Voyage Of The Villainess

As the Marina children exit the garden, the majority of the guests gasped. Murmured of praises after praises showered down on them.

"The Marina's children..."

"They all look so dashingly beautiful."

"I also heard that they excel in their different fields at the academy..."

"Oh really?"

"Duke Marina's and the Duchess is surely blessed with their children."

This was Malaya's first time attending a large-scale event. And she couldn't help but be nervous. She tried to concentrate her attention on the large garden rather than the people staring at them as they continued to walk. Each circular table was draped in aqua-blue linen and surrounded by seven seats. In the center of the tables, there were magnificent clear glass vases filled with various types of flowers. 

Often times they stop as they thank and greeted the people who would directly greet them with praise. 

As they continued, her ears perk into something.

"Is the one besides young lord Darren is the youngest daughter?"

"I believe she is."

"She is beautiful like her siblings, right? And I bet she is as talented as them." 

Hearing those high praises and expectations directly at her, the young Malaya felt more fidgety and nervous than before. But then she felt a hand squeezed her already trembling ones with gentleness. It was no other than Darren.

"It's alright," he muttered. "We are all here with you."

Hearing him, the young Malaya although the nervousness still didn't leave her, it became much lesser. 'That's right. My family is here, there is nothing for me to be afraid and worried about.' She thought.

Both Jules and Cynthia smiled at their youngest brother's remarks.

"Ah. Our baby Jules is really growing." Cynthia couldn't help but teased him in a soft voice that only their group could hear.

"Shut it!" Darren retorted, although whispered as well but it held some annoyance. "Stop calling me with those endearments." 

"Right," Jules chimed in. "Darren you are becoming more reliable now as a big brother for Malaya."

"Really?" Darren's eyes sparkled hearing his eldest brother's praises.

"Yes." Jules flashed a gentle smile. "Look Malaya is also agreeing with me."

The young Malaya nodded her head with enthusiasm. "Yes, big brother Darren is becoming more awesome."

"Of course! That is already to be expected." Darren said. 'Jules praised me hehe.' He tried to suppress himself from grinning wider as he thought of that. 

"Why does the difference between our treatment so huge? We are only a year apart in age. I also praised him." 

Jules just shook his head when he heard Cynthia's mutterings to him.

"Malaya!" When they heard their mother's voice, they all turned around. Madame Veronica was approaching them, and their father was walking alongside her. Their mother was seductively beautiful. She was dressed in a crimson mermaid gown that accentuated all of her body contours. While their father, Duke Roman, was dressed in a navy blue marine uniform with several medals of honor attached to it.

"Our princess looks so lovely today." Madame Veronica pecked Malaya's cheeks. "Are you enjoying your birthday?"

"Yes!" Malaya answered cheerfully.

The sounds of the horn suddenly resounded which made all the people turned their heads to the main entrance of the garden, including the Marina family.

"His Majesty, the Emperor Eliazar Krazeri and Empress Vaseri Krazeri and His highness the crown prince Aadel Krazeri has arrived!" The curator announced loudly.

"Let's greet the royalties now," Duke Marina said and they followed after him.

"Greetings to the great sun of the Empire! His majesty, Emperor Eliazar Krazeri! Greetings to the benevolent moon of the Empire! Empress Vaseri Krazeri and greetings to the rising star of the Empire, his highness, Prince Aadel Krazeri!" Duke Roman greeted out loud and bowed.

"Greetings!" All the people said in chorus as they bowed down.

The emperor glanced at the duke and nodded his head. "You may all raise your heads."

As soon as Duke Roman raised his head, he flashed a friendly smile to the emperor.

"It's our honor that you were able to attend my daughter's coming of age ceremony. You must have traveled a long way here from the capital." Duke Roman said.

"Ho-ho," The emperor stifled a laugh. "That is no problem to us. Being able to attend such a joyous occasion of the coming of age of the youngest daughter of the Krazeri is a great joy to us." Emperor Eliazar laughed more magnanimously.

The young Malaya glanced up a little to the Royal family to take a peak. 'Wow! They are sparkling like golds.' She thought with amazement.

Emperor Krazeri had golden blond hair that glistened in the sunlight. His golden eyes were pleasant, yet there was still that incredibly powerful gaze that no one could bear staring at directly. On the other hand, in comparison to Duchess Veronica's sensual and ferocious mature beauty, Empress Vaseri's beauty was delicate but dignified, like the freshness of the springs. Her beautiful amber hair cascaded down to her back. She was dressed in a turtleneck violet long gown that fit her well. She, too, had the emperor's golden eyes.

While the crown prince. He was the perfect miniature of the emperor. But his golden eyes held disinterest instead of warmth that the emperor reflected. Then Malaya's eyes met the crown prince and somewhat he flashed a more disinterested and haughty look at her.

'Huh?' The young Malaya was confused about this. 'What's that for?'

"And where is the birthday celebrant?" 

Malaya's thoughts were cut when Darren nudged her shoulders. He whispered that the emperor was calling her. 

The young Malaya steeled herself and stepped forward, she held the hem of her gown just like what her etiquette teacher always told her to do so and bowed. 

"Greetings to the great sun of the Empire! His majesty, Emperor Eliazar Krazeri! Greetings to the benevolent moon of the Empire! Empress Vaseri Krazeri and greetings to the rising star of the Empire, his highness, Prince Aadel Krazeri!"

'Father is amazing.' Malaya was taken aback. She had no idea his father's greeting could be so lengthy and exhausting to say. She then went on to introduce herself. "I am Malaya Venizever Marina, Duke Marina's youngest daughter, and it gives me great joy that you have honored us with your presence here at my coming-of-age ceremony."

'That was so long." Malaya still bowing her head, released a sigh of relief after she finished all those greetings and introductions. 'I hope, everything I said was good.' Malaya thought.

"Such a lovely young lady. Duke Marina, you've raised your daughter well." The Emperor stated. "You may lift your head, young lady,"

As she lifted her head, her glittery eyes met the Emperor's gaze and then the Empress, who was smiling gently to her. 

"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty. It is due to my etiquette teachers that I'll be able to do everything well." Malaya replied.

"Ho-ho. And a humble one too." The emperor said as he laughed.

'Hehehe. Somewhat being praised continuously is not a bad thing.' A genuine smile came out from Malaya.

But her short happiness was cut off by the empress' next words. "She could be a perfect match for our dear Aadel, right?"

'Match?'

Malaya caught a glimpse of Aadel who was now glaring at her with disdain. 'Why does he look so mad at me?'

"I believe, that they are at the same age," The emperor added that made the crown prince scowled now.

Malaya glanced at her father and mother with a troubled look. They just smiled at her.

"That's correct, Your Majesty. They're the same age," Duke Roman said. "However, my daughter has the freedom to love anyone she loves."

"Of course," the Emperor replied, calculatingly looking at the two youngsters. "We're only joking. They might start out as excellent friends, first."

Duchess Veronica seemed to notice her youngest daughter's agitation and spoke. "Well, you have come a long way, please come this way to your seats so that you could rest now." She said obviously trying to change the topic now and thankfully, the royal couple and the prince gladly comply with her

Everything was finally set. 

Malaya sighed as she took the seat nearest to the food table since no one was there. Her three siblings also did the same and sat beside her. A maid served them some cold mango juice which Malaya drink right away

'Ayoo.' She squealed with delight. 'This tastes good.' The taste of the sweet mango helped her to relaxed from that heavy meeting with the royal family from before. But her delight was cut off short.

*Clanggg!* All of a sudden they heard a clanging sound of glass.

All of the visitors' attention shifted to the stage that was in the front of the garden. While standing on the stage, Malaya's father was clanking a glass with his fork.. He stopped when he saw that he had everyone's attention now.