[b]The Banquet [/b]
Written from [color=FEF9A7]Silas Delving[/color]'s perspective 
[hr]
Silas Delving looked about uneasily when he, his half-sister, and his Father entered the Royal Palace. The eldest and brightest progeny of well respected Delving clan had a lot of reasons to feel so, but his father, shrewd as ever came to his side, squeezing his shoulder, reassuringly as he led them children into the main hall. 

As if The Admiral himself was a frightened child in need of reassurance that everything would be okay.

Silas was still unfazed by the gesture, but he followed anyway. Hard to imagine that just mere hours ago he and his father were in fierce arguments. It started with his inquiry about Aaaron, who at least should be given a chance for a military trial so he explain himself instead of being personally punished by him. His father, in turn, blurted that he was a fool and his proposal was equally foolish. 

[i][b]"What do you think would happen if they got Aaron in their custody!?"[/b][/i] he shouted. [i][b]"Our disgrace will be laid bare, our secrets exposed, plans and all. Do you really want to see this family ashamed?!"[/b][/i]

[color=FEF9A7][i]"Then stop doing this!"[/i][/color] Silas' voice was unusually hoarse as if years sailing the seas had inflamed his larynx. [color=FEF9A7][i]"Stop,"[/i][/color] he pleaded. [color=FEF9A7][i]"It IS over. The plan is [b][i]fucked[/i][/b]. Fredricus agents have seen through it all, and HH will know in no time."[/i][/color]

Jonas Delving snorted, but his voice was no longer as fierce as his resolute countenance. [i][b]"This plan would have been flawless if my children didn't shrink their duties!"[/b][/i]

The statement smarted Silas to his very core, while Jonas sipped his whiskey and glanced out the window. The silence stretched uncomfortably until Silas willed himself to speak. 

[color=FEF9A7][i]"I do not want to be a part of this anymore, Father."[/i][/color] he shook his head, the words were blunt. He had suffered a blistering retort and wouldn't care if his reply would do the same. He had it coming.  

As expected, Jonas didn't take it well, he was visibly flinched. Another silence ensued, and the patriarch stood nonmoving, with his back on his eldest son. His brightest son, his pride and joy. The next words uttered emotionlessly, hiding a raging disappointment Silas was thankful he didn't have to see that. 

[b][i]"Then you are dismissed, Admiral."[/i][/b]

The words were hurtful, but at the same time, relieving and he did not regret it. 

Yet here they were attending the banquet as a family. Silas wondered if his words were finally getting through. The last debate was not the first, but arguably the fiercest they ever had. Though it lacked any meaningful follow-up, Jonas acted like nothing had ever happened between them. He even went easy with Kirsten, allowing the girl to choose her own preferred style of gown and jewelry.

It all seemed too easy, and that was why Silas quickly banished both thoughts. That his father had changed, or he had to accept that the stubborn oaf shouted at him this afternoon was here to stay. No, tonight he lived at the present time. 

[color=FEF9A7]"Well..."[/color] Silas said as he extended his hand to assist Kirsten in stepping up the last few staircases. [color=FEF9A7]"I had almost forgotten what you looked like underneath the house [i]dust[/i] you seem to acquire. Turns out, you are quite beautiful." [/color]

[b][color=#F6E1D3]"Course I am, you dummy!"[/color][/b]  she pouted, reaching for his hand regardless. Though laced with a dismal undertone, the compliment was as earnest as it gets. Kirsten Delving looked as dashing as he was; from high-heeled shoes that seemed made of pure silver, to her white gown tinged with the soft color of gold that gracefully embrace her tall figure. She looked warm and soft and alive, her pale blonde hair flowing gracefully about her back, and behind simple black-rimmed eyeglasses, her blue eyes were bright with rare joy.

It seemed most of the attendees had arrived, but the banquet had not started yet. Their father had already mingled with his usual crowd;  clans from Yager, Baswaiden, and Barlos. Of course, there should be Stritzel among them, but the unnerving old lady was already in her own world away from them. 

And there he was King Fredricus, a commanding figure as always. Elegant and poised, resplendent in his heavy, jeweled robe of deep purple and bright gold. Robed almost similarly, the young Prince Alec sat on his thrones with Knight Captain Matilda faithfully accompanying in his sides, armed and in full plates. 

It was tasteless. Silas wondered who the man was, but then realized that he was likely to be a reporter on the syndicate's payroll. The speech went on, cheers and toast announced, and everything seemed fine until another disturbance made his heart sink. 

With sheer arrogance his father interrupted. Silas observed restlessly, dreadfully. Kirsten, who usually acted indifferently regarding court matters and its politics stood beside him, silenced as well by what seemed to be a deliberate act to irritate Fredricus. The only consolation he felt was he, fortunately, had chosen to not sit at the same table with them.

They must have been feeling very smug now seeing Fredricus tolerate such antics, for the Delving siblings, it almost ruined their evening

Suddenly he felt dizzy. Kirsten approached, naturally confused as he was. [color=#F6E1D3]"What did.."[/color]

[color=FEF9A7]"Not now..."[/color] discussing their own father's recklessness in public? You bet now was a good time. 

[color=FEF9A7]"I... I need a drink."[/color] 

[color=#F6E1D3]"Oh, I thought you are going to join Father and his friends."[/color] said Kirsten, her eyes surveyed the scene. After their father's brazen display, those who usually surround them with small pleasantries had been keeping their distance, but the leerings from youngsters toward his half-sister were still ever-present. Sure, some other gorgeous contenders seem to have stolen the spotlight, but Kirsten was in no way having a shortage of admirers. 

[color=#F6E1D3]"Well, go ahead then, I'm staying here. At least if Father summons you to his table, I could pretend that I can't hear him."[/color] 

[color=FEF9A7]"How cunning of you! Promise I'll be quick. Not sure I am comfortable leaving my baby sister alone anyway."[/color]

[b][color=#F6E1D3]"I will be fine."[/color][/b]  

The smile on Kirsten's face was almost forlorn, and Silas didn't fail to see the irony of his own words. 

[color=FEF9A7]"I will get you fruit squash or something,"[/color] he said in a defeated tone. [color=FEF9A7]"Hang tight."[/color]