I Choose The Villain Duke

"Announcing the future Sun of the Empire, His Royal Highness, Prince Reagan and His Highness's light, Princess Celestinia!"

Everyone stopped dancing and the music stopped playing to admire the royal couple and pay their respects. The people bowed and curtsied as the couple passed by them.

Celestinia's son was still a baby so he could not attend the ball yet. Despite just having given birth, she looked absolutely stunning. She wore a lavander tulle gown with light pink flowers sewn on it. Her long blonde hair was decorated with pink jewels shaped into flowers and on top of her head was a small rose gold tiara with violet and pink gems. She had her arm hooked around the king's arm and she had a pleasant smile on her beautiful face but her icy blue eyes seem to contain no joy.

Prince Raegan looked charming and regal as always. He had a strong charisma that could capture the attention of anyone instantly. He had inherited the genes of royal family, having the same golden hair and sky blue eyes.

King Raul got up from his seat and smiled widely. Old age had not yet crept upon the king. There were a few lines and wrinkles on his face but his body was still obviously strong. He still wielded the power of the Gold Dragon so it meant the Gold Dragon still considered him worthy of its strength.

"Raegan, you made it. I was worried that you won't be attending another ball again," King Raul said then turned to Celestinia. "Are you feeling better now, Princess Celestinia?" King Raul asked.

"Yes, Your Highness. It is in God's grace that I am fee-"

"You told me that you have an important announcement to make so I had to come. What is it, Father?" Raegan cut in.

Celestinia had looked at her husband sullenly. 

"Yes, we should welcome them now," King Raul said then turned to the people.

"Everyone, may I have your attention please?" King Raul asked loudly.

Even if he didn't ask, everyone was already paying attention to them.

"We have important guests from another kingdom who have joined us in this joyful evening. Please join me, Prince Kael," King Raul said.

A man with cropped light brown hair stepped forward and bowed.

"This is the crown prince of Terrasien. He has come here to make an alliance with us. With this, Aderlan will be more powerful again. I give you my gratitude, Prince Kael," King Raul said.

Cathryn frowned. Terrasien . . . Where did she hear that before?

"No, I am the one who is grateful to you, Your Highness. Thank you for agreeing to have an alliance with us. May I call my brothers please? I would like to have an exhibition for you, Your Highness," Prince Kael said happily.

"An exhibition?" Cathryn murmured.

"Are you fond of that, My Lady?" Yohann asked.

"Well, I'm not sure. Is it like the opera? If yes, then I might not like it. It's terribly boring," Cathryn said.

Yohann chuckled. "Then I shall do my best to entertain you, My Lady."

Yohann stepped forward and went towards Prince Kael. Another man with light brown hair joined them too. Before Cathryn could even start to comprehend what was happening, Prince Kael spoke.

"Your Highness, I present to you my two brothers," Prince Kael said.

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*

The man who looked older than Yohann spoke first.

"Your Highness, it is my honor to meet you. I am Prince Horen, second son of the the Terrasien royal family," he said and bowed.

Prince Horen was unsmiling unlike his eldest brother, Prince Kael, who was smiling while he spoke. Prince Horen was expressionless and he had an aura of someone who was strict and authoritative.

"Praise be, Sun of the Empire. I am Prince Yohann, youngest son of the Terrasien royal family," Yohann said.

Cathryn's hand flew to her mouth in shock. She just danced with a prince?!

Yohann glanced at her and gave her a sheepish smile as if to apologize to her for not telling her that he was a prince.

"It is a pleasure to meet you too. Well then, your older brother wants to have an exhibition. Will you indulge him? I, myself, would like to see what your older brother wants to present," King Raul said.

The three brothers looked at each other and nodded.

"We shall perform, Your Highness," Prince Horen said.

"Proceed," King Raul said.

The people moved back towards the walls to give space to the three brothers.

"Chiara! I summon thee!" Prince Kael shouted with his arm raised above his head.

A brilliant golden light appeared from the palm of his hand then it became bigger and bigger.

WOOOOSH!!!

The brilliant golden light slowly took shape.

"Kaw!!!"

Everyone gasped.

The light became a huge bird that seemed to be made of golden light. Prince Kael smiled and caressed the bird fondly.

"Kano! I summon thee!" Prince Horen shouted.

A wave of water suddenly appeared under his feet and it became bigger and bigger then it slowly took shape.

Everyone gasped again.

It became a humongous turtle that was bigger than a person.

"Ferus! I summon thee!" Yohann shouted.

A gust of snow suddenly appeared behind him then it slowly took shape.

This time, the crowd did not gasp.

The snow turned to a white wolf. It was bigger than the average wolf but it wasn't as impressive as the bird made of light or the giant turtle.

Prince Kael nodded to his brothers signaling for them to begin.

The exhibition started.

The bird made of light flew above the ceiling and then it flapped its wings. Glowing feathers fell above their heads and the crowd watched mesmerized by it. It was like fire falling down from above. Most of the people tried to catch the feathers. The king caught one too and it still glowed brightly even though it was already in the palm of his hand.

The giant turtle stomped its feet and the ballroom's floor transformed into white sand. The giant turtle stomped its foot again and sea water flooded in, there were even waves. The water reached only up to their ankles and made the ladies' dresses wet but the people were delighted.

Then they looked at the wolf, anticipating what it was going to show next.

The wolf became bigger than a human and . . . it just ran in circles.

Cathryn glanced at Yohann. He was smiling but he looked uncomfortable. She had the urge to tell him that it was fine. He didn't need to please everyone. He was already delightful as himself.

The exhibition ended and the people clapped. The sand and water disappeared without a trace. The summoned creatures were gone too.

King Raul clapped his hands.

"Marvelous. That was amazing. I've heard rumors of the magic that Terrasien royals have but it's my first time seeing it," King Raul said.

*

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*

Cathryn went to the cake buffet and took a plate of strawberry cheesecake. She went to one of the balconies to get fresh air.

Just her luck. She met a man who she enjoyed talking to but he had to be a prince. As if a prince would take her for his wife.

She sighed.

"Is it that bad?"

She looked up.

"My Lord. Oh, I mean, um, Your Highness," Cathryn said.

She was about to curtsy but Yohann suddenly held her shoulder. He almost looked . . . sad.

"No, don't do that. You don't need to do that to me and it's alright. You don't need to call me Your Highness. I don't even look like a prince. It's laughable, really," Yohann said.

"I disagree. You look like a prince. Every inch of you," Cathryn said softly.

There was a breeze. It lifted their hair a bit. Yohann smiled.

"May I?" Yohann asked leaning down.

Cathryn nodded.

Yohann tucked in a stray strand of hair behind Cathryn's ear.

Cathryn smiled and lifted her hand to his ear. She tucked in a stray strand of hair behind his ear.

Yohann chuckled.

"I should have tied it up," Yohann said.

"It's okay. It suits you," Cathryn said.

"So, how was the exhibition?" Yohann asked.

"It was my first time seeing something like that. It was really amazing," Cathryn said.

"And my wolf?" Yohann asked.

"I think I know why you're a member of the Wallflower Society," Cathryn said.

"It's because I'm not that impressive, right?" Yohann asked running his fingers through his hair.

Cathryn shook her head.

"It's because you don't believe in yourself. I think you're really impressive. In fact, I actually like your wolf more than the bird and the turtle," Cathryn said.

Yohann gave her a look of disbelief but he was smiling.

"Why?" Yohann asked.

"Because I think a wolf is like a dog and dogs are good best friends. They're extremely loyal and your wolf can even become really big! I bet he's really soft and it would be great to sleep on top of him," Cathryn said excitedly.

Yohann looked shocked.

Oops. Was that an insult to his magical wolf? Did she offend him?

Then he laughed.

"You want to use a summoned beast as a dog and a bed? Hahahahaha!"

Cathryn relaxed and laughed along with him.

"My Lady, if you allow me, I would like to spend more time with you. Will you allow me to meet with you again?" Yohann asked.