Silver Haired - Chapter 83

Was I dreaming or perhaps was I seeing things? I couldn’t explain it or was I in a dream? Everything felt spinning. I was in a total daze, my brain trying to process this. it almost seemed like I was floating and then seeing things that weren’t supposed to be there, must be the music or because I’m lost in those emerald eyes of his, it felt like magic but I knew Cedric wouldn’t use magic on me, he never had since our wedding day when he kissed, he had never used it to have his way with me, I knew it and I can feel it, so what was happening if not magic?

The music came to a stop and so did we. I blinked not once but twice, Cedric was no longer with long raven hair, I opened my eyes and closed once again just to be sure, it remained his usual hair cut, maybe I was seeing things, but it felt so real.

“The Emperor has arrived”, a voice came in as everyone got alerted as turned to the were everyone gaze was, at the tall stairs, in two curves from one of it the Emperor descends it slowly.

“Emperor Edric Eustace XVIII”

He was dressed in a kingly outfit not too flashy or flamboyant, just a golden jacket, embodied with a dragon design, inner white shirt within and a jewelry chain with a pendant graced his neck, golden pants, and shoes, he didn’t look like I expected him to be, an old man with full beards and white hair, yes he did have white hair and looked old but he had no beards his jaws were a fresh clean-cut and his white hair was kept short, he made him looked younger despite being around the age of 70 or something, I didn’t know his real age.

And he looked pale and some black bags under his eyes, he looked sick. He had a holding walking stair to support his stance.

The moment he was down everyone bowed, I followed quickly before I would be left out, the music resumed, my heart quickened when Cedric and I stepped forwards. I was going to meet the EMPEROR, my eyes flew wide as saucers and my grip on Cedric’s arm tightened. I felt a warm feeling roll off Cedric, I felt my nervousness ease, was he doing this?

“Cedric my boy,” The Emperor said with a big smile.

“Edric,” Cedric said with a nudge of his head. My mouth dropped, did he just call the Emperor by his first name, WHAT ON EARTH.

“Ha always with the cold eyes, loosen up a little, this ball was especially for you if you didn’t know it,” he said with a wink, the Emperor was spontaneous and didn’t seem to mind Cedric’s attitude, how close were they?

“As expected the attention has been on us the moment we arrived,” Cedric said.

“Is that so?” Edric said, turning to the gaze who still had their eyes on us.

“Oh please enjoy yourselves”, Instantly the crowd engaged in whatsoever but some still paid attention, while others resumed to the dance floor. It was almost like he knew Cedric didn’t like all the attention and offered to dismiss it.

Edric’s blue eyes fell on me, a warm smile pressed his lips. “So this is why you never come to visit anymore,” he said.

“E-Emperor,” I said with a bow just as Mother taught me.

“Lady Sylvia” he took my hand kissing it. “The delicate flower who has taken Cedric’s attention,” he said like a mystery, I blushed.

“I thought war and that social attitude of his could never get him a woman…. So the moment I found a Silver-Haired outside the Empire walls, I didn’t care if she was untrained…. it was time for him to settle down, guess it was worth it, you’re a beauty Lady Sylvia, radiant from the other Silver-haired”, he winked.

I giggled, for a minute I thought about what he said, he was the reason I met Cedric, or was it perhaps fate?

“Soften this boy for me would you?” he said with a smirk. I giggled once again, he really had a sense of humor, the way he spoke wasn’t like a father to Cedric but like they were friends? I thought Mother said the Emperor was like a father to Cedric; this was the total opposite.

“Wife,” Cedric said, facing me. “Forgive for I would have to speak to the Emperor alone”, something flashed his eyes and even as he said those words he didn’t want to let me go, funny his words said the opposite, I have to be understanding, I smiled.

“Of course husband, take your time I will be fine” I assure him, he didn’t still let go, I was sure what he wanted to discuss with the Emperor was of importance. I slowly removed my arm even though he remained still, I went on my tiptoe giving him a gentle kiss on his cheek, it wasn’t inappropriate, it was common between wives and husband’s in society so I needn’t worry about it, I didn’t mind for the law, I just felt I had to do it.

“I will be waiting for you” I whispered to his ear, I felt his body jiggle slightly at my action, I smiled, knowing I had such an effect on him. I meant what I said because I WILL be waiting for him, there was something I had to say to him, it was now or never, I have come to terms with everything and I was willing to let it grow.

I went back on my feet facing the Emperor. I bowed, he smiled.

I whirled walking away, I still felt Cedric gaze at my back.

“You know I do not have much time Cedric” I heard the Emperor begin their talk, I was already too far to hear more.

I walked to the table with wine glasses on it, taking a little wouldn’t hurt, my eyes caught mother still with her colleagues she eyed me before giving me a signal, I smiled with a nod knowing what she meant, even though she was far she still had her way, I guess no wine for me, I dropped the glass back.

I spotted Danette talking with some ladies and laughing gently, I wish I could talk to her too but she was having fun with them, she had been in the Empire for years, society wasn’t a big deal to her, she must have lots of friends, I sighed, so this is what it really felt like without Cedric, I knew no one in this Empire, the realization just struck me, that must be the reason he didn’t want to let me go in the first place.

“Might I keep you company” a voice came in, I turned seeing Camille already beside me, holding a glass of wine, she smirked at me, ugh anyone but her to talk to me, I spotted Lawrence but he was only talking with one man so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to join it, anything to avoid this woman.

“If you would -”

“I heard Lord Cedric will be announced next in line this evening, the reason for the ball of course” She began.

“Yes, we’re all aware,” I said with a forced smile clearly giving her the sign I did not want to talk to her.

“Yes, we all… I’m sure you know about the treaty with Northerners”

“Treaty? With the Northerners?” I said in awe, when was that ever mentioned.

She scoffs with a smile on her lips. “Yes, Sylvia, Lord Cedric is to marry Princess Alice Alexander of the North Continent”