Adonis pov

“All hail the good emperor Vincent,” I chanted alongside many others as the music resumed playing marking the start of this banquet. I turned to Riona but it seemed she was already swooped away by the curious noble girls as expected. She was announced without a surname and, to add to their curiosity, she was now suddenly my fiance.

I glanced around the hall as the nobles mingled as I stood there alone with my wine.  

The sound of the same heavy footsteps from 5 years ago echoed in my ears as he walked slowly forward with the same poker face he had back then. The expression he wore was somewhat like an old puppet yet to wither away. As he towered over me.

“Greetings Adonis,” A simple greeting. Short. No surname. 

His brown eyes were simple yet hid so much darkness as he stared at me.

“Seeing how you are hosting the party, I assume taking control over western borders went well?” I asked, initiating the conversation.

“All was well but could have been smoother if you were there just like old times.” Sir Leone Dimitri replied.

If you were there…just like old times.

The urge to chuckle or scoff crept into me, but I knew very well nothing good would come of it, so I restrained myself. It was as if our days on the battlefield meant something to him. As if I had a choice, as if I wasn’t conscripted to finish the sentence my father couldn’t. As if it was something we could reminisce over. 

“Indeed just like old times,” I replied as I forced out each word.

“I remember when we found baby horses injured on our way back from a mission, we took them in with grace extending them the mercy of the good king, yet when they grew big and strong thinking they could grow and lead a flock of their own-” he paused and turned to me “Do you remember what happened?” he asked.

“No I do not,” 

“They tried to run away so I killed all but one so I could make an example of what happens to deserters,” he finished off the story by taking another glass of wine from a nearby by servant passing by.

“It rings a bell,”

It ringed many bells. Many knells. A sound so familiar to me. 

“You can call it another lesson or advice from me,” He stated as he began to walk away to entertain his other guests.

‘Another lesson or advice’. Such generous words from him. Sir Leone Dimitri is now a noble knight yet his roots were buried deep as a former knight of the house of Axel. My former mentor.  Perhaps maybe if he never did what he did…I would be standing by his side right now but such thoughts are a lost fantasy especially when before I can stand a chance in starting a coup I’ll need him dead. A war hero and the dog of the king.

I took another glass from a passing servant as I carefully searched for my targets among the flock of nobles. Influence is a great thing that nobles need, but it's funny how, at the time you need it the most, it disappears without a trace, or rather, they turn their backs on you.

This is why when approaching someone you want on your side, do not negotiate but instead threaten and intimidate them.

“Nelson,” I called out as I rested my hands on his shoulders.

“Oh d-duke Axel, how ar-,”

“How are the trades going?” I questioned cutting him off before I had to engage in small talk with him, time is money, a merchant like him should know that.

“It's been slow due to the increase of monster’s nests and the route we have been using to avoid the kingdom of…” he paused momentarily as his eyes lingered on the Elysium representative Amir. 

“Well then, it's a good thing we are finally placing a treaty,” I smiled while he sighed.

“I wish it were that simple…the monsters are preventing smooth transport and are ruining crops. While all those damn nobl-” he glanced around pausing as he took another glass of wine to shut himself up while the other guests' attention drew toward us. 

I chuckled as he gulped down the wine like he was on the verge of dehydration. “Do not worry Nelson, great change shall come,” I reassured him.

As I turned away I could feel the stares of many people and their curiosity. Perhaps, when the time comes, I shall gouge out all of their eyes. 

-

“Oh my you have grown quite tall,” The Grand Duke of the house of Zenith stated as he looked me up and down.

“Greetings your grace,” I bowed as he stood in front of me with that annoying smug look of his. For now I shall bow but I will get my revenge for ruining my family. I will be the death of you.

“You only ever occasionally attend events even despite how much I request your presence, now when you have finally decided to attend, you’ve brought quite a fair lady”

“I shall try to attend more,” I smiled as I eagerly excused myself. It seems I’ve forgotten, not only how tiresome these events were, but the sorrows leaves a bitter taste.