38 CHAPTER 38:Feast and Congratulatory gift?

As she entered the family's private tent, Sloane was enthusiastically welcomed by Cecile who impatiently awaited her arrival. After her, the little girl in high twin ponytails came running followed by Jane.

"Big Sister is back!" Yulia hugged Sloane almost tripping over the ground.

"Be careful." Sloane immediately reacted catching her.

"Yes, I couldn't live without my little sister."

"Really! Was it that uncomfortable out there?" Yulia asked as a curiosity in her eyes was significantly visible.

"Yes."

Cecile couldn't help but adore this moment.

-"They're so pure in heart and soul."

"Let's have dinner when father comes back. Until then I can refresh myself. Cecile, please help me out."

"At once my lady." She bowed smiling gently.

"Ah! Um...sister..."

"Hmm, what's wrong?" Sloane turned to her.

Yulia hesitated for a moment as Sloane waited for her to continue.

"No, it's nothing." She smiled brightly.

"...?"

-"Nothing?"

She didn't want to force it out of her.

"Yulia. If you ever want to confide in me don't ever hesitate to come to me. I'm always here for you." She patted her fluffy head.

She nodded and gave her a big smile.

"Wait for me in the main tent. The victors will arrive for the dinner."

———————

The Bridget Fort...

"Blast it! How can they all be defeated by a mere group of kids who aren't even officially announced as Knights?" Charles bit his thumb.

"What is your next command for us, my lord?" A servant asked kneeling as low as possible.

"For now lay low as possible. Try to get information on their next move. I need those jewels at all costs."

"Understood."

He left the room trying not to raise suspicions.

-"Isn't that Charles's room?"Sebastian happened to walk in the hallway was humbly greeted by the man.

Knock*Knock*

"Who is it? Just come in."

He entered the room quietly.The blonde haired man looked up.

"Ahh! The eyepatch-wearing war beast has entered the room. Welcome, my dear who isn't my brother."Charles said with mockery.

Sebastian didn't give a damn about it.

" I'll be on point. Who was that man?"

"Who? What man?" Charles acted cluelessly.

"I saw that man coming out of your room. What business do you have with him?"

"Haaahhh...You know what? You've been meddling a lot within my matters lately. I recommend if you'd stop with that old habit of yours. Or you may be facing a severe crisis

for interfering with the crown prince's affairs." Charles replied sitting in an elegant posture.

"Don't forget we share the same blood, Charles. The Queen was indeed the most influential person. I respect her as I respect my mother."

"How dare you speak of my mother?! You a bastard coming from a woman who claims to be a queen. Who's just a concubine!How do you know what I feel?"

This time he had reached beyond the limits Sebastian could bear. Unsheathing his sword he pointed at his neck without his realization which was sharp enough to cut his skin if he placed it on the throat.

GULP*He barely swallowed his saliva.

"One more word of insult about her and I won't hesitate to slay you down."

The blonde-haired prince collapsed on the ground trembling.

"H-how dare you?"

"Consider this a warning. There won't be the next time." He drew back his sword leaving the room.

-"I will destroy you!"He gritted throwing an ink bottle on the door shattering into a hundred pieces as he got back on his feet.

"Curse you!!" He screamed out loud.

"It was useless talking to him." Sebastian frowned.

—"You won't ever reach your goals. I will be your greatest obstacle till you die."Said he, as he walked down the hallway, lit up by fire torches. The sunlight faded away as night drew nearer.

He looked out of the window putting his hand on the right eye. It hurt him from time to time. He felt the black eye patch covering one-third of his face from forehead to half cheek.

The dinner was served at twilight in the main tent hosted by the Nirvana for their safe arrival.

—————————

"Thank you for the gracious feast, my lord." The soldiers bowed as they expressed their gratitude.

"This year's event may have a different outcome. So be prepared."

"Yes, understood my lord." they pledged to heed to his advice.

-"Tomorrow, the burial of honor shall be held. I wonder how's Nine doing.He was the first to excuse himself out."

The soldiers gradually left the tent in silence and order.

"You guys should rest up. Prepare yourselves for tomorrow."

"Ah, sister! Please wait." Yulia tugged Sloane's tailcoat.

All of them looked at the child. She drew out her hand holding the self embroidered handkerchief.

"This may not be much, but here's your congratulatory gift." She smiled shyly.

Sloane was touched by the cute yet elegant embroidery on the silk white handkerchief.

"You embroidered our family's crest. It's amazing." She patted her head.

"Oh, and there is one for Jack as well."

Jane brought out another one proudly.

It was the same but in a different color.

"Yours is dark blue, Jack." She smiled brightly.

"For me?" He asked astonished.

She nodded shyly.

He never received anything like this before.

"I-is it alright for me to accept something like this?"

"You don't...like it?" Yulia asked gloomily.

"Ah no that's not the case at all my lady! It's amazing." Jack reassured her then looked at Sloane.

Sloane nodded telling him to accept it.

"Then I shall take it as an honor from you my lady. I shall treasure it." He said kneeling in front of her smiling gently.

"I'm glad you accepted it." She smiled.

"Ahem.Yulia what about the others?" Sloane interrupted.

"Oh! I apologize big sister. I didn't know how many people were there so I could only prepare these tassels in a short time. Jane, please hand one to each of them."

"There are three left though," she said worried.

"Yulia give these to me. There are two who yet have received these." Sloane took two from Jane's hands and went out followed by others.

-"Where might sister go?" she wondered.

Sloane entered the tent finding Nine asleep near Twelve's body that was laid in the coffin.

-"I guess tomorrow would be a better time to give these."

"Mmm...Twelve..." He mumbled waking up.

"Did I wake you up? I apologize. You left the feast earlier."

"...I apologize for rudeness my lady." He said blankly. His gaze was fixated on the coffin.

"Here." Sloane handed him the two tassels.

"...This is?"

"A small congratulatory gift prepared by a member of mine," Sloane replied. She wanted to avoid mentioning Yulia who was originally her little sister.

"Thank you." He said staring at the two tassels with blue-colored crystal beads.

-"Nine! Let's give her a proper send-off so you may continue your life."