The First Princess's Birthday-Part 2

Stepping onto the paved stone path outside the Azure Palace, Kye was awestruck by the size of the building in front of him. It was a long rectangular building standing five stories wide and hundreds long. Of course, the palace was more than just the residence of the royal family and had other functions but even though Kye knew this, the size still took him by surprise. He quickly wiped the surprise from his face and took his place beside his mother and father, letting the reporters take their photos. He smiled as the flash went off one by one around him and reporters clamoured over themselves trying to get close enough to ask him questions.

"Mr Runewalker, what drove you to not say anything about the Friedhand acquisition of your industry until recently!?"

"Sir, who healed your son from his illness and where are they now!?"

"Sir, what do you have to say about the Ardenal family's proposal of an alliance through marriage?!"

The Runewalkers ignored all the comments and walked up the steps as royal knights stood to keep the crowd back from swarming the nobles who passed through. At the large double doors to the palace, a knight in white decorative armour with golden trim stopped them. He bowed to Frey and pulled out a clipboard, marking the Runewalker's off on the guest list.

"I hope you have a good evening sir. While this might sound rude, I have been informed to ask you to make sure your son stays in line. While no one is sure of his character, we cannot afford to have another Signus incident."

"No offence taken. Kye is not his brother though, he is civilised and will fittingly conduct himself."

The knight looked at Kye and gave a few small nods to himself.

"Yes, he certainly looks better than your other son. Regardless, have a wonderful night."

He stepped back and snapped his fingers, where two other similarly armoured knights turned large cranks on either side of the door, causing it to slowly open until there was enough room for the family to fit comfortably through. The Runewalkers went through and followed a maid and butler to the massive function room. At the entrance, the butler stopped and cleared his throat. The chatter died down and the butler proceeded to speak.

"Now introducing one of the four archducal families, the soldiers in the south that have protected us from the threats of orcish raiding tribes and rogue states who wish to take our historic lands. It is with my greatest pleasure and most profound sense of pride that I introduce Frey, Alicia, Layla, Elena, Mary, Poppy and Iris Runewalker to the party tonight."

Those that the butler had announced walked forward where two servants held a large serving platter with many glasses of a traditional alcoholic spirit. There were two types, one with a watered-down spirit for those under the age of being legally able to drink and one for those who were of age. Frey, Alicia, Layla, Elena and Mary all took the one meant for adults while Poppy and Iris took those for the children. Frey and Layla managed to drink it all in one go while the others had a bit of trouble.

This ritual was conducted to show that you had full trust in the host of a party. By drinking the drink, it showed that you allowed yourself to trust the host and that your well-being was now in their hands. If you refused the drink, it would be akin to publically denouncing the host, which is why they offered the watered-down spirits to children. Kye noticed he had not been announced but waited patiently behind the butler as he watched the rest of the Runewalker family finish their drinks before continuing.

"Deserving of his own special mention is the newly named heir to the Runewalker house, the inventor of the recent revolutionary technology of the Spellweave crystals and personal friend to the Elven Clan Urwani, young sir Kye Runewalker."

With this Kye stepped forward and walked over to the two servants who held the drinks. The one with the glasses for children offered his tray forward but Kye instead reached for the adult tray and grabbed a glass, dowing it in one go as his father did before gently placing it back on the tray. He gave a slight nod to the server and walked confidently over to his parent's side.

Kye had just made a declaration to the entire hall with that move, that he should be treated as an adult and not just a young noble. Kye's actions greatly pleased many of the nobles in attendance that had strong ties to the Runewalker house, seeing what he did as a bold show of strength to all the nobility. Those who were used to the political games of the capital nodded in appreciation of the action but kept a watchful eye on Kye as he walked, looking for slip-ups to capitalise on. Those that had bad blood with the Runewalker family scoffed as if they saw it as the height of rudeness.

The king and queen sat on their ornate chairs at the end of the hall showed no expression to the act but inwardly, the king thought it to be highly amusing. King Glennor was a warrior who had fought with Frey in some military campaigns when they both were in the service of the royal knights. He had a large amount of respect for him but openly detested his sons as they were not fit to carry the name of the man he respected. He had assumed Kye to be some skinny boy that had no presence yet the child, no, the young man in front of him was a tall and robust individual that shared many features with his father.

Much like his father back in the day, his handsome features and bold moves made some of the young ladies in the hall blush slightly. King Glennor recalled the time when he nearly lost his wife to Frey's unwitting charms and wondered if tonight would be the night his daughter finally found someone she was interested in. If only he knew how right he would be.