The next day in the early evening, Fabian and Albion rode towards the Bealo estate in a rented carriage. Inside, the two have a serious conversation.

“Fabian.” Albion said “you remember what you promised?” 

“Don’t use magic in front of anyone?” Fabian responded.

“That’s right…and do not forget this no matter what.” Albion pulls aside the curtain of the carriage window and sees that they have arrived. “Enjoy the party, make friends if you can, but by all means let no one know that you can use magic.”

“We don’t want any unnecessary trouble.”

Just as he finished speaking, the carriage pulled to a halt and almost immediately the door swung, “Finally!.” She says, then gestures towards the door, “The party has already started!”

Iliora brought Fabian and Albion through the entrance. The steward quickly approached and took their coat off to store it in the guest locker.

As they passed through the foyer into the ballroom, Fabian looked around, eyes full of wonder. “I never knew a living room could be this big…”

As they passed through the foyer into the ballroom, Fabian looked around, eyes full of wonder. “I never knew a living room could be this big…”

Iliora gave a small laugh. “This is a ballroom, silly. Their living room, well, living ROOMS, are in a separate wing of the manor. This whole half of the building is really only used for functions.”

Fabian stood still a moment, mouth agape. “Half their house is just for parties???” He said in awe.

Iliora couldn’t hold back her mirth at Fabian’s reaction. “It’s not just parties, the Commander will sometimes have important meetings here. Other times, his wife, Lady Keitha Bealo, might bring people in to discuss business. But then again, they are nobles, hosting a party now and then is pretty normal.”

Fabian felt overwhelmed, but Albion on the other hand, acted like he was familiar with all the things going on around them. 

More guests coming from the entrance wearing elaborate dresses and suit, all brightly colored and sharply cut. 

“What are those?” Fabian pointed out towards small bluish lights mounted parallel on the wall. Inside the crystal of the light, tiny particles floated which emitted bright bluish light. 

“Oh, is this your first time seeing these?” To which Fabian nodded, looking embarrassed.

“It’s a new kind of light, invented by the mage guild.” Iliora said as she took out one of the small crystal bulbs on the table and showed it to Fabian. “See those little things floating inside? They’re actually alive! The guild has been working on breeding these to be brighter and easier to maintain, but for now it’s pretty expensive and more troublesome than gas lights. I hear they’ll be in every house in a few more years though, a lot of people are supporting the research into it.

“Oooohhh!”

“Dear friends and family” at the same time, Hagen started his speech

“Now, come, I think he’s about to start his speech!”

Iliora took Fabian’s hand, leading him to an ornate staircase where Hagen stands with his wife, Keitha and his son, Eam. Hagen holds up a flute of champagne as he begins to speak.

“Dear friends and family,” he begins, “After 12 months scouring the edges of our kingdom of those who would bring harm upon us, it is a blessing to see so many of you again. Rest assured, as I am here today, our lands remain safe and protected. Tonight, let us think not of battles and war, but bask in the peace that we fight for…”

As Hagen continued his speech, Iliora nudged Fabian conspiratorially. “Pst! Fabian, you see that boy over there? That’s Eam, Eam Bealo, the one I mentioned before.”

“He’s the same age as you, and he’s the only son of Commander Bealo and Lady Keitha. His dream is to becomes the knight commander, just like his father, that's why I’ve been mentoring him for the past few months.”

“He’s stuborn and headstrong, But he’s actually not so bad. I can get you to talk to him, who knows? Maybe you two can get along.”

“Friend? With him?” Fabian blinked. “Well…I guess” 

“Good, it’s settled then.”

Hagen closes his speech and people clap and cheer.

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