Page 89 of Mermaid on Heels
“Yes.” Liriya smiled genuinely as she glanced down at her gown. “My friend sent it to me. I left it at her house before moving here.”
“How sweet.” Princess Aeira smiled. “Bianca, right? Your friend.”
“Oh, you remember her,” Liriya commented, slightly impressed.
“I’m quite observant.” Princess Aeira winked and Liriya chuckled.
They waited until the other elites joined them, and together, set out for the banquet hall where the king, his family, and the entire court—except Earl Alphonse and his family—had gathered.
The royal herald at the entrance announced them and they went inside.
The hush that descended upon the court members and their families, seated at the banquet tables that lined the hall, was palpable. The guests, adorned in their finest attire, turned their attention towards the group of elites, their murmurs fading into a collective silence.
Liriya strode inside with the poise of a princess, her sisters on either side. Her eyes avoided meeting the assessing stare of the guests as sudden nervousness surged through her like a tidal wave. Her gaze darted around, taking in the scene with a quick sweep.
The large windows, adorned with intricate stained glass, remained tightly closed, casting a soft, diffused light into the room. Raindrops pattered against the glass, and the noon sun remained hidden behind a thick blanket of dark, brooding clouds. However, the enchanted chandeliers that hung from the ornate ceiling more than made up for the lack of natural light.
The banquet tables were adorned with a sumptuous feast and an array of delicacies, standing like sentinels along the hall. They were meticulously set, adorned with silverware and crystal goblets. The tantalizing aroma of roasted meats, fresh fruits, and fragrant spices wafted through the air, enticing the senses.
Murmurs and whispers slowly broke out from the guests, and amidst them, Liriya’s ears caught a sharp intake of breath. She instinctively turned her gaze toward the dais. There, under the backdrop of a luxurious blue canopy and amid the regal splendor, her favorite ocean-blue eyes met hers.
The nervousness subsided. Her lips curled into a smile and a silent chuckle escaped her. Luke stared at her breathlessly, lips parted slightly. He was dressed less regally for the event, in comfortable attire that he had told her he preferred, and a golden circlet rested on his head. As he composed himself, his chiseled features were softened by adoration and a welcoming smile that was meant only for her.
“You’re quite the breath-taker, my little mermaid.” His whisper, meant for only her ears, floated to her across the grand hall. “You look stunning.”
Despite blushing and the warmth filling her chest, Liriya smirked a little. She wished he had the mer-hearing as well, so she could tell him he was stunning too. Although, she was glad he had at least the mer-sight; he would take her blush, her smirk, and the admiration in her eyes as her response.
And he did. Luke smirked back.
The royal steward approached Liriya and her group and graciously led them towards their table at the front. Lady Riley, Lady Serra, and Lady Sabrina found their families, who were part of the court, and waved at them in acknowledgement. Their parents waved back with sheer pride in their eyes.
Once they all were seated, Luke stood from the head of his table on the dais, where he sat with his family and elderly nobles, and gave a brief welcome speech. At his signal, they began serving themselves and dug into their food.
After luncheon, the banquet hall buzzed with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Liriya observed the faces of her fellow elites; they all looked simultaneously nervous and curious as they glanced towards the dais at Luke; he and Cedric had their heads bend together in deep discussion. Liriya politely kept her ears away from their conversation.
Then, Luke rose from his seat. A hush fell over the room, every whisper dying out one by one. He moved around the table with a graceful move, patting the shoulder of an elderly lord who sat at the end as he made it to the front. All eyes were on him, Liriya was sure without looking, and everyone was holding their breath to hear the king’s decision.
Luke’s eyes found hers, and Liriya offered him a small smile and a dip of her chin, encouraging him to continue.
Luke cleared his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and, most importantly, the brave and exceptional women who have graced us with their presence during this Bridal Selection Period, I want to express my deepest gratitude. Your commitment and dedication to this process have not gone unnoticed.”
His voice, deep and resonant, carried throughout the hall, and his eyes sought out each of the elites, offering a reassuring nod here and a warm smile there.
“I’ve spent the last week getting to know each of you, learning about your strengths, your passions, and your dreams. It’s been an honor to witness the remarkable qualities that each one of you possesses. Now,” Luke continued in his deliberate tone, “I believe you all remember what I said last week at the ball, about the qualities I seek in the woman I want to marry. Moreover, I want you all to remember that the choices I make today are not a reflection of your worth as individuals. Each of you is unique and deserving of respect and admiration. It was my pleasure knowing each of you, but only one of you can be my wife and the future queen of Lectoria. So, I must proceed with this elimination.”
The room hung in silence as Luke paused, his gaze fixed on the elites. Liriya’s heart pounded for no reason. Perhaps she was simply curious to know who would be eliminated. While Liriya knew she could’ve asked Luke about it and that he would’ve told her, she chose to respect his space. She would simply find out when everyone else did.
Now was that time.
“Lady Sabrina, Lady Serra, and Princess Lora.”
The three ladies’ faces lit up as they straightened their already straight posture, glancing at the king with wide eyes. Liriya sympathized with them; they clearly were thinking they were being called to follow through the second round.
“I thank you for your commitment in the past week. I pray to the Creator that you’d find the lucky man He has meant for you—”
Lady Serra started a dramatic wailing, dragging the attention of every attendee to her. Liriya failed to focus on the rest of Luke’s words.
Lady Riley, who sat next to Lady Serra, patted her shoulder with a pitiful but slightly disapproving expression. Meanwhile, Princess Aeira met Liriya’s eyes with suppressed amusement.