Part 47

Sylvia's POV:

"Owch!" I cry out as I blow on my finger yet again.

"Gently, Sylvia, like you're sewing clouds," Lianey repeats.

"Who knew sewing clouds would be so painful," I mumble.

"Pardon my language but this is your fault for disregarding your embroidery for so long."

"I know... But can you blame me? I'm completely swamped with work with the Adunatio and Crown princess duties. And now, the aristocrats are becoming a huge pain in my side."

"Ah yes, Archduke Malachy. He has been constantly trying to butter up my father and brother with his new schematics of how we should be dealing with weapons instead of grain. Honestly, the more I remember of his proposal, the more I shudder."

"Weapons? You mean like magical weapons?"

"Mhmm."

"But how would he do that without my permission? They're sanctioned by the Royal family as only being allowed in Hefelia currently."

"Did you not know? The green light for international trade has been given."

"WHAT?! Who gave that order?!"

"I can't say. But permission was definitely given, he even had a letter of approval on him. My father was equally as shocked."

"That can't be right, I need to talk to Ace about this."

"I'm sure you can talk to him after you finish this. Or perhaps... start a new one."

"Is this one not good aswell?"

"Sylvia... I love you... but this is horrendous..."

FOUR DAYS LATER

It was the day of the Royal Pledge. A day where the gentlemen of society pledge their future career choice: successorship of their title or another form of livelihood. Among this, they establish who exactly is their fiancée and ask their hand for the Adunatio. As a response, the ladies will give a handkerchief to accept.

Despite the tediousness, it is also a day for the young men to fight for ladies that they believe they should be engaged to, participating in a duel with the fiancé of that lady and after finally winning, will ask the lady for her hand.

Quite honestly, it has rarely been done unless a couple were really in love and felt no other option, but the legalities of it is so overbearing that many simply talk privately and establish a solution behind closed doors. The only reason why this still exists is because of the confession of two old houses hundreds of years ago and the tragic tale of what happened when they couldn't be together.

"sigh Why couldn't Romeo just man up and tell Juliet he loved her. At least then, we wouldn't have to do this," I groan, waiting for Hady to fix the sash on my waist. The dress was a simple green with a short front skirt and longer back.

"I think the Pledge is a good way for couples to showcase themselves. I'm sure his highness will be breath taken over your appearance today."

"He had better, with how tight this bodice is. And I swear, this sash comes undone every five minutes."

"All sorted now, miss, you can return to the ball."

"Thank you Hady, oh my god, the bells! I'm late!" I gasp as I rush behind the crowd and tip toe my way to the pedestal where my family was.

"You're late," my mother whispers through her smile.

"Sorry, dress issues," I whisper-smile back.

"I don't see the difference between you wearing this and a normal dress," Silver rolls his eyes.

"None of my dresses are normal. Which is why they take more than a normal amount of time to fix."

"Quiet now, it's starting," my mother says as the King clears his throat and the trumpets finish their song.

"Welcome to this year's Royal Pledge. I am delighted to..." the speech goes on for five minutes before he finally stops. Taking another breath, he begins the Pledge. "I now call out the eligible boys to pledge themselves to the country. Come forth!"

With that, all boys march forward into two lines, facing each other before turning to the King and bowing. The boys ascended from lowest rank first to highest. Ace was right at the back of the second line.

"And now, the delicate ladies, step forward." Unlike their marching, we strutted neatly in lines perpendicular to the men, stopping at each side of the King. I was right at the end of the second line.

After a minute, the first boy from the first line stands up and places a hand to his heart.

"I am Anthony Valour Crick, first son and child of Baron Crick, I pledge to take over my father and succeed the title. I ask for Melody Rose Vicell to stand by my side, as my wife," he then bows in front of the King and then to the first lady of the line.

"I am Melody Rose Vicell, third daughter and fourth child of the Visell Barony, I pledge to further my studies in literature. I accept the request of Anthony Crick, and hope he can support me in the future in my studies and life as my husband. I present this handkerchief as a token of my acceptance," she announces.

"And does anyone object?" The King asks. Silence. Before he nods to the lady and she ties the handkerchief to his hand before he kisses hers and they walk to the side. And then the next. And the next.

"I am Hayden Theodore Piers, first and only son of the Viscount Piers, Minister of International Affairs, I pledge to further my studies of international trade to one day succeed my father in his national and international duties. I ask for Lianey Garil Swivel to stand by my side, as my wife."

"I am Lianey Garil Swivel, first daughter and second child of Marquis Swivel, Minister of International Trade, I pledge to pursue the Arts and Languages. I accept the request of Hayden Piers, and hope he can help develop my linguistic skills by my side as my husband. I present this handkerchief as a token of my acceptance," she announces.

"Does anyone object?" Silence again. Next was Monique. As Aiden was engaged to her, he was set in between the Marquis section even though he was technically a commoner.

"I am Aiden Florence, first son of Richard Florence, ward of the temple and magic tower. I pledge myself to the magic tower and its studies. I ask for Monique Layla Devereux to stand by my side, as my wife."

"I am Monique Layla Devereux, third daughter and fifth child of Marquis Devereux, I pledge myself to accountancy and the study of economy. I accept the request of Aiden Florence, and hope he may stand by my side during my life as my husband. I present this handkerchief as a token of my acceptance."

"Does anyone object?" The King says lazily, already looking to give the nod after countless times of repeating the same thing.

"I object." Monique froze in her step. The room stopped and twisted their heads towards the owner of the voice. A creeping feeling crawled up my back as I recognised the voice. My eyes rested on those ominous golden eyes.

"Cairo. My nephew, do you object?"

"I do. I have found myself to hold feelings to the daughter of Marquis Devereux and wish to compete for her hand."

The room erupted into whispers. I whizzed to Ace who gave me a calm look but his eyes were as shocked as mine.

"Forgive me sir, but I do not hold similar feelings for you. I have in fact never met you before," Monique says.

"It may be a tad embarrassing, but I have found myself wondering after you ever since I met you that day all those months ago. Allow me to pursue you, please. I ask for a duel."

"I am sorry, nephew, but it seems like a duel for the lady's hand would be useless if she will not return your favour afterwards-"

"But allow me to remind you of the law of the land. Specifically the Deep Magic Law. Paragraph 76, Clause 7: A commoner should not marry a noble above a Viscount."

"But the next clause states only because of the conflict that the clash of magic difference causes. Aiden is an apprentice of the Magic Tower, showing he is sufficient for the pardon of that clause," Monique shoots back. Cairo simply smiles.

"Ah but Paragraph 95, Clause 12 states that a noble can only marry a magician of the Magic Tower, not an apprentice, for they can still be found of violating the previous clause. Paragraphs 92, 95 and 103 state similar things, in over 19 different clauses."

"Even still, any disputes over engagements like this should have been brought up to me before," I step forward.

"My apologies, Miss Scilla, but your are only the Crown Princess. Matters of engagements for a man of my standing does not fall into your domain, but rather-"

"His Majesty's..." I finish, realising.

"Exactly, and I have been trying to schedule an appointment beforehand but you were simply too busy, Your Majesty. It seems this is the only time."

"Even still, nephew, the matter of this courtship cannot be done via a duel."

"I will not accept you," Monique finishes.

"But at least you cannot be engaged to him." I saw a wave of fury wash over Monique as she clutches her handkerchief. The ladies in the line were now whispering vigorously with Violetta looking at me with uncertainty.

"Now, nephew, I believe we are in need of a chat. The ceremony shall take a momentary break. Please, help yourselves to refreshments. Marquis Devereux, if you can join me with your daughter. You may come as well, young Florence," His Majesty chuckles nervously as he nods to his assistant to handle the room while he's gone.

I hurry to Monique who was frozen in anger. "What does he intend to do?" She whispers.

"I don't know, but it's best you follow along to find out, don't worry, I'll do whatever I can to resolve this."