บท 7: King Arthur's Introduction
Dinner was served, and everyone gathered around separate tables according to their country of origin. Noise and chatter had simmered down to only a moderate ramble between parties, half of them intoxicated before the toast had even been underway. There was a thin air of exhaustion around Snow as he sat down to his father's left, having grown tired of a day full of officials. As he gazed out among all those gathered to celebrate his marriage he couldn't help but think, "Is all this truly necessary?"
King Arthur stood and raised his hand, calling the mass's attention. Following suit, Sultan Huran did the same, silencing his subjects with patience until the entire hall's attention was focused on their two rulers.
"'Tis a joyous night upon us. Heaven smiles down as our kingdoms unite!" King Arthur's voice boomed with excitement and cheer through the great hall as he raised his glass, ready to toast. "The Sultan of the Waning Sands, my strongest ally and dear friend, Huran, and I have always hoped that this day would come when we would stand proud to see our children take their place at the throne. In moments like these I am brought back to the moment in school we are always taught in math that one plus one can only equal two. Yet in life, we need to remember that one and one together...is far greater! Let it be that everyone here stands united in brotherhood, in friendship, and in love! Let nothing stand in our way no matter how grim any future endeavor may be!"
He paused to glance down at Snow before giving him a firm pat on his shoulder, signaling him to stand. The prince did so. "Tonight we celebrate their arrival. And after tomorrow we celebrate not just the joining of our nations, but also the joining of souls. Let us not forget what has brought us here today, when on his 16th birthday, my son fell in love with one of Huran's own. Little could we have known that back then, they would be standing together, proudly to unite us all. A TOAST: to the bright and happy future of Prince Snow and Prince Ali!"
The audience gave abrupt and thunderous applause, though the looks on many faces told a different story. Over the years nobility had become quite talented in acting the part of an approving audience to their king...but not one could do it perfectly in a state of intoxication like most were. Snow was aware of such and knew what others whispered behind closed doors and private establishments when he wasn't present. Hardly anyone approved of this, of any detail of the whole engagement. Snow knew he had not done that much to prove his worth in a political sense. Often he was criticized for his dreamy behavior. Charming he may be, but too elegant for the ideal ruler that the people would have hoped for. Seeing their throne promised to someone marrying another man was just the icing on the cake, begging the question of who would be in line after Prince Snow. Not even the prince knew the answer to that.
"Let no doubt within our people be such that both kings shall rule with every bit of dignity and strength as both me and Sultan Huran. May this arrangement be a promise of prosperity and growth to both our nations! Now let us drink! To Snow and Ali!" With a final raise of his chalis, King Arthur downed his glass, as did the majority of the party in a drunken, near-fake cheer of agreement.
And so the formalities were over for the moment. Now, they could drink to their heart's content, ignore whoever it was they didn't like and simply be merry. The music resumed playing, the chatter thundered, and bread was broken between friend, brother, and neighbor...while Snow picked at his plate and sipped at his cup with little enthusiasm.
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