|Mission categories are being revised.|
|Your first public event with begin soon.|
When he asked this blue screen to talk normally, he didn't know it would start making even less sense.
Just his luck.
"The carriages are ready, your highnesses."
One carriage could fit six people easily. There were three waiting in front of them. Just to move from the main palace to the banquet hall. A five-minute walk.
'Rich people 'things, I guess.'
That didn't even define half of it.
Reis realized just how rich it was moments later. Painfully so.
There were far more rich-people-things out there.
From the carriage, down to every flower, and even the tiles under their feet.
Reis took a single glance at the crystal flowers hanging from the lush green vines weaving into a long arch from the entrance to the main hall and could tell that one of those cost more than he could have earned in his life.
The path itself was adorned with silver carved tiles. Only for the direct royal family to use. So, for only eight people. And that wasn't in name only. The path was enchanted in such a way.
Calling it lavish would be undermining it. If not for the poker face talent, he'd look like a wide eyed freak right now.
Reis felt his heart do a little acrobatic every time he took a step. What if it broke? What if he slipped? Since he wasn't the real prince, wasn't this a crime?
This was more dangerous than walking on fire.
This much extravagance for just an official heir appointment? What would the coronation look like?
Just the thought made his stomach churn. He never knew being wealthy could be so scary.
|You are mistaken. This is for the Ascendency Trials.|
|And the decorations are mainly from the royal storage. They have been inherited for centuries. Only the enchantment is new.|
As if that made it less expensive.
And didn't it mean the same thing? Appointment, Ascendency. Giving it a fancy name didn't change what it really is.
|I believe you are mis–|
"The Royal Highnesses have arrived."
The announcer's voice was loud even without any enchantment. The man shouted right as he crossed, making his ears ring.
He did that on purpose.
|That's because you weren't paying attention.|
A hall full of people turned to them, as did the King and Queen from their thrones above the platform.
It was as if they were the main attraction of an exhibition or rare species at a zoo.
More like the latter.
"Stay still."
Reis looked at the eldest with a corner of his eyes.
He was still. If he tried to be more unmoving, he'd have to be a statue.
"Don't pay attention to them, we cannot create a scene today."
Avena's words were more all inclusive than Ceron's.
Reis did not like the attention. Most of the gazes made him feel like a scapegoat for some disaster. None of them were better than the other.
The usual chills he felt in his nerves had gotten stronger since morning. But even that felt mild compared to the scrutinizing gazes.
And the whispers, god, people definitely had so much to say. He kind of understood why Ann didn't want to attend events. And why the eldest two were trying to keep them calm.
The crowd was almost entirely made of nobility. All those who held great power and influence. But non of it could come close to the Royal family. The Caelestis name held the most power in Vidalia.
And they were from that lineage. Their presence was bound to draw respect.
Yet some people dared to look at them with such gazes. Greedy. Malicious. Judgemental.
People like that exist everywhere.
"Prepare for the main ceremony." The king ordered with no time wasted.
Any time wasted was risking a conflict. No one knew it better than Aldric.
The floor was cleared almost immediately. People stepped behind to create space, mages came forward to add a few touches, the windows were opened to welcome the soothing night air. Everything was done in sync.
But there was no time to praise the event planner.
They were already given a rundown of the process, everything up until the actual announcement and the celebration afterwards.
They were the starters. Those who would mark the beginning of today's party.
Luckily, their obligations were only up to the announcements, then they could leave. Most of them weren't of drinking age, not that there was a law, but it was against etiquette. So there was no point in staying behind for the party.
The six royal heirs weren't given a moment to settle in, pushed right onto the stage, under the soft glow of the chandelier.
Well, not all of them.
"Your Highness," The elderly man, whom Reis had met quite a few times in the past few days, gestured for him to take the seat.
Which he did while everyone other than Lorçan, took their spots on the dance floor. The center of everyone's gaze, judgments, and probably anticipation.
Hah...I can't wait for the day to be over.
Just a little while longer, than he could be at peace.
Well, he still needed to do something about his criminal image and everything else that fell in that catalog. But one trouble off the shoulder was already a lot.
Reis looked down at the black and white keys before him, internally thanking his parents back home for forcing him to learn the piano. At least, it spared him the embarrassment of tripping on the dance floor.
Lorcan, who stood nearby with the violin, shared this sentiment, although a bit differently.
They could do their part without being the spectacle. Reis couldn't ask for more. Not at the moment.
Aldric stood up, meeting each of their eyes briefly before raising his hand. The room fell into silence, not even a sound of breath remained, only the voice of the King.
"Let the ceremony begin."