As we got closer to the main hall,the sound of music and cheerful chatter grew louder. I held on to Sebastiene's arm, though most noble ladies are not allowed to hold someone of the opposite gender, even their butlers. House Castellan does not follow this stupid rule.
When we reached the doors, everyone was already there waiting for us. Father was dressed in a Knight's formal uniform just like Sebastiene but he had medals hanging on his right breast pocket. A sword was hanging down from his waist, the sword given to the head of House Castellan, The Khamgaalagch.
Mother was wearing a tight midnight blue gown embedded with rhinestones, making it look like the starry night. She had her hair up in a coiled bun and strings of pearls decorated her hair.
Uriel was wearing a short sleeved white dress, her hair was left down with only a silver hairband adorning it. Athy was wearing a long sleeved dark pink velvet dress with her hair in twin ponytails tied with pink ribbons. One thing about Athy is that she hates pink so its funny to see her wearing it. She looked bored as always while Anderson was dressed in the same outfit as Sebastiene.
Anderson bowed when he saw me and I smiled at him.
"Everyone's here." Father said when he saw me. "Let's go in."
The double doors opened and the light inside blinded me for a moment. The music stopped as the people inside parted to make way for us. Father came in with mother holding unto his arm. We sisters followed behind them while Sebastiene and Anderson followed behind us.
When we reached our seats up front, everyone bowed to us.
"Be at ease everyone." Father smiled. "This banquet is for the new generals and commander who will take the oath of loyalty with most of you tomorrow. You may acquaint yourselves with each other and build camaraderie as you will be fighting together and living together fron now on. I hope that you will all enjoy the banquet tonight." Haktor, Marionne and Klent went up front and bowed to father. "Congratulations to the three of you."
"Thank you, your Grace." They replied.
Haktor was wearing a white shirt with black vest and moss green ascot. He paired it with black trousers and black leather boots. His boots made Uriel raise her brow and Athy smiled a little.
Fancy guy Klent Mark was wearing white coat, white vest and white trousers with a red silk puff and red, low heeled leather shoes and there were red roses in his blond hair.
"I really hope, from the bottom of my heart, that he did not dare to pluck those red roses from your mother's rose garden which just started to bloom." Father leaned over to whisper to me which made me nod in agreement.
The rose garden that mother made with Athy is special as those roses are hand planted by them. Athy even asked Sidapa for the water of life which only gods and goddesses drink, so she could water the roses with it. It made the roses grew thrice as fast as normal ones. The roses just started to bloom and they were both very proud of it. My mother would be sad if someone dared to pluck the flowers but Athy would probably want someone's head.
I really hope this idiot did not do it.
"Hey, fancy guy." Athy's face was already dark as she pointed at Klent's head. "Where did you get those flowers?"
We, the Castellans, Sebastiene, Anderson and all the maids inside the hall, swallowed air as the tension grew.
Please don't let it be!
I held my breath as I waited for the answer.
Klent looked at her and smiled as he touched the flowers dramatically. "These were bought at the highest price from the city, my lady."
"You bought it?" Athy asked.
"Yes, my lady." He smiled at Athy.
Athy gave him one last pertrifying glance before she nodded.
We all heaved a sigh of relief.
Goodness!
"I thought his head was gonna roll." Uriel whispered to me.
"Me too. I was actually kind of concerned about our image if that actually happened." I whispered back.
"You look stunning lady Fuego." Mother suddenly commented making us look at Marionne.
She was wearing a fiery red gown made of silk. It was round neck with white corset details falling to the waist, a flaring skirt and puff sleeves. She wore a black lace choker with a ruby in front. Her red hair was tied in a bun with red rhinestones and diamonds adoring it. She indeed looked stunning.
"Thank you, your Grace." She replied with a teenie weenie smile.
This lady is neither proud nor humble. Her reply only shows that she is aware of herself and does not sway easily by pretty words and compliments.
"Please liven up the music and let us eat and enjoy the banquet." Father ordered the musicians.
The music started and everyone started enjoying themselves and talking with each other. Father and mother started to mingle with them. Athy sat on her chair while Uriel's maids brought them foods and drinks. Anderson was talking to some guys who were gawking at his moon brooch or his build. Sebastiene stayed by my side with his set smile plastered on his face.
I saw father talking with Klent and some other men while mother talked with the short haired lady from Marionne's team before. She must be fascinated by her ability to make others invisible. I saw Haktor leaning on a wall loosening his ascot, clearly not comfortable with what he was wearing.
"Seb," I called and Sebastiene leaned over to my side. "What about the thing I asked you earlier?"
"Based on the information I got, it seems that there was bad blood between Lord Opal and Lord Shulien, Lord Haktor's father. This caused Lord Opal to discharge all Wind clansmen, even non-knights were discharged and never allowed to set foot in the castle again. The Wind clan stayed secluded at Westreon mountain while protecting the north without any support from House Castellan. During that time, Lord Shulien died protecting the boundary but Lord Opal never sent knights to help them."
"But what did they fight over with?" I asked while looking at Haktor.
"It was never reported, my lady." He answered.
'How could something so big not be recorded?' I though with a frown.
I stood up and started making my way to where Haktor was. Sebastiene immediately followed me without question.
When Haktor saw me approaching he hurriedly tried to fix himself but ended up loosening his ascot even more. He gave up and just tucked it in his vest and buttoning up his coat before bowing down.
"No need to be anxious, Lord Fuujin." I chuckled.
"How could I not be anxious in front of the Grandmaster of the Knights of Noktis." He replied seriously.
"I'm just here to invite you for a little chat." I smiled at him. "Do you mind?"
Haktor looked at me intrigued. "Of course not, my lady."