As they entered the gateway, it was even more exquisite. The gardens held all sorts of beautiful flowers, Zinnias, Cosmos, Marigolds and more. A fountain was set in the middle, the structure of a woman holding a Zinnia in her left arm close to the baby she held in her right arm.
The sound of water splashing, birds chirping, the warmth of the sun, it felt like paradise.
It was even more enormous that it looked to be on the outside. The flooring was a clear marble, the color of alabaster, with designs the color of rosewood. The walls were just like the flooring, with designs and arches. Columns in front of a staircase, rug carpeting was the color of wine red.
Above the staircase was two thrones, the color of red and gold, it appeared to be empty.
Jin wore a confused face, the empress probably went for a stroll in the garden.
"Ah…Jin, could you let go, you're going to rip off my arm," August complained.
Jin forgot he was holding onto his arm so he simply agreed and let go.
"We already spent more time than we were supposed to hunting, remember we still have a banquet to attend for the new council member." Jin said.
August was completely unamused, "Can't I just skip it this time, these kinds of things are sooo boring. I'd rather eat a frog in a bowl of mushroom soup." August humphed.
"You would either way," Jin smirked.
"What do you mean I would either way?!" August said in an ill-mannered tone.
"You do all of that tomfoolery stuff, it'd be no surprise if you did anything unordinary,"
"Excuse me?" August glared at Jin.
The two bickered with each other.
A sudden voice interrupted them, "You two! Always fighting about the stupidest things on earth, learn to get along!"
It was a boy who looked to be the same age as August and Jin. His eyes were like the sparkling sea with the sun gleaming over. Long brown hair, half tied into braids, reaching his waist. He wore Armor with garments around the wrist, a robe the color of bermuda with ivory outlines. A sword in cloth around his back.
"Vidar! Talk some sense into this guy, he thinks that I would eat a frog in a bowl of mushroom soup! I absolutely undoubtedly hate mushrooms! And why would I even eat a frog in the first place?"
"I'm not wrong, he would" Jin shrugged.
Vidar was left with no words, "Just…Stop… Stop with this nonsense! I was ordered to take August to his chambers to get ready! We only have an hour left since someone decided to go for a hunt!" Vidar yelled.
August and Jin avoided his glare.
"Wait." August looked back at Vidar, "How did you know we went out to hunt" August was suspicious.
"If you use your little brain you were gifted from your mother," Vidar poked August's forehead and continued, "A guard noticed all of the commotion you caused at the hunters field and word was sent around the palace, the preceptor had to go out and clean up the mess you left."
August felt ashamed of himself.
"All this chit chat, we still need to get you ready before you're late!" Vidgar exclaimed.
The three of them went to the chambers, Jin picked out all sorts of outfits and accessories, Vidgar had August's makeup done, apparently he was a good artist, so the other servants left it to him.
Jin was a personal servant for August, but servant doesn't fit as well. August and Jin are like brothers to each other, they play around, bicker, and do everything together.
An opulent robe filled with luxury and elegance. The deep navy blue is accented by intricate ivory outlines that highlights the silhouette of the robe. The interior of the robe boasts a lining of ornate gold decorations. The robe is decorated with a series of intricate patterns, featuring Zinnia flowers and a radiant sun. A thin gold scarf is draped across the body, adding a touch of refinement.
Powder was patted onto August, it made him even more pale than he already was. Eyeliner shaped his eyes with blue and gold, it made him look even more appealing and pulchritudinous, he looked like an entire new person.
"Ugh..My face feels so heavy, I understand I need to cover my face, but can't you find any other products that feel lighter" August complained.
"Stop fussing and deal with it, we don't have much time left," Vidar crossed his arms.
"You actually look better than you ever had," Jin complimented.
"That is true," Vidar agreed.
"It was you guys who made me look like this! Why are you complimenting me?!" August was flustered, "Whatever, let's just head out, we're already late, aren't we?"
By the time they got outside to head to the banquet it was already dusk, the sun peeked over the village, it beamed with the colors of yellow, orange, and a tint of coral with clouds scraping the sky. It was truly an enchanting sight.
As they loomed over the sight, They were finally at the doors to the banquet, it seemed to be closed. Whenever there would be a party or banquet there would be guards standing next to the open doors, but there was no sign of them.
"Maybe since we're late they probably shut the doors?" Not just Jin, but all of them were confused.
"I'll try knocking, they probably forgot about us," Vidar said.
Forget? Forgetting about the Prince of the Palace? One of the most Important figures in the palace, it was unlikely.
"..."
There was no sound beyond the door.
Jin then suddenly remembered, "Wait! Isn't it held at the ballroom? Not the hall? I overheard servants from the palace,"
"I got no word, I only heard that it'd be at the hall not the ballroom," Vidar said.
All of them were confused.
"Let's just check it out anyway," August pushed the matter aside.
Jin and Vidar agreed.
Walking all the way to the otherside of the palace, Jin was out of breath. They finally got to the door, but it was the same as the hall, closed and with no guards.
"Huh?" All three of them were dumbfounded.
"Where could they be?" Vidar pondered.
"Ah!" Jin suddenly recalled something.
"You better be right this time," August remarked.
"Don't worry, I heard from a few disciples that it'd be held in the great hall!"
Besides the banquet hall, there was the great hall usually for announcing nobles, kings and queens. It was also used for bestowing fiefdoms.
"We're going back and forth here! This time, you better be right!" August complained.
"To save time I'll take the prince, you can walk on your own," Vidar looked at Jin.
"W-what…Nooo!! Take me with you! Do you know how long of a walk it is back there?!" Jin cried.
"You survived hunting with August but you can't simply walk from the hall and back? What tomfoolery." Vidar got his sword out, levitating, August hoped on with Vidar standing in front.
August stuck his tongue out towards Jin making him even more Jealous of August. Jin was left shocked and sobbing on the ground.
After a few minutes, they both finally arrived. August looked around for Jin but Vidar interrupted, "Don't bother, he's probably not even halfway here."
They saw the guards stand at the door, they instantly recognized the prince and pulled open the door, a vast hallway was exposed, the walls were velvet red with gold linings of all sorts of designs. The floor was a clear marble with a red carpet as a pathway leading up to two thrones, one for the king and the other for the queen. Many tables were set up, plates and utensils were set on them.
The hall was crowded with people of high status, the Council was in the front whilst many other important figures were around them. The queen was worried, the preceptor comforted her, but the king was furious.
The queen wore a lavish robe the color of light pink and gold, a scarf draped around the body. Her face was pale, worn with heavy makeup, round eyes were the color of coral. overall she was a beauty. Her hair was tied up into a bun with her bangs flowing down. On Top of her head was a crown that signatures as the queen of the land.
The king wore a lavish black embroidered robe, gold cuffs around his wrist. His facial features were young but there was a sense of old age, just looking at him he was handsome. His eyes were amber colored, which were added to his overall handsomeness. His face was filled with fury which was why no one dared to speak to him. His hair was tied into a bun covered by a mianguan, matching his robe.
The preceptor was wearing a white robe with the collar and belt the color of paprika with small designs of flowers. His sleeves covered his entire arm, no skin showed besides his face. He looked to be young, still in his early thirties. His eyes were sharp, the color of deep green hazel filled them. His midnight black hair flew down a little over his waist, truly one of the most beautiful preceptors out there.
The others wore lavish robes, and decorations. Some beautiful, some normal.
The sound of silence and awkwardness as Vidar and August entered the hall. The queen switched faces as she saw August, she was calmer. The perceptor also switched faces, the face of disappointment and furry. He glared straight at August, August looked around Vidar but he already swooped to the side, avoiding the preceptors gaze. August felt betrayed but the silence didn't last long. Everyone went back to what they were doing.
August walked forward towards the preceptor and his parents.
He laughed nervously while getting scolded by the preceptor, "Going for a hunt right before an Important event like this?! How ignorant. You made the queen worry, and your father is furious!" SLAP…He hit his fan on August's head whilst scolding him even more, "Causing a racket out there? Really, how childish can you be! You're sixteen years old, not six!"
"P…preceptor, could you please stop hitting my head…" August cried.
SLAP…the preceptor hit him even harder, "This isn't even a punishment! If you were a normal citizen you would be dead by now!"
"Ehm…" the one who made that noise was the king.
"Your majesty," The preceptor acted like nothing happened.
While the king spoke, the preceptor grabbed August's arm and put him next to him and the queen.
"As we speak of today, congratulations to the new Council member, Borys. As we all stand here together we shall enjoy today's festive banquet," the king announced.
"To your majesty," the people held their wine cups up and bowed at the same time.
August sighed and lacked proper position, the state preceptor hit his back, August stood up properly, nervous was written all over his face with the preceptor glaring at him.
.
.
.
After some hours had passed, August left everyone's sight, while the preceptor was having a good time with his other people.
It was dark, the moon gleamed through the dark, navy sky.
He jumped up onto the roofs, the guards didn't notice at all, he went out into the forest. Once he found a good spot he relaxed, sitting on a tree trunk. He tried wiping the makeup off of his face but it only made him look like a monster instead.
He only had just sat down until he needed to find a stream of water. He then went searching all over the forest and finally found a perfectly clean stream. He took the outer part of his robe off, leaning into the stream and sinking his hands into the water splashing it onto his face. After some time, his face was entirely red from rubbing it with his bare hands.
As he put on his robe, he heard voices.
He wanted to take a peak but also didn't want to be found out so he hid behind a bush near the stream.
"So much work, it's going to take so much effort! Only to destroy this stupid kingdom! PTOOEY…" The creature that was talking spat on the ground, this guy wasn't an ordinary human nor was the guy next to him.
"We have to follow the king's order or else we would be brought to the dungeon, remember what happened to O'l Frank!" the demon next to him chimed in.
The demon got shivers.
"Of course I do! He met a terrible ending, how tragic, but that could be us if we were to fail spying on the kingdom!"
August forced his hands onto his mouth, uttering no sound.
Once he was sure they had left he dropped his hands, breathing heavily.
"August!" someone shouted.
It was Vidar.
"Vidar, you may think I'm crazy but the demons! The demons–" August tugged onto Vidar's robe, "Get off of me and properly stand up and tell me." Vidar tried to kick August off.
August stood up and instead grabbed Vidars shoulders, "The…The demons are planning on invading our kingdom, Zinnia!"
Vidar laughed it off, "What do you mean? The demons have been long gone for fifty years, what kind of food did you eat today?" He raised an eyebrow.
"I'm telling the truth! You've got to believe me!" August pressed on.
"Yeah, sure I'll believe you," Vidar sarcastically said.
August felt a sense that he didn't believe him at all, he then let go of Vidars shoulders.
He hung his head low, rain started pouring down.
That night everyone said their goodbyes and went back where they came from.
Vidar brang August back to the preceptor, "How many times do I have to tell you, you keep on causing trouble all around," he swatted August on the back of his head.
"It's too late to scold you properly, go back to your chambers!" The preceptor held his fan closed, August wanted to say something but kept his mouth shut.
The preceptor noticed something, "If you have something to say then spit it out," he sighed.
Though August felt as he shouldn't say a word but something came out, "In the forest," he had his head hung low, he looked up at the preceptor and continued, "I saw creatures, I'm not sure, I think they were demons, but they said that they are going to attack our kingdom, Zinnia!" August pleaded, he sure had guts yelling in the preceptors face.
By this, the preceptor himself was shocked, "N…Nonsense!" again, he swatted August's head, "What guts you have, shouting right at me! You're probably seeing things, go rest, go!"
After all this talk, August was kicked out of the great hall. He knew he shouldn't have poked his head into this matter but he still was curious after all.
Vidar was still behind him, "Don't overthink, just as the preceptor said, you're imagining things. Get some rest," Vidar waved off August.
August shook his head and went back to his chambers.
The walls were dark beige with marble, the flooring, it had a red velvet carpet with gold lining with patterns of flowers. The room itself was costly and exquisite, everything inside of it cost more than a normal human's life worth.
There was a bed on the right side, it had a front frame made out of dark wood which had the design of flowers, railings on the side. A beige curtain hung from the corners of the frame, Truly, magnificent.
As he thought about what the demons said, his curious mind grew more and more. He had a notion, instead of tucking himself in bed, he grabbed his sword that hung on the wall, opened his closet, many robes of expense were seen, these robes were usually for parties and banquets but in the very back were hunting and cultivation. He only grabbed a couple and folded it inside of his bag.
Once he stuffed everything in his bag, he wiped a few drops of sweat off of his forehead, he slowly opened the doors, searching the palace for any guard or servants. It was all clear, he carefully stepped out of his room and shut the door behind him.
He carefully hopped onto his sword and soared in the palace, this was disgraceful, it'd be even more disgraceful in front of people, the preceptor would probably scold and punish August as much as he could if he were to do this. But it'd cause too much of a racket if he were to walk down to the exit of the palace, which is way too risky, he was going to 'investigate' the demons.
In this case, 'investigate' is simply running away to search around the village to prove everyone that he was right.
Of course, this was childish, but it's August, the one who causes mischief and havoc everywhere he goes.