Page 62 of A Kingdom so Crimson

I glanced towards the clamor of voices, the laughter, and the music serving as a stark reminder of the façade we were forced to maintain. With a heavy sigh, I nodded, I could endure the charade for one more night. But come tomorrow, the truth would be laid bare, and I would finally have the answers I so desperately sought.

We walked silently as he guided me down into the main foyer, where voices echoed with a resonance that seemed to freeze my heart in its tracks. The magnitude of attendees hadn't quite dawned on me until now.

A footman acknowledged us with a nod as Levon tightened his grip on my hand, leading us forward with a determined stride.

With a gentle push, he swung the doors wide open, revealing the resplendent dining room. It was a spectacle of elegance, filled with what seemed like a multitude of guests adorned in exquisite gowns, sharp suits, ornate hats, gleaming shoes, and gloved hands. I swallowed hard, summoning every ounce of courage to hold my head high as a sea of eyes fixated on us, washing over us like an overwhelming tide.

Clapping commenced as Levon's eyes wrinkled with joy, raising his hand to stop the cheering.

"My friends!" His voice rang out, starkly different from moments before and brimming with a joy that seemed to brighten the room, happiness I hadn't seen since Spring Harvest.

"It is an honor to be graced by the presence of each of you tonight! To stand by me in my endeavors, in my life's journey, and," he paused, his gaze tender as he turned towards me with sincerity in his emerald-blue eyes. "My queen," he muttered, loud enough only for me to hear.

Caught off guard by the unexpected statement, I felt a rush of warmth flooding my cheeks, rendering me speechless and flustered. The room erupted in applause as we made our way around the grand table towards our designated seats at the head.

Amidst the gathering, I spotted Edmon conversing with the captivating lady from our encounter at the market, a moment that now felt like a distant memory. A young girl sat beside him, accompanied by an older woman whose silver-streaked hair framed a face filled with gentle curiosity. The young girl's eyes met mine with an endearing innocence that softened my nerves.

I squeezed Levon's arm, remembering to breathe as the delicate fabric of my gown swayed gracefully against my shoes with each step forward.

"You do look like a queen, Eliah," Levon's warm breath brushed against my ear, igniting a cascade of conflicting emotions within me. His words, though flattering, only served to deepen the turmoil swirling inside.

"I'm still mad at you," I muttered, my gaze fixed on my shoes as I struggled to maintain a mask of composure.

"Good, that means you're being you," he quipped, his tone playful yet tinged with a hint of regret.

In response, I couldn't resist digging my nails into his forearm, a feeble attempt to convey my frustration. He chuckled softly, effortlessly evading my grasp as he pulled out a chair for me. Reluctantly, I lowered myself into the seat, acutely aware of the weight of strangers' eyes observing.

"Let's enjoy ourselves tonight; we can do introductions later. For now, let's eat," Levon announced, his voice breaking through the uneasy silence as the servants filled the room and began to serve the lavish feast.

Aveal, at the helm, placed each dish with practiced precision, the table adorned with tantalizing delicacies. The aroma was irresistible, tempting me to shovel everything in my mouth simultaneously.

The evening unfolded, and the room buzzed with activity as guests eagerly helped themselves to the luxurious spread, passing plates, platters, and utensils laden with food amidst a chorus of laughter and animated conversation.

Seated beside me was a man of striking appearance, looking slightly older than Levon, his ebony skin contrasted with his silver hair and vibrant green eyes.

With a friendly smile, he extended a platter filled with an assortment of pastries my way. "Levon mentioned your fondness for sweets, and I always say it's best to start with the delicious things first rather than end with them," he remarked, his voicewarm and welcoming yet foreign with a thick roll that sounded like he was from the eastern continent.

I couldn't help but laugh as I accepted the platter, selecting a few powdered pastries, and passed it over to Levon, who responded with a wink of acknowledgment.

"I'm Casmir," the man introduced himself, extending his hand across the food-laden table.

I shook his hand, noting the surprising softness of his touch, reminiscent of Elise's gentle embrace. "Levon has spoken highly of you. It seems everything he said is true," he added, helping himself to another plate piled high with meats while Levon nudged me teasingly.

"Casmir has been by my side for as long as I can remember. But be warned, he's quite the talker," Levon teased, earning a playful glare from Casmir as he handed me the plate of meats.

I couldn't resist the temptation, sampling each dish before more made their way around the table. Across the room, Edmon caught my eye and waved, prompting the young girl beside him to follow suit with an enthusiastic gesture. I returned the wave with a small smile, feeling Levon's reassuring hands gently resting on my lower back.

"You're doing great," he murmured, his words offering a moment of solace amidst the chaos of the evening. Ignoring his praise, I continued to eat, my stomach protesting against the onslaught of food and my dress silently pleading for mercy.

"Tell me, Casmir, what's it like to be friends with Levon?" I asked as the lady seated beside him rested her arm on his, awaiting her own introduction.

Casmir cleared his throat, a knowing glint in his eyes. "It's quite the adventure, I'll give him that," he chuckled before turning towards the radiant woman beside him. Her complexion was creamy gold, and her brown hair framed her face in soft waves that barely brushed her shoulders. Her almond-shaped brown eyes sparkled with warmth as she extended a graceful hand towards me. "This is Admearin, my wife," Casmir introduced with a fond smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Eliah. You're even more beautiful than Levon described," Admearin complimented, her words etching a shy flush to my cheeks as I shot Levon a pointed look. He smiled but remained engrossed in conversation with the lady to his right.

"Thank you, Admearin. Although I must say, Casmir here is a fortunate man to have such beauty by his side," I replied, attempting to deflect the attention away from myself.

"A beauty but with a temper," Casmir interjected between bites, earning a playful swat from his wife and a roll of her eyes but causing a warmth to flood into my own.

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