the day of the Banquet arrives.
Levi heads to the Atelier of Lady Threadwright, as he walks in, his outfit is on a mannequin, finished.
Lady Threadwright looks over.
"Just in time, my Lord"
Levi walks over touching the fabric of the clothes.
"Amazing work"
Lady Threadwright smiles behind her fan.
"it'll be 2 gold and 50 silver, my Lord"
Levi smile slowly dissapeared, ran a hand through his hair sighing.
"fine..."
Lady Threadwright lifted her chin slightly.
"pleasure doing business, my Lord"
Levi exited the Atelier and headed back toward the castle, making his way to his chambers.
Levi returned to his chambers and cleaned himself up before the banquet. Once finished, his gaze drifted toward the outfit resting neatly on a stand. The dark crimson fabric seemed to glow beneath the evening light. Lady Threadwright had certainly outdone herself.
he exited the castle, only to find the Royal Carriage of Ashford outside, the door of the Carriage opened, and to his suprise, his parents came to pick him up.
King Maverick dressed in a midnight black coat. Gold embroidery forming branches of an ash tree across the cuffs and collars. A white Cale with a hint of gray near the ends of it.
High collar with silver accents. A royal brooch depicting a burning ash tree. he leaned back into his chair.
"Get in"
Queen Aurelia Ashbourne, or mom. Wearing an elegant silver gown. Gold leaf embroidery.
Long sleeves with intricate patterns. Small crimson gemstones. A tiara resembling ash blossom.
"what your father said, get in"
Levi sat beside his father, King Maverick.
Maverick glanced at his son. Then glanced again.
"...Well, that's new."
Levi raised an eyebrow.
"What is?"
King Maverick coughed into his fist.
"You look presentable."
Levi stared at him.
"I always look presentable."
King Maverick stared blankly at Levi
"No."
Levi's cheek muscle twitched slightly
"Yes."
King Maverick still staring blankly
"No."
Aurelia Ashbourne visibly irritated flicked the back of King Maverick and Levi's head with his knuckle.
"Quit it!"
Both Maverick and Levi immediately reached for the backs of their heads, rubbing the sore spots where Aurelia's knuckles had landed.
Time passed by awkwardly quiet, though Time passed in an awkward silence. Though, that was mostly because both the King and Queen had dozed off, leaving Levi alone with his thoughts.
Levi sat by the carriage window, watching the scenery roll by beyond the glass. Villages. Fields.The occasional traveler. All of it passed in a blur.
Eventually, even his eyelids began to feel heavy.
Hours slipped by.
The rhythmic rattling of the carriage and the gentle sway of the road slowly pulled him into sleep.
Leaning back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest, Levi eventually drifted off as well.
the carriage comes to a stop, the sudden stillness replacing the rhythmic rattling of the journey.
Levi's eyes slowly opened, the familiar sway of the carriage gone.
For a moment, he remained still before realizing they had stopped moving. Footsteps approached from outside.
A moment later, a knock echoed against the carriage door.
"Your Majesties, we've arrived." the coachman announced.
Levi blinked a few times, shaking off the remnants of sleep.
Across him, Aurelia opened one eye.
Beside him, Maverick stirred awake.
"are we there already"
The carriage door opened, evening light poured into the carriage.
Levi stepped out of the carriage and glanced around. The estate's courtyard stretched before him, illuminated by dozens of lanterns.
At its center stood a large marble fountain, water cascading gently into the basin below.
Carriages arrived one after another, nobles stepping out in expensive attire as servants hurried to greet them. Beyond the courtyard stood the banquet hall itself, its towering windows glowing with warm light. Comparing it to Ravenholt, this place seems like heaven.
the other nobles whispers, eyes all aimed at Levi.
"That's him."
"The Lord of Ravenholt?"
"The prince?"
"He's younger than I expected."
Maverick glanced toward the surrounding nobles.
"They're staring."
Levi sighed.
"I've noticed."
Maverick straightened his posture.
"Good."
Levi tilted his head.
"Why is that good?"
Aurelia steps off the carriage.
"It means you're important, son."
Levi looked around once more. Everywhere he turned, eyes followed him. Curious eyes.
Wary eyes. Some carried respect. Others carried something far less friendly.
"Or it means they're judging me."
Aurelia chuckled.
"That too."
Maverick nodded.
"The moment people stop paying attention to you is the moment you should start worrying."
Levi frowned slightly.
"That doesn't sound comforting."
Maverick began walking toward the estate entrance.
"It's not supposed to be."
Maverick turned his head
"Come on."
He gestured toward the brightly lit manor.
"You've conquered a kingdom."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Now let's see if you can survive a banquet."
Levi stared at him.
"...I'd rather fight another war."
Maverick laughed.
Aurelia nodded in agreement.
"A reasonable response."
With his parents already walking ahead, Levi let out a long sigh and followed after them.
The grand doors of the manor stood open.
Beyond them waited hundreds of nobles.
And every single one of them had an opinion.
The three made their way up the marble steps and through the estate's grand entrance.
Servants lined the hallway, bowing as the royal family passed.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the interior while musicians played somewhere deeper within the estate.
The sound of conversation grew louder with every step.
Then the banquet hall came into view.
Levi paused for a moment. The hall was enormous.
Nobles filled every corner of the room. Some stood in groups discussing politics. Others enjoyed food and wine.
Laughter echoed through the hall.
Yet the moment the royal family entered...
The atmosphere shifted.
Heads turned. Conversations slowed. Eyes settled upon them. Upon him.
An old noble approaches Levi
"Lord Ravenholt, ive heard quite a lot about you"
Levi regarded the noble for a moment before raising an eyebrow
"is that so?"
His tone was calm, though the noble suddenly found himself questioning whether he should have spoken at all.
The elderly noble placed a hand over his chest
"Count Theodore Valemont of House Valemont."
His gaze lingered on Levi for a moment.
"I've been looking forward to meeting the Lord of Ravenholt."
The elderly Marquis started to lower himself into a bow, but Levi gestured for him to stop.
"Please, Marquis. Spare your back."
Marquis Theodore chuckled lightly.
"Ah, how thoughtful, Lord Ravenholt."
He straightened his posture and brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his sleeve.
"Though I fear old age has not claimed me quite yet."
Levi raised an eyebrow.
"Give it a few years."
Theodore laughed. A genuine laugh.
"I see the rumors were wrong."
Levi tilted his head slightly.
"Which rumors?"
The Marquis smiled.
"The ones that painted you as a cold and ruthless conqueror."
His eyes gleamed with amusement.
"Imagine my surprise when I find a the same young Lord painted in those rumors to be concerned about an old man's back."