"Thank you for the warm welcome." said the chubby nobleman holding in his arms a few-year-old lad.
"Christina, I miss seeing you on stage so much." said the man's wife, glancing at Laura. "Your daughter resembles you head to toe. She doesn't want to follow in your footsteps, does she?"
Laura smiled as she looked at her mother, waiting for her to answer.
"My precious girl has other passions and interests. Konrad is the one interested in the arts...among other things."
"The heir to the family with an innate talent for the arts, I see a bright future for your family, a shame I don't see him. Is he needed somewhere else? It's his birthday and he's not here with us. "
Thomas understood that the situation had become uncomfortable, but almost all the guests asked about Konrad's absence.
"My elder brother, I can assure you madame, will arrive when all the guests will be present. If you want to visit the courtyard before the beginning of the party. Tables with appetizers and red wine have been arranged." said Thomas, making eye contact with the lady for a few seconds, gradually lowering his head.
"What a respectful boy, I hope my son becomes just like you." said the man, patting the boy's head.
"Did the trip make him tired?" Laura asked enthusiastically.
"Ahh, carriage travels always tire him, no matter how long they are. Amelia doesn't have that problem, always sits and examines the scenery." his mother replied, looking at her daughter, who was silently watching all this time.
"Have a wonderful evening." voiced Christina, welcoming them to The Great Hall
The family made their way to The Great Hall, being guided to one of the tables by the servants.
"Mother, there are many more guests? In half an hour, the food arrives at the tables, so far they have come without stop." said Laura, showing her frustration without remorse.
"Konrad sits and wastes time upstairs instead of standing us. Everyone is asking where he is."
"It is his birthday, the party is in his name. He has the right to be expected. " Christina responded, looking at the guests, coming in and out of The Great Hall. "If you want to meet Stefan and the others, you can go and meet them before the party, they are in the inner courtyard with the family."
"Can I? Surely that's not the problem?. "
"You can leave. They are the last ones, I saw the list made by Otto, I don't think I invited anyone, and neither did your father. "
"Then why are you still waiting? Come with me."
"I will stay here until Konrad comes down or at least until the food arrives." said Christina, gesturing to Laura to leave.
Laura apologized and headed for the entrance to the courtyard.
Now only Thomas was left with her, who kept his eyes on the entrance to the living room. His hands close to his body, his back straight from the first guests till the last.
"Thomas, are you bored sitting here with me?" Go and talk to the rest of the kids, a couple of minutes left. You do not have to spend them here. " said Christina, touching his shoulder, massaging it lightly, and moving it a little.
"As you said, there are still 20 minutes. I'm staying with you. " Thomas replied, touching his mother's hand as a sign of comfort.
Almost a quarter of an hour passed but no guests came, some of the guests came for short talks, and to ask about Konrad, Christina answered briefly to all.
In a few seconds, a commotion began among the guests. Whispers and sentences under the palm of their hands took over the atmosphere.
Starting with one child after returning from the stables to bring something forgotten in the carriage by his mother, was the arrival of four carriages with the coat of arms of a scale. The boy's family was in the inner courtyard, so the rumors started there and ended up in The Great Hall. People started coming in and sitting at the tables in anticipation.
All the nobles bought wine produced from the plantations of the Ehrhart family that owned the entire southern region of the kingdom. The wine reached the table of all noble families, being appreciated even by the royal family.
And the Meyer family had a vast commercial network, the relations between the two families were always good but now with the union between the two families they wanted to be on their good side.
Laura returned, hearing all the guests' remarks looking at the hosts, saying different things, but all lining up on the same topics.
"Are they really coming?" I didn't think they would come."
"Where's the elder child? He's still missing right now."
"Why isn't he present to greet his fiancée and in-laws?"
"Maybe something happened between them."
"Impossible! I saw them together last month. They looked so good together."
Reuniting with the rest, one could read Laura's worried face, each word being delivered heavily with emotion.
"The whole crowd is in turmoil!. Where's Konrad? starting to whirl left and right, she could no longer keep her composure, the only thing that helped was the separation between The Great Hall and The Receiving Hall. It didn't have to happen that way, he had to get ready, be here with us, and not waste his time like any other day. You don't watch over him for a second and he does what he wants."
"Calm down, Laura, why are you so upset? Everyone can hear you, he's coming. " pointing to the right under the bifurcated staircase.
Konrad who took advantage of the lack of attention from the rest of his family was not noticed by anyone in the room until he reached them.
"What took you so long? Where did you come from?" said Laura in astonishment.
"I took the steps from the guest rooms hall."
"You have been in the studio until now?! How much time did you spend in there? "
"An hour, an hour and a half. I had something important to do. "
"Something important to do? What's more important than this moment? "
"For me, many other things."
"It's not the time to argue, dear Konrad get ready." said Cristina, looking Konrad in the eyes.
"My Lord, the flowers."
One of the servants brought two beautiful bouquets of roses, one red and one orange, leaving them in Konrad's arms and leaving.
"Otto outdid himself." said Konrad, inspecting the bouquets for a few seconds, and handing Thomas the red bouquet.
"Oh...Yes..." He was a little confused by the whole atmosphere that had changed almost instantly. A few seconds ago calm, now everyone had started moving at full speed.
"When they arrive, you let me greet them, and when you see me moving forward, you move forward with me, I will give mine to Julia and you give yours to her mother. You understand?"
"Yes, I understand." said Thomas, regaining his composure.
The wait was criminal until they saw Otto with members of the Meyer family followed by a servant carrying a long wooden box.
***
Leaving Konrad to prepare, Otto headed straight for the entrance to the lord's estate, where Otto separated the noble guests from their escort allowing them to bring with them up to 2 servants and 2 guards, the rest were sent to the accommodation area, an area where were tents and everything else necessary for accommodation.
He knew that the Meyer family will arrive close to the start of the party, so he was still here even when the line was drawn over the last name on the guest list.
The absence of Nikolaus Ehrhart was unintentional, being a lover of long speeches, in front of a multitude of eyes, seeing them digest his speech word for word, but he had to be present at the subjugation of a vassal who declared his autonomy out of the blue two weeks ago.
The well-protected information found its way to the ears of the other nobles, the absence of the head of the family, the fiancée and her family will not participate, and on the same day, the last test of the young heir takes place for those who knew, so their appearance will surprise everyone present.
The estate of the Meyer family was only a few hours away on horseback, Michelle Meyer having the rank of duke. Visits between the two families were frequent.
A massive convoy was approaching consisting of five wagons and several knights on horses. The first and last wagons carrying on foot guards were pulled by four horses. The rest pulled by two. The second wagon was transporting servants, the fourth one goods, and the middle one the family members. The men on horseback were at least a pair for each wagon.
As it got closer Otto signaled to the mounted guards to assemble in formation. On either side of the road one behind the other with their backs facing the convoy.
The first two wagons advancing so that the carriage would stop in front of Otto, the servant who sit next to the jockey descended and opened the carriage door. Allowing a tall man with long brown hair down to his ears, shaved with a big mustache to come out of the carriage. It was the duke.
"Welcome to the Grand Duchy of the Ehrhart family. Please receive the words coming from this humble servant." said Otto, bowing his head deeply in front of the man, clasping his hands over his chest.
"Otto, you came to greet me right at the entrance. We arrived so late that I am sure nobody else needs to arrive. If I am right and you want, you can come with us and not make your way back alone?" replied the duke.
"I can't afford to be a bother."
"Don't talk nonsense. Ride with us." holding out his hand to Otto.
Otto looked at the estate guards and shouted, followed by the Duke in the chariot.
"Hans, Vote, guide the wagons as we did with those who stay overnight."
"Kaiger, you know what to do!"
Otto climbed into the chariot, took his helping hand, closed the door behind him and the man sat down in his place. To make room for Otto next to him, he lifted a long rectangular box and placed it on the floor.
Chariot turned right, the rest of the wagons advancing with the family guards.
In addition to the two in the carriage were the Ducces and their daughter.
Otto sat down and greeted the two politely.
"Glad to be in the presence of the Duchess and the young lady."
"The feeling is mutual. Please excuse us for being late." replied the Duchess.
"We're still on schedule."
"Otto, do you want to see the gift for my son?" expressed the man, implying to the chest on the floor.
"A sword?"
"Yes. I thought he should receive an unforgettable present, so I commissioned the best blacksmith to forge this beauty."
"..."
Otto said nothing, just looked at the box worthy of the Meyer family emblem.
"What got you thinking? Do you think is not adequate? Just wait until he opens it. He'll be delighted. "
In moments like this, he understood what Konrad was going through. Who hadn't held a sword once he returned from the academy. Who couldn't even see how the head of a hen was cut off and refused to participate in hunting campaigns every year, being more of a spectator than a participating member.
"The Young Lord is sure to appreciate it." he could say that already knowing the reaction of the young lord.
"There's no doubt." said the Duke showing an infectious smile.
There was silence, no one said anything. The carriage soon passed the mansion's gate making its way around the fountain and stopping in front of the steps at the entrance.
The servant on the right of the jockey descended and opened the door, the first to step out being Otto followed by the Duke who helped his wife and daughter.
"Helne, pick up the box and follow us."
The servant complied with the request and followed the four of them, holding the box in his arms.
Going up the steps in the light of the sunset, passing through the high, semi-arched doors, through the Receiving Hall, smelling freshly picked lilies. Greeted by the presence of the members of Grand Duke's family.
There was silence, all eyes crawling thru the doors of the Great Hall on the hosts, especially on Konrad, who was in the center holding the orange rose bouquet in his arms.
"I never liked surprises. When one appears I always expect the worst. But. But today is the day I changed my mind. Now ... Now a good day has become an unforgettable day. " said Konrad loud enough so every guest could hear him.
Konrad took two steps forward, ignoring the Duke and walking towards Julia, handing her the bouquet, lifting her slightly by the waist, and kissing her lightly on the lips.
"A fresh picket bouquet of roses. Beautiful that it can be overshadowed only by the beauty of my fiancée."
"Thank you." All Julia could say as she was red to her ears, staring at the bouquet.
Following his older brother's instructions, Thomas handed the bouquet to the duchess, who kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you for your presence."
"This young man is as well-mannered as his brother."
Gently holding Julia's back close by her underarm, Konrad walked over to the Duke, shaking hands and smiling at each other.
"My son, I know I said with great regret that we can't get there today, but when I heard that Nikolaus can't be today because of the predicament in the north, all I could do was come and be with you. . "
"Thank you very much for being with me." said Konrad, looking at all the members of the Meyer family.
Duchess Monika left with Christina and Laura for the table.
"Julia, if you want you can go and you don't have to stay with us." said Konrad with a smile.
"May I?" Julia replied timidly.
"Of course. Thomas, please take Julia to the table."
"I'll do as you wish elder brother."
"It seems we are the only ones left, your presence is not the only gift." said Konrad, looking at the servant still holding the box in his arms, trying to hide his numb knees and stiff hands.
"Of course not, Helne move forward a little."
The servant advanced in next to them, the Duke opened the box. Inside was a long sword in a sheath covered in leather and adorned with golden motifs.
"What do you think? A beauty made by the same blacksmith who works exclusively for me from the best materials on the market, especially for you. "
He took the sword with both hands, unsheathing it out. Turned it on both sides, waving it a little in the air and placing it back in the box. Sharp enough to shave your hair from your hand and shiny so that you could see your reflection like in a mirror.
"Incredible. I'll cherish it as I know best."
That's all he could say in response, but what he thought was.
"Shit, another sword. I get a dozen each birthday. Where did the world start to think I was crazy about swords ?! "
"May it serve you well."
"May your words be a prophecy. We should find our seats down at the tables, the food has arrived and the others are waiting for us. "
Konrad pointed to a maid on her way to the kitchen after setting the first dish, motioning her towards them.
"Accompany Helne and show him where to leave the gift and get someone to reunite him with the rest."
"I understand, Young Lord."
"Father-in-law, are we going?"
"Yes, son, we will talk more at the table." spoke the duke, driving him lightly from behind.