After the intense conference, Enchantra and the other dukes made their way from the conference room to the grand banquet hall. The night sky was clear, and the stars shone brightly overhead. As they walked, the sounds of laughter and conversation filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere.
Upon reaching the banquet hall, they were welcomed by the king and queen who were seated at the head table. The dukes took their places at the table, each one taking their time to admire the beautiful decor and the delicious-looking food that was laid out before them.
The banquet began. The king and queen sat the the head of the table, surrounded by the dukes, including Enchantra. The three young heirs, two princes and a princess, sat together at a nearby table, eagerly chatting amongst themselves.
Watson, the eldest of the three, sat closest to the king and queen, his eyes darting around the room as he took in the sights and sounds of the grand occasion.
As they began to eat, the dukes engaged in a lively conversation, catching up on what they had been doing in the years since they had last seen each other. Nebula's father, Montana, was particularly interested in hearing about Enchantra and Nebula.
„So, Enchantra, it's been a long time since I last saw you. And what about Nebula? Is she well?" he asked.
Enchantra smiled, „I've been well, Montana. The last few years have been busy, but rewarding."
Montana leaned forward, intrigued. „So, you and Nebula had quite a journey. Four geniuses being born in your household is truly a blessing. Is it true what you said at the conference?"
Enchantra nodded, „Yes, it is. Our children are truly exceptional, and I am proud to say that they are the future of our kingdom."
Montana looked impressed, „That is truly remarkable. I'm sure Nebula is proud to have become a mother."
Enchantra's smile faded slightly, „Unfortunately, Nebula is not here with me tonight."
Montana raised an eyebrow, „Why is that? I would have liked to see her again."
Enchantra shrugged, „It is a long story, Montana. Perhaps another time."
Just as Montana was about to ask more, Magmala interrupted.
"Gentlemen, forgive my intrusion," Magmala began, drawing their attention to him. "But I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. I too have a child who is a genius, a child of the water element."
Montana and Enchantra turned to Magmala, both intrigued by his words. "Really? Tell us more," Montana prompted.
"Well, the birth of my son was truly a phenomenon. The water elements gathered together and made the room be engulfed in a rain cloud. Then, the elements spoke his name, Raina. After giving birth to a genius child out of four, I knew that I had to come to the royal palace and inform the king of this new genius who will be attending the Royal Magic Academy," Magmala explained.
"That is truly incredible," Enchantra said, nodding. "The Academy is fortunate to have such a talented student coming to them."
"Indeed," Montana agreed. "But before we hear more about Raina, I would love to hear about your children, Enchantra. What gifts do they possess?"
Magmala added, "Yes, I am also eager to know more about these four geniuses you mentioned."
Enchantra smiled as he thought about his children. „Ah, my children. They are truly a blessing and a wonder to behold. Each one of them was born with a unique phenomenon that showcased their gifts."
He continued, „First, let me talk about the triplets. Nova, Phantomica, and Faunica."
He began to tell the story of each of his children, starting with the triplets. „The first of the triplets was born with a spectacular display of fire elements. The room was filled with bright, blazing flames, and the name Nova echoed through the room. It was truly a sight to behold," Enchantra recounted.
Montana and Magmala listened in awe as Enchantra continued, „The second of the triplets was born in a completely different manner. The entire birthing chamber was engulfed in darkness, and the name Phantomica was spoken with a deep and ominous voice. It was as if the darkness itself had come to life and was claiming this child as its own."
Enchantra then went on to describe the birth of the third of the triplets, „The third was born in the most unusual way. The entire room was filled with plants of all kinds, from tiny flowers to towering trees. The name Faunica was sung by the elements."
„That's incredible," Montana whispered.
Enchantra then grew quite, thinking about his fourth and final child. „And then there's Celestica," he finally said. „Her birth was a mystery to all who witnessed it. The room was filled with a brilliant light, and the elements spoke her name in a chorus of celestial voices. It was as if the heavens themselves had come down to earth to bless her birth."
As Enchantra finished talking about his children, both Montana and Magmala couldn't help but be amazed at the power and talent of the younger generation.
„It is truly remarkable to see the next generation already so gifted. I am sure that Raina will benefit greatly from attending the academy, just like your children."
Enchantra smiled, „Indeed, it is a great opportunity for all of them to learn and grow together. I am sure that they will become close friends and learn so much from each other."
Montana added, „Yes, it's a wonderful thought. Imagine, five geniuses, all studying and practicing together at the academy. It's sure to be a sight to behold."
As the three of them continued to talk about the children and their specialities, the king sat quietly, listening to their conversation. Despite the excitement and pride in their voices, the king couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. He had no genius children of his own to showcase and it seemed unlikely that he ever would. But despite this, he loved his queen deeply and couldn't imagine ever leaving her side.
As the conversation shifted to plans for the children's futures, the king remained lost in thought. He knew that they would all meet at the Royal Magic Academy and he couldn't wait to see how they would grow and develop under the guidance of the powerful mages.
The king smiled at the group and spoke up, „Gentlemen, I have been listening to your conversation and I must say, it brings me great joy to see the next generation possessing such remarkable talents. While I may not have a genius of my own to boast about, I can offer you a safe entrance to the Royal Magic Academy."
The dukes fell silent as the three men turned their attention to the king. They were taken aback by his offer and couldn't help but wonder what the king's motives were.
„The Royal Magic Academy offers a wide range of workshops, from Alchemy to Blacksmithing. The students are given the opportunity to develop not just in magic, but also in various professions. I have no doubt that your children will flourish in the Academy and grow individually in their own ways."
„And speaking of individual growth, I must say, I am especially intrigued by Celestica. As a child of the light element, I am confident that she will flourish in my newly built observatory. There, she will have the opportunity to gain insights and deepen her understanding of the light elements like no other."
The king then looked at Enchantra and said, „And when we are talking about Celestica. I assume she is the genius you mentioned earlier, meant to be married off to one of my sons."
Enchantra hesitated before answering, „Yes, that was my original intention. However, I have yet to find a suitable candidate. I am no longer in a hurry to marry her off, especially since she will have the opportunity to attend the academy and meet eligible young men there. So, for now, I have decided not to proceed with the marriage plans."
Montana interjected, „Indeed, the academy will be a great opportunity for all the children to meet and learn from each other. Who knows, perhaps love may blossom between Celestica and one of the princes."
The king nodded, a twinkle in his eye, „Indeed, who knows what the future holds."
And to secure the future of the kingdom, there is still yet a decision to me made.
The discussion about Celestica's marriage was put to a hold for now as there is still a decision needed to be made about the issue of the rebels. The king, dukes and other nobles present at the banquet shifted their attention to the current state of the kingdom. The rebellion that had been stirring in the outskirts of the kingdom was a growing concern and needed to be dealt with. They discussed the various options available to them and agreed that the first priority would be to try and solve the problem peacefully. If the peaceful approach did not work, they would then proceed with a larger scale attack.
With that, the king raised his goblet in a toast, signaling the end of the banquet. The dukes followed suit, raising their own goblets, echoing the king's words. The discussion may have ended, but the work was far from over.
The banquet came to a close, the attendees began to disperse. The atmosphere was serene and respectful, with the stars shining brightly in the sky above. People walked and talked in small groups, discussing the events of the night and their thoughts about the king's decisions. With the moon shining high in the sky and the sounds of nature filling the air, the people made their way back to their homes.
…