CHAPTER 20 - The Night of the Star
The night of the celebration had finally arrived.
The Palace of Valtherion was filled with light. Tall candles illuminated the grand hall, reflecting golden glimmers across the walls and the high ceiling adorned with paintings of past kings.
Soft music flowed from the royal musicians.
Nobles from every region of Valtherion had already gathered.
Whispers filled the room.
About the war.
About the knights. And of course….. about their queen, who was rumored to have lost her memory.
Daniel stood near one of the great pillars of the hall. He watched the nobles with curiosity.
"This kingdom really knows how to throw a party."
Lucien stood not far from him.
As usual, his gaze quietly observed the entire hall.
Meanwhile, upstairs in the palace, King Alaric stood before the door of the Queen's chamber.
He drew a slow breath before knocking.
The door opened a few seconds later.
A maid bowed and stepped aside.
Alaric entered the room.
And stopped.
Keira stood near the large mirror.
The silver gown designed by Madam Geeni fell perfectly along the lines of her figure. The fabric shimmered softly like moonlight.
The royal blue gemstone necklace rested against her neck.
Its brilliance made her entire presence look almost like a star descended to earth.
For several seconds, Alaric did not move.
Keira turned toward him.
"You're late."
Yet even those words failed to break the sudden silence that filled the room.
Alaric's gaze remained fixed on her.
"Is the dress too much?" Keira asked flatly.
Alaric finally answered quietly.
"No."
He paused for a moment. "It's perfect."
Keira gave a small shrug. "Madam Geeni will be happy to hear that."
Alaric stepped closer and extended his hand.
"Everyone is waiting."
Keira looked at his hand for a moment.
Then she took it.
"The King and Queen of Valtherion enter the hall!"
The palace herald's voice rang loudly, instantly drawing every gaze toward the grand doors.
When the doors opened, the King of Valtherion stepped inside.
At his side walked the Queen.
Her beauty was beyond what words alone could describe.
Keira's silver gown reflected the candlelight like starlight across the night sky, and the royal necklace shimmered at her throat.
For several seconds, the entire hall fell completely silent.
Daniel stared at her from across the room.
"Wow."
Lucien, who was rarely surprised, even paused mid-conversation.
His gaze followed Keira's steps.
Cassian stood among the northern nobles, watching his younger sister with an expression difficult to describe.
Pride.
But also surprise.
The woman walking beside the king indeed had Aelirra's face.
But her aura…
was entirely different.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the hall, Princess Roxane stood in a dark crimson gown.
Her gaze was sharp.
She watched the way Keira held Alaric's hand without hesitation.
So natural….. So effortless…..
Something Aelirra had rarely done in public.
Roxane narrowed her eyes. A hint of jealousy flickered within them.
After the King and Queen took their seats, the music resumed.
The nobles began talking again, and several of them immediately approached their king and queen.
Near the entrance of the hall, the knights stood together.
Sir Kael was among them. One of the younger knights whispered,
"That's our queen? She's so beautiful."
Kael looked toward the center of the hall. Toward the woman standing beside the king.
His expression remained calm. Yet even he could not deny one thing.
Tonight the Queen of Valtherion looked like something more than just a queen.
Someone who shone in her own way.
Not long after, the music slowly faded.
Lucien stepped forward to the center of the hall.
"Nobles, honored guests, and soldiers of Valtherion."
His voice was calm, yet it carried clearly across the entire hall.
"Tonight is not merely a celebration." His gaze turned toward the line of knights standing near the entrance. "Tonight we honor those who stood on the front lines of war…"
"Those who returned with victory…" His voice softened slightly. "…and those who never returned."
The hall fell silent. Several nobles lowered their heads.
Lucien continued. "The soldiers who fell for Valtherion will not be forgotten."
He glanced briefly toward the king. "Their names will live on in the history of this kingdom."
Silence still hung over the hall. Some of the knights near the entrance stood a little straighter.
Keira's gaze instinctively moved toward Kael.
She noticed the quiet sadness in his expression. And in that moment, she realized something.
This war was not just a story in history.
Many people in this room had lost friends…brothers…even family.
A few seconds later, Lucien spoke again.
"Tonight we also honor those who returned from war."
He signaled to the royal guards.
"Let the ceremony begin."
One by one, the names of the knights were called to receive the kingdom's medals of honor.
Unlike a concert filled with cheers and stage lights, this ceremony felt heavier.
But far more meaningful.
Every name carried a story of war she did not know.
Some time passed.
Finally, a name Keira recognized was called.
"Sir Kael Dravenhart."
Several nobles immediately began whispering.
The name was well known throughout Valtherion.
From the line of knights, Kael stepped forward. His stride remained as calm as always.
No excessive emotion crossed his face. As if this were merely another duty to complete.
Yet a few younger knights behind him patted his shoulder before he walked on.
Kael stopped before the throne.
Then he knelt.
Keira watched him more closely now.
For the past few days, she had only seen Kael as the guard who always stood a few steps behind her.
Quiet…..Still….
Almost invisible.
But tonight she saw him differently.
A soldier…A hero of war…
Alaric took a medal from the small cushion carried by a servant.
"Sir Kael Dravenhart."
His voice echoed through the hall.
"For your bravery and loyalty in the last war."
He pinned the medal onto Kael's chest. "The Kingdom of Valtherion owes you a great debt."
Applause immediately filled the hall. But Alaric was not finished.
He raised a hand slightly, and the room fell quiet again. "Your decision at the Battle of Darsen Pass saved many Valtherion soldiers and secured the northern border."
Several nobles whispered. It had been one of the most decisive battles of the war.
Alaric continued. "For that service…" He paused briefly. "…the Kingdom of Valtherion grants you the territory of Greyhaven."
Whispers immediately swept through the hall.
Greyhaven was an important territory in the north of the kingdom.
But Alaric continued. "From this night onward, you are no longer merely a royal knight."
His gaze fixed on Kael. "I grant you the title of Marquis of Greyhaven."
The hall fell silent for a moment. Then applause erupted louder than before.
Several knights even struck their chests in salute.
Kael remained kneeling, clearly not expecting such an honor.
"I did not expect such a reward, Your Majesty."
Alaric replied calmly. "You have earned it."