Chapter 5: Welcome

" Your Highness, It's time." Laina's voice sounded from outside Verhyn's room. The youngster still fought desperately with the sleepiness he's receiving, but…he failed miserably, Verhyn sat up once but his head still hung low and fell to the pillow again. He sat up again for the second time and decided to put his legs out of the quilt and put one foot on the floor. And he failed again, since he stayed still at that position and slept soundly. Laina stood outside knew that the poor Crown Prince is still struggling, so she decided to knock first and remind him: "Your Highness, the palanquin is ready"

This sentence made Verhyn lose everything in his mind and fall back to reality. Finally, he stood up abruptly before his vision was getting blurred from the iron deficiency and the long-lasting effects of the poison he had inhaled from yesterday then fell on the floor making a noticeable thump sound as if someone really had fallen out of their chair.

"....Your Highness!?" Laina's voice now was raised higher than usual, alerting all the maids and guards nearby. She acts before thinking of the punishments she would get for barging into a royal's room before asking for permission. As soon as she got into the room, the first thing she saw was a figure still in wrinkled pyjamas lying low on the floor, hissing at the pain.

" I'm o-ok Laina, give me my clothes before the trip gets delayed" Verhyn replied faster than normal just to make sure that he reassured everyone occupying the room. They really forgot that maids, guards and other outsiders are forbidden to enter without the owner's permission. Besides, the pain still lingered for a very long time and won't subside no matter how long Verhyn massaged his slightly swollen back and muscles, probably because of the straight hours of sitting on the chair last night and not to forget, the damn stupid poison too.

It took them less than 15 minutes for the youngster to fully dress, well except for the part that he didn't have enough time for breakfast yet, so Verhyn skipped it and went straight to his transportation. He has chosen to sleep on the way from his place to the so-called Isenrim, that kingdom seems like they are hiding something but who knows, it might be just his anxiety over many things.

The Banquet won't start until today has passed, so he thought that the trip must belong. That's why he slept thoroughly with his personal maid Laina on the opposite seat watching over to prevent him from falling again.

It was already 6:30 pm when Laina and Verhyn arrived at the Isenrim Kingdom. It was known for many powerful magicians that have been found and educated here, the food and its unique culture with lots of natural resources. Well, to conclude this kingdom is one of the places where its economy is doing well and lots of emigrants lived here just like his beloved kingdom Veoestea.

As soon as the guards of the large front gate saw the familiar logo that embedded on the carriage, all of them raise their heads high and said altogether in a loud voice" Welcome your Highness Verhyn to Isenrim"

" Tsk...such grand opening" Verhyn obviously dislike any loud commotions, and he hated it even more when he becomes the centre of attention, he seems like an introvert just like his Father assumes. It is common sense for the guards to welcome such big roles arriving at the place today, but it seems like Verhyn just disregard that fact and comfortably roasted them.

It doesn't take too long for Laina and Verhyn to reach the front hall, there stand lots of other teenagers about his age, younger or probably older than him. It was pretty overwhelming to him, Verhyn had attended several local tea parties nearby with his Mother, but he had never expected that a banquet could require this many people. Not only that, they are all princes and princesses from other kingdoms as well. Laina glances around the hall and realizes that she isn't suitable to stand here since the other maids are leaving the hall as well, so with no hesitation she bows at Verhyn before taking her to leave following the other maids.

Verhyn couldn't process what had just happened, they just arrived at the large front hall for no longer than 5 mins, yet his personal maid was already leaving him behind. He intended to extend his right hand out to pull back his nanny, his only comfortable place at the moment to relieve his social anxiety. It was completely normal when he attended the tea parties with other elder ladies and his Mother! Just what is the difference between these 2 occasions? But before his hand could even reach Laina, somewhere far away, a loud noise rang up saying:" Crown Prince of Veoestea has arrived!"

That sound almost make his heart jump out of his body, he silently cursed," Well f*ck, here goes nothing". Instantly, when the sound just ended, everyone stopped talking and a hundred eyes just literally looked at him with great disbelief. Their gazes never left him, and it makes Verhyn inwardly curse again, but to alleviate the situation he must act fast despite his heart beating rapidly.

Verhyn didn't even care, growing a smile upon his smile like any other high ranked kids usually did before. Instead, he slightly does a 20-degree bow with his right hand on his chest, his other hand put behind, looking like a professional butler. Everyone was stunned with the action he had just done and the girls, well ladies just started gossiping, whispering, some were screaming at how beautiful the scenes are. He really looked like a prince coming to serve his princess.

On the other hand, the boys who were still looking let out laughter imitating his actions and some of them even answered back:" Welcome!" They all seem nice and friendly as well. At least they enjoyed the scene lest he makes a joke of himself, Verhyn finally calms down and lets out a small chuckle and that just melts others hearts. Remember, he's just happened to have an appearance that could fascinate anyone no matter the gender, so because of that even some boys just felt flustered, about the girls… you know, they act as if they have met their long-loved idol.

This hasn't been an official banquet yet, since it has only been a ceremony welcoming those youngsters. Instead of the kings and queens attending, it is best to let children handle the situations and gather more experience.

Afterwards, the ceremony finally ended, leaving all the kids to go back to their individual dorms. Their dorms were located inside a local school for only nobles and royalties to learn there, the local school was just about enough to store the kids. Also, the school was built near the palace that's going to have a banquet tomorrow, so the travel distance wasn't so great.