Mikail's POV
The festivities continued into the evening. It was getting late, and it was probably time to wrap things up. As far as I know, this wasn't the usual kind of celebration. I'd been to previous birthdays, but most didn't have nearly as many guests as this one, and I also assume the Bradlleys didn't get to invite their own friends. Normally, I remember my parents dancing to end the celebration, though that was only when there were guests. Heinrich wasn't particularly fond of that sort of thing, so sometimes it got to the point where he'd only celebrate Verena's Name Day. The tense atmosphere was probably what changed the plans, or maybe it's just because we're kids. I mean, I haven't been taught much about etiquette, but Eve seems to know how to behave well enough...as long as she's not around sweets.
I recognized a few faces in the crowd—knights, counts, and barons who served my father. My grandfather was there along with a dozen older men, as well as some people with the last name Sigmaringen whom I'd never seen before. Maybe a fifth birthday was a good chance to introduce me to the rest of the family, but things seem to have gotten tense. A young, dark-haired man with an overly large nose broke the tension; he was someone I didn't recognize.
"I suppose I'll be the first to break the tension after His Highness's recent announcement! I foresaw that you'd make a bold move, and I feel like I didn't waste a single coin on this gift!" Three servants entered in a procession, each carrying a huge strip of fabric, all purple. My father smiled and raised his chin at the gift.
And rightly so. Purple was an expensive color, so expensive that in the Roman Empire, only the Emperor was allowed to wear it. He's declaring his support without saying a word.
"That's an extremely generous gift, Duke Nicolo."
All the other guests seemed shocked, so it really must have been a big deal. My father's vassals seemed eager to compete with Nicolo, but I doubt they'd manage at this point. After that, a line of people stepped forward to present their gifts.
Of those I recognized, the counts and barons brought varied offerings—one gifted a white colt, others brought jewelry, gold, and silver. Since they likely had to think of Eve as well, the gifts weren't too personalized. Instead of giving ready-made clothes, Nicolo provided the fabric to make them. Rather than guessing what we'd like, they simply started giving money. Well, that's the best kind of gift.
"It's been a while, brother." A man with dark hair, quite similar to my father but a bit younger, stepped forward and bowed. I assumed those with the name Sigmaringen were relatives; given how people love having children, we probably have quite a big family here.
"Fritz, it's genuinely good to see you by my side."
"I didn't have time to prepare a gift, so I'll be arrogant enough to assume that abandoning my old lord to fight by your side is a significant gift in itself."
Both laughed, and Fritz stepped aside, making way for the last noble present.
"I didn't underestimate you, future Emperor!"
A man clad in the pelt of an albino lion approached. His beard wasn't dirty, but it was unkempt, and his clothes were anything but elegant or refined. He wore an eyepatch over his left eye, and just below it, a crooked smile. He was tall and incredibly sturdy, with veins bulging from his arms even with the slightest movement.
"Ragnar, I didn't imagine you'd join us."
"And I didn't imagine you'd have the balls for it! But here we are." He had a truly commanding aura. "My people crave for battle, and I hate politics! I didn't become king of the Danes to sit around doing nothing! I WANT WAR AS MUCH AS YOU DO!" I heard a small gasp next to me at the table, it was Eve. "I offer you the full strength of my army. Hohenzollern is surrounded with me by your side. I offer you my axe! We will march relentlessly!"
Holy hell, this guy's intense. He probably wants the conflict to start right now, but I don't think it'll work that way.
"I appreciate your honesty, King Ragnar. According to your wishes, war will indeed come." Klaus spoke, without leaving his seat. "I only ask for patience, war, in the end, is also politics."
"Yes, I understand, Lord Klaus. But I'm glad. You truly are the kind of men I heard about... I leave my gifts here and will depart immediately. Resolve whatever you need to resolve and call on me when required."
He turned, and his men handed over dozens of crates before rushing to follow him.
Klaus and Heinrich POV
Speaking against neutrality was what brought Lord Ragnar to our side. It was risky; it brought us more enemies than we needed—it was a gamble, but it worked!
Evellyn POV
That man really scared me. Don't tell me there really will be a war—I've barely lived my life! Ugh, maybe this is why they want to send us to Rome. I couldn't see well from my position, but Mikail didn't even blink after all of that.
Ragnar's gifts included twelve crates filled with animal pelts—wolves, boars, even bears. A brutal gift from a brutal man in a...
The celebrations continued, and we were finally allowed to leave the table. I guess in a normal situation, people would congratulate the newly engaged couple, but maybe kids wouldn't fully understand, and the adults...were probably congratulating our parents.
The banquet continued; food was in no short supply, but by now, I was full.
"How are you?"
Mika asked so suddenly, but this time, I wasn't startled.
"Hmmm, that Ragnar guy really scared me, but I'm...okay?"
"I see, hmmm...so, we're engaged now? That's...weird."
"Y-yeah, I don't even know what that means haha. I remember saying a few times about wanting to marry my dad." I used to say that a lot when I was little in my past life, and my dad even recorded one of those moments. So silly of me. Maybe saying that sounded strange.
"I see... Well, as long as you're okay, that's all that matters." He walked off again. I don't understand boys, maybe because I used to be a nerd.
After a while, people started saying their goodbyes. The castle was large, so many of them stayed quite comfortably, while others insisted on leaving immediately. Regardless, it was only when everyone left that Mika returned; he didn't even notice me when he stepped back into the hall.
"Ah, it's finally over. I couldn't take it anymore." I guess he's not the sociable type; it's odd considering that children tend to become introverted over time. He hasn't had enough life experiences for that. Nah, forget it—I'm going to bed.
I rushed to leave after grabbing another sweet and shoving it in my mouth, but I tripped and fell.
"Eve?" Ouch, that hurt.
"Oww."
"You should be more careful; there's no need to rush around." He extended a hand to help me, but I didn't take it. How embarrassing—I fell flat on my face! "Come on, get up!" He held me by the waist and helped me to my feet. I felt tears well up from the pain, and I realized the sweet I had stuffed in my mouth was now scattered on the floor.
"I loosth a toof!" No way. I checked, and it was true—ONE OF MY FRONT TEETH HAD FALLEN OUT! Now I really wanted to cry, how ridiculous.
"Pff." And this jerk is laughing?!
He was holding back a laugh; my eyes were already filled with tears, but I held them in.
"Hey, don't laugh!"
"Sorry, sorry, my bad. You'll be fine. Want me to take you to your mom?" I nodded. He quickly patted my hair and started leading me through the castle to my mother. Unfortunately, she was with my father, so it turned into a whole ordeal as we explained the story.
"Thanks." I said as he slipped away. Thank goodness these baby teeth were meant to fall out; otherwise, it'd be a problem.
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Only after all the guests had left did everything start getting organized for our departure. While my parents would head back north, we'd be heading in the opposite direction. It took another week to prepare, and my interactions with Mikail were slightly more frequent. But nothing much happened; I did meet some of his cousins.
Not only that, but on the day before our departure, Lady Sigmaringen went into labor, so we delayed our departure until she was well enough to accompany us.
It's nerve-wracking to leave the comfort of my parents, but I have plenty of experience living alone, so I'm used to it. I don't know about little Mika here; maybe I should pamper him a bit on the trip so he doesn't lose his mind.
The Lord and Lady Sigmaringen were sweet. And very sweet at that! Verena gave us an overabundance of sweets for the journey, in addition to regular supplies. From what I could see, it would take no more than four days to reach Rome. So I guess she did it because she saw I have a bit of a sweet tooth, hehe.
"Go with God, my son. And you too, little Eve." She hugged us tightly. My father was teary-eyed, more emotional than my mother.
"May He watch over you both."
"Very well, I think your father didn't have the courage to teach you these things, but don't be afraid to knee a boy in the balls if he bothers you, understand?" What?! "Even if it's Mika, there are situations that call for that sort of thing, got it?" What?!
Mika definitely heard that; I'm sure I saw him flinch and lean over suddenly.
We got into the carriage, and everyone said their goodbyes. Several knights escorted our carriage, and finally, we set off toward Rome.