Banquet

"Your family will be there," I say.

"That's precisely why I suggested it. Besides, I will be wearing a helmet. They won't be able to see my face." says Clifton.

I gaze at Clifton's stern expression, he is worried about his sister.

"No," I say.

"Why?" Clifton cries out. "I am fairly strong to be your knight, are you doubting-"

"I'm not. it's just...I don't want you to attempt anything unnecessary when seeing your sister. It will only be trouble for me."

"I won't!"

"Trust me, when it comes to a family you love, one will always act out,"

...

"Loi! There you are, we are leaving!" My father calls out to me from behind.

"Just wait here for the news. You may continue training if you feel anxious." I say before leaving for the carriage.

My family is already boarding the transport, I'm the last to step on. Swinging the door close, the servants bow at our leave.

"Hah!" The driver slaps the horse with the rope and they start galloping away.

...

It will not be a very long journey, I should take this time to calm myself down.

"Remember, dear, try your best to not speak anything. Leave that part to Loi and me, they like to judge even what you say and the accent you speak." My mother says, referring to the nobles at the banquet. "Mane, Lee, and Christina. The three of you...can go play outside with your father and make some friends, otherwise stay in your seat alright? Mama will buy all of you some good toys and food!"

"En!" The kids reply in delight, easily bribed by my mother's promise.

"And finally, do not eat any food at the banquet." My mother emphasised. "It may be poisoned. Dear, do you have the ring with the food?" My mother asks my father.

My father nods as he shows his left hand.

My mother has prepared several delicacies that are commonly served during banquets and hid them in a storage ring.

Upon arriving in the capital, we can see several other carriages much more lavish, albeit they have a lower social standing in this country. They are merchants or special guests invited to the banquet.

The streets in the first section remain neutral and normal unlike the king's birthday when the entire capital will be forced into a celebration mode. Truth be told, they have no reason to celebrate the birthday of a prince they don't favour. The majority of the citizen's support was directed at William, a psychopath who hides behind his kind facade, because of his contribution to subjugating monsters and helping villages.

I won't say Kaney is any better either. He is an absurd battle freak who only cares about serving justice and have no experience when it comes to political decisions.

"Tch."

Our carriage comes to a stop behind another carriage, further extending the lines of vehicles surrounding the castle in the third section. I notice a large platform erected beyond the castle's backyard.

...

My family and I walk through the gate and many heads turn.

"That's Loi. He is younger than I thought."

"How lucky, this country has another monster."

"But have you heard? He has commoner origins."

"Is that so? Ha, they won't last long."

Many gossips of pity and interest shoot at me, my family ignore everyone. We are used to it.

------------------------------------------------------------

"Prince William, the Krist family have arrived." a butler says.

William sits beside the window and stares down at the visitors entering the castle. He is in a room full of stacked books and countless documents.

"Understood." William nonchalantly replies.

He closes the window and gets ready for the banquet, leaving the messy room to the corridor. However, Mideus is standing in the corridor blocking his path.

"Prince William-"

"I already said no," says William.

"Yes, but I beg for just another moment of your time!" Mideus grovels onto the ground.

...

William glares at her. Deep inside him, he feels a small ignition of satisfaction.

"Alright, the banquet will be starting soon, make it quick."

"Yes, thank you!" Mideus gets up and follows William into a small guest room.

"What is it?" William asks.

"Prince William, may I acquire what would be the best bride for you?" Says Mideus.

William immediately caught on to her intentions. He sighs.

!

"O-Or at least a concubine!"

"Hmm...I wonder." Says William. "Say, I have heard that the Nelson family recently made a lot of moves."

"E-Eh? That? We-"

"It's regarding the Krist family isn't it?" William says.

Mideus doesn't deny it.

"Will you do anything to gain my favour?" William asks.

"I...Yes, Prince William."

William smiles. "Get rid of the Krist family. Especially Loi."

!

Mideus smirks. "Certainly, that's what I planned to do."

William gestures for Mideus to leave the room and she complies willingly.

He walks to the window and gazes down, establishing eye contact with Loi.

!!

William widens his eye and smiles at Loi.

---------------------------------------------------

That bastard William has been gazing at my family for a while now, what does he want?

I gulp as my family walks into the banquet, the first level of the castle is beautifully decorated with flowers and luxurious chandeliers.

The main ballroom is on the second level, where there are balconies in the direction of the small arena.

Stepping up the stairs to the second floor, we were greeted by a group of servants.

They guide us into the ballroom and a specific round table is designated for us. Stares of glare and intrigue shoot at me from every direction.

"Prince Kaney is arriving!" A butler shouts and everyone stands at attention. The large ballroom has two curve stairs at the side leading to the second level where both princes show up. Prince Kaney walks to the railings and waves at everyone enthusiastically. "Uh...Thank you everyone for taking the time to celebrate my birthday! I hope every one of you enjoys yourself for the day. Treat yourself to some food made by the best chef in the capital!"

Everyone claps at his speech. With that, the event commences.

...

"Hello, are you Mr Loi Krist?" A boy with black hair approaches me with his hand out.

?

...

My mother nods at me.

I stand. "Yes, Mr Justin Calesta," I say.

He seemed surprised by my answer. "It's an honour to meet you." He says.

"Likewise."

Justin smiles at me. "On behalf of my brother, sorry for what happened before."

"No problem. We would be disturbing your family's dining, do you mind going to another corner?"

"Sure."

I follow Justin to one empty balcony.

"I've heard many things about you." Says Justin. "Since this is our first meeting, accept this from me. Nobles should get along with one another."

Justin takes out a container from his coat. From the smell, it is a body-refining pill.

"Haha, my achievements are nothing compared to yours, I've heard you have broken through to the 7th stage of Foundation Establishment and the 4th stage of Sword Intent. In addition, you've received the recognition of a Sword Spirit." I say. "This is my gift as well."

A sword spirit is something similar to Lydia, a weapon with consciousness.

I take the pill from Justin before taking out a perfect foundation pill myself.

!!

"Perfect Foundation Pill?!" He exclaims. "No no, this is too precious for me to take!" Justin broke his calm demeanour and panicked from the pill. I have unlimited supply from the Alchemist Association anyway, I can just make more.

After I insisted, Justin reluctantly takes it. He sighs and smiles. "Frankly speaking, I didn't think that conversing with a commoner will be such a relishing experience."

"I'm not one anymore."

"Haha, you are right. My apologies." Says Justin. "Once again, I apologize for my foolish brother-"

"Is that Loi?" A young lady says from afar who has large curly blonde hair and green eyes.

She isn't a noble but the daughter of a thriving merchant.

"Ah...L-Loi?" Says Lupus, beside the lady.

She's here?

Ah right, her parents took the blame for everything and the rest of the family was spared and given a warning.

"Hm? What's wrong? Isn't that the mere commoner you-"

"No no no!" Lupus stops her, jolting when she notices my gaze. "Ah, uhm...those are things we talk about two months ago!"

"Yes, I know?" The lady replies.

Lupus is trying to hint to me that she has learnt her lesson after that event.

Justin clicks his tongue. "Peasants will always be peasants. Ah, I wasn't talking about you, Loi."

I heard that Justin has a burning hatred for young brats who aren't noble but acts like one. It seems to be true.

"Huh? What did you say to me?" The girl walks to Justin.

Justin glares at her.

"Y-You-"

Hmm...

I've already attracted much attention when Justin approaches me, many people are observing from afar, curious about a "commoner's" action.

Now then, time to show the fruition of my lessons.

"Now now, calm down, Milady," I say, approaching the lady.