The night had finally come and the Jun family were finding their way towards their carriage to get to the King's castle.
They were all dressed on formal attires with their father leading the way into a night filled with uncertainties.
They got in their carriage and the coachman did his job of making the horse move.
In silence, their short journey came to an end when Raffaelo noticed the walls and gate of the Castle. "It seems we've made it, Father". He said with a hushed tone.
"Hm….is someone nervous ?" His mother chuckled as she smirked at him.
His expression slowly lightened up in embarrassment as he looked away. 'Is this what they call PTSD ?....and from my past life at that'.
Memories of his past life in the Castle weren't situations he could be proud of. The king made it a habit of using the Jun family at the forefront of the War against the demons. Only for him to be betrayed by them.
"How nostalgic…." He muttered, noticing the number of guards that stood in pairs on each side of the road leading to the Castle .
The structure was just as magnificent and artistic as the whole city itself, maybe even more. It kind of looked like the famous Pantheon but its structure didn't seem as old. It had golden pillars with white marbles spread around it.
Floral and aesthetic designs portrayed a feeling of elegance on the walls as a beautiful swan water fountain stood tall in the middle of the courtyard.
It had a well lawned field and projecting from the roof gutters were statues of wyverns.
The carriage stopped and they slowly found their way down.
Raffaelo looked around, observing the other families that had been invited as well.
'Really just seems like a normal party' he thought when an attendant walked up to them.
"Please come this way, Jun residence".
My father nodded and with his wife's arm in his, he walked behind the attendant while Raffaelo and his sisters followed quietly.
"Do you think we're going to get beheaded ?" Thalia murmured in Raffaelo's ear though it seems she wasn't able to get the desired result.
"Behead us ? For what ? Uncle Phllip attacked first" Morganna replied sharply.
"Be calm girls…" Gloria muttered as she turned her face around to take a look at her siblings.
Morganna grumbled while Thalia chuckled.
Her gaze slowly fell on Raffaello and a worried expression pierced his gaze.
He shook his head. "I'm fine".
She stared at him for a bit longer then looked away.
They finally got to the inner chambers of the Castle. The word Artistic would not be able to describe how well built it was made. They were led to an open space without a roof, tables and chairs arranged neatly while other families took their seats.
A well arranged table was reserved for them and they took their place quietly.
"How many of them came ?" Rachael asked Michaelo as she looked around the number of people gathered and socializing.
"Six of them….luckily the First family isn't here". He let out a sigh, relaxing his body on his chair.
"The other families are here as well ?" Gloria asked her tone unintentionally expressing her excitement.
Michaelo stared at her with a cold expression and she slowly turned away from his face.
Raffaelo observing them, sighed as a familiar thought crossed through his mind. 'Gloria used to have an infatuation about the First son of the first family, Dan Kang Li. My father never trusted them since their abilities were still kept a national secret and our family failed to claim the first rank from them…..well not this time'
Raffaelo's thoughts slowly drifted away when a choking feeling suddenly and slowly crept up his throat.
He felt the need to hold it as he caught quick breaths.
"That's some guts….Kelvin…..".
With a single sentence from his father and the heavy feeling seized.
Raffaelo looked up panting heavily only to notice he wasn't the only one in that situation.
His sisters except Gloria and Fiona all seemed to be rasping for help.
A wild laugh. Something you wouldn't think a human could make projected in their ears as Michaelo slowly stood up from his seat.
He looked up as a heavy breeze began to descend upon them and the loud screams of a wild bird echoed in the place, gaining the attention of all who had gathered there at the moment.
A Griffin slowly landed on the ground as a gray haired dark toned man in leopard coated clothing jumped down from the beast. "It was only a joke my friend".
"A joke ? Did you just choke my kids as a joke ?" His tone couldn't express how annoyed he was as his sword appeared in his hands. "Don't forget I don't even need a second to end you and your foul beasts"
The man's smirk only deepened as he brought out two daggers from his pouch wrapper around his waist.
"I don't need to take you down to defeat you…". His words seemed shallow but it had a deeper meaning and Raffaelo was well aware of this fact.
They glared at each other at what would possibly be an inevitable fight when a tall blue long haired man and a fair blonde haired woman slowly walked up to them. Their clothing wasn't any different from the rest though the color was rather unique but what really differentiated them from others were the long pointed tip of their ears. "Please refrain from causing trouble in the Kings castle". The man said, gaining their attention.
"If it isn't Derek. Still looking young I see". Kelvin, the white haired man chuckled "my lad over here can take both of you !" He screamed out and his Griffin only made things worse by increasing the audibility of its voice.
"Enough of your squirming…" the woman replied with a harsh tone in her voice. "Do you want the King to see you misbehave like this in his court ?"
Kelvin sighed as he slowly turned towards the table Michaelo seemed so evident on protecting. His gaze slowly flickered from his wife to his children and a dubious glint sparked in his eyes.
'.....' Raffaelo could tell. They were being looked down upon. Kelvin was the elder brother of the head of the 2nd Ranked family, Teras while the elves are the 5th ranked family, Silvan and these two families were hostile towards the Jun family before he regressed.
The number of families that were actually on their side were quite few and not everyone likes to see the all powerful stay at the top.
'These bastards….' He thought evidently showing hostility against them.
"How impudent….."
Their attention was slowly attracted by Morganna, who sat next to their mother. She had an expression of disgust on her face as she stared at Kelvin. "How dare a child speak in the midst of Adults without their permission".
It may have seemed like someone else was referring to her but these seemingly contrasting sentences were directed at Kelvin.
"What ?" His eyes shot red with anger. " Does your daughter not know the first meaning of respect ?"
"You should be more concerned with how much brain you have left in there for you to come out so openly to aggravate us !".
Now all their attention was fixed on Raffaelo.
Morganna's eyes slowly bulged open.
"You dare ? Aggravate the Great Jun Family ?!" His words though childish were still firm and vigorous and it left them speechless of words.
His expression was evidently cold as the air around him began to freeze up in his spur of emotions.
"This kid…" Kelvin muttered taking a step forward when he suddenly froze up. He felt a sting on his throat and on slowly looking towards his side, Gloria stood aiming her giant sword for his throat.
"It would be best if you stay out of our father's way…" she replied coldly.
"..."
Kelvin turned around as he climbed back up on his Griffin and immediately took off into the air.
Gloria and Michaelo slowly went back to their seats as the other guests continued with their conversation while trying as much as possible to avoid their gaze.
Derek and his wife slowly walked up to their table as they slowly turned their gaze at them
"Do you wish to cause a scene as well ?" Michaelo asked with a stern voice.
"Surely you jest !" Derek laughed out. "I am just here merely to greet you"
"Oh…" Michaelo stood up slowly as they shook hands
"It has been a while, Rachael". The woman said, covering her lower face with a hand fan.
Rachael chuckled. "Still the same, Luxia".
"Your kids have your fighting will in you" Derek said as he glanced at Raffaelo. "Especially your boy"
Michaelo chuckled. "Of course they would have to….They won't be able to protect themselves if not".
"True…" Derek sighed. " Do you wish to cause a commotion yourself though ?"
"Why would I? I just wish for the safety of my family".
"....hmm…with the appearance of the other three of the 12 great families…it might prove difficult".
"Why do you think that ?" Michaelo asked with a raised brow.
"....the other 3 families attending…the 9th family, La Teuer …..the fourth family, Son Goku and the 6th family, Merlin are all arriving…."
Michaelo sighed while pondering on his words.
"All I'm saying is…do be careful". He waved them goodbye as he walked away with his wife while Michaelo took his seat.
"Should we listen to him ?" Thalia asked with a worried expression.
"Don't be worried Thalia…we won't go down that easily even if they all decide to fight us right now…." Raffaelo whispered into her ears loud enough for the rest of his family to hear him.
They chuckled as they questioned Raffaelo on how he was bold enough to speak the way he did when a loud horn was blown.
All those who had been seated, quickly stood up and those who were in the midst of a conversation organized themselves as they walked up besides the red carpet while watching as the King in his admirably beautiful attire slowly walked up towards the Throne set for him.
His gaze flickered around the place until it fell on Raffaelo and a sinister smile began to grow on his face.