"Princess, you need to hurry out, or you will be late," Lia knocked on the door.
Hope had been helping her get ready; her dress and robes had come in already.
"We are done " Hope opened the door.
Anabel walked out; Lia and the others who were waiting gasped.
Anabel smiled.
Henry offered his hand, and she took it; Sebastian had sent him to pick her up.
As they got closer, she paused, "I am nervous ", she muttered.
"It will be alright; he will be next to you ", Henry assured her.
"But I am afraid of embarrassing him, I have never been to such big events. It's my first time " she murmured.
"Princess ..." Henry called to her.
"Yes...Captain " she looked up at him.
"You have been practising so hard for tonight, so believe in yourself and be the best version of yourself to him ", he let out.
She beamed and nodded.
They got to the door and she could notice how they glanced back at her.
"See, they all can't help but steal a glance at you ...your practically glowing princess ", Henry whispered.
She giggled following his lead as they went up the stairs.
"Princess I believe this is where I stop " Henry looked back up.
She did the same, meeting his gaze it was Sebastian, the Emperor, standing at the top of the stairs waiting for her.
"Sebastian" she smiled.
He was dressed in black and blue, decorated with patterns, and his red robe trailed down to his feet, beautifully embroidered with gold patterns like his garments
His hair was down and parted on the side, with the lower side tucked behind his right ear
The colours of his clothes, the colour of his skin, his red lips dark hair and his deep golden eyes, he was breathtaking.
"Bel, come " his black gloved hand spread out to her.
She moved, forgetting about her elegant walk, and ran up the stairs, taking his hand.
She fell into his arms and he held her.
He had noticed how the little details of the embroidery on his robes matched hers.
She was in a dark shade of his blue, with gold ornaments, her curly hair was held down by golden hair clips. Her makeup was light, letting her pure, beautiful skin glow her red lips had a dark shade and looked like rose petals when she smiled.
She was a radiant beauty, he smiled.
"Shall we " he muttered.
Anabel nodded as the door spread open.
The room fell silent as they announced the arrival of the Emperor and Princess Anabel by his side.
It wasn't until the music played again and the nobles started coming towards them to wish the Emperor happy birthday that she realised she had been holding her breath.
"It's an honour to finally meet the rumour beauty of the Imperial Palace, Theodore Marty" he introduced.
She smiled, "Princes Anabel, thank you for being with us on such a wonderful day "
One by one, they come to them, wishing Sebastian more healthy days ahead, then turning to her.
She could see their interest was more in her than Sebastian's.
And the more they did, the worse Sebastian's expression got.
After a while, she pulled away from him, excusing herself and letting him talk to the other nobles.
Before she got away two guests got in her way.
"So you're, the woman clinging to the Emperor ?" one muttered.
"Huh..".
"I mean, you pretty and all, but there is nothing more to you than that ".
"I heard your kingdom was destroyed, and you weren't even considered a princess ", the other said.
She sighed. So what Hope and Lia had said was true, such guests would be present.
"Princess we believe you won't easily enjoy the evening with his majesty ". Lia had said.
"Why is that ?".
"The Nobel families have been eyeing the Empress position for a while, all sending their daughter, nephews and sisters to him so they are the lucky ones to get to be his in-laws".
"So ...".
"So that means they will be angry to see you there besides him. You need to be prepared to face them; don't let them put you down, " Hope let out.
"Princess, you need to show them you are not afraid and can stand up for yourself ".
"But I don't like being rude to anyone, not even those who insult me " she blinked.
"Then, when you can't say anything we said to you, just stay silent,", said Lia.
"Or use your ultimate weapon " said Hope.
"And what is that ?".
"The Emperor " they smirked.
Anabel gazed back at the two women and decided to ignore them, walking past them.
But then she almost stumbled when she felt the trail of her robe stuck, looking back, one of them had stepped on it.
She could see the other guests around them start to look back at them, quietly waiting to see what she would do.
She moved back to the two, "Please step aside, I need to leave ".
They laughed.
"You're nothing but an abandoned princess not even fit to eat the crumbs of his majesty,", one said.
"Don't think this treatment will last, he will throw you away the moment he sees how useless you are "
Anabel sighed.
"Just because you dress up and stand by his side, doesn't mean you're special. So please go back to where you came from and never appear in front of us again, so called princess "
The others in support of them started to giggle Lia and Hope were right; none of these people wanted her there.
"I am sorry, but I can't argue with unintelligent people; you might drag me to your level ", she muttered, pulling her trail away from her feet, sumbling her back.
"What did you say ?" She muttered gainingher balance
"You think you're better than us because you have him on your side now?" she yelled.
"I didn't say anything to imply that," Anabel let out
"Soon I will take that place from you ..just wait "she replied
Anabel scoffed, "I got this position by myself, not with the help of my greedy father or stupid schemes, so please don't think your capable of doing anything when your still letting your family think for you "
"What ...?!" they yelled.
"Oh my, you two are really stupid ", she breathed, her eyes cold but holding a smile on her face; slowly, she paced towards them, not stopping. The two flinched, moving back until they couldn't anymore.
"Everyone has a right to be stupid but you two are abusing the privilege".
She smirked, turned, and walked away.