Chapter 9: The Adoption Ceremony
3rd Person POV
As the lives of the people of Paradis go on, the chief one day was told by a watcher that someone from the main kingdom came to visit their people, it seems they are of high status, it got the crest of the royal family, the Tartians.
Either their representatives or the family themselves arrived, that's unusual, usually it's just someone of a noble household, so it's weird. The Paradis Tree territory belong to them and no nation on the planet can tax them or force their laws on them, so they do get proper visitors for trade from time to time, but this is strange.
The chief than asked the watcher to confirm who came. A while later, they returned to see the duke/prince of the kingdom came, the chief then prepared himself to welcome the visitor, he assumed it's that event again, it must be bigger than the previous years since a person of such high status came to visit.
*****
Perseus POV
"Get over yourself, he's also a duke, it means the prince is married."
"Shush, a girl can dream, besides, nothing wrong with being a 2nd wife." Maggie retorted as she kept looking out the window as I stamp people's book for her.
She took off last time without telling her manager last time so she's punished to stay in the library today while some prince visit the village since the boss want to see him too, but she's forcing me to stamp some books as an apology, so I did since I got nothing to do anyway.
"This is why you're alone, you can't even make one of those promises to marry your close friend if you're single at a certain age, all of em got someone, my moms are married."
"I get it, your moms are hot and you'll grow up hot too. Hmph." she pouted "Oh look the crowd is heading our way, Perseus, give me back the stamp, they're coming and I can't let them know I slacked off."
*****
3rd Person POV
The manager of the library introduced the duke to his staff, Maggie who he then shook her hand. Several watchers made sure to keep the crowd from pushing into the library and overcrowd the space, luckily unlike other places, the crowd weren't as curious, the duke usually would have to run for his life.
Only a couple dozen people followed after him instead of hundreds or thousands, people here just get on with their lives, he would have let them in the library, but he valued their security, if it's past a certain number, it will be hard to protect him.
As he walked in and checked their library, he can see a small boy with white hair, brown skin and golden brown eyes no older than 10 sitting on the floor reading a thick book, he looked up and just dismissed him instead of standing up and bowing or greeting him, he just treated the prince as just a random passerby.
He personally wasn't like some of the nobles who demand absolute respect, the people who lived atop of this tree are not required to give him a bow every time he walks by, but he's still curious since people still do it regardless, he was always treated with great reverence.
The prince looks to be in his mid 30s, 187cm tall, has bright orange hair and bright golden eyes, Perseus knew he was the prince but he just really couldn't be bothered to get up.
"Boy, what's your name?" the prince asked
"I was taught to not talk with strangers." Perseus replied as he flipped a page
"My name is Edward Tartian, I am now no longer a stranger."
"I'm trying not to sound rude, but wouldn't a predator say the same thing to lure kids?"
"I can assure you that I will do no such thing, would you mind introducing yourself?"
"Perseus, Perseus Silver."
"A beautiful name, it would befit a noble child greatly." the prince commented "Aren't you a bit young to read such a complicated book?"
"You can say that I'm a bookworm."
"Where are your parents?"
"Work."
The prince was curious about the boy and held no hostile intention, but Maggie and her manager on the other hand were on the verge of a breakdown.
the manager on the other hand was not having a great time
The manager then dashed away once he realized that Edward was interested in Perseus.
"Have you ever thought of visiting our kingdom?" Edward asked "We have a much bigger library."
"I plan to if my parents have free time, but I'm very content here, I read mostly just story books though."
"What's your favorite story?"
"Don't really have one."
"Are you talented?" the prince asked "Have you heard about the noble adoption ceremony? It's a ceremony that takes place every couple of years where children have a chance to be adopted by nobles and royals of the 4 continents, and this time, our continent, our kingdom specifically, is hosting."
"No thank you, my parents are very caring of me and I wouldn't even change it even if you promise me that I can be the king."
Edward then laughed at the response, he was truly entertained. Children of the Paradis Tree were the most ideal candidate, they are strong and capable, they can be adopted and marry into another house on their behalf, the houses will both benefit, one will share the blood of the children of Paradis, the other will get status and wealth from the connection.
"I can promise your parents wealth if you do." Edward offered
"No means no, old man, if better parents really exist, I'd know, so if you want my recommendation, I'd recommend aisle 14."
"The adoption is only a part of it, you can appeal to schools, the principals of the 4 top schools will be there, you can get an early recommendation letter early, or you want to marry, you can appeal to the nobles and get an early engagement to a pretty girl of your dreams." Edward continued
"I'm 8, what can I do? Seriously, thanks for the offer, but no thanks, I'm not interested in forcing someone else to marry against their will."