That afternoon, inside the dining room of the Flamort Kingdom's palace, King Galeo sat with full authority in his chair. However, the ruler of Flamort was not alone.
At the dining table, he was surrounded by his family, including: his wife, four princes, and two royal princesses.
Around the room, a dozen neatly uniformed palace maids were seen moving in a highly organized rhythm. They busied themselves walking back and forth, pushing silver trolleys filled with dishes.
An elegant-looking woman with her white hair tied in a neat bun opened the conversation among them.
"Father, what is the matter? Why did you suddenly invite all of us to have lunch together like this?"
The white-haired woman who had just asked in a curious tone was Helena Carventias Alua Flamort, the First Princess of the Flamort Kingdom.
The Princess's eyes stared at her father, trying to figure out the reason behind the sudden banquet that interrupted her tea schedule.
"I am also curious about that, Father."
A light blue-haired man sitting not far from Helena chimed in. The man with a rather sharp gaze was Lucasion Carventias Alua Flamort, the Second Prince of the Flamort Kingdom.
"The two of you will know soon enough once they arrive here." King Galeo answered in a deep voice that accepted no further argument.
At another corner of the table, a man with white hair and a gaze that radiated dominance secretly shot a cynical glance toward Helena and Lucasion. He sipped the wine from his glass elegantly.
The two of them are truly pathetic! the man said in his heart in a condescending tone. Can't the two of them be a little more patient like true nobles?
The man who was silently scoffing at his siblings was Ashlandio Carventias Alua Flamort, the First Prince of the Flamort Kingdom.
On the opposite side of the table, curiosity was once again sparked by the King's answer.
"They?" repeated a woman with beautiful flowing wavy bluish-white hair. "Who do you mean by 'they', Father?"
The woman who had just asked was Nataliane Carventias Alua Flamort, the Second Princess of the Flamort Kingdom.
Hearing the impatient tone of his older sister, a young man with light blue hair who was sitting back, casually twirling a fork in his hand, immediately interjected.
"Goodness, Sister, be a little patient!" the young man answered in a teasing tone. "Our father just said that we will find out soon. Why do you keep bombarding him with questions instead?"
The man was Gilbert Carventias Alua Flamort, the Third Prince of the Flamort Kingdom.
Receiving a casual reprimand at the dining table, Nataliane instantly glared sharply at her younger brother.
"You better shut your mouth and don't lecture me, Gilbert!"
Amidst the small argument beginning to spark among the siblings, a youth sitting somewhat in the corner looked incredibly calm. His face was handsome, possessing features that were extremely similar to Kylen, complete with strands of bluish-white hair.
However, that calmness was not reflected in his mind at all.
This place is always too noisy! the youth thought in annoyance. Can't you all just sit quietly in your respective seats without having to bark at each other? This is a dining room, not a market!
The youth grumbling in silence was Cylenciel Carventias Alua Flamort, the Fourth Prince of the Flamort Kingdom, who was none other than Kylenciel's twin brother.
And next to the King's main chair, a beautiful woman with a highly elegant maternal aura sat with perfect posture. She was Fentiloa Carventias Alua Flamort, the Queen of the Flamort Kingdom.
The Queen just remained silent in her seat, smiling very faintly as she sipped her tea, as if her children's arguments at the dining table were just a passing breeze that never happened.
Soft yet firm footsteps approached the room's entrance. And a maid who was tasked with picking up and bringing Kylen's group stepped inside and bowed her head deeply in respect.
"Good afternoon, Your Majesty." the maid reported in a clear voice. "As per your order, I have brought Prince Kylenciel and his guests to join you."
Hearing that report, all arguments instantly evaporated. Helena, Lucasion, Ashlandio, Nataliane, Gilbert, and Cylenciel simultaneously shifted their gazes toward the threshold of the vast room.
There stood the Fifth Prince along with five other people walking near him.
The presence of Vian, Tania, Ziona, and Anna did not surprise the royal family at all, because they recognized the four teenagers as student representatives from their own kingdom's academy.
However, the attention of all the royal family members was instantly locked onto a handsome foreign youth with blue hair, walking right by Kylenciel's side.
The youth exuded an aura of dominance that even made Ashlandio reflexively straighten his back.
But what made the foreheads of the Flamort Kingdom's princes and princesses frown was the attire worn on the youth's body.
It was the official uniform of the Astoria Kingdom's Magic Academy.
The royal family exchanged glances in silence. They completely did not recognize who the blue-haired youth was, which noble family he came from, and since when a student from a neighboring kingdom's academy could suddenly set foot in the Flamort Kingdom's palace without an official announcement.
Nevertheless, observing how Kylen stood so close to the youth, combined with the sudden summons from their father this afternoon, there was one thing that made all of Kylen's siblings instantly understand: all of this was because of the arrival of this unknown blue-haired youth.
"Take a seat!" ordered King Galeo, breaking the stiff silence, his voice echoing as he instructed Arvin and the others. "Let us have lunch together first before we discuss other matters."
Receiving official permission from the ruler, Arvin, Kylen, Vian, Tania, Ziona, and Anna immediately stepped forward, approaching the massive round dining table. They then pulled out their chairs and sat in the seats that had been prepared for each of them.
Without the slightest hesitation, Kylen immediately took the chair right next to Arvin. He sat directly beside his husband with an upright posture and an extremely calm face, as if challenging the questioning gazes of his siblings sitting across the table.
Nevertheless, Kylen was still a normal youth. Behind that perfect layer of calmness, he hid a massive amount of nervousness.
After this lunch is over... my husband will immediately state his intentions and propose to me directly in front of all of them. Kylen thought full of anticipation, his heart beating rapidly. Even though I have been really looking forward to this moment... still, I feel very nervous. I'm afraid of the answer my father will give.
Meanwhile, after ensuring that all the royal family members and the guests joining for lunch were complete and seated in their respective chairs, the head maid gave a hand signal.
The palace maids immediately arranged and neatly placed various luxurious dishes from the trolleys onto the round table. There were various kinds of appetizers, high-class roasted meats, fresh salads, to warm breads whose aromas quickly filled the corners of the room.
As soon as all the dishes were perfectly arranged and the glasses were filled to the brim, the maids immediately stepped back, lining up neatly at the edge of the room.
King Galeo looked at everyone sitting in the dining room. "Don't let the food get cold. Please enjoy the various dishes that have been served on the table."
Hearing the King's words, one by one they began to pick up the cutlery placed beside their plates. The soft clinking of forks, spoons, and knives began to echo in response to each other as they all started to eat the dishes in front of them.