70 Sunset Waltz (1/2)
Several days passed since he'd arrived in the Shining Nexus and much had occurred since then in a relatively short amount of time. Whether he liked it or not, Reed had been forced to attend various secret meetings, public gatherings, and other official events in order to create an image for himself amongst his new subjects.
Awkward introductions with the heads of noble clans were the most fun of them all. Old Avunian elders inspecting him as if he were some sort of exotic specimen they'd never seen before. Discussions of between them and Velvund of a most unpleasant nature…
”...I have young, gorgeous daughter who's only about a hundred and fifty years old, your Highness… What would you think about the young prince and...”
”...I admire your enthusiasm, dear brother, but why don't we slow down a bit? Why not let the children get a feel for one another instead?”
Reed shuddered at the thought of those conversations but he knew that they were part of the game that Velvund was playing at. Compromising, assuaging, and managing the ambitions of his vassals to keep them in check.
The geezer was once King, so it's not very surprising that he's got everyone in this city around his pinky. Still… it's a bit unnerving seeing him at work, or rather watching him swindle everyone he meets.
He wondered if he'd been swindled; Reed suspected that he had, but he didn't know in what manner he'd duped. The obligations he now had to carry as a prince, the hidden responsibility he'd likely been entrusted with, or something else that he hadn't thought of yet...
”...Prince, were you listening?”
”…Hmm? What?” said Reed as he leisurely braided Vestel's silver hair. ”Did you say something? Sorry, I wasn't paying attention…”
”...This evening the royal family will be hosting a special event for your official coronation, young prince. All of the founding clans will be present for it, including a couple of honored guests from the neighboring empires.”
Reed's hands stopped moving when he heard what Rivia said and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Honored guests from the neighboring empires…
”Do you know who's going to be coming… from the North?” asked Reed as his mind kicked into overdrive, trying to calculate the possibility of certain individuals attending.
”I believe the Kingscrown family will be attending, specifically the Crown Prince and the Winter Princess,” said Rivia as she did her best to recall the guest list. ”Them, and some other guests from the North that I cannot remember…”
Ohhhh, shiiiiit! Did sweetcheeks snitch on me, or is it just a coincidence?! I mean this is an unprecedented event, never-before-seen in history, but still…!
Lacrima groaned and said, ”Your guess is as good as mine, boy. I wouldn't put it below her to doing something like that… Proceed with caution. That's the only advice I can really give you…”
Eventually, the sun set below the horizon, much to Reed's displeasure and the time had come for his big night, so to speak.
The royal tree-spire had become a hub of festivities, filled with many a song, delicious food, merriment on the other lower levels, which open for common citizens and the like. For many, especially among the younger generation, this was simply a convenient excuse for them to enjoy themselves at the expense of the royal family's generosity.
They generally had cared little about the fact that a human was about to be crowned a prince, because for the most part — it was a topic that really did not concern them, nor have any impact upon their lives.
Noble, chosen people like contenders and conquerors lived in another world separate from theirs, so they had little interest in the situation. As far as they were concerned, so as long as they protected them from the monsters out in the wild-lands, they could do as they pleased.
It wasn't as if they could stop them from doing what they wanted to do, anyways…
Up above in the middle levels of the tree-spire was where minor guests of honor and other respected individuals could enjoy the special event, away from the hubbub of the lower levels. This was where contenders from across the East gathered to discuss the momentous ceremony and enjoy themselves in peace.
The highest levels of the tree-spire where the main event was held and it was where everyone of worth was gathered. The East's Founding Clans, the earliest families to have arisen out of the chaos during the Unification War, were present here along with other notable clans of the East.
Among them were also foreign guests of honor from a variety of far away places. Of particular interest, a renown prince from the South — the Morning Flower, Jasper Clearblossom — and the Sacred daughter of Witch-Queen of the East — Alvana Nightfall.