Dinner

As we approached the grand dining hall, guided by the attentive servants, I couldn't help but notice two women walking just ahead of us. They were about the same age as my mother, chatting softly to each other while also heading in the same direction. Each had a child by their side—a boy and a girl, respectively. The sight of them immediately piqued my interest.

The woman with sky-blue hair caught my eye first, and I noticed the boy beside her had striking green hair. Without a doubt, they were from the Goldenleaf Duchy. I had learned enough from our lessons with Mother to recognize the distinct features of the Everglen family, the rulers of Goldenleaf. As my gaze shifted to the second woman, I saw her vibrant red hair, which made me pause in confusion at first. But then I noticed the girl next to her, and it all clicked when I saw her dull silver eyes—they were from the Ironclad Duchy. The stoneforge family had one unmistakable trait: those eyes.

I recalled Mother's lessons vividly now. She had drilled into us the characteristic features of the ruling families from each duchy. Our family, the Shadowstars, were known for our pure black or silver hair, an unbroken trait in our bloodline. The Everglen family of Goldenleaf had vibrant green hair, a feature unique to the direct line. The Stoneforge family of Ironclad always had dull silver eyes. The Luminara family, rulers of Starlight, were born with a star-shaped birthmark on the back of their left hand, and the Tempestfall family of Stormwatch had heterochromatic eyes—one blue, one gray.

The sheer dominance of these traits always made me curious, and the more I saw them, the more my mind wandered. Back on Earth, I remembered learning about strong genetic traits that could appear consistently in a lineage, but here, in Eldoria, magic played a crucial role in amplifying these traits to the point where they were practically set in stone. I couldn't help but wonder how powerful the founders of these families must have been for such distinct characteristics to carry on for generations. Perhaps I needed to read more history to truly understand.

My thoughts shifted to the kingdom's ruling family—the Valencrests. Unlike the duchies, their physical traits weren't as outwardly magical, but they were significant nonetheless. All Valencrest family members had blonde hair, a color that, while not rare, was far less common in the kingdom. However, it wasn't their hair color that made them extraordinary. It was their affinity—arcane magic. For over a hundred years, no one outside the Valencrest family had been born with this affinity. It was this very trait that had elevated their bloodline to royalty, making them the most powerful humans in the kingdom. The previous king, Theron Valencrest, had wielded this arcane magic to become the strongest human in Eldoria.

I thought back to the books I'd read—nothing mentioned the arcane affinity in detail. In fact, I only knew about it because Mother had told us during one of her lessons. It was as if the knowledge of this power was intentionally kept scarce, reserved only for those who needed to know.

As we walked, I turned my head and glanced at Astor. I wondered if he had pieced together who the people ahead of us were. He caught my eye, his face lighting up with a mischievous grin. I sighed. No, he hadn't figured it out—Astor was just being Astor, always in his own world of fun and chaos.

Still, I couldn't help but smile a little. It didn't matter much whether he recognized the families or not. What mattered now was the ceremony ahead, the faces we would see tonight, and the beginning of something much bigger than either of us.

As we reached the dining hall, the grandeur of it immediately captured my attention. Before I could take a good look at the people in noble attire walking ahead, the large, intricately designed doors swung open, revealing a magnificent hall bathed in a warm glow. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, shimmering with soft golden light, casting a gentle radiance across the room. The table that stretched across the hall seemed endless, adorned with luxurious decorations, while servants moved about swiftly, setting everything in its rightful place.

As we stepped further in, an attendant approached us and respectfully guided Mother toward our seats. As we walked, I caught sight of Father already seated among the other dukes and duchesses. At the far end of the table, King Aldric Valencrest sat at the head, with Queen Isabella to his left and Prince Caelan to his right. Beside the prince sat Princess Seraphina, while the youngest of the royal family, Prince Orion, sat beside the queen. Their presence, along with the room's splendor, emphasized the importance of this evening.

Soon, we arrived at our father's side, and Mother took her seat next to him. Astor, for once, was behaving himself as he took the seat beside Mother, while I sat next to Father. She had reminded us countless times not to cause any trouble here, and it seemed her warnings were enough to keep Astor in check, at least for now. I glanced around the table, taking in the faces of the other noble families as they settled into their seats.

Across from us sat Duke Cedric Everglen of Goldenleaf, along with his wife and their son, Roran, the boy I had noticed earlier with his signature green hair. Their family exuded an air of calm elegance, their demeanor as pristine as their reputation.

Further down, Duke Thorne Stoneforge of Ironclad sat with his wife and their daughter, Zara. Despite being younger, Zara's build was strikingly large for her age, an abnormality that only added to the imposing presence of the Stoneforge family, known for their might and resilience.

On the other side of the table, Duchess Elowen Luminara of Starlight sat with her nephew, Jaxon, who, unlike his older cousins, was around our age. The Luminara family, with their celestial lineage, wore gloves, hiding the signature star-shaped birthmarks that marked their heritage.

Finally, there was Duke Kaelan Tempestfall of Stormwatch, seated with his wife and their son, Tamsin. True to their name, Tamsin's heterochromatic eyes—a blend of blue and gray—stood out, marking him unmistakably as a member of the Tempestfall family.

As I scanned the room further, I noticed several older men, no doubt ministers of the kingdom, sitting closer to the king. Yet, despite looking around, I couldn't spot my grandparents. They must have been with the former king and the other prominent figures, preparing for tomorrow's ceremony.

Once we had all settled down, the room grew quiet as King Aldric Valencrest stood up from his seat. He cleared his throat, and the eyes of every noble in the room turned toward him. His voice was deep, commanding attention as he began to speak about the importance of the upcoming Awakening Ceremony and the future of the kingdom. His words echoed the sentiment of hope and ambition for the younger generation—the generation that would soon step into their magical potential and lead Eldoria forward.

As the hall quieted down, King Aldric Valencrest stood tall at the head of the table, his regal presence commanding the attention of everyone present. The chandeliers above cast a soft glow on his figure as he began his speech, his voice steady and powerful, filling the grand hall.

"Esteemed dukes, duchesses, and honored guests," he began, his gaze sweeping across the room. "Tonight, we gather not only as leaders of our respective provinces but as guardians of the future of Eldoria. In a few short days, our children—our legacy—will take their first step into the world of magic. The Awakening Ceremony marks not just the unlocking of their potential but the beginning of their journey to shape the fate of our kingdom."

He paused, allowing his words to sink in, his eyes briefly settling on each noble family. "This kingdom, built through the strength and wisdom of our ancestors, now looks to its next generation. We, the Valencrest family, have long stood as protectors of Eldoria, and it is through unity that we continue to prosper. Each of you, through your houses and lineages, has contributed to the strength of our realm. But as the world changes, so too must we. The challenges ahead will not be simple. Power alone will not be enough. Wisdom, courage, and, most importantly, unity will be required."

A murmur of agreement spread through the hall. The king continued, his voice growing more passionate. "The Awakening Ceremony represents the renewal of that power, a reminder that Eldoria's strength lies in its people. These children—our children—will inherit the responsibilities that we have carried. They will inherit the magic, the wisdom, and the burdens of leadership. And in time, they will prove themselves worthy of guiding this great kingdom forward."

As he spoke, I felt a shiver run down my spine. There was an undeniable weight to his words. The ceremony, something that had always felt distant, suddenly loomed large in my mind. I glanced at Astor, who, for once, was listening intently, his playful demeanor momentarily replaced by the gravity of the moment.

King Aldric's voice softened as he reached the end of his speech. "Let us celebrate tonight, not only in honor of the past but in anticipation of the future. May our children awaken to their destinies, and may the bonds between our houses grow ever stronger. For the strength of Eldoria lies not just in its rulers but in the unity of its people."

With that, he raised his glass, signaling the end of his speech. The room echoed with the sound of glasses clinking together in a toast. We were all standing at the precipice of something monumental—the future of our kingdom, resting on the shoulders of those who were about to awaken to their magical potential.