The awaited night arrived. Many people from far and wide wearing, as you can guess, Victorian clothes and went one by one into the palace. I just watched from the balcony as they scurried like little ants with Makkun, Tia-chan and Caedmon-sama beside me.

"Aren't you excited, Sera-chan?!"

"Not really." I blankly replied.

"Sese-chan, don't be nervous okay? If anyone disrespects you, tell me immediately."

"I'm not."

"Seraphine-hime, tell me the places where Tia-chan will likely be~"

"Caedmon-sama!!"

"I will."

"Let's go~~" I nodded and took Makkun's hand. He was wearing a black and purple knight's uniform to pair with my dress. Tia-chan took Caedmon-sama's hand.

The four of us walked together along the halls where many knights lined up and stopped at two huge golden doors which seemed to emit its own light. Makkun knocked on the ingress and it opened revealing a beautiful scene full of candle lights and people with gem-adorned dresses.

"Her Highness Princess Seraphine Arcana Beatrice Oleifaera lei Dracaena of Daemonorops, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Maxentius Eliècer Pristine Lixivius von Coelacanth, Lord Caedmon Julius Cretaceae of Daemonorops and Lady Hestia Ceres Mantissa of Coelacanth are entering!!" A knight said in an amplified voice which caught the guests' attention.

'Oh my, is that the rumored lost princess?'

'Is she really the daughter of Serena Laurel Oleifaera-hime and Philippe Raizen Dracaena-ouji? She's so cute!!'

'Why does she have silver hair? Philippe-ouji had auburn hair whereas Serena-hime had gun metal hair!'

'And is that the human Duke Mantissa's daughter accompanying Caedmon-sama?'

'Prime Minister Cretaceae is so lucky to have an heir of great calibre!'

We can hear you, you know!!

"I'm here, Sese-chan..."

"Hn..."

Ojisama, with his regal black and red outfit, stepped out the door earning a few amazed gasps from the audience. He elegantly walked to his dignified golden throne, crossed his legs and propped his chin on his hand. His groomed raven hair added to his already charming aura.

"Greetings to His Majesty, Wilhelmus Nehemiah Dracaena-ou!!" Everybody bowed their heads except some few individuals, which to my conclusion, is the rulers of the other races' kingdoms.

Royals from elves, fairies, humans, mermaids, and dwarves lined up to present the King with gifts while I, the only heir to the draconic throne, sat idly by.

"Nehemiah-ou, I present you the 'Heart of the Sea'!!" An elderly man with pointed ears wearing an all-green outfit held out a small chest and a beautiful necklace embellished with a heart-shaped rare pink diamond rested inside.

"I thank you for the gift, Cymbo-ou."

Wait what? He's a king too?! Now that ojisama mentioned it, he was exuding a regal aura too.

"I greet Your Majesty Cymbo-ou!" I said and he smiled warmly.

"I'm glad you're doing well, my granddaughter..." I side glanced at ojisama. "It seems Nehemiah-ou never told you about your ancestry yet..."

"Now's not the time, Cymbo-ou..."

Makkun, who is standing beside my seat looking like an emotionless robot. When I glanced at him, he gave me a comforting smile that my cheeks heated up.

*bathump 2x

"Be proud, Sese-chan."

"Thanks."

After everyone gave their gifts, the dance followed and a melody played by an orchestra echoed through the ballroom. Everyone started dancing with their partner, even Tia-chan and Caedmon-sama did, while ojisama, Makkun and I remained in our places.

"Ojisama, shouldn't you--"

"No, I will only dance with Arcana..." He gave me a smile that didn't reach his ears which signified that he was quite sad. "Why don't you and the brat dance? I'm sure you'll have fun..."

"Sure. You? Aren't you... lonely?" I ignored the stares of the crowd.

*chuckle

"Don't worry about me, my beloved granddaughter, and just dance..."

"Okay..." I kissed his right cheek and grabbed Makkun's hand to dance. I placed my hands on his shoulders while his were on my waist.

The dancing crowd naturally gave some space as we immersed ourselves in our waltz. For its whole duration, I was staring at my reflection in his eyes.

I could feel my warm cheeks but I paid it no heed, I just focused my full attention at my dance partner.

For the whole time we were together, I just noticed that he has long dark lashes, pointed nose, thin red lips, strong jaw and pale skin. He was extremely handsome, and his charm would grow as he gets older, that I can bet.

I wanted to question the gods' view of equality towards humans.

"Sese-chan?"

Oops, I spaced out again. I've been doing this a lot lately.

"Ye-Yes..?"

"Why were you in a daze while looking at my face? Am I really that handsome to look at~?" Due to my surprise, I accidentally stepped on his foot. "That hurts."

"... sorry..." I apologized.

"It's because I teased you, I'm sorry." He countered but I wasn't convinced because I saw his eyes glint in mischief.

"Bully..!" I whispered so no one could hear except him. "Makkun, bully..!"

After our dance, everybody gasped while ojisama broke his throne when Makkun kissed my cheek and smirked.

"Makkun..?"

'Does the human Crown Prince have a relationship with the draconic princess?'

'Who knows, maybe he'll ask for her hand in marriage!'

'Oh my gosh, Daemonorops and Coelacanth would likely have a truce if the marriage between their Princess and Crown Prince comes to pass!'

'Unity between Coelacanth and Daemonorops, I'm looking forward to it!'

"Attention!!" Everyone turned to ojisama. "I'd like to announce something..." He motioned Makkun and I to go near him. "I announce that my granddaughter, Princess Seraphine Arcana Beatrice Oleifaera lei Dracaena, and the future Emperor of Coelacanth, Crown Prince Maxentius Eliècer Pristine Lixivius von Coelacanth, is to be betrothed from this day until their marriage!!"

"Glory to the princess and Crown Prince!!"

"Furthermor--" The lights suddenly turned off. My hold of Makkun's hand was loosened and I felt my arm being pulled away.

"Sese-chan!!" I heard Makkun yell in distress.

Some cloth gagged my mouth and slender hands tied mine tightly with a rope.

"Mmph!! Mmm, mmph!!"

A sudden hit on my nape made my mind drift to dreamland.