At the Palace Hall

The entire kingdom was in a festive mood. Lanterns were put up in all the houses in each and every nook of the kingdom. But it looked the most dazzling and spectacular in the Lord's City.

The city square was filled with food and people. People were singing and dancing, and enjoying this rare occasion, that happens only once in each generation of the royal family.

The celebration was more important than a birthday. As it occurs only once in the life of an heir of the Soaring Dragon's royal family. And such, citizens were always happy when it happened.

Some people who were present during the last celebration, that of their Lord 's, remember how this time was much more fun than the last one. They felt that their Lord was really happy this time. They also felt that although their Young Lord was somewhat aloof, according to the gossips, their Lord really loved his son. The sincerity of festival showed how much The Lord cherished his only heir and son, Bai Hua.

In the palace of the Kingdom, things were much livelier. The news was already sent out to many other kingdoms and they had each sent their ambassadors to attend the party. The palace was filled with people who one should probably never mess with, in one's lifetime.

Everyone was gathering in the palace hall and some were gradually showing up. Some people who were visiting the palace for the first time were floored at the exquisiteness of the palace hall.

The floor itself looked like a sea of lotus leaves gently laid on the floor and it sparkled softly whenever someone stepped on them. But it was a solid floor. And places where a woman would step on it, a lotus bloomed out of nowhere.

While some people admired the floor others were enchanted by the ceiling. They could see stars speckled on the ceiling while tiny clouds would gently fly over creating an outdoor vibe.

The room did not need any artificial light as the light from the tiny stars was enough to brighten the hall.

Some people were standing in groups while others were discussing seating on the seats that were lined up near the walls. And everywhere the topic was either the mesmerizing hall or the Young Lord, Bai Hua.

"Why does their hall look so enchanting? I don't think I like our own palace hall anymore," sighed someone.

"We all know that their kingdom has powerful shamans. They are responsible for the ritual, so they might have helped with this celebration as well," piped up someone.

"But don't you think it's extravagant to invest so much on this celebration?" asked a clueless bystander.

The people who heard this shook their heads.

"Ah, you don't know about this kingdom at all, do you?" someone asked.

"This is one of their most important celebration that happens just ONCE in each generation of the royal family. Even commoners know of this fact."

Others nodded at this. The enlightened man left to spread this word to some of his friends who had come all the way from other kingdoms just as clueless as him.

While in another group, someone asked arrogantly,

"So, has anyone of you here seen the face of this Bai Hua?"

It was spoken by some prince of some kingdom. So he did not need to call Bai Hua the Young lord or anything. He was tall and tanned. He was wearing bright red robes with gold thread interlacing his embroidery. And he was wearing complicated designs of rings in both of his ears. And a choker that clearly showed his status as the prince of some powerful kingdom. His hair was long and plaited into a ponytail.

Most of them gave him a negative answer. While some girls giggled at this. He clearly looked handsome!

"It is rare to see him. He does not come out much from the castle and mostly spends his time cultivating or going on adventures in the forest," offered someone.

A teenage girl, with a disapproving look, added, "Yes, that's what they say. Some people who have seen him tell me that he looks average and wears commoner's clothes."

Some people who were listening to her inhaled sharply at this. These people who had come for the celebration were either aristocrat from this kingdom or from other kingdoms. And there were also princes from other kingdoms.

There was a look of disdain on his face, hearing that Bai Hua wore commoner's clothes and looked average. He had already complained to his father for making him come to the Soaring Kingdom. He had to travel all the way from his kingdom to some Young Lord's "initiation" celebration.

He was a prince after all. And he thought it beneath him to attend this celebration. Of course, he knew about the history of the Soaring Kingdom and that it was a "kingless" kingdom. And it made him feel for disdainful towards this whole affair.

"My prince, The Lord of the Soaring Kingdom has entered. We need to go and greet him," said a page from behind him.

The prince nodded and left the group without another word.

One of the boys who was standing there elbowed his friend nearby and whispered,

"Who was that prince just now? He had a contemptuous look in his eyes. Isn't he aware of the reputation of the Soaring Dragon Kingdom's Lord?"

"He's the second prince of Surya Kingdom, their kingdom is powerful and thus his mighty air."

"We should probably stay away from him. He reeks of danger."

Both of them agreed silently and also left to take their allotted places.

The Lord was receiving greetings and welcoming the guests. He made his way towards his seat and settled himself comfortably. He went on talking to the ambassadors who were mostly his friends and acquaintances.

The appointed hour was approaching but there was still no sign of Bai Hua.

Bai Yur was not concerned about it. He was going to gain both ways.

If Bai Hua doesn't show up, it gives him another excuse to beat that boy.

And if he shows up then the celebration would not go to waste.

He didn't care if he offended other people. He will let his ministers deal with that. He was just here to show his face. That was all.

Suddenly a divine girl appeared at the door followed behind by another divine beauty. They seemed ageless, but they could tell that the first one was younger than the latter one.

Everyone who had gathered there had inhaled sharply when these two beauties entered.

"Wana and The Head Shaman, in time as usual," boomed Bai Yur mirthfully.

Then everyone started whispering among themselves.