The banquet Hall in the imperial palace was filled with the laughs and gossips by the time she arrived. It was almost 10:00 pm by now. She felt the glares of the nobles on her. She can tell what they were talking about. .. her...she shut her beautiful garnet eyes, took a breath and opened them again.

She shouldn't let them get the best of her,she thought, not today... today's the day to celebrate the end of 2 year long war. It was a glorious night for her father's friend who came victorious from the war. She should be happy for him as her father would have been for him. The thought of her father made her heart ache.

Greetings, Miss Oleander " A woman in her thirties approached her, red dressed with a lot of make up. She pretended not to hear her and turned her back making her silver hair in the ponytail to swirl. That woman spoke in her snobby tone," It looks like the young miss has no manners whatsoever." she looked around for the other nobles to side with her and they did.

"Quite arrogant. "

"All she has is her family name yet acts out of line."

"Well even if she is, she should at least greet countess Brenard. That's an insult to her.."

"An insult you say."she turned towards them and smiled "What about her? She had the audacity to greet the duchess without any manners whatsoever. No curtsy and dared to talk to me in that snobbish tone of hers regardless of our difference in status. "dhe sighed, "Have you ever seen a countess talking informally to a duchess when they aren't even acquainted?" she looked at the nobles who were taken aback and rolled her eyes to the countess who by now had a pale face. "If I were in your shoes, I would've left this place by now, Miss Brenard. "

The countess blushed with embarrassment and left the hall gritting her teeth. The nobles left making excuses because they didn’t want to be her next target of fury.

"Looks like someone made your mood foul again."

"Should we teach them a lesson?"

She turned and gleamed,"Arum" she said as she looked at the girl with red locks tied in a bun. Her emerald eyes smiled as she closed the fan in her hands. She looked at the other girl with blonde hair and bright blue eyes, "Lazuli. Long time no see."

"Well it really has been a while. I suppose we've been too busy the pastfew days. "smiled Lazuli.

"My! Luna you've got so thin! Aren't you eating properly? " Arum gasped. "I guess I was too busy these days." she laughed. "Seriously, you look haggard. Don't skip your meals."

"Anyways, congratulations Arum. Your father has been victorious in the war." said Luna after a chuckle. "The emperor is probably going to reward your family. Has your father thought of what he would like if the emperor allows him to choose for himself?"

"Well I think he has, but he won't tell us." she looked at the door and said" Oh the royal family is entering."

Everyone bowed while the emperor sat on his throne. "Well then, shall we reward the hero of the war now? Name it, Duke Rezef Li,. " He looked at the man standing in front of him. He was in his forties ,had red wavy hair down to his hip bone tied up and emerald green eyes..the familial characteristic of Lily duchy.

"Whatever you like to, your majesty. "his voice was powerful as he spoke.

"I thought about it long and hard and I came to a conclusion that I will grant one wish of yours. How's that?"

"Well if that's the case then..." He remained silent, unsure if his majesty would allow it.

"Don't hesitate. I'll keep my word."

"Then" after a long silence Duke Lily spoke " I would like to ask you to release my brother."

A huge uproar came from the nobles. "Silence. " and the nobles quieted down. The emperor continued "You want me to release your brother Owen from the prison knowing fully well that he's the one who massacred the Whisteria duchy and also attempted to kill you?"

Rezef said nothing. He knew perfectly well that it wasn't possible for Owen to be released. His neck was saved from lifetime imprisonment in peril of despair to replace his death penalty ,but asking to set him free...

"Hahahaha. "The emperor laughed. "I didn't think that you would ask for something like this. You never fail to amuse me. Fine. I'll grant it."

Before the nobles could oppose this, he continued "But he will be removed from the duke's family. He will live as a noble with no title"

The duke's eyes gleamed and he bowed before the emperor "Thank you, your majesty." "Of course he can earn the title if he does any contribution, that is to say, if he can make his way to gain a title. Till then, he'll be a fallen noble. "The emperor added. The smile on Rezef's face was priceless.

The emperor stood from his throne and addressed the people, "Hear ye! I, Callisto Clematis, the 21st emperor of Evimería, hereby release Owen, 3rd child of former duke Felix Lily, from the prison and he shall not be held accountable for his previous crimes. He will gain his title back by sheer hardwork. "

The emperor sat back and mumbled "I guess 'blood is thicker than water' is valid even for brothers who fight for power."

He adressed the people, "I hope you all enjoy tonight's banquet to your hearts content ."

The warm spring breeze ruffled her silver hair as she got off from the carriage. She looked at the huge mansion in front of her and walked past the gates. She had been there before many times, but this time it felt different. It probably had to do with what happened last week's imperial banquet.

She waited in the greenhouse sipping chamomile tea all the while looking at the lilies. You could see every variety of lilies grown here with special care as they hold significance for this family.

She heard the heels clacking and turned her head to see Lazuli and Arum entering the greenhouse chatting and giggling. Seeing Arum as joyful as she had always been relived Luna. She had been worried about her.

"It looks like you're alright. I was worried about you for nothing." spoke Luna as the two sat on the chairs. "Really? I can't believe that I worried the coldhearted duchess of Oleander over something." she winked as she said that.

" Coldhearted you say?"

"Isn't that what everyone calls you?"

"Don't forget haughty, selfish and not to mention, the flower of thorns." Lazuli emphasized on the last.

"I suppose. But not everyone.."

"Right, only those who don't know you well. I mean those who aren't me and Lazuli." The three of them laughed.

"How's everything in the duchy?"

"Pretty much the same. I guess it didn't matter to anyone that uncle has been released, that is, except mother."

"Is that so?"

"Seriously Luna? At least act a bit surprised."

"Why? I mean everyone else is okay with it so should I be bothered. " She took a sip and placed the cup on the table." So what's your uncle doing nowadays?"

"Nothing much. He's become dad's secretary."

"What?" both Lazuli and Luna screamed at the same time.

Arum told them all about what happened in the last week. After the banquet, Owen was brought to the Lily mansion and his wounds were treated. His father, Rezef, offered him to stay here which he declined.

"So he made Owen his secretary as his punishment for attempting to harm him? That's a ridiculous way to keep your brother by your side." said Lazuli after Arum ended.

"Makes sense." said Luna. Arum and Lazuli looked at her for an explanation. "I mean Owen has his pride as a noble and wouldn't stay here unless he was a fool. He might as well have felt guilty of his attempt to kill his brother. So your father, to keep him by his side, shackled him to this household as his secretary in the guise of punishing him."

"Oh!"

"Why didn't I think of that!"

"Of course your father might have another reason as well."

"What? "

"It could be to keep an eye on him."she paused then said, "I mean he's massacred the whole duchy of Wisteria. If he can do it once, he can do the same thing again. It would also be better for you to not let your guard down." Both of them were cautious of him before and now upon hearing what they feared from Luna, they could never leave an opening.

Luna stood up,"I would love to chat with you, but I have an appointment with duke Lily. You know of his punctuality. Then, see you later."

"I'll send cinnamon pie to your place today. Make sure to eat it." smiled Arum.

"As long as it's edible" Luna grinned.

"I've gotten better in baking you know."she pouted .

"We'll see about that. "

"Take care."

They bid farewell and Luna left the greenhouse.

"Where's the Duke?" she asked the old man outside of the greenhouse who was probably waiting for her.

"He's waiting for you in his office, my lady." the Lily household butler replied .

"Lead the way."

The butler knocked at the door. "Come in." Rezef's voice came from the inside. He opened the door to let Luna inside. "Greetings, duke Lily." Luna did a curtsy. He stood from his chair and sat on the sofa. "No need to be so formal dear. You're Grace's child, and he's like a brother to me. Call me uncle like you used to."Rezef gestured with his hand and Luna sat on the sofa.

"Well I have to keep my dignity as the head of Oleander duchy. I can't be informal with you when I've come to talk to you as the duchess. "

"Yes, that's right but to me, you've always been a child of mine. So you can talk comfortably."

"Sure."

They talked about various matters ; political strategies against the Skylock empire which had been enemies with Evimería for ages, the newly established business of Lily and Oleander duchy, the reconstruction of roads in Dahlia city after their collapse from flooding, the upcoming test of squires, the promotion of Baron Susan in the army, the relief for the homeless.

After the discussion came to an end, Rezef asked, "Um... Luna dear, have you thought of your partner on your coming of age ceremony? "

"No, I haven't." she said while picking up the documents from the table. " There are two months left till it happens, so there's enough time for me to decide. Why do you ask?"

Rezef scratched his head " I heard from Damien that you have no plans for holding your coming of age ceremony. " Luna halted for a moment, then replied " He's right. I don't want to hold it."

"And why not?"

"It's just a waste of time, money and energy. I can use that time for the welfare of the duchy and the empire."

Rezef didn't know what to say. Luna stood up and turned towards the door. He felt that she's grown distant from everyone. He was worried." You know it could be an opportunity for you to find the person who would stay by your side your whole life."

Luna stopped before she could open the door. "What?" she was now in rage. She always hated the topic of marriage, and now it was being discussed. "Why would I need a partner? To continue the line of Oleander's? If that's the reason then I can just adopt a child from one of the collateral families of Oleander."

"Do you think that's the only reason for marriage? Marriage isn't just about producing heirs, it's about sharing your joys and sorrows with the person you love and live your whole life with your spouse. "

"Well I, for one, don't need a spouse to share my joys and sorrows. I have Arum and Lazuli, don't I? They're always there when I need them."

"You don't understand. Do you think that they're always going to be where you are?" He paused. " Think rationally. Both of them will be adults soon, and it wouldn't be long before they would get married. After their marriage, they would probably live with their husbands, and it's not certain that they live in the capital. They could live somewhere far away like another country or empire. What are you going to do then?"

Luna felt her stomach churning by the thought of those two gone. Rezef wanted Luna's wellbeing and her happiness. He knew that marriage was something she never liked to be discussed ever since she was a child. But he wanted her to be surrounded by the ones who would love her unconditionally.

Luna glared at Rezef for saying something that felt so unpleasant to her. Lazuli and Arum leaving her? They had known each other since they were kids and were never apart more than two months at most. Even then, they would exchange letters. So after all these years of friendship, they would distance themselves miles away because of something like marriage?

Feeling that she's not even going to bat an eye on this topic, he said helplessly "You've started to distance yourself from others after your parents went missing. Staying alone and keeping everything to yourself will swallow you from the inside." He caressed her shoulder. "I just want the best for you. I hope you'll come to understand what I wanted to convey you before it's too late. "

Luna shut the door behind her as she left the room. She silently walked in the hallway barely controlling her emotions.