The Romantic Trials Of A Transmigrated Empress
Chapter 101: Even a party is a tool for politics.

Chapter 101: Even a party is a tool for politics.

So this is what it feels like, Sigrid thought. Many times she had wondered if the king was not embarrassed when the ideas of others were attributed to him. Apparently, it was not so embarrassing if you did not pay heed to it.

"What type of ball is this?" The queen questioned.

There were three types of balls, debutante balls that introduced noble young women to society and signaled their eligibility for marriage. Charity balls that were organized for various causes and seasonal balls that were held during specific times of the year.

Balls were very formal events, different from banquets, get togethers and parties like the ones Mauve threw with her lunches.

"It is a charity ball, all the funds raised will be used to purchase grain and other supplies for the less fortunate people in the North." Sigrid replied.

The king and queen traded gazes and then they looked at the couple and nodded in approval.

"It sends a good message to the commoners, that we are thinking of them and the nobles will feel good about themselves. Everyone wants to look good, especially now that we have newspapers sharing everything that happens in society." King Raff said and he grimaced. "What are your planned dates for this ball?"

"The day after tomorrow." Sigrid replied. She was doing most of the talking because it was her ball, she had told Roland to leave everything up to her.

The timing seemed rushed and at the Vale only she and Roland understood why. It was because the king would be wiping out the Silberuss family the day after and she could not throw a ball like that shortly after a large number of royal relatives had passed away.

Even though their causes of death would be treason, people would still frown and consider her to be heartless or something related to that. So, she was in a rush, ball first and then tears later.

"Change the date, you are to throw this ball within six days." The king commanded.

Sigrid was taken aback and she physically recoiled backwards. "Six days!! your highness, surely you understand why I am in a hurry."

"Yes, I do." The king confirmed in a self assured tone, "Which is why I am also commanding you to change the date. I hope you highlight the word command, crown princess. This is not a suggestion, you will simply do as I say."

She opened her mouth to argue and Roland grabbed her hand quickly. He squeezed it to remind her that a king’s command was not something anyone could challenge easily.

Sigrid took a deep breath. "Am I allowed to question why?"

The king looked down at her through his heavy chilling gaze and replied, "I am sure that you know why. I think after what is to come, people will need something else to talk about, to smile about. Something that will make them forget the color red, do you understand what I mean?"

Sigrid smiled, "Yes, I understand."

Her ball was going to be used as tool in politics, the king did not care how people would perceive her, he just wanted them to have something else to talk about. Judging from the calmness of the queen, she was fully onboard. For all their dislike of each other, they sure knew when to come together to protect their interests.

"Do you also understand that your ball must be impressive enough to overwhelm any other news out there?" The queen asked.

Sigrid opened her mouth but Roland replied faster.

"Mother, that is a lot of pressure to put on my princess. It is the first time she is throwing a ball, the timing as you both understand could be better. She has already consented to the difficulty in timing, as for other things, we should just hope for the best."

A happy flutter danced in Sigrid’s chest, she could not believe that he was standing up to his mother for her. Although it would probably displease the queen who would no doubt make it known to her later, it was a sign of progress between them and that was all she cared about in the moment.

"Are you saying your wife’s comfort is more important than the image of the royal family? The queen asked in an unhappy voice.

Sigrid was looking down so she rolled her eyes, she couldn’t help wondering why the queen did not throw her own ball if she wanted to protect the royal image so much. But, she kept her thoughts to herself and looked up with a smile.

"That is not what the crown prince means, your highness, he is just worried that I might disappoint you. Your expectations are a little heavy after all. But worry not, I will not disappoint you, the kind of ball that I am planning to throw will have everyone talking, not just for days but for months. Years in fact, I am quite certain that it will never be forgotten."

Roland squeezed her arm and shook her head, he was worried about what else she was going to reveal.

"Oh, what kind of ball is it?" The king asked curiously.

Sigrid ignored the persistent squeezing and replied, "A bachelor’s auction charity ball."

She saw the dismay on the face of the king and queen and smiled, it was expected. This was something new to Eldoria, anybody that heard about it would react like this.

"Bachelor’s auction!!" The queen exclaim.

Sigrid nodded confidently and she snickered, it sure was nice shocking the queen.

"You are going to auction men!" The king gasped.

Sigrid leaned forward, "Not just any men, noble men and knights."

She describe the type of bachelor auction she had in mind and even mimicked the auctioneer using Roland as a specimen.

"We can speak of his prowess in battle, highlight his strong arms and praise his intelligence or charming eyes. Potential dance partners or those that want to go on a date with him bid and the highest bidder wins. Every winner can only choose one prize, a dance or a date and the man has to ensure that whichever is chosen is a memorable experience for the winner.

If it is successful, I can throw another one the following year and the one after. In a few years, the event can become tradition, something unique to me and Roland. Believe me, every mother that wants to wed her daughter to some noble lord will bid highly to get her daughter the chance to have a date with that lord."

As she came to a close, the queen appeared ready to faint.

"How are you going to convince the men to join, especially the noble lords?" the king asked curiously. Unlike the queen, he was interested, the event sounded like fun.

Sigrid turned her hands in Roland’s direction. "That is easy, all he has to do is visit a place where many noble lords spend time, a tavern, boxing hall or sword fighting hall. He can talk about this ridiculous idea his wife had and how some of his best knights have signed up. He can tell them that he is participating too and brag that he will fetch the highest bid for the night.

Men are competitive by nature, which of the young noble lords does not want to prove that they are better than the crown prince at something? Even those who don’t like him will sign up just to humiliate him."