The castle was breathtaking beautiful with marble halls and gold lanterns held by onyx drakes and tapestries of the countries histories shone like colorful story books high on the wall and as we turned to enter the dining hall a giant golden drake stood guard over all the guests and lined on the walls were portraits of all the grand dukes and duchesses that ever ruled over this land including my Edwin. “You will soon have your portrait done, now let us feast.” Edwin said and everyone raised a goblet as we made our way to the front table and after food was served to us and we sat the room exploded into laughter and conversations. I had never tasted food like this before there were so many creams and pastas that made every taste better than the one before.

“How are you enjoying the food my dear?” Edwin asked after taking a swig of wine, I nodded “It's delicious I have never tasted so many flavors at once.” Edwin chuckled and continued, “Well I'm glad, just so you know everyone will come and declare their loyalty to us and Drakewind.” I nodded feeling a bit nervous but forced myself to smile. “Of course, I understand and thank you for informing me. Is there anyone I should know about?” Edwin frowned for a second before his smile came back. “You will soon learn of all the nobility in your courses, but you should know about lady Emily, who before your father accepted my peace treaty was my fiancee and is the young woman in the middle glaring at us.”

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I looked over the crowd until I saw a young woman with black hair and piercing brown eyes giving me and Edwin a death glare to us until an older gentleman snapped his fingers and started talking to her, I knew that glare for I had seen it many times when I had denied Delilah's brother Oscar from both and I had to resist sliding down in my chair reminding myself that I had to show myself as the Arch Duchess. Edwin took my hand and gave me a reassuring nod and I felt Belle's kind eyes and smile reassuring me. After the meal everyone took their terns standing in front of us and saying an oath of allegiance which I had memorized by the twelfth time. “I being of sound mind and body do swear to protect and obey the Grand Duke Edwin and Duchess Eleanor Bellmere and stand true to all of Drakewind's traditions and all that it stands for or shall I die a thousand deaths.” But I smiled and nodded at each one who came just like Edwin, that is until Lady Emily came up and gave her oath then turned to Edwin and snarled, “Oath breaker.” The same man who snapped his fingers hit her head and apologized for his daughter and told us that they would sadly not be able to go to the lovely ball then did his oath.

I hated being the center of attention and with every person who came and bowed before us I felt more and more nervous like I could just crawl inside myself and die but I kept a smile on my face and breathed through the tears. I was exhausted by the end that when Belle came back to dress me I left quietly to my rooms and began to sniffle when we entered the hall.