Chapter 7: Duchess Vienna's Advice

Back at the palace, Lord Eros comes into Princess Asteria's mind again. Did he really abandon her like that? After she revived him? Plus, is the story really going with the flow now? Because as fast as she could see, her busy big brother Apollo is not making any moves on his supposed female lead, Roselle.

"Do you know, Lord Eros?" Words came out of Princess Asteria's mouth as she was approaching the banquet hall. Vita looked at her in confusion.

"The dark mage? Of course, your highness. You could even ask the children in this kingdom about that legend and you'll get an answer." Her maid answered, "Forgive me but why did you ask, your highness?"

She shook her head, "Nothing…just heard it in the streets."

She remembered her cat. "And where the hell is my cat Lucia anyway?

Vita shrugged. "I haven't seen him ever since you disappeared earlier, your highness. She must have gone somewhere as cats usually do."

Asteria nodded, knowing she will just appear again.

As soon as she entered the banquet hall, everyone was already dancing. She was asked to seat at the front, beside her brothers and King Xander who was all smiles today.

"You're late." Muttered Prince Ares, her brother.

"So? I'm the princess, I can do anything I want." She remarked and Prince Ares just chuckled.

Her father leaned toward her and whispered. "What a lovely night it is and looking for your future husband."

She smiled sheepishly. The king then stopped the dances momentarily as foods were displayed in front of them and they had their dinner first.

As soon as Asteria finished eating, she turned to her father, "Father…can we stop this finding my husband?" She muttered beside her father.

"Why? Doesn't my princess want to find her husband?"

"I don't want to get married now." She said. "I don't want to get married. Ever."

Her father gasped. He glanced at her maid, "Is she sick? Or is she not well right now?"

Vita bowed, "Forgive me, your highness, I failed to take care of her."

There were around 20 men from around the kingdom, standing in front of them with their assistants, holding their gifts as they try to impress the princess.

Of course, there's no denying the fact of how beautiful the princess is that it leaves the men from around the kingdom in awe. Her name reaches even the borders of another kingdom, and they wish to see her face even once in their lives.

With the princes presenting their extraordinary gifts of gold, diamonds, and pieces of jewelry for the princess, Princess Asteria couldn't get her eyes off of Prince Galician, the second lead of this story. He should be making his advances to Lady Roselle now, why the hell is he here in her banquet?

"Presenting, Duchess Vienna and Duke Raziel Donovan from Orthosdem Imperium!" William announced as a duke and duchess from Orthosdem Imperium, one of the other kingdoms that the Ardis Kingdom was allied with, visited tonight. They are considered special guests.

Her father the king acknowledged them and erupted in a bright smile, as he did for the entire night.

Duchess Vienna smiled back and bowed a bit to the king.

"What a lovely occasion to see you two!" Her father greeted.

Duke Raziel, as stoic as ever just nodded and grabbed his wife's waist protectively and Duchess Vienna was the one who replied, "Well, we have been traveling for an entire year but we don't want to miss out on the princess's birthday." She said, smiling at Asteria.

Asteria returned the smile and suddenly, they introduced their motive.

"Well, enough about us. What we actually came here for is to introduce our kingdom's pride, our crowned prince Griffith." Said Duchess Vienna.

A handsome man with blonde hair stepped in and bowed, "Good evening, your majesty."

The way he gracefully moves and carries himself charmingly makes everyone look at him. He must not be older than her own oldest brother Prince Apollo, but Asteria can't help but kept her eyes on his handsome face.

As far as she could remember, Prince Griffith is just a supporting character whose only appearance was to be the female lead's best friend. Yet why is he here?

He noticed her gaze so he glanced at her and smiled charmingly.

Asteria gulped, feeling her heart hitching at that. He's like…the very definition of a prince…

The prince then went in front of her and smiled, as he took her hand to kiss the back of it, "Good evening, Princess Asteria. You look lovely tonight." He said, not breaking eye contact.

She instantly withdraw her hand, embarrassed for her sweaty palms.

"Good evening." She simply replied. Goodness. She was a firm believer in disagreeing with this husband finding conquest yet now that seeing this handsome prince after her hand, she felt like having second thoughts.

Well, she can't blame herself. After all, there is one weakness she has.

And that is for handsome men. Goodness, will she be able to last in this novel at this state?

She could see Duchess Vienna loving this situation, so she smirked and cleared her throat, "May I talk with the princess for a moment to have a ladies' chat?"

"Certainly, my daughter may use some advice from fellow women as her brothers only surround her. Please take care of her, duchess." The king said and then looked at Duke Raziel, "I heard about your kingdom's fate and how you two heroically saved it. I want to know more about it." Said her father.

Duke Raziel looked at his wife, "Be careful and not offend the princess, my wife."

The duchess laughed it off, "What? You don't trust me, dear?" Remarked the duchess. Duke Raziel was still holding her hand and didn't even want to let go of his wife, but with Duchess Vienna's persuasion, Duke Raziel finally let her go.

Duke Raziel pouted like a kid, but Duchess Vienna was quick to plant a soft kiss before grabbing Asteria's hand and leaving the hall before her husband changed his mind,

The men were left in the room to chat. Princess Asteria looked behind one last time and saw Prince Griffith eyeing her too.

She instantly avoided his gaze as Duchess Vienna took her to the tea room and made her sit on the sofa. They asked the maids around for some tea and drank it in silence.

"Don't be nervous; I don't bite." The duchess spoke up after the awkward silence, and Asteria chuckled nervously.

She softly grabbed her hand and smiled, "I only intend to talk to you as I could see my past self to you. But you're too beautiful; I want to hug you!" She said and squished her cheeks, "Oh, forgive me, was I being straightforward?"

"No, it's alright," Asteria responded. Although Duchess Vienna is a bit aggressive, she's very entertaining to talk to. The way she spoke earlier with the king looked a bit intimidating, but now that she gets to be alone with her, she seems nice.

Duchess Vienna sighed, "I wanted to talk to you alone here so I could advise you as I was once in your shoes and was forced to be wed off by my father. I know you don't like the idea of marriage just as much as I do."

She gasped, not expecting the duchess to be this sharp, "You could tell?"

Duchess Vienna nodded, "Yes, I can advise you not to let yourself depend on any man. Stand up for yourself and know when to fight."