“Let the feast begin.”
The King announced as he sipped on the wine he had in his hand. The others followed and held their goblets.
The grand banquet officially began. The music resumed, and servants moved gracefully between the guests, offering trays of exotic dishes, golden goblets filled with rich wine, and delicacies from all over Nerathis. The delicious scent of roasted meats and spiced fruits filled the air.
‘How do these people enjoy things like these?’
Kael wondered in his head.
Seeing every guest smiling and chatting with each other made him feel out of place.
Sitting there with those light songs, eating and drinking in all that elegant and poised manner, thinking twice before talking, treading carefully so as to not reveal too much, all while still keeping a smile on your face.
How is any of this fun?
This… is supposed to be a party?
Where is the loud music? Where is that vile laughter as people played pranks on each other, dissed one another, and danced together? Where are those embarrassing drunk moments one would never forget in their lives?
Dudes dancing on top of the tables, people burying their heads into toilets and vomiting their guts out, loud confessions of undying love, and even brutal rejection that would churn one’s heart.
Where’s all that?
Where’s the True Fun?
‘Or maybe…’
Then suddenly, Kael thought of something…
‘I am just a crude bitch who can’t have fun in an elegant manner?’
The instant he thought about it, Kael felt offended.
‘Am I what these people call a savage barbarian?
Am I a peasant?’
Kael very quickly shook his head when he thought about it.
No, he wasn’t a peasant.
He was a refined and elegant man, and he would act like that.
With that thought in his mind, Kael continued to eat, this time, much more elegantly than before. He had straightened his back and had deliberately slowed his movements. He had even closed his eyes, a sign of true elegance.
All he needed was a pair of glasses. He would bring those the next time.
“…”
Soon, however, Kael realized something else.
‘Am I… lonely?’
He looked around. Arlan was together with his subordinates, and since the introductions were done and Kael knew almost everything he needed to know, Elira had gone to other mages too.
His other instructors were the same, busy with their own subordinates. Sarah, Aria, and Lyra weren’t invited to this party because of political reasons.
‘I AM lonely.’
The realization dawned on him, and in an instant, a song popped up in his head.
‘Looonely, I am Mr. Looonely
I have nooobody for my ow-‘
But before Kael could even complete the song,
‘Nyu~’
‘Father? Is everything alright? Do you need us to come out?’
He heard two voices that couldn’t be more adorable, and a light smile appeared on his face.
‘No you two, everything is fine.’
He replied, and in an instant, his thoughts changed.
‘Fuck it, I’d rather be a peasant.
At least I don’t have to be fake, and I have my children who I truly love.’
Kael dropped all the elegant nonsense and continued eating, waiting for this party to end so that he could go to his room and play with his children.
But…
Luck wasn’t on his side today.
“…”
“…”
Kael waited and waited, but the party continued in the same fucking manner. Slow music, careful chatters, and dancers who did their own thing while no one watched. Those who did watch had already planned to call them to their room tonight.
‘When does this thing end…?’
He groaned in his head.
With bored eyes, Kael observed everything. Arlan and Elira came to check up on him more than once, but he sent them away. He just wanted to get this over with and leave.
But then,
“Quite boring, isn’t it?”
He heard a voice.
He turned around and saw a man he recognized,
‘He’s one was following Commander Cedric.’
The man smiled and,
“This will continue for hours, with no difference whatsoever.”
“What are you trying to say?”
Kael questioned directly.
He had already used up all his tactical and noble-dealing powers today.
“I am suggesting that we lighten this place up.”
“Huh…?”
“Aren’t you going to ask me how we will do it?”
The man spoke, his grin wide.
“So are you the one who is going to fight me?”
Kael questioned, and the man was taken aback.
“You are quite direct.”
“Just get it over with. I was really bored anyway.”
Kael shrugged.
The man stepped in front of the Hero and threw a handkerchief at Kael’s face.
In an instant, silence fell over the hall. The music stopped as all the attention now fell on Kael and the man standing in front of it.
“I, Marcus Vala, the Sergeant of the Silver Bastion, challenge the Hero to a friendly duel.”
The man, Marcus, spoke out loud, and the murmurs started.
After all, this wasn’t something that should be done during such banquets. It was considered disrespectful to the host, and considering that the one doing this hailed from Eryndor, an allied nation, this could… imply many things.
‘That’s so dramatic.’
While the nobles were considering the possible implications of this action, Kael, who caught the handkerchief in his hand, raised his eyebrow.
His eyes, however, were shining.
This was the drama he had been missing all this while.
‘Am I an attention freak?’
He wondered in his head, and on the other hand,
“What do you think you are doing?”
Edric, not liking how a mere Sergeant was challenging the authority of Drakthar, stood up from his seat and questioned. But just as he was about to continue,
“This is good.”
A voice was heard.
It was Cedric.
“A friendly duel would be interesting to watch.”
He spoke with a light smile on his face.
“Lord Cedri-“
Edric wanted to retort, but,
“I agree.”
Another voice stopped him.
It was General Aurelia.
“It would lighten up the party.”
She commented.
“It is indeed something I look forward to as well. If he hadn’t suggested it, I would have done it myself.”
Tower Head Selene smiled as well.
When she got the attention, the woman shrugged,
“Let’s be honest, we all saw how bored the Hero looked, didn’t we? Experience more tales on My Virtual Library Empire
It was supposed to be a gathering for his honor. How can the light of the banquet enjoy it the least?
This will be a matter of shame for all of Nerathis.”
Tower Head Selene smiled, expertly directing all the blame to Kael to get what she wanted.
Kael understood what she was doing, but he didn’t care. After all, the woman was right.
He was bored as fuck.
So he just stood up and stared at the King, waiting for his decision, just like the others.