Chapter 40: The Banquet

The room fell silent. Hiro tried to speak up again, when there was a knock on the door. They all looked at the door as Sakura spoke up, "Come in." As she did, the door opened revealing a knight. "Aiden?" Hiro had a puzzled look as the knight came forward.

"Your Grace," he bowed. "I found something that you should see," Aiden pulled out a poster as he showed it to them. Hiro came forward, together with Sakura and Ray as they looked at it. "Wait…," Sakura's eyes widened as she saw what was written on it. "No way," Ray was taken aback, while Hiro just stared at it. "My fear was right," Hiro whispered as he read the poster. It was a bounty poster for Kai's elimination with a reward of 100 million gold. All three of them just stared at it. Hiro fell silent, unsure of what to say, as Ray turned to Aiden.

"Sir Aiden, did you find anything else?" He asked. Aiden shook his head. "I apologize, Your Highness, but I wasn't able to find anything else." He stated. Ray started to ponder when Sakura interjected, "Wait," she looked up. "If the assassins are dead, who killed them?" Her question raised a significant concern. "Maybe they fought among each other for the reward?" Ray suggested, to which Hiro explained that it was unlikely.

"About that," Aiden spoke up as everyone turned to him. "We noticed many wounds on them." He began to explain, "It's as if they were both tortured before meeting their end." At this, everyone looked confused.

Meanwhile, in the library, Elysia was reading a book with Kai. "I'm still feeling sleepy," Kai thought to himself as he yawned.

Back in the room, the discussion of the assassination was the hot topic. The revelation of the bounty had set them on a path of relentless investigation. The search went on in full force, when their inquiries led them to the doorstep of the assassin's guild, which was in disguise in the form of an inn. However, the guild master feigned ignorance, leaving them with more questions than answers.

In the midst of this clandestine investigation, Hiro, Sakura, and Ray were tasked with the delicate mission of keeping Kai oblivious to the looming threat. They subtly bolstered the security around him, careful not to arouse his suspicion. Maximus and Celestina, privy to the situation, lent their support to the investigation.

Life carried on as usual. Ray continued his classes afterward, and slowly but surely, things began to fall into place. Time went by, and now the day of the banquet finally arrived.

Kai sat in his room, adorned in his finest attire for the banquet. He was the star of the evening. "Nervous?" Ray asked, adjusting his own royal attire. Kai shook his head, scribbling in his notebook, "I don't know what to do…"

Ray chuckled at his note, patting him on the back reassuringly. "No worries. I'll be right there with you!" Kai offered a small smile before donning his wig. Ray raised an eyebrow at the sight, "Oi! Why wear that thing again?" He asked, but a knowing smile from Kai silenced his question. Ray sighed, as he smiled. "Alright, do what you want. But come on, let's go now." He took Kai's wheel as they went towards the door.

As they opened the door, Sakura and Hiro, together with Elysia greeted them. Sakura's eyes lit up at the sight of Kai. "You look awesome!" Hiro chimed in, his smile warm and genuine. After a brief exchange, Ray left ahead of them, leaving them getting ready in the entrance.

"Ready?" Sakura asked, her hand on the door to the banquet hall. Kai nodded, letting out a long sigh. Hiro, placing a comforting hand on Kai's shoulder. "You're the star today!" Elysia joined them, her hand finding Kai's. His nerves eased at their warmth. 

"It's been a while since I went to such parties," he thought to himself. 

As they entered the hall, the room fell silent. All eyes were on them. Whispers filled the air as the nobles took in the sight of the Archduke family. 

"That's the Archduke and the duchess, the whole family together."

"Young lady Elysia is so cute!"

"Is that him? The lost son of the Archduke?"

"So, it was true, he can't walk huh…"

Admiration, awe, and curiosity colored their gazes. Kai ignored the whispers about him, "No matter where you are, there will always be people like them. Be it your own world, or any other world." He looked around the nobles, scanning each of them. Not only elderly, but there were also few of his age, a guy with deep-blue hair, with brown eyes looking at him in arrogance, few ladies whispering to each other, a few who had calm demeanour and a shy girl with green hair and eyes, looking at him from the very back.

Kai found himself in the midst of opulence, a grand celebration unfolding around him. Hiro's strong arm supported him as they moved forward, and Sakura held Elysia's hand, their family unit complete. The spotlight illuminated Kai, casting him as the long-lost son they had searched for.

With grace, Kai bowed to his parents, the nobles' applause echoing through the hall. The weight of their expectations settled on his shoulders, but he remained composed. This was his moment, a chance to reclaim his identity and forge a new path.

As the festivities commenced, Hiro's voice cut through the buzz of conversation. "This celebration," he declared, raising a glass of wine, "is in honor of our found son, Kai!" The room erupted in cheers, and Kai felt both pride and uncertainty.

Kai observed the guests—their elaborate attire, whispered secrets, and hidden agendas. Hiro conversed with influential figures, while Sakura navigated the intricate dance of social niceties. Elysia, always perceptive, exchanged knowing glances with the other ladies her age.

And then, the announcement—the heartbeat of the evening. "The Sun of the empire, Emperor Maximus Lunaris, and the Moon of the empire, Empress Celestina Lunaris, are coming through." The room hushed, anticipation thick in the air. At the announcement, the door opened revealing Maximus and Celestina entering the grand hall.

Hiro and Sakura gracefully moved forward to welcome the imperial couple, their practiced smiles never faltering. From a distance, Kai watched them, a newfound respect in his eyes. "They're good at separating personal matters from professional ones," he mused.

His thoughts were interrupted by a hand put over his shoulder. He looked over, "Yo!" it was Ray, who greeted him with a smile. Kai returned the gesture, scribbling a quick note. "I thought you'd enter with them," he queried. Ray shook his head, his grin never wavering. "I prefer to stay out of the limelight."

Their conversation was cut short as Maximus and Hiro approached them. "Seems like you two are getting along well," Maximus observed, his gaze shifting between Kai and Ray. They exchanged a glance before smiling back at him.

Hiro clapped a hand on Maximus's shoulder, a knowing look in his eyes. "I told you so," he said, just as Sakura and Celestina joined them. Their conversation flowed naturally, the camaraderie evident. Sakura's question about some late arrivals was met with Celestina's assurance that they should be arriving soon.

Kai found himself wondering about the identity of these latecomers when the guard made another announcement. "The first Princess, Niatina von Lunaris, and the second Princess, Montina von Lunaris, are now entering."

As the grand doors swung open to reveal the princesses, all eyes were drawn to them. Kai turned to look, his breath hitching as he recognized the fiery-haired girl from a few days ago. "No way…," he thought, his heart pounding. The girl who he saw few days back was none other than a princess. He was left stunned, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend this unexpected revelation.