.
A month went by, and Taze's birthday approached.
Before now, his birthday had always been a quiet affair, but Taze was such a glorious Crown Prince that the nobles wouldn't hear of it!
A few were making it their mission to constantly plague King Vien with petitions to throw a massive birthday ball, and one even went as far as requesting an audience with King Vien.
"Your Majesty, the face of the Kingdom is on the line! We must show our prosperity by celebrating one so great as our Crown Prince!" One of the Council Mages put forth, but King Vien shook his head in exasperation.
"You think I don't want to celebrate my own son?! He himself has insisted on a quiet day! What more can be said?!"
"Your Majesty, this is one time the Crown Prince shouldn't get his way! His birthday is a Kingdom affair! Your Majesty, you must insist on a glorious banquet!"
And so it was...
The evening of Taze's birthday arrived with a grand sense of celebration which swept across the entire capital!
Streets were lined with colorful banners, and softly glowing lights were strung against the twilight sky. The air was alive with the sounds of merriment as the royal kitchens offered free food and drink to every citizen.
Rich aromas filled the air, as roasted meats, delicate pastries, and sweet fruits piled high on tables throughout the city.
There was music at every avenue, and laughter echoed throughout every square.
Meanwhile, the true splendor of the evening was within the heart of the Palace!
The grand banquet hall, was bathed in warm golden light from hundreds of floating crystal orbs.
Marble pillars lined the vast space, their surfaces swirling with intricate carvings of elven history, and between the columns were velvet drapes, embroidered with shimmering silver threads, framing the large glass windows that revealed the darkening sky and the soft flicker of lights in the city below.
The hall was filled with the most powerful nobles and mages across Luxia and the kingdoms beyond, with gents and ladies dressed in rich, delicate finery which fit their races and stations.
There were silks, velvets, and gossamer fabrics that seemed to float around, swishing as their wearers elegantly moved through the hall, their laughter mingling with the soft strains of a harp that played in the background.
Most female elves wore gowns which glittered with encrusted gems, or stylish embroidery, and the males wore elegant dress robes, sometimes topped with velvet coats, embroidered with gold or silver.
Celia herself was dressed in a silvery blue ball gown which matched her elegantly styled Silver hair, making her resemble a beautiful ethereal dream, floating through the banquet hall to socialize.
As she moved through the guests, she couldn't resist a smile at Grand Mages Patiel and Pariel in matching midnight blue and gold dress robes, especially since Grand Mage Patiel looked every bit as forbidding as one expected him to be at crowded gatherings, and his amiable twin was now steering him away from guests who were being overtly familiar!
Most of the fairy ladies were decked in Arlyle, a sheer wispy fabric which gave off a soft glow whenever they moved, and they were adorned in precious fairy gems which glistened in the warm light. The fairy gents were not too different from the elves, except for the fact that they were largely dressed in light colours of whites and golds.
The Merpeople wore long draping gowns or robes which seemed alive and shimmery- almost as it they were made of water.
Princess Larya's gown was a magnificent ensemble of blue and white, and it had Celia feeling underdressed! Their eyes met, and the two ladies gave a nod of acknowledgement, followed by a smile.
Next, Celia sought out Carla, who was dressed in a magnificent teal ball gown, which highlighted her beautiful eyes. Carla rushed over for a warm hug, her brown curls bouncing as she ran.
"Celia! It's been a while!"
"It's only been a few days!"
But Carla merely waved the protest away. "Nonsense! This is such a magnificent ball!" She sang prettily. "Say, do you think there's any tall, dark, and handsome elf here for me?!"
Unable to resist her charm, Celia smiled. "Ah, but Lord Winters is nearly losing his hair because you've been ignoring proposals." She leaned down to whisper. "All because of a certain red-heade-."
Carla playfully slapped her arm, and their eyes darted to a tall and handsome fairy, called Rone, who had also attended Elfsworth, but graduated two years before they did.
He had light brown eyes that almost looked golden, and shoulder length red hair which fell in straight waves. He and Carla had met again the previous year and had hit it off...
But Lord Winters didn't trust fairies!
Carla had applied to the Magic Council's Junior League, hoping to impress her father enough before asking, but there was no news from the League yet.
Celia nudged Carla. "Go talk to him. Lord Winters isn't here tonight, and if word reaches him, say I begged you to deliver a message for me!"
"Oh thank you thank you thank you!!" Carla squeezed her into a hug, and then vanished in a heart beat!
Celia shook her head and resumed scanning the hall, but a short while later, her skin prickled with unease.
There was something in the air... Something which nagged at her, demanding her attention...
But she firmly pushed it away!
This night was too important, and she quickly made her way to the Head table, where the Royal family sat.
She drew in a sharp breath as her eyes fell on Taze.
Taze was dressed in a deep green tunic, which looked almost black in the light, contrasting the embroidered silver vines that formed an intricate pattern of vines at its edges. An elegant, tailored coat draped over his shoulders, and his black hair had been swept back, a few stray curls hanging down beside his face.
'Is- isn't he a little too perfect?!!' Celia stared at him dazedly, as his green eyes brightened at the sight of her.
She flushed when he offered her a hand, guiding her to a seat by his right, and she bit her lower lip as the small contact made her imagine many things she had no business imagining in a hall full of people!
Taze's eyes fell to her lips, and he swallowed, hastily releasing her hand and picking his goblet.
~"I can feel your thoughts..."~ He said through telepathy, as he took a much needed gulp of the fine wine. The hall had become hot, and his ears reddened. ~"Stop it, if you don't want me to kiss you in front of everyone!"~
His words only made Celia turn a brilliant red, and she lowered her head, making Taze smirk.
King Vien sat at the head of the table, resplendent in deep blue robes woven with golden sigils of power. His black hair was swept back in regal waves, and his majestic crown gleamed in the soft light.
On King Vien's right was Taze, who had Celia by his own right, and on King Vien's left was Lord Scarlett, who was doing his best to unsee his daughter's blushes, and even 'unhear' her silent conversation with Taze!
A tinkling bell rang out and everyone made their way to their seats around the neatly arranged tables. But when King Vien tapped his goblet with a fork and rose to his feet, everyone stood up respectfully.
"My son, today is your day." King Vien announced, his voice resounding through the hall. "You have grown into a leader of strength and wisdom, one who will someday rule this kingdom with honor."
Taze grinned. "Thank you, Father! I'm honoured to be your son!" He said with a polite bow.
King Vien gave a proud nod before raising his goblet. "To the Crown Prince!"
And the entire hall raised their goblets and chorused, "To the Crown Prince!"
There was a cheer as everyone clinked goblets, and King Vien resumed his seat. "Let's eat!"
As the banquet progressed, the mood was joyous. King Vien conversed with Lord Scarlett and a few other nobles on their table.
Dishes of roasted pheasant, spiced wine, and fruits from every corner of Luxia were served. Laughter echoed around the room as toasts were made, and music grew more vibrant, encouraging a few brave couples to waltz on the dancefloor.
But then, it happened.
Taze was in the middle of pouring Celia a drink, when he noticed something strange- a sudden creeping silence around the hall. He looked up in time to see a nobleman collapse.
The man's face was twisted in pain, and he was clutching his throat.
Then another fell, and then another...
Gasps filled the hall as people began to realize something was wrong, and goblets dropped, spilling wine across the gleaming tables and floors.
"They've been poisoned!" Someone cried, and chaos erupted.
Screams filled the air as the guests pushed away from the tables, knocking over chairs in a mad bid to escape.
The mages jumped into action, trying to control the crowd, or heal those who had fallen.
But suddenly, the grand doors of the hall slammed open.
A wave of dark energy swept in, as tendrils of black smoke creeped in and spread around the hall. These were followed by a flurry of feet, as hundreds of dark cloaked figures invaded the hall.
Following closely behind them, was none other than Vitav!
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