Chapter 10 - The Royal Banquet

When Darian and his father got to the palace, they alighted from the chariot. Other nobles were also alighting from theirs. Behind them, the chariot carrying Ally and her children arrived. They alighted too.

Ally walked to stand beside Lucas. The children lined up behind their parents.

"Your face is still red. You should compose yourself so that others do not laugh at you," Lucas said without turning to face Ally.

Ally replied, "If you cared about that, you would not have left without me. You let the son of that concubine take my place."

Lucas sighed, then he waved to a passing nobleman. "You still haven't learned your lesson, have you?"

Ally spoke, "I wanted to ask a question. Why are you punishing me? All the things you have done against me are like nails piercing my heart. The fact you think I can bear it displays your wickedness."

Lucas stopped in his tracks and turned to her. His voice was so low that even the children behind could hear none of his words. "When Darian came to the mansion, I let you treat him the way you liked. I thought at least he could keep his life. But you have tried to kill him three times. I can't forgive that."

Blood drained from Ally's face.

Lucas turned and kept walking. Ally kept her pace behind him. When they got to the grand hall, they were announced by the eunuch. "Lord and Lady Featherington!"

Darian's eyes widened as he took in the large hall. His brothers showed no signs of being impressed. The hall was as big as half the Featherington mansion. At the end of the hall, there were three giant thrones on an elevated platform. The platform was the height of about forty steps. One was made of gold, its tips and body covered with precious stones. The second throne was made of silver with a large red ruby on top. The last throne was a step lower than the other two. It was made of clear glass with a large diamond stone at the tip, or head, of the throne.

Darian was curious. He asked Alfred, "Who are those thrones for?"

Alfred replied, "The golden throne is for the King. The silver is for the Queen. The glass throne is for Her Holiness."

Darian thought about it for a moment. "I have heard about the term 'King and Queen.' But who is Her Holiness?"

Alfred answered, "Her Holiness is the spiritual leader of the kingdom of Azariel. It is said that she has lived for hundreds of years."

Darian raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Who lives that long?"

Alfred shrugged his shoulders. Darian's eyes continued to scan the room.

Seats and tables were arranged beneath the elevated platform. Food and drinks were arranged on the tables. The walls of the hall shone as if they were plastered with gold. The marble on the floor shone too.

At another end of the hall, instruments and instrumentalists lined up. They played soft tunes.

The eunuchs led the children to the back end of the hall, where the children of the other noblemen sat. The adults moved to a spot closer to the thrones.

Alfred walked by Darian's side. Darian whispered to Alfred, "I am so excited."

Alfred did not reply. He just smiled.

Darian saw many children his age on smaller tables and chairs. Each table was full of fruits, food, and water. Children were not allowed to drink wine. Darian sat in the segment with other first sons. His brothers sat with the rest after flinging frowns at him.

Darian sat and started with his fruits. Then he noticed some light behind him. He turned and noticed that it was a door that opened. He saw a white dog pass by. Darian rubbed his hands together. He wanted to play with the dog. He rose to his feet and rushed out. Jules and Jordan noticed.

Darian followed the dog, and the dog led him into a garden. The garden swam with the scent of many flowers. It was colorful and bright. But, Darian did not notice it. His eyes were fixed on the dog. "Hey dog, wait for me," Darian said. He quickened his pace and almost ran after the dog. The dog began running. Darian also picked up speed. Then, the chase began. Darian ran past a lot of places without even looking. Finally, he caught the dog. He went on one knee. He rubbed the dog's head. "Such a fine dog. Why did you make me run?"

Darian heard a shout behind him. "Put down my dog!"

Darian turned without putting the dog down. There were three kids behind him. He recognized his two brothers, but the person standing in the middle was unrecognizable to Darian. Behind them, several servants stood. The servants were wearing brown robes of low quality. On one side, Darian saw Alfred. It seemed Alfred followed him all the while. But, why were the others here?

The child in the middle of Jules and Jordan shouted, "I said drop my dog!" The boy was wearing a golden robe that had the picture of a waterfall embroidered on it. He looked like he was about twelve years old. He wore a golden belt too, and had a crown on his head.

"I found it first," Darian replied.

Jules turned to face the boy with a crown. "I told you he was rude and bad."

"I can see that," the boy said. Then he faced Darian squarely. "Do you know who you are speaking to?"

Darian thought for a moment. He had no idea. He suspected the crown and his clothing. So, Darian looked at Alfred. Alfred gave him a sign that made Darian drop the dog. Darian rose to his feet. "I am sorry. I did not know the dog had an owner. I saw it and liked it."

The boy in the crown pointed one hand to Darian and raised his voice again. "Wrong! That is not how you apologize to the Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Azariel. Servants, show this good-for-nothing how things are done."

Two servants with long rods rushed towards Darian. They rushed behind him and used their rods to hit the back of his legs until he fell on his knees. He groaned in pain and bowed his head.

The Crown Prince smiled. "Better. I heard you bully my third cousins in the Featherington mansion. You are the son of a concubine. You should know your place. Now, apologize properly as the servant you are."

Darian said nothing. He used one hand to grab sand from the floor. He squeezed it tightly in his hand.

"The Crown Prince told you to apologize, Darian!" Jules shouted with his high-pitched voice.

Darian finally responded, "I will not!" He raised his head.

The Crown Prince took two steps closer to Darian. "Are you defying me?"

Darian lifted his hand and flung the sand he had been holding at the Crown Prince. The sand flew all over the Crown Prince's clothes and some landed on his face. A few servants hurried to his side with handkerchiefs. They cleaned the sand off. "Get off me!" the Crown Prince shouted. The servants hurried away from him and stood a few steps behind him. He balled his fists and was breathing hard. "I wanted to make things easy for you. But now, I am going to deal with you!" The Crown Prince looked more closely at Darian and saw the emerald ring encircling one of his fingers. "Who gave you such an expensive ring? You don’t deserve that. You are low class. Give that ring to me now."

Darian covered the finger the ring was planted on with his other hand. This was the ring his mother had given him on the last day he had set his eyes on her. He was determined never to give up that ring. He was ready to fight the Crown Prince because of it.