Banquet

Chapter 25

Currently, in the banquet hall, almost everyone except the enemies of mankind was present. The director of the Bellator Academy. The seven kings and queens of the seven kingdom alliance. The other royal families of kingdoms who are strong enough to survive without an alliance.

Then there were the people of the Cortum empire. The church pope and cardinals. The officials of the imperial palace from finance to the royal court. The nobles of the Cortum empire from the smallest rank to the highest rank.

One of those highest-rank nobles was a noble family known by the name of Hayez. One of the strongest families in the empire and possibly the entire world.

Its patriarch, Richard Hayez was currently standing in front of the platform dedicated to the imperial family. He was a little ashamed but he still stood there.

Just recently he had come to know about his granddaughter. Richard wasn't an ambitious man but he was a man who kept his word and he had given his word that his granddaughter would marry Adrian to Adrian's father.

However, even he was forced to reconsider when the matter of Adrian and Alicia was disclosed to him. For the first time in his life, he was choosing family over his word which was a correct decision and no one in the hall disagreed with him.

The fact, however, still remained of him declining the imperial family. Richard was a loyal person and he had served the imperial family without question but alas he couldn't impart the same loyalty to his successors.

He was currently ashamed that he was standing in front of his master and canceling what little connection his family would have had with the imperial family after his death.

"Is that your final decision, Richard?" Orion asked as he sipped from his cup of wine. Richard became more ashamed at being questioned like that but he knew that he couldn't force his granddaughter like that.

"I'm afraid it is, Your Majesty." Richard, for the first time, was ashamed in front of his master. Asmara didn't like seeing that but there was nothing she could do. She had decided to swallow the bitter pill after losing to Adrian but suddenly, her father was very supportive of her decision.

If she had known that her grandfather would have to go through that, she wouldn't have agreed with her father. But right now her idol was making the most difficult decision of his life and all she could do was watch him do so.

"Then very well so. I announce the engagement of Adrian von Deus Lux and Asmara Hayez to be annulled from this moment onwards." Orion announced loudly and got back to drinking from his goblet.

He made no mention of the deal that was made between the crown prince and the Hayez family because it wasn't his business. He was, however, disappointed by the fact that he and Richard weren't relatives anymore.

"It's a shame, Richard, I'm sure the blood of the imperial family and your blood would have given birth to an excellent child," The emperor spoke as if it was a very big disappointment.

Richard also felt pity over that but what was done was now done.

"Maybe not so, Your Highness." A voice fell into the ears of those at the table. They turned to see that it was the crown prince. "What do you mean, Harvey?" Orion asked.

Harvey smiled and replied, "Me and Victor were talking a while ago, Father, and we have decided that it would be a great honor for both of us if Asmara became the wife of my son, Clarendon."

Everyone listened to what Harvey had to say but those in the major positions weren't so thrilled by this. Richard knew that his son was up to no good and he had tried many times to lower his ambitions.

Likewise, Orion wasn't very 'Oh, Yes!' with this decision much. After all, he now knew who was influencing the decisions of his children. Although he didn't care, he still didn't like the games his son was playing.

"It is a very good suggestion, Your Highness, but my granddaughter would like to focus on her training first. After all, she has just gone through a divorce." Richard made an excuse, declining in a very polite tone.

The smile on Harvey's face disappeared when he heard Richard's reply. "Since when did fathers have second opinions?" He curtly asked.

It meant who was Richard to make a decision when the girl's father had already made a decision.

Richard didn't take this to heart and replied, "I am the patriarch of the Hayez house, Your Highness, and I may not have the right to make Asmara's decision, but I do have the right to throw my son out."

A polite way of saying, 'Mind your own business.' And Harvey didn't like it at all. He was the crown prince yet a subject of the crown was treating him like that.

He was about to say something when the grand elder spoke, "Do make sure to contain respect in your words, Crown Prince. You are talking to one of the great beneficiaries of the Empire."

The grand elder's tone wasn't happy at all and it was loud enough for most of the people in the hall to hear. Harvey on the other hand, wasn't angry. He was but there was another emotion far greater than that, fear.

His father, the emperor may be known as the rule breaker but his brother, the grand elder was the one who always upheld the rules. His every action was for the benefit of the empire.

If he deemed Harvey unworthy of the crown, the title of crown prince would be stripped away from him right at that moment. "I'm extremely sorry, Sir Richard." The crown prince replied.

Richard said nothing in return and returned to the area designated for his family. His son had heard how the conversation had gone and the scowl on his face was all the picture one needed to know of his emotions.

"I'm sorry, Grandfather." Asmara apologized as she had never seen her grandfather like that.

"Remember child, men change once they are given responsibilities. Love isn't born. One has to breed it." Richard replied in return and took his seat. What was done was done. Now the relationship between the Hayez family and the imperial family was back to how it was between a king and his subject.

After this episode, the concierge, standing outside the door, loudly announced, "The first princess of the Ravenknight Kingdom, representative of the Ravenknight royal family, Laura Ravenknight is now entering."

Everyone's attention turned to the envoy from the Ravennight kingdom. Ravennight kingdom had quite the reputation among the other kingdoms. The reputation of being the strongest.

Even though they were currently embroiled in civil matters, no other kingdom was using this opportunity. The queen was just asleep. Who knows when she will wake up? The king was just missing, who knows if one day he suddenly shows up?

No one was willing to take the chance with those two maniacs still alive. This was the sole reason that even though the twelve families of the Ravennight kingdom were aggressive nowadays, they were very careful in doing anything.

The girl with pitch-black hair and shining blue eyes entered the hall escorted by about a hundred knights. The knights of course remained outside with only two knights and a few servants following her in.

She made her way straight to the platform of the imperial family and greeted them in her sweet and melodious voice.

"Many wishes for the blessed day, Your Lordship." By custom, one would greet the emperor before someone else but she was wise enough to know the true power structure. These four old men were equal even though they held different titles.

Grand elder, Zarden, nodded and replied, "Many thanks, child. It is great that you could join us today on this festive occasion. Although it is a shame that your mother couldn't join us. May goddess return her to her former glory."

Laura bowed to convey her thanks. Then she turned her attention to the emperor and greeted him, "An honor to meet you, Your Majesty." Orion nodded and Laura then turned to Raphael, "I hope you are having a good day."

Raphael also nodded and Laura finally turned her attention to the man standing behind these old men, an old man with white hair and adorned in shining silver armor, "Greeting, Sir Bayren."

Bayren, the commander of the silver sun knights nodded and replied, "May the goddess's blessing be with you, Your Highness."

After having greeted them, Laura left for the spot designated for the Ravennight kingdom. She didn't greet anyone else because there was no need to. Those who expected her to greet them didn't deserve it and those who knew didn't expect her to greet them.

The concierge's voice was heard once again, "The lady of the Grante house, the holy saint and from the Grante house of the Cortum empire, now enters Alicia mon Grante."

Alicia entered alone escorted by no one. She was dressed in a white frock dress which covered her entire body. She was wearing a veil that went fully around her head so the top of her head was covered. Her black hair was only visible from her back.

Her black eyes were still and she straight away made her way to the imperial stand and greeted Zarden, "Happy birthday, Grandpa Zarden."

"Thank you, my child. Did you bring me a gift?" Zarden asked playfully with a smile.

"How could I not, Grandpa?" Alicia replied with a smile that was unfortunately hidden by her veil.

"Would you mind telling me what's wrong with Grumpy over here?" Orion interfered and asked, pointing at Raphael.

"Hmph." Raphael harrumphed but didn't say anything and Alicia also didn't know what to say so she kept quiet.

"Ah, I see," Orion said, understanding the matter.

"I will let others greet you now, your lordships," Alicia said before she left.

Soon, everyone was present. Everyone had greeted the grand elder and the rest of the imperial family and then settled into places.

But the ceremony wasn't starting. Because there was one person who wasn't here yet.

"Where is the fifth imperial prince?" The grand elder asked a knight standing behind him. Before the knight could report, Harvey spoke, "We can begin this without him. Surely his presence isn't necessary."

"I agree with that," Raphael spoke from the side. The grand elder glanced at Harvey before he turned back to the knight.

"His Highness, the fifth imperial prince and crown candidate is in closed-door training. His attendants have strict instruction to not disturb him." The knight replied.

Many present at the table scoffed that were mostly Adrian's brothers. In their defense, it was quite funny for someone who was talentless, to train. Although Adrian had shown an amazing performance at the duel, many believed it was due to some underhanded trick.

Before the grand elder could give his next set of instructions, the concierge standing at the door once again shouted, "A proud member of the imperial family, the fifth imperial prince, the third crown candidate, His Highness, Adrian von Deus Lux is now entering."

As soon as the announcement ended, a figure with white hair emerged from the door followed by two more figures. One girl with pink hair and the other one a boy with black hair. Both of them were quite nervous.

The figure with white hair, however, kept his gait steady and made his way to the platform of the imperial family.

However, when he entered, a wave of fear assaulted many in the hall. Richard's eyes went wide when he saw Adrian. Not only he, but many elders of the court and many higher-rank nobles were similar.

Orion was hit by a wave of nostalgia. Raphael was in disbelief along with Bayren having somewhat similar feelings.

Zarden's legs once again ached when he saw Adrian. Crown prince and the third prince trembled with deep fear and as for the second prince, he was quick to collect himself.

Adrian, whose white hair, white eyes, and pale white skin, reminded them of someone else from their past. The nightmare of the Cortum empire.