Chương 6: The Banquet

He was not hearing a single word Baron Eiriksson was saying while the older man was paying his respects.

That had been her voice. There's no doubt about it. Is she haunting me? Are they all haunting me? Was that baby Erik's mumblings I heard last night? Why can I hear them? Am I losing it?

"Presenting Imperial Son Xinghua Li, Minister of Rites Xuanliang Wang and Monk Xuanzhao."

So his name is Xinghua. The rapid change of direction his thoughts took nearly gave him whiplash.

"We congratulate you on your successful coronation, your majesty," the one called Xuanliang said, him and the monk kneeling in the way citizens of Ogronevia show respect to their king.

The Imperial Son, however, bowed as was done in his Empire, much to the displeasure of his companions as well as Ísar's left and right.

The action actually made him want to smile for once during the whole ordeal. What an odd act of patriotism.

"Ah, forgive me. I am not that well versed in the ways of foreign customs," the Imperial prince lied lazily, standing back up with his hands behind him.

"Your highness!" the Minister of rites admonished in their home language through gritted teeth. "Forgive him your majesty. This is his first time attending to matters of an envoy."

"It's fine. As much as I understand loving your homeland enough to not want to do anything different from it, I do hope in the future the young prince would learn how to respect others and be more open to different customs." He didn't understand everyone's shocked expressions. It shouldn't be that surprising that as a royal, Ísar knew a foreign language.

Though the Imperial Son did not look surprised, the slight redness that appeared on his cheeks paired with the scowl showed more embarrassment at being admonished than anything. He wondered if it was because Ísar was younger.

"You are much too kind and we are honored that you learned to speak our mother tongue. The previous king had told us it was, how did he put it, a waste of his time," the Prince spit back, clear annoyance at that.

"Lucky for you then. I am not my father and I do not plan on treating my kingdom's allies as lesser. Thank you for coming to my coronation and I do hope you enjoy the banquet." Ísar did smile at Prince Li, the older boy's unwarranted animosity bringing amusement to him.

It was finally something more familiar, something he could handle honestly. The boy might've planned to put Ísar in a tough position, though instead he helped elevate his nervousness. His clear confusion at Ísar's lack of reaction only added to it.

"Many thanks, your majesty. We also do hope you enjoy the many gifts our realm has brought for you. Again, congratulations and we also hope that despite…past transgressions," The Minister gave a warning look to the prince, "that you could become better acquaintances with the Tenth Imperial Son. You are both of similar age and would be attending the Academy together. What a good way to build a stronger relationship as allies."

Ísar looked at the older boy again. Properly looked at him, thinking that he'd probably remember his face by the next day.

Long black hair styled in a ponytail, slim dark eyes like a cat's and lips a pale pink. He stood like a soldier and dressed like the Eastern Empire's equivalent to a knight attending a ball.

And again, Ísar thought, Handsome.

"Yes of course."

He was still staring at the back of the Imperial Son's head as they walked down from the throne, a little dazed.

He was only snapped out of his head when Count Pierre coughed loudly from his left, a knowing look on the older man's face.

Ísar wasn't sure what that look meant, but for the second time that night, he felt embarrassed.

_______________________

"Mother above, these shoes are made for torture," Ísar groaned softly after sitting on the fountain found in his sister's rose garden. Close enough to the banquet hall if he's needed but secluded enough that only a select few could find him.

He'd finally been able to escape the throngs of people trying to garner his favor in some way. He'd just about had it when even the Grand Duchess had brought her own niece to try and pair them together. The girl was barely five years of age.

He began soaking his sore feet in the clear waters of the fountain, hissing as he could already feel blisters forming. They hadn't had enough time to procure custom shoes for the event so he had to have taken his sister's, the twin, sandals and had them altered to resemble the Mother's.

"I would kill for a long rest right now," he muttered to himself as well as the voices that had not stopped muttering since the ceremony started. At least it was whispers now. The last thing he needed was the clear sound of his older sister's voice.

"Considering your position as king, best you get used to it."

Ísar stood up too suddenly, swiveling from left to right trying to find where the voice had come from.

With the fact that he was standing in a fountain and wearing a rather long dress, it wasn't the best idea. He slipped and was about to take a dive into the shallow waters but felt a hand wrap around his waist, lifting him back up into someone's chest.

He opened his eyes, not fully sure when he'd closed them, and looked up to see the unimpressed expression on Prince Xinghua's face.

"Whoa whoa! Nice catch, Hua Hua!" Ísar wanted to turn to see who the other child's voice belonged to but he was frozen in place. Both by embarrassment and a tiny bit of awe.

"Are you going to let go of my shirt anytime soon, your majesty?"

Ísar blinked and tilted his head to the side, confused, then his brain began working again. He was pressed against the Prince's chest while gripping the boy's shirt for dear life.

"My apologies," he muttered as he took a step back. "And thank you. For catching me." He lifted his dress slightly as he got out of the fountain and finally made note of the other child with them.

Prince Osayi Oduwaye of the Southern Empire was sitting on the fountain, a happy grin on his face. "Your majesty.~"

"What were you two doing in my sister's garden?" He was finally able to compose himself, standing up with as much regality as he could muster while still blushing.

"Oh. Forgive us if this was meant to be closed off, your majesty. We were simply looking for a place without adults to relax," Prince Oduwaye's grin had dropped, an openly apologetic one on his face.

It made Ísar uncomfortable. He'd never met anyone so…expressive.

"No apologies needed, I am just curious as to how you found it. Unless one knows about the palace's grounds well enough, it is a bit hard to find the entrance."

The two princes looked at each other then back at the young king.

"Your majesty, I've been to your castle many times," Prince Oduwaye said, trying harder than necessary not to laugh. "We've met thrice prior to this event."

Ísar blinked in response, not at all surprised. "I see."

The prince merely laughed, not even a little bit insulted which made Ísar relax if only a little. Many found his inability to remember people insulting and took it out on him.

"You were not joking when you said you had to introduce yourself every time you met him," Xinghua said after getting out of the fountain himself and looking down at the other prince. He had a small smile on his face which made Ísar want to study their interactions.

Imperial Son Xinghua was acting differently than he did in the hall. He appeared less tense, less like he was in a battle. His shoulders were relaxed and the smile on his face softened his features even more. Ísar found it amazing that the presence of the other Prince could've changed so much.

Oh. They must be friends.

"I will make a conscious effort to remember this time. I sincerely apologize." Ísar closed his eyes and sighed. He sounded nervous even to his own ears.

He'd never really interacted with other children around his age. What with being practically held prisoner within his own home, even getting a royal playmate was out of the question.

This was a new battlefield for him and frankly, he was too tired to fight.

Prince Oduwaye laughed in response, waving his hand non-chalantly. "Do not stress yourself about it. I found it rather funny. I have never been described as forgettable so it was a new experience for me."

"I sometimes wish I could forget you," Xinghua said, confusing Ísar.

They are friends. Right?

Prince Osayi placed a hand over his heart and dramatically fell back into Prince Xinghua's arms. "Hua Hua! You wound me! I thought we were friends. Nay, brothers! How could you wish to forget a face as adorable as mine?"

"In what world are you adorable?"

Prince Osayi gasped in mock horror and Ísar wondered if Xinghua's sight may not be so good.

Prince Osayi was known as a perfect baby across the realms when he was born. Even now, from his high cheek bones to his big golden brown eyes. From his long, tightly curled hair that resembled the sun itself, smooth oak brown skin and a smile that shines just as bright as the stars.

It was odd to Ísar to call such a boy anything but adorable.

"I solemnly and ardently beg your Imperial pardon!" Prince Osayi jumped back, using both hands to frame his face. "If you say right now that this face right here is anything but adorable, handsome and majestic, then you are but a liar!"

Ísar found himself chuckling at the Southern Prince's dramatics, a sound that not only shocked him but the other two boys as well.

"Xinghua, I did it! Oh Sango above I did it!" Prince Osayi yelled and jumped with so much joy it surprised and confused Ísar.

"What do you mean?" Ísar asked, completely lost now. He wanted to know even more now that he saw how much Imperial Son Xinghua was gesturing for his friend to not speak.

"Hua Hua here was wondering if you knew how to form a laugh and I bet that I could make you laugh as soon as we properly met. Now he owes me snacks from his palace next time he visits me."

Ísar's lips went back to form a neutral line, not all that happy with being used for someone's entertainment.

He wasn't new to such treatment. The twins had done the same whenever they brought their friends to the castle. They'd prod and poke, trying to make him entertain them with his non-reactions.

"It was merely a joke, your majesty," Prince Xinghua said, trying to perform damage control.

His choice of wording did not exactly help the matter but what good would getting upset do him? At the very least, they didn't physically or mentally harm him for a reaction like his siblings had done.

Ísar did not know if the Prince thought he was upset but he needn't worry. "I am aware of that, Prince Li. No need to explain yourselves and I do genuinely thank you for the laugh, Prince Oduwaye. It was needed after weeks of not doing so, all things considered."

The small flinch he saw from Prince Osayi was only slightly satisfying, but he was done with this unfamiliar gathering. He was sure he wasn't upset and the displeasure he felt before had all but vanished. Yet, he did not find talking to them as welcoming as he originally had.

"Now I do believe I have been away from the banquet long enough so I shall be returning." He put on his shoes, trying not to appear like he was rushing. "How long would you two be in the capital?"

"I will be staying for five days, your majesty," Prince Osayi said without the previous bounciness. He looked very much like a reprimanded child.

"Seven for me."

Ísar simply glanced up at the Imperial Son before turning on his heel. "Welcome to Ogronevia. I hope you enjoy your stays."

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