"Rise knights to be."
Sloane unwilling to follow his command remained in the same posture. Nine and Jack didn't dare to follow Charles's orders. To them the crowned prince or royalty never meant anything.
"Lady Sloane?" Jack whispered.
"How could I just dare to rise carelessly before the future light's presence?"
The prince who was of high self-esteem and clueless about the dangers of the world was now to take the bait.
"My my. You flatter me, Lady Sloane de Nirvana. It seems you know your place."
"Indeed as you say, your highness."
-"Just you wait blonde bastard. I will return every bit of torture you put my family through."
Her mind continued to curse him.
"Enjoy your time in the palace. And play knights while you can."He sneered walking past them.
"We'd be honored to."
"That bastard." Nine gritted.
"Hush Nine hush," Sloane warned him to mind his language while they were at the Palace.
"Sloane?"
"Father?"
"Sister!" Yulia chimed in as Azriel held the little girl's hand.
She looked cute in a fancy ball gown studded with bows and pearls. Her hair was let down from the usual twin ponytails.
-"Cu~te!Yulia is the daily dose for relief."Sloane couldn't help but adore her lovely little sister.
"What are you three doing in the hallway?"Her father inquired.
"We!...were just heading for the banquet hall."
"Papa look! The beautiful woman looks like mother." Yulia pointed at the portrait of the late queen.
"She does. But she is the mother of the kingdom."
-"Estelle's eyes...were golden in color. And had straight long hair. Nothing like her although same in personality."Azriel smiled.
Sloane stared at her father already picking up hints of his thoughts.
-"I wonder how a cold-hearted marquess warmed up to someone else?"
They entered the banquet hall where they became the center of attention for the nobles.
The ladies wore elegant dresses with lavish jewels and fancy hairstyles. Even girls who were her and Yulia's age were dressed up elegantly.
This made her somewhat inferior to them to some point. But it didn't matter to her anymore. Neither did their gaze pressurized her. This was the life she only was going to live for herself and only her family.
She saw Sebastian standing on one end talking with two men who were not nobles. They were high-ranking officers and knights.
It was a given no one would dare approach a war beast of the kingdom. Even though he had a refined face a few ladies would only have enough to get a look at him from a certain distance.While others clearly showed contempt for his appearance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, his royal majesty the light of Atlanta and his royal Highness the crowned prince, future light of Atlanta have arrived."
Every noble in the hall bowed with respect paying good wishes to both of them.
"Please lift your heads my loyal subjects." The king ordered.
Charles waved his hand capturing the ladies' hearts in one go.
"Ah~!Prince Charles." They squealed and sighed trying to get a good look at his noble and angelic face. This act put Sloane in disgust since she was the only noble who didn't look at him at all.
"Ahem. It's been the first time in the history of Atlanta that the important ceremony was put on hold. It was due to our lack of understanding and sheer negligence that put our young generation in danger. The security department solely apologizes for their inability. We shall award our honorable victors who proved themselves on the battlefield while the lucky rest shall receive their ranks as knights."
Azriel stepped up along with the temple priest.
"Victors step forward." He commanded but in a rather usual calm voice.
"Yes Sir!" All young participants including his daughter obeyed his command.
"The medal hereby awarded to Knight Nine as the best archer in the kingdom."He pinned the silver star-shaped medal at the right side of his chest.
" Who is that handsome knight? Want to introduce yourself later? The ladies whispered stealing glances at the brown-eyed teenager.
- "It's disgusting just how do they fawn over handsome men."
Sloane thought upon hearing them but Nine didn't give a damn about their squeals and sighs. He was partially disgusted by this high society.
"Last but not least the sole heir of the great family of warriors, Sloane de Nirvana.The best swordsman and strategist." She slowly stepped forward gaining their attention.
To her, it was rather funny to be receiving the medal from her own father.
But the honor was to be recognized as a capable knight to which she thought Azriel would be pleased with.
The other new trainees were lucky to be awarded the title of the knights by the temple which was done for the first time in history.
"Sloane De Nirvana. I congratulate you and your comrades for your bravery. For this, I'd like to award you as the squire of the Royal Knights."
"I thank you for your offer, my king. But I am undeserving of such a position with no experience."
"Why think that way?" The king was rather surprised by the rejection of his proposal. This was the one out of thousand chances that every knight yearned for.
"I do not want to bring shame to you nor my family due to my inexperienced self. I presume I have a lot more to learn before I am eligible for the position."
"Hahahahahaha!"
They were taken by wonder at his laughter.
"You are a good one. Good very good. Very humble I say just like your father."
-"Is that a compliment? then I don't need one.
"Please give this position to Sir Elyas Wolforde." She pointed at the silent knight who stood with Yulia as her guard.
"Ahh~!Wolforde. I wonder where I heard that name."
The clueless knight stared at them without any concerns.
"Knight Elyas Wolforde.Please step forward." The temple priest called out.
He stepped forward kneeling on his knee and brought forth his sword which the priest took and began his declaration.
"Elyas Wolforde the young knight who shall serve the royal family to death as per the command of the king shall be awarded the title of the Order of the Royal knight."
"Let the ball begin."
The nobles congratulated them heartily while the ladies gathered around Nine and Elyas.
Sloane pushed her way out of the crowded hall to the veranda. She'd rather spend a night alone than attend ceremonies.
"Aren't you going to his highness?"
She suddenly backed against the wall.
"I am fine here."She heard a feminine voice behind the curtains. She peeked from the corner of the glass door.
-"Lord Sebastian? And who is that woman?"