When August mentioned he had a fiance, Allen wasn't expecting someone like Millicent. Or, maybe he was? Either way, the idea that August already had someone he was going to marry, and that person was right in front of him didn't quite fully register in his mind.
"Something wrong?," she looked at him curiously.
"Oh, nothing. I just wasn't expecting to meet August's fiance so soon," Allen awkwardly said.
"What makes you say that?," she eyed him curiously, as she picked up a drinking glass from one of the passing servants.
"I'm- I'm not quite sure exactly. I don't know, I just wasn't expecting to meet you so soon, I suppose," Allen explained.
"I see…," she said, before taking a sip of her drink.
Allen's eyes darted around the room again, looking for August. Just where was he, and how long was he going to take? He also noticed Rose, who was still chatting amongst some of the guests.
"So, you attend the same academy as August, from my understanding. What's it like there?," she asked.
"The Magical Knights Academy? It's not bad, actually…," Allen started to say, while thinking to himself. "I have class five days a week, which isn't too bad, since I have a few friends there. We also do some training almost every day after class, with our club that we put together"
"Oh, a club? What's that?," she asked. "Some sort of group event?"
"You could call it that. It's basically a group of students who are all interested in a specific activity. In our case, it would be all of us training together," Allen explained.
"Ah, very interesting. And this club of yours, you all do it every day?"
"Not every day. Just the days after class, but even then we can't always get everyone together," Allen elaborated.
"Well, that must be a lot of fun. I'm glad you enjoy it. By the way, just how did you meet August?," she asked, taking another sip. Wait, when did she already drink half of her glass?
"Ah, about that…," Allen began to say.
He then began to explain how he had met August through Stephen, but left out the part that he had met him in William's office. He thought it would be best to leave out the fact that he is well acquainted with the head director.
"Very interesting. And he just challenged you to a duel, just like that?," her eyes were gleaming with interest.
"Yeah, he did," Allen responded, recollecting his duel with August. "And I was defeated by him"
"Let me guess; he challenged you to a duel without magic, correct?," she asked, but the look on her face said she already knew the answer.
"Yeah, he did," Allen responded with a blank look on his face.
"Of course he would," she giggled again. "He's just like that"
Allen noticed her glass was already empty. At this point, he wasn't going to keep dwelling on it.
Allen went on to explain both duels that he had with August, the first one without magic, and the second one with magic.
"Ah, interesting. So you ended up defeating him once magic was allowed?," she asked.
"Yeah, but he is definitely stronger than I am when it comes to using a sword. If he gets better with his magic, he's sure to do really well as a mage," Allen explained.
"Hmm, I'm not very sure about that," she said, while thinking. "As much as he would love to continue his magic path, there's only so far he can go…"
"What makes you say that?," Allen asked, but he figured he probably already knew the answer. He would one day have to take his father's place and become the next king.
"Nevermind… Anyways, what is he like at the academy? Does he treat you all well?," she asked, prying for more information.
"Yeah, of course he treats everyone nicely. He definitely speaks like a royal. I suppose he's the same there as he was earlier speaking to everyone. He gave quite the introductory speech," Allen rolled his eyes thinking about the first time he saw August up on stage.
"I would expect no less from someone like him. Glad to hear he's behaving himself," she nodded in approval.
"Behaving himself?," Allen asked, wondering what August is like if he's not.
"Oh, don't worry about it," she laughed a little. "Glad to know August is making friends and enjoying himself"
She seems to care a lot for August, Allen thought to himself. Then again, they are engaged. But the marriage could have still been an arranged one.
"Ah, interesting. So it seems he has decided to come here today," Millicent suddenly looked to the left. Curious as to who she was talking about, Allen turned to look in the same direction.
It wasn't just them looking over, it seemed the rest of the crowd was also looking in the same direction. A man, more than likely in his early twenties, was currently the center of attention. He had grey hair that almost went down to his shoulders. A strand of hair on each side of his face was long enough to pass a little below his shoulders.
He had eyes that matched his hair color, and wore a face of complete confidence. He knew he was the center of attention, and he probably liked it. And of course the person talking to him was August.
One thing that Allen noticed was that his hair color matched William and Stephen's. Was he a Windblade?
"Reynold Windblade. Owner of Reynold Enterprises," Millicent pointed her hand in his direction. "I figured he would show up today.
Reynold Windblade. Allen remembered that name.
So, that's him, Allent thought to himself, while studying him curiously.
The first time he visited the city of London with Thomas and Cecily (before his training with Rose and his duel with Nathaniel), he had a short run-in with some people who worked for Reynold Enterprises. If he recalls correctly, one of them wanted to purchase Allen's sword, which Allen still finds strange to this day.
Not to mention, the magical artifact Nathaniel used in the duel may have come from Reynold himself, according to William. If the artifact did indeed come from Reynold, just what did he want?
Despite almost everyone's attention on Reynold, he seemed to look over at Allen for a moment. He gave a slight, interesting smile, and then turned back around to August as they continued walking.
"Interesting, isn't he? To think he single handedly turned things around here in London. It's difficult for non-mages to not respect him, despite him being a Windblade and all," Millicent commented as she continued to curiously eye over at Reynold and August.
"Do you know him?," Allen asked, interested for more details.
"Personally?," Millicent asked, turning back to Allen. "Not really. But, I have spoken with him on a few occasions. He is involved with plenty of those with royal blood, which includes my betrothed"
"Anything you can tell me about him?," Allen asked.
"Hmm, not sure considering I have only spoken to him a few times," she said, thinking. "He's the eldest son of Solomon Windblade, the leader of the Triumvirate"
Solomon's son?, Allen thought. Then that would make Reynold, William's nephew.
"Despite him being arguably one of the most important people in London, he's quite an interesting man. His eyes always display some sort of intelligence to them, and he always looks like he is studying everyone he meets. Almost like, eyeing their potential. Some say he only takes an interest in a select few, those that he deems worthy"
"Then, why did it seem like he was eyeing me a little bit ago?," Allen asked, interested.
"If he did eye you as you think he did, then there must be something about you that caught his eye," Millicent said, studying Allen for a moment, almost to figure out why Reynold might have.
"Did I miss anything?," a voice came from behind.
"August! It was about time you greeted me!," Millicent said with an annoyed expression, but her flushed face said otherwise.
"Haha, my apologies. I got quite wrapped up in speaking with Reynold and a few others," he shrugged. "All they want to do is talk business for hours upon end. Took everything I had to scramble out of there"
"Hmph, I'll let you off this time," Millicent moved her head to the side. Seeing her like this reminded Allen of Rose.
"I'll treat you to some desserts later as an apology," he did a slight bow.
"You'd better," she eyed him with a smile.
"So Allen, I assume you met my fiance then?"
"Sort of. She just approached me out of nowhere," Allen admitted.
"He looked like some sort of lost puppy in the crowd, so I figured I would go talk to him," she giggled again.
"Sounds like Allen," August also laughed.
"What? I don't know anyone else here, and you went off to speak with others," Allen glared at him.
"Fair enough. But wasn't Rose here? Where did she go?," August asked, looking around.
"I'm not sure. I saw her earlier speaking to some of the guests," Allen also started to look around, because she was no longer where she was last time Allen saw her. Just where did she go?
"Is that her, over there?," Millicent asked, pointing near the back of the room.
"That is her, but who is she talking with?, August asked, looking over.
Allen looked over and saw it too. It seemed she was talking to another guest, and by the looks of it, it wasn't a pleasant conversation.
The three of them made their way closer to Rose, and as they did they began to overhear their conversation.
"-have no interest in whatever you want!," Rose declared, startling the boy she was talking to for a moment.
"I'm not taking no for an answer!," the boy declared.
"What's going on here?," Allen asked, assessing the situation.
As Allen finally approached them, he clearly saw the boy who seemed to be giving Rose a hard time.
He looked to be around the same age as Rose, maybe a little bit younger, but still older than Allen. He was also taller, and a bit more well built. Allen could tell he had gone through some sort of training, in order to be muscular like that.
"This boy thinks he can suddenly start sweet-talking me and get my attention, and when I don't give him what he wants, he gets furious!," Rose answered, pointing at the boy.
"I wasn't doing anything wrong! This woman here thinks she can lie straight to my face!," the boy declared.
"I'm not sure what's going on here, but it's best if you just leave Rose alone," Allen said as he got between them. Allen knew Rose could handle herself, but he thought it would be best to diffuse the situation.
"Oh really? And what makes you think you can say that to me?," he got closer to Allen, looking down at him.
"Because in no right mind would someone be so rude to someone, especially a girl at a party you just met," Allen looked back at him.
"Oh, you think you're so strong, just because you're some mage?," he scoffed. "I will have you know that I am a royal knight in training, and a mage like you could not compare to!"
"So what if I am a mage? And so what if you're some royal knight? That doesn't excuse your unnecessary behavior," Allen looked at him, without any fear in his eyes.
At this point, everyone in the whole room had their attention on them. In the corner of his eye, he could see August watching things unfold, but hasn't stepped in. Was he waiting to see what would happen?
"You mages should just go back to your stupid academy. You have no place here," he grunted.
"I would've thought a supposed royal knight in training such as yourself would have a better attitude," Allen said back to him.
"Allen, that's enough. You don't need to keep helping me," Rose pleaded.
"No, it's fine Rose. No one should be rude to you," he turned to look at her.
"I-," she started to say, her face flushed.
"Stupid mages like you shouldn't turn your backs to royal knights!," the boy shouted from behind.
Suddenly, Allen's instincts kicked in, and he knew something was about to happen. He quickly turned back around, and already saw a fist heading straight for his face. His mana already began kicking in, and he quickly moved his hand to catch him mid punch.
"Wha-," he exclaimed, suddenly surprised. He was probably expecting Allen to try to dodge, but probably wasn't expecting him to catch his punch instead.
"Royal knight, huh?," Rose began to laugh. He began to glare at her.
"A royal knight in training, you said? Care to explain your actions against my fellow guests?," August stepped in.
"Y-Your highness!," he was caught off guard. He seriously didn't think August would catch wind of what was going on?
"You cause a scene in my family's great hall, and even attempt to assault one of my own guests, and you dare call yourself a knight-in-training?," he said, his eyes full of disappointment.
"My apologies, your highness! I shouldn't have-"
"Guards," he snapped his fingers. "Please escort this young gentlemen out of here. I will be having a word with his trainer later, and ensure he gets the treatment he deserves"
Without warning, several taller men with more armor on than Allen had ever seen quickly came onto the scene, and were already pulling the boy out of the room. His yelling began to become more and more quiet as they carried him away, to wherever he was being taken.
"My apologies everyone for the disruption," August announced. "Please, continue to enjoy yourselves. That's what we are here for"
Not even seconds later, everyone began to go back to what they were originally doing - eating, chatting, or just mingling around. Just how much authority did August already carry as a prince?
"Are you alright, miss Rose?," August asked, concerned. "I sincerely apologize for what happened"
"Yeah, I'm fine. That boy was just giving me a hard time," she shook her head. "I'll just need a minute"
She started to turn around and walk away, towards the exit that led outside to a large balcony.
"Milli, mind following her?," August asked nicely.
"Of course," she nodded, already catching up to Rose. Allen could barely hear her already introducing herself, and following her outside.
"Also, I do want to apologize to you, Allen. A royal knight, even one in training, should not treat my guests, or anyone for that matter, like that"
"There's no need. The problem is resolved," Allen resolved.
"Thank you," he sighed a breath of relief.
"But, could you at least tell me what a 'royal knight' is?," Allen asked.
"Of course," August nodded. "Royal knights are knights specifically trained to defend those of royal bloodline and those closely associated with them. They have existed for as long as my family has, for that sole purpose"
"So, like a magical knight?," Allen asked, curious.
"Not quite. A magical knight is a knight employed by the Triumvirate in order to protect the country and preserve order. They are here to combat against those who wield magic but use them for unlawful means," August elaborated.
"Whereas, a royal knight is a non-mage vigorously trained to protect the royal bloodline," August continued. "They still defend the country, like magical knights, but as I said before they are associated with the royal family.
"Interesting," Allen said. He had no idea these "royal knights" existed. There was still much for him to learn.
"The Royal Knights also have existed longer than the magical knights," August added, nodding with a proud expression. "It wasn't until recently that the former Council of Magic began to gain more power when mages were employed as knights"
"Well said, your majesty," said a voice from behind.
The two of them turned around to see none other than Reynold Windblade.
"Ah, Reynold. Something else I can help you with?," he asked politely.
Now that Allen had heard Reynold's voice, he thought his voice was a lot lower pitched than he was expecting.
"Ah no, our issues that needed to be addressed have already been resolved. I just came over to see this mage you've recently taken an interest in," he responded, eyeing Allen.
Now that he was up close, Allen had a better look at him. Despite being the supposed important person he was, there was something about him that made you drop your guard when you were around him. Almost as if you could easily trust him.
Wait a second, Allen thought. Is it me, or is this some sort of tactic he has. Just who is he?
"I wouldn't quite say 'taken an interest in', he's more of my friend now. But yes, this is Allen," he said, moving his hand towards him.
"Ah, nice to meet you Allen. In case you didn't know who I was, I am Reynold Windblade, Owner of Reynold Enterprises," he introduced himself, putting his hand out for a handshake.
"Allen Fleming. Nice to meet you as well," he shook his hand.
"Fleming?," he asked, with a curious look on his face. "Interesting"
"Is there something wrong?," Allen asked, eyeing him.
"No, no. Nothing for you to worry about," he smiled. "Anyways, were you going to participate in the royal banquet's dance?"
"A-A dance?," Allen asked, caught off guard.
"Of course. How could this be considered a royal banquet without a proper dance to go with it?," he added.
August looked over at him with an interested expression, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Allen already knew that he didn't like where this was going.