The party was well underway when Aurora and Mairwen joined the festivities. In return for her assistance, the princess had helped her mother get ready. When the Emperor saw his Empress, his heart skipped a beat. She wore in a violet gown that was form fitting to the waist before falling gently to the ground. Aurora had chosen the gown instead of one of her more fantastical dresses because today was not about her. It was about her children. But for Devrim, her simple outfit only made her more attractive.

The room grew quiet as the Empress took to the musicians' platform with her daughter. Aurora scanned the crowd looking for Alaron, but he was not anywhere to be found. They would have to go on without him. "Welcome to the celebration of the Prince and Princess's sixteenth birthday. If it is acceptable to my daughter, I will allow the official celebration to commence."

"It is acceptable to me," Mairwen announced proudly. "Please enjoy yourselves!" After the applause died down, the ladies left the stage and the music began again.

Devrim smiled as the two beautiful ladies walked toward him. He was proud to know two such independent women. "How is it I am blessed with the company of the two most gorgeous women in the room?" he asked as they approached. The Emperor Consort kissed the hand of the princess and the cheek of the Empress. They lavished dazzling smiles on him.

"We clean up well, I will admit," Aurora said with a little pride in her appearance. "And you are looking quite dashing as well!"

Devrim took the compliment with humble nod. He enjoyed the kind words from his wife, but he never knew how to respond. "Thank you," he managed at last. He tucked his arm around the woman's waist as Mairwen looked on approvingly. One day she hoped to find a love live theirs.

Scanning the crowd, Aurora smiled and nodded at each pair of eyes she met. "So many people!" She whispered under her breath.

"You sound like me," Devrim chuckled. "I thought you enjoyed being around others."

"I do. But not when everyone around me wants something from me." The Empress sighed.

"I do not want anything from you," the grey-eyed man said gently.

Aurora cut her eyes toward him. "Nothing?" She asked with a warning in her voice.

Devrim flushed. "I am a very content man, but I would like a dance."

The Empress smiled, "Now that is a desire I will happily fulfill. But perhaps you should offer the guest of honor the first dance."

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"You are very wise, my wife. Mairwen, may I have the pleasure of a dance?" Devrim faced the princess and bowed deeply. He offered his hand and the girl gladly accepted. Aurora followed the pair with her eyes as they approached one of the many dance floors. Those who were there stepped aside and allowed the two to be the center of attention.

The look on Mairwen's face said it all: life, at that moment, was perfect. Aurora held back happy tears. She had never been able to have a moment like that with Emperor Elias, and watching the scene play out before her mended a piece of her heart she did not know was broken. She looked around for Alaron. If he would have her, she would join the others on the dance floor. Alas, she could not see him in the sea of people, and moving through every room of the party to search for him would take too much time.

The song ended and those listening clapped politely. Mairwen escorted her partner and placed his hand into his wife's palm. "Thank you," the princess said, "I will remember that all my life." A young gentleman bowed as he approached them and began to ask the young lady for a dance. Before Devrim could object—he did not like boys eyeing his daughter—Aurora gently steered him toward the dance floor for her turn.

"He cannot dance with Mairwen," Devrim muttered, "What if he is an elf or worse in disguise? Remember your sixteenth birthday?" At the Empress's sixteenth birthday, Gandr, disguised as Sir Iorwerth, had enchanted Aurora with the intent to control her mind. Of course that plan had backfired.

Aurora shook her head, "What happened on my birthday is highly unlikely to ever happen again. Besides, Brinn is watching, and she will be even quicker than you to take down any boy that gets too friendly."

Brinn, who had closed the servants' entrance before joining the party, was surveying the festivities from above on a balcony. Devrim calmed down a little. "Still," he said protectively, but he had no further argument. The Emperor decided to enjoy his own dance partner instead , and the music swept them up in its tune.

"The music is almost as lovely as you," the grey-eyes man crooned.

"I think you believe that. No one else sees me the way you do." Aurora absentmindedly tucked a strand of stray hair behind her ear before placing her hand back on her husband's shoulder.

Devrim was always amazed at how the woman in front of him had no clue how incredible she was. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"I lied. There is something else I want from you," the Emperor said with a playful smile. He leaned in and whispered something in her ear. Aurora blushed. "That is, if it pleases Your Majesty."

Before she could respond, Devrim ran his hands through his wife's hair and kissed her passionately on the mouth. When the song ended, they were still frozen in the same position. Finally Aurora pulled away. "That is something you did not do at my sixteenth birthday party." She gave him a sly grin.

"And that is something I will regret for the rest of my life," the grey-eyed man responded solemnly. His piercing gaze sent a shiver down her spine.

They made their way to an ornate wooden platform and sat on their thrones. Aurora had not been their a minute when she thought she caught sight of the Prince. The Empress stood and called to him. The boy turned just enough for Aurora to realize she had been mistaken.

"Have you seen Alaron?" The lady asked her husband.

"I saw him briefly when he arrived. He danced a couple of times and then headed out into the garden. I can call Captain Caleb and get a report on his whereabouts," Devrim offered.

"No, if the Prince had done something, we would be the first to know. Alaron is avoiding me. I hate to see him so distant."

"We could send him away under a heavy guard to someplace solitary, at least until he gets his head on straight." The Emperor touched his wife's hand gently. Thankfullly no one could hear their conversation over the noise of the room.

Aurora shook her head. "I will not punish Alaron for something he has yet to do. Preemptive justice is not justice at all."

"He has been talking to Cafer behind our backs," Devrim reminded her.

"I hardly think exile is a suitable punishment for that."

Devrim could see her point, but as usual, he hated inaction. A servant approached them and bowed low. "Excuse me, Your Majesties, the show in the Spring Garden is about to begin. The performers would like to extend a invitation for you have the best seats."

"I did not know there would be a proper show," Devrim gave an amused grin.

"It must have been something Mairwen organized." Aurora shrugged.

"Beautiful wife, may I escort you to the garden?" The Emperor stood and held out his hand.

Aurora took it. "With pleasure!"