The first of the nobles poured into the theatre room. The evening mood within Castle Blackrose was tepid and easing with each passing drink consumed. The news of King Antares desire for the grimoires was all many could talk about, as well as his outing with Princess Reza. Gossip had taken root and spread across the lips of many nobles. They were unsettled, but none of them could truly display it. These were not the times nor the place to lower one's guard. So it was perhaps a bit on the nose for many that the emperor would look to host a play during such strenuous times.

As they entered one by one, they were met with various well dressed servants directing them to their respective seating locations and areas. Although familiar nobles gathered together, they were encouraged to mingle and sit together with those from realms they had no relation with. The emperor looked to offer a relaxed atmosphere that was sure to entertain with the night's proceedings.

Green and purple curtains were lined with golden embroideries of stags and serpents. Flowers and other kinds of flora decorated much of the high walls adding to a layer of mysticism. Where the ceiling would be large glass windows allowed sight of the beautiful night sky. To the farthest wall, a large wooden stage lay hidden behind a massive curtains as actors and members of the play scurried about preparing for the big moment. House Blackrose had put their wealth to good use, none could argue that. Emperor Nero sought the finer things in life and he grabbed it with both his golden hands.

Even as Antares entered the waiting area–the room leading into the theatre room–he continued to acknowledge the great wealth of House Blackrose. He found it strange how the castle reminded him of his home. But he did not dwell on it too much as he continued conversation with Typhon. They had only just arrived after filling up their wine cups, or as in Typhon's case a brand new barrel only for him. Both men may have over indulged more than was necessary, but if it meant that it would make it easier to get through the night, they did not see the harm it would cause. Not too long later they ran into Guinevere and the girls.

"Sister!" Antares hugged her, "I hope your day was lovely."

Guinevere blushed at the sudden attention from her brother, "Are you alright?" she had expected to see him distressed given what she had heard of his day. "You are…cheerful."

Antares waved his wine glass, "Typhon and I might have partook of the festivities."

Typhon roared, "Guinevere you must scold him!" he pointed his wine barrel at Antares, "He holds back. He does not drink like a real man."

"Are you aware I am king, Typhon?" Antares stifled a laugh.

They both broke into laughter. Guinevere could not help but share a smirk herself, seeing him like this eased her worries. Ever since they arrived in Longshore she had felt uneasiness from him. Sometimes she was not sure if it was his or hers. She had voiced her displeasure at coming here and his possible union with Princess Reza. The danger and risk that it would bring to their doorstep was too great to ignore. Already they struggled with Hightower, to add another possible reason for war was recklessness. She had told Antares all of this, in great detail. But she knew it was in vain as though the decision had been made for him. Guinevere could not understand why.

Reza Altieri was not worthy enough to wed her brother, many were not. It was an insult that such a union was even possible. It greatly angered the Stygian princess, however she did well to be cordial in the presence of her potential queen. A witch, the queen of her people. It was madness.

"Ah that reminds me, Ursula how did it go?" Antares asked eagerly.

The young knight blushed, "It was nothing worth your time my king." She bowed, "I will win my next bout tomorrow and represent you in the finals the day after that."

"You should've seen her, my king," Melina stepped forward. "She fought with the might of a hundred soldiers! No four hundred!"

"Melina!" Ursula growled.

They all laughed with each other.

"I look forward to watching you duel, young knight." The king gave her a reassuring smile.

"It should be a good final, you against that Sword Saint." Melina smiled.

"Sword Saint?" Antares asked.

Guinevere recalled seeing her in passing, "Rose Valentine, If I remember."

Typhon and Antares grinned with glee at the mention of Rose Valentine's name. They exchanged childish looks with each other as their attention was now squarely on the final bout in the coming days. It would be sure to be memorable in many ways, most importantly for their dear friend.

"Why do you both look so guilty?" Guinevere placed her hands on her hips and furrowed her brow. "What do you know? Where's Casspien?"

"Oh dear sister," the king sipped his drink. "Casspien is where all men seek to be, in the heat of the greatest battle."

Guinevere watched as Typhon nodded along, agreeing with their king. As though what he had said made perfect sense. Antares believed his answer sufficed and walked on ahead towards the theatre. The Stygian princess and the girls exchanged awkward looks and followed along meekly. They agreed to also indulge in the festivities, there was only so much strength they could muster sober, in such trying times.

King Antares and the others were guided into the theatre and towards their respective seats. Because of the importance of who he was and his people, they would sit within the same area as the emperor's royal family. As he walked along the steps he acknowledged the various kings and queens of Aurum scattered about. From their more relaxed greetings it had seemed they too elected to enjoy the festivities and the wine to a generous amount. All were anxious for what the emperor had planned. And all looked to prepare as best they could. Even so there was a calm presence in the air, the night unfolded with a welcomed pace.

Guinevere and the girls were advised to sit with Queen Roderika and Crown Prince Galahad, while Typhon and his massive frame, sat with Queen Enrieta further to the side. An air of awkwardness and platitudes followed both camps as they introduced themselves to each other. Meanwhile Antares was taken further up to where Faye sat, along with her husband and child. Reza too.

"King Antares," King Saturn rose, along with all present. "Welcome."

"Please you may all sit," he bowed in thanks. "I hope I was not late."

"Not at all, we are yet to begin."

He exchanged formal greetings with Saturn, he appreciated that the Terran King had seemingly moved past their earlier spat. There was no need for that now, especially in front of her. He turned to her with an honest smile, one she returned in kind.

"Queen Freyja," he lowered his head. "I hope you are well?"

"King Antares," she acknowledged. "I am."

"And you as well Prince Jupiter." The Stygian King, lowered to meet the boy.

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All the prince could do was nod and retreat into his mother's dress.

" Lady Tereza, Princess Reza, you both look lovely."

Tereza offered a soft smile and bowed along with Reza who blushed.

"T-Thank you," the princess showed him to his seat next to her.

Antares took his seat in between his former betrothed and his current one. He had planned to apologize to Princess Reza for his behavior but as he sat down, the effects of the wine had started to present themselves. He soon began overthinking his apology, growing more anxious. He glanced over at her, her Raven hair curled with a voluptuous volume. The night setting seemed to bring out its luster even further. Her blue dress was also pleasing to the eye, although her figure was more of his interest. His eyes moved up along until he rested on her face, soft and round he thought. Innocent yet full of mischief, a desire to explore. And a set of the clearest sea blue eyes not even found in the freshest of waters. He found the nerve to address her. As he did, another caught her attention, and Antares looked on as she lovingly waved at the warrior boy near the entrance. He retracted his hand as he met eyes with Gawain. The moment had roused him to focus and he turned his attention back to the center of the great stage, now annoyed, surely at the long delay. King Antares finished the last of his drink and called for another.

"Am I that horrible to sit next to?" Faye bumped him with her shoulder.

"There is no other place I would rather be," he whispered sarcastically. "Secondly only to my books of course."

"Oh yes, who could forget the books?" The Queen added.

"And my horses."

"You do love horses," she laughed.

He joined her with a chuckle of his own.

"You seem relaxed," she teased.

He waved his wine chalice in the air, "This is doing wonders to my mood, all things considered with…"

"With your meeting with the other rulers or your outing with Reza?" she whispered with concern.

"Either, both?" he thought for a moment. "I take it you have been made aware?"

"I have heard…things," she smiled with a grimace.

Freyja allowed the silence to linger between them while she called for her own drink. On her return from visiting Guinevere at the coliseum, she had received word of the hotly contested meeting of the monarchs. To prepare her for her return to the castle. Saturn had not taken kindly to Antares' demand for the grimoires, among other things. She was not given details, but she knew the two men were stopped by King Satori. When she had gone to her husband's side, he carried the same indifferent and monotonous expression. There was nothing she could read on his face and of the meeting he simply said it went well. Well, she scoffed. She disliked when Saturn dismissed her at the slightest show of care. She was Queen of Talterra, and conflict brewed under her roof. It was her right to know. She glanced over and saw Jupiter teasing his father, she smiled.

"If it is possible, may we speak tomorrow morning?" She turned to him, as she snuck a glance at Reza, "I know you are supposed to spend the day busy with your duties before the naming ceremony."

Antares sat up, "Of course, is everything alright?"

Faye hesitated, unsure if she wanted to say or wait for tomorrow. The decision was made for her when the last of the nobles were let in and the door shut behind them. The candles dimmed and the cheerful and talkative theatre room slowly came to hush whispers and eventually silence. All turned their attention to the stage, patiently waiting. Emperor Nero appeared from behind the curtains and all rose, even the Stygians as well. His silk robes glittered and shined in the light, the extravagance of wealth and all it offered on display. The golden crown atop his head large and weighty. He motioned for all of them to make merry and comfortable.

In this room gathered the most powerful beings Aurum had to offer, those here shaped and bent the will of the continent; among other things. They could start wars, and bring them to a close with a mere wave of a hand. Millions lived at the grace of many present here. There was true power here. And yet amongst them, Nero commanded their attention. As he always did. When he had finished showering them with platitudes and eased their tensions, he looked to focus on what really mattered tonight.

"King Antares," the emperor addressed him. "There was a time when seeing a Stygian in the south would herald great calamity." There were uncomfortable groans and sounds. "But look at what your presence has done, I have not seen a celebration like this since my crowning!" the Emperor burst into laughter, and many cheered in agreement.

King Antares raised his chalice and bowed respectfully.

"Even my beautiful daughter Reza," the princess–red faced–bowed. "Who eagerly awaits tomorrow, to become a Crown Princess and a queen all in the same night."

There were cheers of approval, mixed with awkward claps.

"You both have brought about a unity not seen since ages passed." Now the cheers louder, more uniform with more agreeing. "But there are many here who doubt, who scoff at the importance of the Stygians. Who do not know you."

The crowd grew uncomfortable and quiet as Nero spoke. The emperor had a cunning grin on his face, he quite enjoyed toying with the masses, the look on their faces as they were unsure of what his next word would be. Even the monarchs who had looked relaxed now sat up anxious to know what he planned to say. All of them but one, the one he was most interested in. Antares sat indifferent, sipping on his drink as he listened intently. Although in Nero's eyes that was not the Stygian he saw.

"No, no, do not fear, it is true. Even my daughter Reza, for all she enjoys of the Stygian King's company. She does not know him." He smiled, "Many of you do not know of his greatness! Of his triumphs, many of it only whispered in song and stories."

Antares stopped drinking.

"So I thought as a gift, to you King of Iliad and to my daughter, a retelling of King Antares Xerxes' greatest victory. The one that all of Iliad and much of the north knows of!"

The emperor stepped aside and several people stepped out from behind the curtain, Human and Stygian alike, many of them dressed in different kinds of clothing from the north. Among them a Stygian woman approached, she was beautiful as any Stygian. Her violet orange eyes hardened with confidence over years of repeated practice. The woman had been dressed in Stygian nobleman attires, none in the crowd dared to laugh at her as her demeanor demanded respect. She bowed towards the crowd.

"My name is Nyryne, it is the greatest of honors to stand among such noble blood." She turned to the emperor, "We are a group of sagatellers and bards from Iliad, commissioned by the Lord Emperor."

Nyryne continued to thank the emperor like she had rehearsed a hundred times before. She made sure to show no weakness, no fear or fright. Her words were strong and passionate. The lives of many dear to her depended on the performance she and her fellow storytellers gave tonight. Had she known the story the emperor wanted her to perform she would not have accepted his proposal, worse yet she felt as though she might have never had the opportunity to decline. Surely not now given the words of the demon that stood across from her. When she had felt the emperor's ego satiated, she turned her attention to her king.

His magnificence filled her with awe, however his colder expression was the greater exerting will, saturating her with fright. Nyryne could only pray to the ancestors that King Antares would understand that she and her people did not do this willingly and any and all offense was not theirs. All in the north knew of this story, and all knew how it was to be handled with the utmost care and respect. At the very least that is what Nyryne wanted to convey but the emperor would not have it, he sought to make a mockery of her King's greatest conquest.

"King Antares, we could find none who could match your beauty," she offered a smile. "So forgive me but your role shall be played by myself." She bowed. There were cheers and laughter, unfortunate for Nyryne none of them came from King Antares.

With the emperor's permission, Nyryne and her people returned behind the curtain. The emperor departed the stage to praise and admiration and made his way to where Antares and the rest of his family sat. The smile on his face never faltered despite the terrible glare from several Stygians and Lady Tereza.

Reza sighed as she leaned on her arm. Had she known this was how her father wanted to honor her, she would have faked an illness to excuse herself. She had grown exhausted with the day and very much wanted it to end. Try as she might, she could not muster the strength to address King Antares to apologize for how she presented herself hours ago. The pleasantness in how he addressed her led her to believe that perhaps he was not cross with her, however when she found the courage to turn to him he was lost in conversation with Faye. Again. A common theme that had grown to upset the princess, one she did well to hide. Reza turned her focus to the stage ahead as the curtains were pulled back and song filled the air. She expected a great show, no doubt one that King Antares would approve of for it would talk of his legendary exploits. The princess glanced at him sure to see a great grin on his face as his praises would be sung again. Instead his visage startled her, Reza did not know Antares could carry such sorrow and guilt. She instinctively reached for him, but was cut off as the narrator announced the title of the play.

'THE STORM ISLANDS REBELLION'

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