The Capital was designed in a way that the richest would occupy the most secure place inside.
The outer walls of the Capital would sometimes have temporary tents, where traders used to sell their goods to people passing who did not want to pay the gate toll, though these things they sold were not of the best value compared to what was inside.
The inside of that large city called The Capital housed three different walls, although the outer walls was already there. These inner walls, according to my reasoning weren't just there to provide better protection. They were also there to keep the lowly commoners out.
Inside the outer walls was everyone: the commoners, the nobles, even up to royalty. We were all inside those outer walls. But if one travelled long enough, one would encounter another large wall. This was the first inner wall: only nobles were allowed past this wall. If one were a commoner, one could only dream of entering into here, but never really make it in. Nobles, naturally had tokens used to identify themselves for things like this restricted only to nobles, so that if a commoner wanted it, they would be denied.
Inside the first inner walls was another wall which only higher nobles and royalty were permitted. Lower nobles were not permitted in through the second inner wall, except on rare occasions such as this one. On this occasion, all nobles were invited in to the party and it was with this invitation that they would get in through the second and third inner walls.
The third inner wall was where the Royal Palace was located. It was where the King and his family lived, along with his most trusted advisors, guards and other close people. Currently we were headed here from the first inner wall; which is where we had rented a mansion.
The carriage bounced up and down as the horses galloped with speed towards the closest gate into the second inner wall. I didn't travel as much on carriage so this bouncing did irritate me so. I had complained, but Father just said I would get used to it eventually. After that, I knew it would be pointless to do so again.
Leanna on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying the ride, as she looked at all the other carriages passing by us and those we passed by, naming the families by their crests. She was always the one politically inclined so she naturally knew these things. I, on the other hand was just a simple shut-in, until sometime ago.
We journeyed by carriage for about an hour or two before the carriage finally stopped, excepting those few times we had to stop to show our invitations to the party and confirm our identity. I remembered something like this happened the last time, but I didn't pay too much attention to it. Lord Monroe was the one who had taken care of all that.
Our carriage had stopped along with the others, by the Palace entrance. We would dismount and leave the driver to go park the carriage someplace else; which had been made available by the royals.
On getting out of the carriage, we walked a little before arriving at huge doors that was the Palace entrance. Here, some other nobles were entering freely and following where the others were going. The influx of nobles was really much, though it could be attributed to the nobles all attending with the whole of their immediate families.
Some nobles had as much as five wives and some didn't even know all their children. I was thankful Father had decided not to remarry after Mother died. In a way, it was also good for us, see.
Human, why are there so many of your kind here? Aren't you some big shot? Get them to leave, they are causing a racket.
We had gotten into a large hall room and the number of people inside seemed to get in a little someone's nerves.
"You know you are not to talk in public, you may give away the fact that you are here." I whispered, just loud enough for it to be in Eron's hearing.
What, are the other humans going to kill me? They should know their place. I can end everyone here in one fell swoop.
"Really? Now, you're just bragging."
Try me.
"Just. Be quiet. It's best to avoid the attention, okay?"
Sure, sure. Just know, as long as you wish to become a truly strong person, you can never, and I mean never avoid the attention forever.
"Yeah, well. I just want to avoid it for as long as possible. So, please stop talking." I whispered on to Eron.
"Son, who are you talking to?" My father asked, turning his head back to face me. He had been greeting some other nobles, along with my sister so they didn't pay much attention to me. We were not allowed into the Palace with arms or guards, so I had been standing on my own, just a little ways from them.
"No one. Did you hear me say something?" I asked.
"I thought I did. Nevermind, remember all we talked about today, okay? Don't mess up, you have a real chance here." He said.
"Yeah and so does every other young man in this room." I answered.
"At the very least, we ought to try. It certainly wouldn't hurt you, no?" He said.
"You have no idea." I replied.
Just then, the doors on the opposite side of the hall room from where we entered slowly creaked as they were being pulled open. The doors completely made way to reveal a much larger hall with four thrones at the top of the dais. I remembered this place very well. This was the same place I had found out that Alicia was actually the First Princess.
Everyone flocked in as our presence was announced, lowest status preceding the next higher status. Our family was called at the twenty plus mark, making our standing very low in the overall kingdom.
Eventually, everyone's presence was announced and then, the royal family began to enter one at a time as their arrival was also announced. Everyone was required to bow as this happened, and I wasn't an exception. Although, someone got grumpy about me lowering my head when he was atop it without as much as a warning.
'Sorry, Eron. I got so used to you being there I forgot you weren't part of my head.'
After the King entered, we all raised our heads as was asked. My eyes, as well as a very good number of others dashed straight for the one whose birthday party was today, who would come of age this day; the First Princess: Alicia Xanderwood.