The Whiteskeep castle was filled with life and activity, as the banquet was about to take place. The Duke, a powerful man in the kingdom, had invited people from all walks of life, from the wealthiest nobles to accomplished commoners, to co together and share a al.
The preparations for the grand banquet were underway. The hall was abuzz with the sound of people bustling around, eager to get everything ready in ti. Decorations hung from the walls, tables were set up, and the chefs were busy in the kitchen, cooking up a storm.
The servants had been instructed to prepare the finest dishes, the most exquisite delicacies, and the most delectable desserts. They had worked hard to make sure the banquet would be a success. Everyone was looking forward to this special occasion, and they had made sure to leave no stone unturned.
The cooks had been instructed to cook up a variety of dishes, from savory to sweet. They prepared a variety of ats, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. They also prepared a variety of desserts, such as cakes, pies, cookies, etc.
The decorations were no less impressive. Strears, banners, and ribbons had been hung up all over the room, making it look even more festive. The tables had been decorated with tablecloths, napkins, and flowers. Even the plates and utensils had been carefully selected to create a pleasant atmosphere.
It was certain that the banquet would be an unforgettable experience. Everything had been prepared with the utmost care, and all the guests were sure to be impressed.
Ethan who was the main character for such hubbub and glamor was duly being prepared by the maids for the occasion, despite much of his nagging and complaining.
His long white hair was neat as it flowed over his shoulders, and he wore a suit made of white shimring fabric with silvery and golden threads making intricate designs on its sleeves, sides, and collar. To go well with it he wore jet black, tight pants giving him a sophisticated look.
And to put a cherry on top, he wore a dallion of the white family on his chest as well as a handkerchief hanging by the collar.
He then t with his entire family as they all headed to the grand banquet hall of the castle.
It was ti and all the guests also began pouring into the hall as they marveled at the arrangents made by the Duke.
The White Family had spared no expense in the preparations for the event, hiring the best chefs and decorators in the kingdom. The feast was truly a magnificent sight, with tables adorned with delicious delicacies, costly decorations, and brightly glowing candles. The sll of roasted ats and fruits filled the air.
The Cromwell Family, The Kaelvyn Family, The House of Sterling and IIvardin, The Stout Family, and Count Farley along with dozens of other noble families, and representatives, with several leading rchant companies, traders, knights, and many more influential people one after another entered the Hall.
It didn't take long for the banquet hall to be filled with the sounds of lively conversations as everyone mingled with each other making new connections and catching up to the old ones.
Anicia and Earlene both too entered with their families. The two of them had bonded well and had co to call each other sisters. This relationship between the two children strangely resulted in their families getting close as well.
Both Young Ladies looked wonderful in their noble attire, Anicia was in a beautiful dark green dress. She had an innocent, immature charm as if a pure lotus was on the verge of blooming. On the other hand, Earlene wore a red dress with intricate designs of flowers on it, she was older than Anicia and so gave off a mature, confident, and scholarly air.
Imdiately a crowd of noblen and won rushed forward surrounding Earlene and Count Farley as they entered.
If Earlene wasn't already famous as an accomplished scholar then she had certainly gained more fa as Ethan's tutor. Especially considering his potential.
Earlene smiled warily thinking how these people wouldn't even have looked at her despite her achievents if it wasn't for Ethan. This made her sowhat bitter as well as hopeful, sprouting so complicated feelings in her heart.
She did not miss this opportunity and courteously greeted everyone who ca her way, making new acquaintances and connections. Count Farley simply watched from the sidelines with a smile on his face.
Yunugiv Stout's acquaintances also approached him trying to pry and get so answers as everyone wondered why the Stout Family was being favored by the Duke.
But he just constantly dodged the topic beating around the bushes refusing to speak.
At this mont the Royal Physician and the blind old man entered the hall instantly drawing eyeballs onto them.
"Is he….?" Yunugiv muttered, raising his brows.
"Oh! So they're really going to test it?" Soone beside Yunugiv exclaid.
"That's one of the elders from The Tower of Tellers, Elder Aries." Count Farley said calmly.
"This will be interesting, it will be revealed if the boy truly has as much potential as the rumors say or if it's just a hoax." A foreign dignitary from the Kingdom of Kahnver said.
"Is the esteed sir doubting the word of our Duke?" Viscount Sterling retorted with a sharp tone as he walked into the conversation.
"I dare not, but this is no laughing matter. I think we all know the history quite well." The dignitary answered.
"Hmph! What are you trying to insinuate!?" Viscount Sterling flared up.
"Forgive if I have unintentionally offended you, My Lord. I ant no disrespect."
"Haha, Gentlen, let's not bicker on such a fine day, what do you say? I say we should be more worried about the Tribes and the Church, no?" Marquis Kaevyn said changing the topic as he joined in on the discussion as well.
"Haha! The Tribes? They're nothing but savage barbarians. We have toppled them many tis like the cockroaches they are and we will do it again." Marquis IIvardin suddenly butted in as he scornfully rebutted.
Marquis Kaevyn's brows twitched suddenly hearing the voice of the man he so much despised. He was about to start arguing but Count Farley beat him to it.
"Reports are that there has been infighting going on…. Do you realize what that ans?" Count Farley said narrowing his gaze pensively.
".... That soone is trying to unite the Tribes." Yunugiv blurted.
Everyone montarily beca silent falling each into their own thoughts. Marquis IIvardin nonchalantly broke the ice once again.
"It won't matter at all, I say you're all being paranoid. Centuries of history and not once has soone succeeded. What makes you think now will be any different?" Marquis IIvardin said confidently.
"That's true." Everyone agreed wholeheartedly.
"And what's this about the Church, Lord Kaevyn?" soone asked. Yunugiv had also been wondering the sa so his ears perked up.
"It's unconfird, but I have word from the Royal Court that the Church has dispatched a large number of spies and even several units of Inquisitors towards the West." Marquis Kaevyn said solemnly.
"Hmph! The church grows unbridled day by day to have the audacity to be so brazen in its illicit movents! What in the world do they want now?" Viscount Sterling harrumphed in dissatisfaction and flared up in frustration.
He was quite the fierce and blunt man, that's for sure.
Several nobles imdiately wore skeptical, complicated expressions on their faces as they heard Viscount Sterling speak.
"Allegedly, It's for a manhunt. They have been in pursuit of that heretic for years without anything to show for it. Perhaps they're desperate?" Marquis Kaevyn suggested but even he doubted that it was the case.
"This slls fishy…" Count Yunugiv muttered as a glint of suspicion flashed through his eyes.
Everyone nodded in agreent and then silence once again ensued. But shortly after the topic changed once again.
Soone expressed concern about Ethan's well-being, raising doubts over the assassination attempt. It was a fairly fresh event and not many people knew the details.
Earlene and Anicia both as soone who had witnessed the whole thing were coaxed into telling details by everyone around them. Despite not wanting to recall the terrible tale, both of them recited everything from start to finish.
Everyone's expressions grew stiff as Earlene recalled the entire affair. So expressed dissatisfaction toward the Shadow Dwellers while so chose to stay silent. But mostly everyone applauded Ethan's luck and bravery not wasting the opportunity for flattery.
While nobles throughout the entire hall were conversing about similar gossip, the rchants were also having their own talk.
They mostly talked about how the prices of food were on the rise due to increased taxes and lessening supply. There had been less and lesser rain as the days were passing. The rchants had a widely extended network of intelligence and knew a lot of what they needed to know.
Tensions between the southern kingdoms were rising which was affecting business. The Tribes were acting up and the church was making suspicious moves. On top of that the Tower of Tellers had foretold a concerning prophecy. Not only this but there was more.
In The Royal Capital, the tides of politics had begun to shift and turn as different factions were raising the much more troubleso topic of deciding the heir stirring up the Royal Court regularly.
Although on the surface everything looked very calm and peaceful, perhaps it was but a foreshadowing of an upcoming storm.
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