Farewell banquet

Elias' fourth birthday was a special occurrence. Theodora decided it was time to present him to the whole court.

A banquet was organised, and delegations from all over the world came to greet us.

Elias received various gifts, including a tiger, a singing box, and paintings from the far west where armies clashed against each other.

My Queen received a beautiful sapphire, among all the rest. If I had the power to spend money without regret, I would have bought her one too. Yet, it seemed wrong to buy a present with her money.

When a man in his early thirties made his entrance, my Queen's expression brightened. Most of the crowd didn't notice the change, but I knew her well.

That person was important to her.

«Ambassador!» she said when he bent a few degrees forward. «I wasn't expecting you. Has Asteria grown poor and sent her best delegation in a kingdom as small as Polis?»