Chapter 235: IT’S TIME
The next day, something unexpected happened.
"She sent a letter?"
"Yes, princess." Adeline nodded.
"Hmm." Aristia held the envelope in her hand, rubbing her chin. She had just returned from training with Hugh when Adeline handed her an envelope.
After opening the envelope and taking out the letter, she read the words written on it. She stopped to admire the handwriting. The handwriting was neat and clean, looking beautiful, not quite commoners for a child.
"Greetings, Princess Aristia. I apologise for only writing to you now. Since the banquet... time to write... really appreciate what you did..." Aristia read the letter in broken words, reading some out and some in her mind.
After reading the letter, she folded it. "Hm. Smart girl."
The letter was sent to her by Vivian Quentin which came as a bit of a surprise to her.
In the letter, Vivian thanked her for inviting her to join their group in the banquet. She hadn’t been able to do so properly because of the people surrounding Aristia.
"Geez. It took her a whole month. It’s either her parents pushed her to do it, or she finally decided to after thinking about it for a long while."
The letter probably had been sent about three days earlier and arrived today judging by the time it takes from their part of the North to Amberale.
She handed the letter back to Adeline and said. "I’ll write a reply."
"Okay, princess." Adeline went to prepare the materials.
After writing the letter, Aristia handed it to Adeline before leaving for her classes.
During her Arts lesson, lady Agnes turned to Aristia. "You will be coming to the event tomorrow, won’t you?"
"Yes, Lady Agnes."
Lady Agnes turned back around and nodded, then muttered to herself.
"I heard the King and Queen will also attend."
The corners of Aristia’s lips curled up a bit.
[Tomorrow, there’s an important event I have to attend.]
***
The next day, the family of the Grand Duke, Adeline, Owen and Kai left the mansion.
Other Aristocrats were also heading there.
It was all because of a major change in Amberale. The King had acknowledged this change and would even attend.
Aristia was dressed in a long white dress and had her hair done meticulously by Adeline.
Finally, they arrived at the venue only to see quite a bit of a crowd.
They could see people craning their necks curiously and pointing.
"I wonder what that’s for."
Through the carriage’s open window, Aristia heard someone ask.
She looked out a bit to see a large cloth hanging from the roof of the new building. She smirked and put her head back in.
At the same moment their carriage stopped and they got down, another carriage bearing the seal of the royal family stopped beside theirs.
Aristia looked forward, a small smile showing on her lips.
A red carpet on the floor was spread out on the cobblestone path leading to the gate just at that moment.
Aristia looked up at her family and at Fedor. Fedor nodded slightly.
Aristia stepped on the carpet and walked forward with her family following. Owen, Kai and Adeline followed before quietly integrating with the crowd.
People should have noticed them, but the occasion did not allow them to.
The king’s family followed behind.
Normally, the king should have gone first and Aristia’s action could even be perceived as disrespectful and disregarding the king, but everyone was aware of the relationship between members of the royal family so no one could say anything.
On the other end of the red carpet stood a elegantly dressed Dahlia and Dorothy, who hadn’t gone to The Vanilla Courtyard.
Seeing that Aristia had arrived, a smile formed on their lips.
Behind them, the new building stood towering and huge, looking very beautiful.
Beside them stood the slightly large group of fifteen or so children that lived with them, all dressed in comfortable clothing and smiling widely. Some couldn’t control their skips filled with excitement.
Aristia walked forward confidently with Alaric just as Dahlia resumed her speech.
"... And we thank you all for coming. But most importantly, we are grateful to the person who made this possible. May I humbly request her highness, the third princess, Princess Aristia Amberale to do me the honour of cutting this ribbon?"
With Dahlia’s words, the mutters increased tremendously. Gasps echoes all around when the people gathered, both Aristocrats and commoners alike, caught onto the meaning in Dahlia’s words.
Their gaze followed the six year old walking confidently with her brother’s hand in hers towards the ribbon.
Someone covered her mouth.
"The third princess...!"
"It can’t be..."
"But it can’t be false."
"My goodness!"
Their eyes stayed glued on Aristia, feeling confused and finding it hard to believe.
Dahlia continued. "Her highness took pity on these children who didn’t have a worthy place to live and took it upon herself to build this place for the children."
Her words were clearer now since she literally stated it.
There was no more doubt again among the people gathered.
Finally, Aristia and Alaric arrived in front of the ribbon.
Slowly, her eyes shifted to the side a step behind the Kendall sisters.
Her eyes met Leilani’s for a second.
Leilani’s mouth had lowered in a frown, a bit of confusion and wonder in her eyes.
"She looks like Aris."
Aristia caught her mutter. Leif was standing behind her with the same expression on his face.
She averted her gaze and turned back to the ribbon.
Dahlia handed her a knife.
Aristia took it and turned to look at Alaric, then asked. "Ready?"
Alaric nodded with a smile.
"Then let’s do this."
She gave him the knife and gestured to the ribbon, then placed her hand on his. The whole area was silent, everyone watching curiously.
Together, Aristia and Alaric cut the ribbon in front of the building’s doors.
[Since I cut the ribbon for The Vanilla Courtyard, Al said that he wanted to do it too.]
As the ribbon snapped in two and fell to the floor, Dahlia retrieved the knife.
Aristia and Alaric turned around just as Dorothy began clapping, leading everyone to follow along and do the same.
[Now, it’s time.]