CHAPTER 18 - The King's Announcement
The palace gardens of Valtherion were always quiet in the afternoon.
A gentle breeze stirred the leaves of the old maple trees lining the stone path. The scent of summer flowers filled the air, blending with the soft sound of water flowing from the small pond at the center of the garden.
Keira sat comfortably on a stone bench beneath one of the trees. Daniel sat beside her, biting into an apple he had taken from the palace kitchen without permission.
"I have to admit," he said while looking around the garden, "this palace has a pretty nice garden."
Keira glanced at him. "You only like this place because there are no nobles here."
Daniel smiled. "Fair point."
A few steps behind them, Sir Kael stood as he always did.
Straight. Silent.
Keira glanced back at him briefly. "Don't you want to sit?"
Kael answered without hesitation. "Not while I am on duty."
Daniel sighed. "Knights really don't know how to relax."
Keira almost laughed.
But before she could say anything, the sound of footsteps echoed along the garden path.
Kael immediately turned his head. In one smooth motion, he straightened his posture even more and lowered his head.
"Your Majesty."
Keira and Daniel turned as well. Two figures were approaching them.
Lucien Armand Sylvaris.
And beside him, King Alaric Valtherion.
Alaric looked slightly better than the last time Keira had seen him. But his face was still pale, as if sleep remained something he rarely allowed himself.
Keira stayed seated. She simply watched them calmly.
Lucien stopped a few steps from the bench.
"Your Majesty, the Queen."
Keira raised an eyebrow slightly. "Lucien."
Her gaze then shifted to Alaric.
Daniel quickly stood up. "Your Majesty."
Kael had already bowed his head fully.
Alaric said nothing for several seconds. He simply looked at Keira, as if making sure of something.
Finally, Lucien spoke. "My apologies for interrupting your moment of leisure."
Keira crossed her legs casually. "Is something important?"
Lucien nodded. "In two days, the palace will hold a celebration."
Daniel immediately perked up. "A celebration?"
Lucien continued calmly. "It will be held in honor of the knights who served the kingdom during the war." He briefly glanced at Kael. "Several of them will receive royal commendations… including Sir Kael."
Daniel instantly turned toward him.
"Really?"
Kael replied shortly.
"It's not important."
Daniel chuckled.
"Maybe not to you."
Lucien turned his attention back to Keira. "There is also another purpose for the celebration."
Keira narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Politics."
Lucien gave a faint smile. "Always."
He continued,
"Rumors about Your Majesty's condition have begun spreading among the nobles."
Keira shrugged lightly. "Rumors that I lost my memory."
"Yes," Lucien said calmly. "And the celebration will be an opportunity for everyone to see it with their own eyes."
Daniel crossed his arms. "So this is basically… a performance?"
Lucien did not deny it.
"If the nobles witness the changes in Your Majesty themselves…" he paused briefly, "…they will stop questioning the rumors."
Keira studied him for a few seconds.
"Makes sense."
Lucien then added,
"And of course… your presence at the celebration will be very important."
Keira rolled her eyes. Daniel patted her shoulder.
"Welcome to royal life."
Keira looked at him flatly. "This is far more exhausting than a world tour."
For the first time since they arrived, Alaric finally spoke.
"If you do not wish to attend-"
Keira cut him off immediately. "I never said that."
She stood up from the bench, her gaze meeting Alaric's.
"If this is part of the kingdom's game…" She crossed her arms. "…then I can play."
A brief silence settled over the garden. Lucien seemed quite satisfied with the answer. Daniel grinned.
"A royal celebration."
He glanced at Kael.
"And a war hero."
Kael merely let out a quiet sigh.
And a strange feeling appeared in Keira's chest.
A celebration… Nobles…
Almost every important person in Valtherion would be there.
There was a chance Keenan might be present as well.
The thought made Keira feel a small spark of excitement.
Perhaps… her search would finally lead somewhere.