The founding of the Rivendel Kingdom was an occasion of great festivity, and the royal court was alive with jubilant celebrations.

The grand hall of the Rivendel Palace was decorated with banners and garlands, and tables overflowed with lavish dishes and fine wines.

Music and laughter filled the air as nobles and dignitaries from both kingdoms mingled and toasted to the union.

Cecilia, adorned in a striking gown, tried her best to enjoy the festivities.

The evening was a rare chance to let loose, and she found herself indulging in the revelry more than usual.

As the wine flowed, her inhibitions diminished, and she laughed freely with Leo, who, like her, was embracing the celebratory mood with enthusiasm.

Leo, also significantly inebriated, was in high spirits.

His usual reservations were forgotten, and he was the life of the party, regaling guests with stories and jokes.

The two of them, caught up in the mirth of the moment, clinked glasses and danced, their laughter mingling with the music.

As the night wore on, their drunkenness grew more pronounced.

Cecilia, unable to hold her liquor, found herself leaning on Leo for support.

In their foggy state, they stumbled out of the palace together, each too tipsy to notice their blurred surroundings.

The next morning dawned with a bright sun piercing through the heavy curtains of their shared room.

Cecilia and Leo awoke to find themselves in a state of utter disarray.

Both were naked and disoriented, with no recollection of the previous night’s events.

“Ugh,” Cecilia groaned, her head pounding. She squinted at the unfamiliar surroundings and tried to piece together what had happened.

“What in the world...?”

Leo, equally disoriented, sat up with a confused expression.

“Did we...?” he began, but trailed off, his mind struggling to recall the events.

As they began to gather their thoughts, the situation became apparent.

Their clothes were scattered around, and the memories of the previous night were a hazy blur.

They exchanged awkward glances, trying to piece together the puzzle of their night.

“Are we... in my room or yours?” Cecilia asked, her voice tinged with both irritation and embarrassment.

“I don’t even know,” Leo replied, rubbing his temples.

“All I know is that I have the mother of all hangovers.”

They squabbled and exchanged sarcastic remarks, each blaming the other for their current predicament.

Their hangovers only made their tempers flare more easily, resulting in a comedic exchange of grievances about the excessive drinking and the absurdity of their situation.

Despite their hangovers, Leo decided to get some fresh air and visited the stables.

The rhythmic clopping of hooves and the soothing presence of the horses provided a welcome distraction.

His servants tended to the horses while Leo paced thoughtfully, trying to make sense of the previous night.

Meanwhile, Cecilia remained in bed, nursing her headache and wishing she could just disappear.

Her thoughts were interrupted only by the occasional groan or sigh as she tried to recover from the excesses of the night before.

Leo, thinking ahead, realized that he needed to address not just the hangover but also Cecilia’s safety.

The previous night’s escapades had made him aware of the potential risks she faced. He decided that she needed a personal guard, someone skilled and reliable.

Leo summoned his attendants and began to consider who would be the best choice to protect Cecilia.

After some deliberation, he chose Katrina, one of his most capable female attendants.

Katrina was known not only for her skills in self-defense but also for her proficiency in various deadly arts.

Katrina was summoned to Leo’s quarters, and he explained his concerns.

“I need you to become Cecilia’s personal protector. Given the events of last night, I want to ensure she has someone who can handle herself and keep her safe.”

Katrina, who was accustomed to dangerous assignments, nodded in understanding.

“I’ll do my best, Your Highness.”

With a plan in place, Leo returned to the palace, determined to face the day’s challenges and ensure that Cecilia would be safe moving forward.

As he entered the palace, he couldn’t help but reflect on the previous night’s events with a wry smile.

Cecilia, once she managed to pull herself together, joined Leo for a quiet breakfast.

The air between them was filled with a mixture of awkwardness and newfound understanding.

Their shared experience had brought them closer in an unexpected way, and their humorous squabbles about the hangover only served to highlight their growing camaraderie.

As the day continued, the reality of their situation settled in.

They both knew that they had to address the challenges facing their kingdoms and their marriage with renewed focus.

The unexpected events of the previous night had underscored the need for them to work together and support each other in the face of adversity.

With the addition of Katrina as Cecilia’s protector, they felt a sense of security that had been lacking.

The royal couple, now more aware of their responsibilities and the importance of their partnership, prepared to face the coming challenges with a renewed sense of purpose and unity.