The next few chapters are about how Arlan and Dusk came into Drayce’s life.

——-

With autumn officially ending, the residents of the capital city of Blackhelm were busy with preparations for the grand celebration that welcomed the white winter of Megaris, many of the children especially looking forward to the first snowfall of the season.

Ever since King Theron and Queen Esther’s reign, the end of the year festival that was usually held for three days became a grander event than it was compared to their predecessor.

Before, the palace would normally open their doors to host a royal ball to invite the nobles of the kingdom only on the first day, but now, the royal ball would be held for the entire festival period, inviting distinguished guests regardless of their background. It had become so famous throughout the continent that even foreigners from other kingdoms would even attend to enjoy the festival.

Most of the tourists would come for the famous lantern-viewing parade on the last day, where people from the central plaza would walk towards the river port of the capital to put lanterns bearing their wishes on the river. Some would ride decorated ships in the river while lanterns and fireworks were put on display.

Thus, this period was normally when the Queen of Megaris would be the busiest.

The three-day festival was still a month away, but the Royal Palace of Megaris was already bustling with excitement. As usual, the arrangements of the royal ball were under the jurisdiction of the Queen, and she had just finished meeting the royal tailors in charge of the clothes that the royal family would be wearing for the ball. She had just chosen five adorable outfits each for Little Keiran and Little Drayce, and she could not help but wonder if she was being too much to prepare that many clothes for the boys.

Lady Tyra entered the Queen’s study after the tailors had left with their designs. “Your Majesty, the King has sent a message for you.”

Esther nodded without lifting her head from the papers she was reading, permitting her to speak.

“His Majesty will be receiving a delegation from the royalty of Griven, headed by the younger brother of the King, Duke Cromwell. The Duke will be bringing his niece and nephew, the First Princess and First Prince of Griven, together to join the end-of-year festival. His Majesty has asked you to look after the arrangements of the Cromwell royalty when they arrive  in the palace.”

Esther lifted her head for a bit. “Prepare the side palace on the first annexe to receive the Griven royal family. I will personally welcome them. You can let His Majesty know I will make sure to arrange the best for them.”

Just as she spoke those words, a small head full of silky black hair popped in front of her desk.

“Boo!”

It was Little Drayce trying to scare his mother. He had stealthily appeared within the room when Lady Tyra entered the Queen’s study. He often loved to surprise his mother by teleporting within her vicinity, especially when she was distracted by other people. Of course, the two ladies knew the prince was aiming to pull a prank and pretended not to notice him to humour him.

Esther acted as if she was scared by his sudden appearance.

“Did I scare you, Mother?” he giggled, his eyes twinkling with joy as he waited to be acknowledged for his success.

“Yes, you are so scary,” Esther agreed. “How did you know I am here?” she asked.

“My powers always teleport me next to you whenever I wish to go to you,” he replied proudly. “Aren’t I amazing, Mother?”

“Yes, you truly are.” Esther patted his head. “But you must not overuse your powers too much. I do not want you exhausting yourself.”

“It’s fine! I am not tired!”

Just then, someone came knocking to the Queen’s study.

“Your Majesty, it’s Saira. May I enter?”

The woman entered the study while catching her breath, and her gaze was seemingly saying she’s about to report something. But then she saw Drayce standing next to his mother.

“Finally found you, Your Highness,” Lady Saira huffed.

“Did you trouble Saira again?” Esther asked as she looked at her naughty son.

Drayce pouted a little, but his guilty face was enough confirmation. “I just wanted to check my powers. This one doesn’t hurt anyone when I use it.”

“It sure doesn’t hurt anyone, but it troubles your nanny who has to run here and there to search for you,” Esther commented.

“Apologies, Mother. Apologies, Saira,” he said, but then he looked at Lady Tyra with a curious gaze. “Tyra, do you want to play with me today?”

“I am afraid she can’t, Dray,” Esther answered. “I need Tyra’s help with work.”

“Work?” he asked with curiosity. Though he was young, he knew that the people in the palace were preparing for a celebration. “For the festival?”

“My son is really smart,” she praised. “You guessed right. We are expecting important guests from the Griven royal family for the incoming festival so we have to be a good host and treat them well.”

“Griven!,” was all he said and stepped towards the bookshelf where his nanny followed to assist him. “Help me, Saira. I will look at the map again and study more about Griven and help Mother with work too.”

With a smile, Esther continued to instruct Lady Tyra about the important things to arrange for the royal guests.

—–

That night, Esther was roused from sleep when she sensed strange powers lingering in the air. It was faint, as if a trace of a collision of powers, and the more she focused on it, she realized that what she detected seemed to be remnant powers from outside the royal palace.

‘Is it coming from beyond the city walls?’

She stepped out of her bed and opened the balcony doors, where the fresh breeze brought to her stronger traces of magical powers. Outside the walls of Blackhelm CIty, she could see the dark forest on the other side of the grand river that flowed towards the sea.

Her eyes narrowed in that direction. ‘For me to sense their powers despite this distance…’

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