[b][u]6:40 A.M. [b][[color=ec008c]Jazdia "Slyph" Crystalspark[/color]][/b] Rascade Royal Palace, Kingdom of Kindeance.[/u][/b] [hr] For this evening soiree, the Chamberlain, which also served as a general organizer, had briefed the party with his words of wisdom, that the team was expected to maintain some amount of propriety, and they will be seated on the smaller round tables closer to the King's throne; Jazdia with Yvonne, Cedar with Solomon and they should stay there until Fredricus formally opened this banquet. Jazdia found that such code of conduct was acceptable. The flock of guests kept coming in, seemingly endless for such an exclusive party. Amongst the attendees were numerous faces, some she knew many years ago, some others--- or many others she barely met or saw just a few days ago. Of course, Jazdia could still remember the visages of upperclassmen and women attending Geralt's bloody gladiatorial a few days ago. Now some of them had looked at her with eyes bulging, while the rest managed to keep their cool. One particular seemed to be drooling with her eyes fixed on a certain Bearman. She should be the least of their worry, really. Fredricus was not stupid, he might be slow sometimes, but his eyes and ears were keen. Surely he knew who had conspired against him and who aided them. And thus, for the last half hour, Jazdia spent her time occasionally darted her vision over Fredricus and his guards, wondering what would they do next. There was no smart nor foolish answer in both options. This was simply politics at its finest, and that was how their lack of trepidation toward the actual lions in the room was somewhat justified. [i]Politics is a wonder.[/i] Eldarian once had said, and Jazdia groaned. Her father chuckled, eyes twinkling in mock humor when he patted her head. At that time, she already thought he might be right, but to fully understand and appreciate the [i]beauty[/i] he described, it would take many years. [i]"Where else you can find an occasion where enemies and friends alike gathered in one room, sharing wine and laughter while at the same time inwardly thinking how to end each other in the most effective way? All you have to do is don the mask of frivolity and deceit.[/i] [i]Bless his soul[/i], Jazdia thought. The arrival of the Delving Family further reinforced such anomaly--no, wonder. There were Silas and Kirsten, following an older man wearing their family symbol emblazoned on his shirt. He entered the banquet with head held high, reflecting a disciplined soul that whose body might longer be in its prime but remained steadfast and poised. [b][color=9e0039]"There he is, the rabid fox Freddy have no choice but to invite to the henhouse."[/color][/b]Yvonne murmured, inviting a snicker into Jazdia's glossed lips. [color=ec008c]"Not exactly henhouse. More like wolves gathering, with the lion as the host."[/color] Another seemingly prominent family entered the hall with their scions. This time the Yorks. Jazdia only remembered the face of their kids, whom Baker's daughter nicknamed as Guppies-- a not-so-graceful sobriquet, really. Their father was a rotund man with a seemingly friendly image, and towering next to him was a middle-aged lady with a perpetual scowl on her face and eyes that observe like a watchful eagle. The party went on, and Fredricus ceremoniously opened the party by welcoming the guest, all kinds of guests; honest, loyal, insidious, dutiful, and unreliable, all were welcome. His eyes were tired, and wrinkles on his face were proof that time had not been not very friendly to him, yet he squared his shoulder, straightened his posture, and his voice vibrated with authority. [b][color=92278f]"I will first address the concern regarding the Prince's safety."[/color][/b] he said, immediately after delivering his welcome. [b][color=92278f]"A fair warning we all appreciate, but at some point the act of rocking the boat must be stopped. As you can see he is here, safe and sound, returned on time and...unscatched."[/color] [/b]He beckoned at Prince Alec, who sit in on a lesser and less lavish throne usually reserved for advisors alike, his expression was stiff, but he managed to force a smile. [b][i]"But We heard about an attempt to ambush Prince's Convoy!"[/i][/b] The voice came from the front, and Fredricus, the King of Kindeance stilled. The one who interrupted was a feisty young gentleman with long auburn hair tied in a silly topknot. Instead of being ashamed of the sudden silence he caused, he opened his notebook and readied his graphite. [b]"What is your comment about that, Your Highness? And was it linked to the attack on Fanghorn by Mechean terrorists?"[/b] Someone in that crowd was smiling mischievously, and Jazdia wondered what Fred would do next. The King let the question linger for a while, then unexpectedly, and patiently he smiled. In the older era and the previous regime, someone like that will be dragged out and flogged in public. Or if the Crown was generous and Moderate, such inquiries would be directed to his Chamberlain for more unpleasant sessions with Kingdom's interrogators. [b][color=92278f]"You are from Rascade Chronicles, correct? My comment will be It is too premature and reckless to assume anything when the investigators are still working on the case, even more so to have unreliable information printed and publicly distributed. Surely such irresponsible action would smear the freedom of the press we all must uphold. Don't you agree?"[/color] [/b] The words were laced with a thin-veiled threat, and indeed, most people would give a more damn when there was a threat. The journalist now found himself stared at by the entire member of Fredricus' court, while his supporter, looked away to nod at Fredricus' words. [b][color=92278f]"Regarding the suspected ambush."[/color][/b] Fredricus continued, allowing some amount of callousness to infuse his voice. He then introduced the 'reinforcement' that aided the Prince's convoy. Doctor Solomon tipped his fedora in a small bow, while Cedar, upon hearing his name and druidic origin clumsily stood from his table before taking his seat again. [b][color=92278f]"I wholeheartedly offer them a position in my court."[/color] [/b]he said again, and some of them gasped. Fredrcus seemed to enjoy their reaction, though he had to silence their murmurings with a single stern glance. He stood up from his throne, to welcome a glass of wine offered by his servant, then spoke again. [color=92278f][color=92278f]"Today, we also witnessed the usurper being punished."[/color][/color] he glanced at the crowd, and focused on a particular guest before continuing.[b][color=92278f]"Thanks to Miss Matilda and with the assistance of independent investigators, Miss Jazdia Crystalspark and Yvonne Rosenving, their plan has been thwarted, and our nation finally returned to its peaceful days." [/color] [/b] He raised his glass and toasted at the attendees. [b][color=92278f]"To peace and prosperity!"[/color][/b] [b][color=aba000]"To glory and victory!" [/color][/b] A similarly aged man exclaimed, and Jazdia wondered how many more of those nitwits were left to test the old Lion's patience. So she activated her eyes and glanced toward the troublemaker, apparently, it was Jonas Delving himself. And he toasted Fredricus back. For the briefest moment, they were locked in a battle of stares, as if their eyes could stab each other, until the Delving patriarch regarded his King steadily, calmly, yet still respectful. And Fredricus too, returned the regards with the briefest of nods in acknowledgment, without any hint of revulsion, nor anger. Or he was just good at hiding it. [color=92278f][b]"Yes, to Glory and Prosoperity!"[/b][/color] The king raised his goblet.