot of attention as he piled up his plate with the foods that the Baby Slime had chosen.
Aside from Beast Cores, Eiko also ate regular food. She liked to try dishes that she had never tasted before, and the dishes in Agartha were all new to her.
"Ei!"
"Okay. I'll get that too."
After filling up two plates with food, Lux returned to their table. However, halfway to his destination, a young lady wearing a pink dress blocked his path.
"Sir Lux, may I have the honor of having your first dance?" Princess Shayna asked as she made a curtsy.
The Half-Elf stiffened, not knowing what to do as both of his hands were occupied with plates of food. Bowing to her while holding them would look embarrassing.
Even so, since the Princess of Agartha, who was also the birthday celebrant of today's event, asked for a dance, he had no choice but to accept it.
"It will be my honor, Your Highness," Lux replied as he did his best to return the Princess' curtsy with a bow of his own.
"Can I leave these plates on the table first?"
"Of course, Sir Lux. Sorry for the trouble."
Princess Shayna smiled as she gazed at the Half-Elf's retreating back.
Naturally, her invitation to dance caught the attention of nearly everyone in the Event Hall of the Royal Palace.
King Septimius, on the other hand, wasn't surprised by his daughter's action. He had already anticipated this, but he didn't plan on doing anything.
Princess Shayna had already promised him to not say things that she shouldn't say, and that was more than enough for him.
"Enjoy your food, Eiko," Lux said as he placed the plates filled with food on the table. "Don't wander around anywhere, okay?"
"Pa!" Eiko nodded before jumping on top of the table to begin her food-tasting session.
After he was sure that the Baby Slime was going to behave, Lux fixed his clothes a bit before approaching Princess Shayna, who was standing beside the dance floor.
Her maids and guards were also there to ensure that she wouldn't get mobbed by the guests, and the Nobles only greeted her one at a time.
When Lux finally arrived, a smile appeared on her face when the Half-Elf reached out his hand in askance to hold her own.
The two then walked towards the center of the dance floor under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Everyone wanted to be the Princess' second dance partner for the night, so many of them asked for a dance, but instead of accepting their offers, she only said that she already had a dance partner in mind.
Lux's goal in Agartha was already known to everyone, and some of them ridiculed him for being stupid.
ραndαsnοvεl.cοm Those who didn't like him were very eager for him to be affected by Aurora's curse so that he would also suffer bad luck for a very long time.
Even so, they set aside these thoughts for now and watched as the Half-Elf placed his right hand on Princess Shayna's waist and waited for the music to begin.
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