The great hall of the Silverfort basked in the ethereal light. The chandelier's dripped with light crystals scattered the ethereal light across the hall lit blood marble pillars carved with eagles in flight. Perfumed smoke rose in lazy spirals from bronze censers spreading gentle aroma throughout the hall.
Nobles packed the hall clad in silken dresses and adorned with opulent jewels. They greeted Kael with shallow bows and empty words, the game of aristocrats in full swing and barely concealed.
Surprisingly, Kael was able to navigate it all very easily. His body remembered all of this instinctually. He heard some mumbled whispers spoken in a hushed tone at the remote parts of the hall.
"....his majesty must be truly near the end...."
"...prince.....on a quicksand....civil war....."
He masked his unease with a practiced calm, but anonymous warning ringed in his head constantly.
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At the high table, Lord Malrick rose first to greet him. His robe of silk glistened in the ethereal light, embroidered eagles stretching their wings across his chest. He raised his goblet high, his voice carrying across the hall.
"To the Crown Prince, returned from the doors of the purgatory! May the Silverfort ever shine brighter under his watchful eyes!"
The crowd echoed. "To the Prince!"
Kael smiled faintly, raising his cup without drinking. "The kingdom's light does not shine by my eyes alone, Lord Malrik. It shines with all who toil and bleed for it."
A ripple of approval moved among some nobles. Lord Malrik had his signature unreadable smile on his face, while some nobles had faces that showed they were not too pleased.
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Endless gourmet dishes were served one after the other. Steaming soups, roasted pheasant, glazed apple, and rich cheeses just to name a few.
Kael toyed with his knife but ate a little. The scents reached him more sharply than ever. His instincts screamed at him that some dishes had been poisoned.
The dinner proceeded nicely, and calmly, until a minor lord of a salt-hold picked up a dish and ate. Not long after his face contorted, his hands around his neck, looked like a man dying of choking. His face quickly turned purple erasing any doubts as to the cause.
Gasps filled the hall, someone screamed "POISON! The good is poisoned!" Servants rushed forward, and the High Priest began a prayer over the stricken man.
The poison was real.
Whoever planned this, had planned meticulously. If he were to succumb to poison, that would be the most ideal outcome. If not, someone else would die and the Crown Prince's name would be tainted.
As to why he didn't alarm anyone, who, but else, know, beforehand, a specific dish is poisoned?
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
The hall buzzed with panicked nobles, but no accusation was spoken. Kael knew if he delayed any longer, he would suffer more in the coming days.
"Someone dared to poison at the Lord Malrik's banquet. I shall not rest until the true culprits are caught and brought to justice. I request all of your sincere and full support finding these absolute traitors. As a Crown Prince, I declare my vengeance on these miscreants and extend my full support to Lord Malrik and his household."
Kael with his response put the ball in Lord Malrik's yard. Lord Malrik replied having been caught by the Prince unexpectedly.
"Let us not let tragedy darken our feast. Lord Feryn is in the capable hands of the High Priest. Let us all pray to the One who subdues mountains on behalf of the lord Feryn. To endure is Greythorne's way!"
"To endure is Greythorne's way!" The crowd chanted. Although it alleviated the nerves of the gathered nobles a little, one would not linger too much in such a place. Before long, everyone departed the hall.
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Later, after everyone left and dishes were cleared, Malrik leaned in close and whispered.
"Prince, I have an intel that states a horde of orcs are headed for our southern bread basket. I implore that, your highness, save our kingdom."
Lord Malrik may have been feeling bad about what happened before, but Kael couldn't tell.
"Lord Malrik, you are the prime minister of our kingdom. I trust your judgement. Please bring it up during tomorrow's court along with your recommendation as to what to do about it."
"Lord Malrik, may I visit Sylvaine. We haven't met in a long time."
"I wouldn't keep your highness from meeting my daughter, but my humble request to you is that, please keep in mind she is an unwedded girl, still."
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Sylvaine Barron, daughter and heir of Malrik Barron, was his childhood playmate along with his sibling. She had become a mage after graduating from a prestigious mage institution in the empire.
"Sylvi,Long time no see." Greeted Kael. Sylvaine wore a lavender purple kimono, the same color as her hair. Her green eyes showed eagerness as she darted at him.
"Sylvi, that's enough." Kael untangled himself from Sylvaine's embrace after a couple of minutes. "Your father will get angry if it goes on any longer."
"Let him be, also he isn't here. My Dad isn't omnipresent. He can't see anything if he isn't there."
"Even if he can't see everywhere he somehow knows about what happens everywhere."
"Scared much?" Sylvaine raised her eyebrow and said in a teasing manner.
"I'm sure you know about my situation at the court. Do you have any advice for me?" Kael knew from what little memories he uncovered that Sylvaine was someone past Kael relied on and kept no secrets from her.
"I'll rescue you if you promise to marry me."
As per Kael's memories she had put the same condition before. But in the past Kael refused it because he knew the nobles of the kingdom or the King would not let it happen, purely for political reasons. Union between them would concentrate too much power and hence be opposed by the nobles and it would result in every enemy and "friend" of the both houses attacking them covertly and overtly. But the current Kael had no such consideration. He could see a much bigger picture than the old one as such his answer is also a different one.