24. First Banquet (1)

The Kingdom of Sestia was founded by the great King Rudolph the First after defeating the evil Dragon. But that wasn't all that made the kingdom strong, since it was a new kingdom there were various threats not only from the other species but also from the other human kingdoms.

The wars broke out and the warriors who preserved the kingdom and stayed loyal to the King were given the glory, hence, the two Ducal families came into existence. But that wasn't the only thing that made them strong it was also because the families carried the blessing of elemental affinities.

The Dukedom of Esmertia governed the West with an affinity to Wind while the Ducal family of Aurelius governed the East with an affinity to Ice. Esmertia family had gained their wealth from the trades and because of their illegal activities that the Queen supported from the shadows. Aurelius on the other hand had the ports and good agricultural lands.

The Marismus family was the royal family with an affinity to Fire.

The Grand Duchy of Montaire was the cousin family of the royal family of Marismus and was the guardian of the North with no affinity to any element. That was the basic reason they hadn't claimed any right to the throne, yet, they were the family that gave birth to the first Aura swordmaster and protected the kingdom from the attacks of the Shifters from the north.

I learned about this from all the books I had read and that was how I was familiarising myself more with this world.

And why was I summarising it once more? Because we were supposed to attend the Second Prince's birthday banquet, I was busy memorizing everything I could about the kingdom and the nobles attending.

Rune and Viscount were helping me with the crash course on etiquette that I would have to keep in mind because it was my very first banquet.

It was a bit frustrating but it was important as I needed to look for more allies and also create a positive impression on the ones who could become useful pawns in future.

[Defender of Divine Glory sighs.]

[Goddess of Wisdom says you are beyond help.]

"What?"

The banquet was in two weeks so I had to rush with my plan of signing the contract with the Mage's Tower. Viscount Ainsworth was exceptionally good at executing his tasks swiftly and accurately which was why my work was going pretty smoothly.

I stamped on the magic contract that Silas made with Duke Aurelius and Master Darren as the witnesses. I signed the contract and the deal was done.

"The names of the ones mentioned in the list will be the only ones who would enter the lair no one else and they will only touch the magic stones, if they try to steal anything else then their magic will be sealed off." I warned and Silas and Darren nodded.

"Master Darren will overlook the mining and we will set up a lab nearby to make sure nothing goes amiss." Silas assured me and I was satisfied with the terms that we had made.

The deal was made with a ratio of 60-40, 60% was of course my share while the Mage's Tower would get 40%. 

The period of contract would last for ten years and it would be renewed after that period is finished.

"Here's the thing that you asked for in advance." Silas handed me a blue box.

"It's still like a prototype but since the magic stone was of high quality it will last for some time till I improvise it as per your needs."

"Thank you, Uncle." I smiled as I opened the box looking at the glowing blue pendant.

"Let me know after you use it."

"All right, I'll use it well."

After that, we left for the capital Laiden which was in the heart of the kingdom of Sestia and close enough to Aurelius with only a week of travelling.

The travel wasn't quite inconvenient and before I knew it we were in the capital, it was like a grand town filled with even more people and facilities.

"Can we go out in town after the banquet?" I asked and Rune and Duke exchanged looks.

"I mean all of us." I said and the two smiled.

"Sure." 

The Duke's mansion in the capital was just as grand as the one that we had in the East with the good personnel.

The day of the banquet arrived before I knew it and I was dressed in a bright yellow dress that matched the spring theme of the banquet. I was mentally preparing myself because I wouldn't only meet the other nobles but also the King candidates.

I had their names and their characteristics well memorised, there were three who were going to be gathered in the same place. I didn't have to choose one right away but I still had to observe who would befit the responsibility of the King.

"Oh my!"

"Young Miss looks so adorable!"

I heard the maids gasp as they were finally done preparing me.

The tiny yellow flower trinkets adorned my hair and even I was sure I looked good except for the feeling that I resembled a young chick.

I left my room and was escorted towards the hall where Rune and Duke were already waiting for me. They looked at me as I arrived and for a moment they kept staring making me sigh.

"You look so beautiful, Reina." Rune grinned as he presented his hand to me.

"You will be the cutest girl in the banquet!" Duke chirped making me roll my eyes.

"I look like a duckling." I mumbled.

[Goddess of Wisdom asks you to trust in your charm.]

[Defender of Divine Glory assures you that you look adorable.]

I didn't expect these two to pipe in.

"Shall we go now?" I asked looking at Rune and Duke and they nodded before we stepped out.

"Did you memorise everything?" Duke asked me and Rune as we sat in front of him in the carriage.

"Yes, Father."

"I hope you will have fun and make a lot of friends." 

The Duke smiled and I sighed, I had grown comfortable around him. He was a bit of a clumsy person but that trait seemed to evoke my protective nature.

It didn't take us long till we reached the castle, it was the time of twilight so I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of the grand structure that stood before me. The huge walls of the castle seemed to stretch on either side like enormous arms of giant and the spires that shot up to the sky.

There were already a few people who had gathered for the banquet as I and my family stepped inside the ballroom after having our names announced.

I could feel the eyes on me and I tried to keep the expression of a harmless child as I could hear them whispering about me.

"That's her? Poor child..."

"She looks well now."

The news about me getting abducted and almost sold off by Count Stanson had become famous enough that I had received some sympathy back at Aurelius as well.

But apart from those rumours, there was something else which made my ears perk up: the word about the new township being built in the East by an unknown nobleman.

The existence of the magic stones was still a secret but after some time it would find its way to these people.

"Are you nervous, Reina?" Rune asked as I walked beside him before he smiled and squeezed my hand.

"It's fine, I and Father are here."

I wasn't nervous.

"Reina, are you all right?" Duke asked and I sighed.

"I'm all right. Please don't worry about me."

My eyes ran across the beautifully decorated ballroom each corner screamed of wealth and power, huge chandeliers lit up the huge space and the music from the orchestra flowed around the entire space like a stream.

Every person was dressed in luxurious clothes which must have cost a fortune, it was almost blinding.

A few people greeted the Duke and asked about my health sympathizing with me as how a young sickly child had to go through a cruel fate. I had to control my facial expression as their words and expressions were comical and vividly fabricated.

Just when I thought this farce would never end the announcement was made which made the entire ballroom go quiet and I turned to see the figures that walked in.