The celebration continued deep into the night. Music filled the grand banquet hall as nobles danced gracefully beneath floating chandeliers while servants moved endlessly between tables carrying expensive wine and elaborate dishes of many kinds.
The adults discussed politics. Some discussed trade. While others gossip.
The children though were thinking about one noble kid.
Amos.
Why the is the troublesome heir of House Kyros was somehow behaving normal tonight. That is not how he behaves before, he has caused troubled to so many noble children through his so-called pranks. He is behaving like a grey wolf that has been taken its tooth away.
After several rounds of greetings and ceremonial speeches, the emperor himself rose from his throne-like seat near the center platform.
The entire hall quieted instantly.
“I thank that are able everyone to attend my daughter’s birthday celebration tonight.”
His calm voice echoed throughout the hall naturally without magical amplification.
The emperor continued speaking briefly about prosperity, the future of the empire, and unity among noble houses before finally allowing the banquet to properly resume.
Aros suddenly stood from his seat.
Amos immediately sensed danger.
“Father?”
“Come with me.”
Amos sighed internally before standing.
Ambrosia looked slightly worried beside him.
Amos lightly patted her head once.
“I’ll survive.”
Amos trailed behind Aros through the banquet hall, countless nobles stealing discreet glances their way. The direction they took made it clear to everyone where they were headed that is toward the imperial family. Nearby conversations quickly hushed, and even those feigning disinterest were clearly watching.
At the front platform, imperial guards stepped aside without question as Aros approached.
The emperor himself looked toward them calmly.
He smiled slightly.
“Aros, you look healthy”
“Your Majesty.”
The two men greeted each other casually enough to make surrounding nobles nervous.
Because Lord Kyros might be one of if not one of the only people i the empire who could talk on equal term with the emperor.
Then the Emperor’s gaze shifted downward.
Toward Amos.
Then the Emperor suddenly laughed softly.
“You have grown.”
Amos blinked once.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You are much quieter now compared to last year.”
Oh no.
Dangerous sentence.
Amos immediately felt bad memories approaching at high speed.
The emperor looked genuinely amused.
“This child,” the emperor said calmly, “used to wander through this palace stealing fruit from the royal gardens.”
The nearby imperial knights visibly twitched.
Amos felt his soul leaving his body.
“In my defense, your majesty. The fruit was very sweet.”
Silence.
Even Ambrosia, who had quietly approached behind with Elena at some point, stared at Amos in shock.
Aros closed his eyes briefly.
The emperor looked increasingly entertained.
“You also threatened to burn the garden if anyone who try to stop you.”
Former me from before realization truly lived without fear or intelligence.
“I was young,” Amos said weakly.
“You were eight.”
“That was a difficult age for me too.”
The Crown Princess standing beside the emperor quietly covered her mouth.
Her shoulders shook just a little as she laughed at him. Amos quickly averted his gaze.
The emperor finally stopped teasing him enough to continue speaking normally.
“Still, you truly have changed.”
His gaze sharpened slightly now.
“The mana around you feels different.”
Amos stilled briefly.
Aros remained calm beside him.
The emperor noticed even though he is wearing the ring his father gave to him.
Of course he noticed.
A man like him missing something that obvious would be impossible.
But luckily, the emperor didn’t press for more.
Instead, his gaze shifted toward Ambrosia.
“And this young lady must be the child Aros adopted recently.”
Ambrosia immediately bowed politely.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The emperor nodded approvingly.
“How adorable.”
Then, out of nowhere, the Crown Princess stepped forward. Her violet gaze settled on Ambrosia first, then shifted to Amos.
Then back to Ambrosia.
“You resemble each other slightly.”
The princess smiled faintly afterward before speaking calmly.
“I am Evelyn.”
Ambrosia quickly responded nervously.
“I-It is an honor to meet Your Highness.”
Meanwhile Amos was trying extremely hard to reduce his presence.
Sadly, not possible.
Because Princess Evelyn looked directly at him next.
“And you.”
“Yes?”
“You have been avoiding looking at me all evening.”
Even the Emperor looked mildly interested now.
Amos maintained perfect noble composure externally.
Internally?
Complete disaster.
“I did not wish to be disrespectful.”
“That is strange.”
Her violet eyes curved slightly.
“You stared at me for three whole minutes last year after climbing the tree in the royal garden.”
“Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“I wasn't myself that time.”
For the first time tonight, the Crown Princess genuinely laughed softly out loud.
Amos immediately realized now will be the right time to give it to her. The birthday gift. A servant carefully approached carrying an ornate black case marked with the crest of House Kyros. Amos accepted the case from the servant before stepping forward toward Princess Evelyn beneath the attention of nearly the entire banquet hall.
The moment the nearby nobles noticed it, conversations subtly quieted again. Because when House Kyros gave gifts, it will be one hell of a gift. This will make all the other gift to be paler in comparison.
The princess watched him calmly with visible curiosity in her violet eyes.
Amos stopped a respectful distance away before bowing slightly.
“On behalf of House Kyros, I offer our congratulations for Your Highness’s birthday.”.
Very unlike the fruit stealer-arsonist criminal from last year.
Amos opened the black case carefully.
Inside rested a beautiful silver bracelet embedded with a crystal so pure it almost appeared liquid beneath the palace lights. Intricate runes shimmered faintly across its surface.
Immediately, several nobles recognized it and nearly lost composure.
“That’s—”
“A high-tier pure mana crystal?”
“No, look closer”
“Isn't that also an ancient silver from the northern ruins?!”
“House Kyros gifted that for a birthday?!”
Even imperial court magicians nearby visibly stared at the bracelet because the artifact was absurdly valuable. One that is absolutely enough to make lesser noble houses bankrupt instantly.
Amos himself honestly had no emotional attachment to it. Mostly because to the corrupt House Kyros such gifts was a good investment for the family especially the relation to the royal family.
“The bracelet shall be very helpful to you, your majesty,”
Princess Evelyn looked genuinely surprised now.
Then slowly she smiled softly.
“A very thoughtful gift.”
Amos internally relaxed slightly.
Aros spoke.
“It was Amos who selected it.”
Silence.
Amos immediately looked toward his father in betrayal.
Why would he say that? That was so unnecessary. I will remember this old man.
Now everyone was staring again.
The emperor raised one eyebrow with interest.
“You chose this yourself?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How unusual.”
Princess Evelyn meanwhile looked down at the bracelet again before looking back toward Amos.
“For someone who keep avoiding me your gift is very thoughtful.”
Amos closed his eyes briefly.
“It's only fitting for the princess.”
The princess laughed softly again.
Meanwhile Ambrosia watched the scene quietly from nearby.
Then Amos noticed something horrifying.
She was trying not to smile again.
Betrayal everywhere comes from every direction tonight.
Princess Evelyn carefully accepted the bracelet from the servant before speaking formally.
“I will treasure House Kyros’s gift.”
Then after a brief pause, she added quietly enough that only nearby people could hear.
“Especially since you chose it personally.”
OH SHIT!