Chapter 116: Happy Birthday Diana

The darkness of the night had come upon the town, and Felix and Dune walked past the palace gates without any guard interrupting their entry this time. The gardens of the palace were illuminated by warm light from lanterns, servants moving around between the bushes and lighting the remaining lanterns, noble men and elegantly dressed guests walking in groups around the garden.

"I hope we haven't been late." Felix sped up his steps a little bit, adjusting the collar of his coat.

"We have not." Dune effortlessly moved to match his steps while surveying their surroundings.

"You can't be sure about it." He turned his head to look at her and guided both of them to walk around the fountain which was dripping close to the entrance pathway. "Okay, now listen, brief instructions before going inside."

"I'm listening."

"You behave yourself in there. Don't eat too much, despite the fact that the food is delicious, which it surely is." He raised a finger. "Also, do not drink anything, no matter how beautiful the glass may be."

"I understand."

"If you come across Duke Osbel or his wife, small bow. Nothing spectacular, simply bend your head a little bit." He performed a demonstration, accentuating it. "Also, same for Diana."

"And Hakimi?"

"Do not bow to Hakimi," replied Felix, rolling his eyes. "He would get a big ego from it."

They walked under the arch, where small lanterns were hanging from, and the noises of the assembly became more and more intense around them.

"And if anyone tries to hit on you," said Felix, "then I will take care of it."

"I will beat him up."

"No, no, no, I didn't mean that you should literally hit him. I meant if some noblemen approaches you, saying something along the lines of, hey, you look so beautiful tonight, will you join me in dance." His voice got very high-pitched then. "Ignore that, simply say that you have a husband."

"Yes, I will." Dune inclined her head again.

"What if you talk to other girls?"

"I won't."

"You won't?"

"I'm not a womanizer." Felix raised his hand to his chest dramatically. "I have my standards."

They approached a small flight of stairs, the double doors of the main hall being wide open and shining with gold rays of light.

"Standards?" Dune pronounced the word carefully.

"Yes, standards." Felix adjusted his coat once more and looked at her. "Ready?"

"Ready."

The hall was bright and spacious with chandeliers hanging low and sending rays of warm light onto the gleaming floors where guests in beautiful silk gowns and elegant coats had gathered. Some music came faintly from a corner stage where a string quartet was performing, something light and not loud among the buzz of voices.

In the other end of the room, long tables stood packed with food, which Felix could smell even from the doorway, and servants carried plates on trays through crowds of guests. In the front of the hall, next to the elevated platform covered with pale blue fabric, Diana was standing in her golden dress, with Osbel and Mirabelle right behind her and Hakimi in the same position slightly aside of her, as usual. And there was Barbra hanging around close to the group, constantly scanning the people around.

A tall man in elegant palace clothes approached the dais and held his hands above him; the string quartet stopped playing. The buzz of voices faded away, giving way to silence.

"Honored guests." His voice traveled clearly throughout the room, and all remaining conversations came to a halt, all faces turned toward the platform. "Thank you all for coming to our reception tonight, during what has been an eventful season so far for the House Osbel."

A couple of understanding glances were exchanged by the guests, and a soft chuckle ran through the room. "But not tonight. Tonight we put all of this behind us, and celebrate something much more simple and much more worthy. To celebrate the sixteenth birthday of Lady Diana Rosberg."

He looked towards her, offering his hand.

"A young lady, who showed in the last month more strength and grace than many of us will be asked to show throughout their life." His voice became softer. "All of us are thankful that she is here tonight, safe and surrounded by her family."

A thunder of applause followed, warmer than mere politeness, some guests shouted congratulations. The calm face of Diana flickered for a moment with something more true, but then she regained control.

"Please." He made an expansive gesture toward the tables and the floor beyond. "Enjoy your food, dancing and the rest of the night, Lady Diana."

Sometime after that, the entire hall was relaxed into fluid movement, people moving around the floor in pairs, groups of nobles exchanging rumors in between partially empty glasses, and the dining table looking decidedly more stripped than it did an hour ago. Felix moved around in the crowd with a plate in one hand, looking for Dune, who had somehow managed to get lost near the quartet just moments before.

As he rounded a corner close to one of the pillars, he collided directly with someone, almost knocking the plate out of his hands.

"Look where you—" Barbra stopped herself midway through, her expression turning ugly once she recognized him. "You."

"Me." Felix steadied his plate. "Barbra. You're not one for subtleties, I assume you're having fun."

"I was," she said, folding her arms and giving him a once-over. "Aren't you supposed to be somewhere else wreaking havoc? Because that's where you shine."

"Wounds me, but here I am." Felix put a small pastry into his mouth. "Behaving for once, on Dune's orders."

"On Dune's orders." She bit back a smile. "I didn't think you'd listen to orders from anyone."

"I do," Felix said, his voice soft and serious. "It's just selective listening. Have you seen her, by the way?"

"The last time I saw her she was by the dessert table."

"That makes sense." He turned to move around her, but he stopped again. "You look nice," Felix added.

Barbra let out a small 'tsk. "I don't care about your compliment"