Chapter 33: The Annual Competition (1/2)

”Are you all set?” Gavin repeated his question.

”Yes,” replied the entire group in the carriage.

”Good.”

Receiving his answers, Gavin shouted to his Uncle in the other carriage, ”Uncle Todd, we are all set!”

”Good. I will inform the carriage drivers to move,” replied a deep voice from one of the carriages.

After the reply, Gavin went into his carriage. There was a reserved seat for him in the carriage.

Sitting down, he smiled at all the teenagers. A few seconds later, the carriage began to move.

*Neigh!* *Neigh!*

Due to the silence, a teen tried to strike a conversation with Gavin, ”Young master, what is the celebration all about?”

”Andrew, right?” asked Gavin, trying to remember the teen's name.

”Yes, young master.”

”As stated in the letter sent to you, we were chosen to represent Pinesun city in the king's birthday celebration, which is held in the Capital Hall.”

One of the teens gasped”Wow, the Capital Hall. That is the most expensive hall in the kingdom.”

”That is to be expected. He is the king after all,” replied another.

Andrew, a young and curious boy, asked Gavin, ”Yes, I know that, but do we have to be so much?”

Previously, he had been baffled by the number of teenagers invited by the Elliott family for the celebration. They needed more than one carriage to transport them!

”Yes, this carriage is full of 20 youths, the other carriages are also full of teens and adults,” agreed one of the teens. The one sitting at the right side of Jake.

Seeing how confused they were, Gavin explained, ”You are right. Not all of you will be attending the celebration. Some of you will have to stay back.”

”What?” queried Andrew.

”Then why are we all going?” asked a frustrated young boy. He was seated at the left side of Jake.

”Think of it as an excursion. The trip will serve as an eye-opener to you all. Also, that is not the main goal of the trip,” Gavin coyly smiled, in a teasing manner.

”What do you mean?” Jake narrowed his eyes.

”You see, the celebration is just a screen cover, an excuse. The real event starts after the celebration.”

Andrew blinked at Gavin, ”What happens after the celebration?”

”A competition. Every time, after his birthday, the king sets up a stage to evaluate his subjects--” Gavin broadly grinned, ”--and what better way is there than through the younger generation.”

Andrew nodded, ”As they say, the young are the future.”