Chapter 231 (S3)

A few months later winter came to the continent. Theapan being in the east meant the cold was much worse. The low temperature did not have much affect on werewolves so they could easily survive the harsh climate when winter came. This low temperature and snow did not bring down their spirits.

It was the first winter Vorbuk would spend in this new world as a beast. As the new king of Theapan the kingdom was brought its first festival under the ruling of King Vorbuk. When night came the palace would open for a banquet to the nobles while the streets were full of joy as the common folk celebrated in their own ways along the streets. Merchants did not miss the opportunities to make a profit setting up their own stands to sell things like candles, food, and other objects.

Vorbuk would not be heading to the streets however because as King he had to attend his own royal banquet. He had attended one in Cista in the past but he had never hosted one himself as a king. In his previous life he had attended and hosted many banquets as a artist. That was much different compared to how stressed he felt at the minute.

"Master," Ashley spoke while helping straighten up Vorbuk's clothes for the banquet. He was not wearing his usual outfit that appeared during his transformation. The King had to look his part and so Vorbuk was wearing an extravagant outfit with a royal cape draped over one shoulder. "we don't know who might all show up to this event tonight. You should be careful because they could hide dangers in the most unexpected places."

Ashley knew that things were still awkward between the two of them. It was difficult for him to not worry about his master when Vorbuk's life was so important to him. This would be Vorbuk's first time hosting a large event for the nobles in his new territory. The territory was finally stable after a few months and this banquet was very important.

The banquet was not only for the nobles sake. It was open to neighboring kingdom's royal families to attend. The event was held in order to publicly display Vorbuk's authority as King of Theapan. There was no guarantee on which royal families would have a family member show up. Those who did would show for one of two reasons; either to welcome Vorbuk's reign as a King or in order to gauge his ability in order to strike at him when given the opportunity. A royal member did not need to attend personally as the other royal families could simply send someone else in their place such as a duke. However they shouldn't be underestimated either as their authority and power was still dangerous and they would report to the ones they represented later on.

Ashley continued talking as he reminded him. "Tomorrow you also have a meeting to discuss the plans for the next course of action now that Theapan has stabilized."

"Ashley," Vorbuk interrupted him. "That's enough. I will be lucky enough if my mana holds out for this tonight. If anything serious comes up I will need you or Bredret to deal with it tonight."

"Are you ready?" Prince Leo's voice called out to him from the doorway as the prince entered the room.

"Is it that time already?" Vorbuk asked while realizing that it was getting late. The banquet would be starting soon as the sun was beginning to set on the horizon. Glancing out the window he could see the time for him to head out had come.

"Princess Isis and Prince Chase are already waiting for you." Prince Leo reminded him that they could not enter before the king himself for this event.

Vorbuk closed his eyes and leaned his head back as he asked the prince, "Do you think we can get through tonight without anything happening?"

"Do you even need to ask me that?" Prince Leo couldn't imagine the banquet going smoothly since they were practically advertising themselves to the continent by displaying Vorbuk's new reign as a king in this method. They had to do things on this scale in order to make the other kingdoms acknowledge him. Vorbuk wanted to avoid as much unnecessary war as possible by bringing the other kings directly to him.

An Emperor was one that reigned above Kings, they could have several Kings under their reign. The continent was simply too much land for him to control on his own accord. His intention was to keep the royal families that would comply with peace while those that served the god Chynir and intended to cause war would be removed. Vorbuk would start his own empire on this continent and end the war that Chynir so desperately desired.

"I never thought so either." Vorbuk responded to Prince Leo with pure honesty. "Let's just hope its nothing we can't deal with quietly while the nobles are here. We can't afford to stain the new reputation as a king so early into this."

Prince Leo hesitated before saying, "I wont allow anything to happen to ruin the event."

"You make it sound like this event is for you." Vorbuk replied to him mockingly.

The prince shook his head and sighed, "It's a chance to relax after everything we have gone through as a group. We all needed something like this. I know this is a serious thing but we should at least enjoy it a bit since it is the closest thing to relaxation we have got in a long time."

Ashley slowly agreed with the prince's words, "Master, he's not wrong."

As much as I hate to agree with the prince I can't disagree with him here. Ashley thought to himself.

"Alright, that's enough from the both of you." Vorbuk did not have time to debate with the two of them over this matter. There was still a lot of things to take care of during the banquet ahead of him. Kings did not get much time to relax as their minds always had things to worry about. It was difficult to relax when so many things could pose a threat to him in the future. Many things needed planned and fixed before he could spend time calmly like Prince Leo wished they could do.

"Time to go!" Prince Leo smiled and turned to exit the room right on cue.

Prince Leo knew that Vorbuk was stressed after gaining a new title as King of Theapan. It was not something anyone would acquire without a sense of stress. The prince was more calm about the situation because he had grown up under a royal title his entire life. It was not that he didn't understand the problems they had to face but simply that his mindset was able to accept it more calmly then Vorbuk could.

Vorbuk and Ashley walked behind Prince Leo as they headed towards the banquet hall. Vorbuk could hear the sounds of people gathered beyond the large doors. Outside the banquet doors were Princess Isis and Prince Chase waiting quietly for him.

"Are you ready?" Ashley asked Vorbuk as he prepared to open the banquet room doors.