Servants were lined up to welcome the second princess.

" Ella was supposed to arrive an hour ago. What if something happened to her?"

The Empress felt nervous. She kept on pacing back and forth in the living room.  The Empress was wearing a maroon gown with a silver crown and silver and diamond earrings.

The Crown Prince, Max, and his father, the Emperor seem relaxed as they enjoy playing chess with each other.

" Nicholas! Your daughter is missing but you still look calm"

" Our daughter is a grown lady who knows what's right and what's wrong. Wherever she is right now, she is probably doing fine", The Emperor said.

The Empress sat down beside the Emperor and asked.

" Do you think that Ella will be upset with the arranged marriage?"

" I don't think that she will be upset. She grew up knowing that she had certain duties towards the people of Etroana. Besides, the second prince is most likely to be the Crown Prince and the Emperor later on. By then Ella would be the Empress of Gwacary", said the Emperor.

" If we send Ella to Gwacary, wouldn't it mean that Etroana is weaker?! Isn't it better to just wage war?"

The Empress whispered angrily.

" Jane, don't you know my ulterior motive by supporting the second prince of Gwacary?"

The Empress shook her head.

" The first prince was always the heir but recently, his mother and the Emperor of Gwacary have been on bad terms, and the first prince messed up during the visit to Vissuinao. Now the nobles of Gwacary are thinking of switching sides. The second prince is smart but you have known him too. He-"

" Your Majesty, Princess Gabriella is here", one of the servants informed the Emperor about the arrival of the princess.

" Escort her to her chambers to freshen up first", said the Emperor.

The servant nodded and bowed before leaving.

" As I was saying..."

----

Gabriella jumped into her bed after taking a shower. As she was about to fall asleep, there was a knock on the door. Gabriella took a deep breath and got up.

She opened the door to see maids bring in a rack filled with clothes. She asked one of the maids about the clothes.

" This is for the formal dinner with the esteemed guest from Gwacary", said the maid.

'Gwacary? Isn't Etroana on bad terms with Gwacary? '

Gabriella was curious about this esteemed guest so she quickly got dressed with the help of the maids.

----

Gabriella walked down the stairs wearing a silk maroon v-neck off-the-shoulder long-sleeved gown. Diamond earrings dangle from her ear. Her elbow-length red hair was curled and the front strands of her hair were clipped back. The slits in the dress showed off Gabriella's long fair legs as she walked.

When Gabriella entered the dining room, she saw what Beatrice, Riley, and Helena were wearing.

Beatrice wore a green puff sleeve gown with long sleeves and an around her neck emerald necklace. Her shoulder-length platinum blonde was straightened.

Helena wore a strapless ankle-length black dress with pearl stud earrings. Her black hair was done in a clean bun with strands of hair shaping her face.

Riley wore an orange floral knee-length dress with her curly hair straightened.

The three girls sat at the dining table having a pleasant conversation. Gabriella sat across Beatrice who sat with her fiance, Max who also happened to be Gabriella's brother, the Crown Prince.

" Who is this esteemed guest from Gwacary?", asked Gabriella.

" I don't know either", Riley said.

" According to the gossip, it's the second prince of Gwacary", Helena said.

" The who?"

" I didn't know that Gwacary had two princes"

Before Helena could say anything else a servant announced the arrival of the Emperor, the Empress, and the esteemed guest from Gwacary. All eyes were on the door. The Emperor and Empress arrived hand in hand. Behind them was a man with pale skin, dark monolid eyes, thin lips, a straight nose, and upwards eyebrows. His black hair was combed back and he was wearing a clean black suit.

' That's...the guy from the airport!!!'