Soul of the Warrior

Reivyn stood next to Kefira in the same hall they had held her ball in almost a year ago. It was a subtle difference, but many of the guests in attendance made note that Reivyn was standing next to Kefira. Previously, Reivyn had been positioned such that it could be construed that he was just nearby. There was no confusing the two with their proximity this evening.

“So glad of you to join us,” Kefira smiled and held her hand out to another young nobleman.

Reivyn offered his own hand and shook the other man’s with a smile on his face. The young man had a look of consideration on his face as he walked by to make room for the next guest.

They had not told anyone in advance that this was an engagement party. All anyone knew was that Kefira was holding yet another ball. Enough time had passed since the last one that it wasn’t too unusual, but Kefira had never been one to be known for the parties she threw.

Reivyn and Kefira basked in the gazes of confusion and speculation. Reivyn could tell that Kefira was having a lot of fun with the suspense.

The adult chaperones, like previously, made their way to the upper floor so as to be out of the way. Reivyn caught more than a few glances from the noble wives with an expectation of snagging another dance with him later. Even Lady Cylia gave him an expectant glance.

Looks like her son’s animosity and ambition to get with Kefira isn’t enough for her, Reivyn chuckled to himself. It would be a good idea to give a little bit of attention to the matrons in attendance, but I’ll have to balance that with the time I spend with Kefira. I’ll have to ask her opinion on the matter, though. She’s not one to get jealous, but this is a special day for both of us.

“Her Imperial Highness, Sovereign Ameliyn of Vynn!” The Majordomo called.

The room went silent and everyone turned to witness the person called by the Majordomo. It wasn’t everyday that someone was introduced as an Imperial Sovereign. Reivyn looked up in surprise as his mother glided into the room. All eyes were on her, and she accepted the attention with grace.

Almost everyone in attendance, even the older adults on the second floor, didn’t know who Ameliyn was. Their interest was piqued at her introduction, and everyone strained to hear what she would have to say while greeting Kefira.

Everyone was shocked, however, when Reivyn was the one to step forward and utter an unbelievable sentence.

“Good evening, mother,” Reivyn said. He bowed slightly and kissed the back of Ameliyn’s hand in a familial way.

A pin drop could be heard, and Reivyn could have sworn he heard a collective gasp reverberate through the hall.

Reivyn was a well-known individual at this point. Everyone had done their research on him and how he had come into the employ of Kefira. The fact that he was an Adventurer-turned-soldier-turned-Liaison was a well-known fact. To discover he was an Imperial Prince of all things was almost too much for some people to handle.

Remfort, the ring-leader of many of the young nobles who tried to get between Reivyn and Kefira, leapt to his feet. His jaw stayed on the table, however, and he stammered as he pointed at Reivyn with astonishment written across his face.

At a different table, Petre likewise lost his composure. His astonishment was of a different sort, though, as he was on friendly terms with Reivyn. To learn that the young man he had befriended despite his upbringing was, in fact, of higher peerage than him momentarily stunned him; however, he took it in a different light than Remfort and his coterie.

After a brief moment of silence, a wide grin split his face and he turned to the others seated next to him.

“See! See!:” He exclaimed. “That’s my friend!”

The others at the table were of the same basic faction as Petre’s family, though, so they weren’t as impressed. They were on friendly terms with Reivyn, too, through their relationship with Kefira.

“Well, it looks like I stole a bit of your thunder, son,” Ameliyn said with a slight smile. “Sorry about that.”

“Haha, I don’t think you did, actually,” Reivyn replied.

“I’ll see you in a bit, hon.”

“Sure thing, mom”

Ameliyn turned and headed to the steps to join the rest of the adults on the second floor. Silfa welcomed her with open arms. She and her husband had been there since the beginning to entertain the older guests as they arrived.

Refix had stood back to allow his wife to garner all of the attention, a habit formed from their time as teenagers, but he stepped forward and followed his wife up the stairs.

Riley and Kailey entered the ball room after their parents and skipped over to Reivyn and Kefira.

“The Imperial Princesses of Vynn, Riley and Kailey,” The Majordomo intoned.

They had gone a little off script by bouncing over to their brother and future sister-in-law so quickly, but nobody had anything to say about it. They were still stunned by the continuous revelations of status.

Reivyn turned to survey the crowed to catch their reactions. He frowned when he noticed a thoughtful expression take over Remfort’s face.

That little weasel, Reivyn gripped his fist. He quickly relaxed his involuntary reaction, though. Hah! Like he’s got a chance with either of them. I’ll just keep an eye out to make sure he and his goons don’t do anything inappropriate. Heaven help him survive the wrath of our mother if he does, though.

He knew that his sisters weren’t Combat Classers, but that wouldn’t stop them running circles around anyone trying to accost them. They were able to implement their Skills in unique ways that even he had a hard time guarding against.

It’s probably the fact that they aren’t combat Skills that they work so well on me, Reivyn mused. That begs an interesting question, but I should think about it later.

Reivyn returned his focus to the guests continuing to stream in through the doors. Riley and Kailey had skipped away after their brief greeting to sit at the main table where a place was set for them.

Reivyn noted that Petre and his friends engaged them in friendly conversation immediately. He had never seen his sisters in a social interaction before, so he didn’t know if they were going to be shy or anything, but they seemed to be adapting like ducks in water from what he could observe.

Eventually, the trickle of guests dwindled. Almost all of the nobility, or at least their younger generation, from the capital and a few closer cities were represented in the crowd. There were also the well-to-do families: wealthy merchants, high-end crafters, and powerful Adventuring clans.

They didn’t open the doors for foreign dignitaries for the engagement party, though. That would have taken way too long and too much coordination simply for the announcement. They would send out the invitations for the wedding ceremony, only. That also included the lesser lords and ladies from further duchies and counties within the Tier 4 Region and their subordinate nobles from the lower Tiered Regions that were part of the Willowan Empire.

The guests were introduced and seated, and the room was filled with the low buzz of conversation. It halted in turn as Reivyn and Kefira made their way to their seats, arm in arm. For those that hadn’t had a clue up until now, what with the revelation of Reivyn’s true status and the way he escorted Kefira and sat next to her, everyone was finally aware of their relationship.

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The crowd was allowed to simmer and converse among each other for several minutes before Gennet finally made his way down the steps from the second floor to the main event. He walked to a podium conspicuously placed behind the table where Reivyn and Kefira were seated.

Gennet held up his wine glass and tapped it with his spoon. The hall was large enough that one would expect the sound wouldn’t reach; however, Gennet must have employed some sort of Skill.

Probably a Social Skill of some sort, Reivyn thought.

The sound was clear and sonorous throughout the entire venue. Everyone heard it as if they were sitting next to Gennet. The conversation quickly dwindled away until there was once more silence.

“Esteemed friends,” Gennet began, addressing the youth on the first floor. It was a calculated move to give them face and let them feel more important, even though their chaperones were present for the event. “Thank you all for gathering with us on this momentous occasion.

“I know many of you are wondering as to the purpose of this gathering, as we have not announced ahead of time what it is. I will quickly dispel any doubts anyone has.”

Gennet held out his hand to Kefira with a smile.

“Dear, come join me.”

He waited patiently as Kefira gathered herself and mounted the short podium to stand beside her father. The two of them faced the crowd.

“As everyone is aware, we had announced nearly a year ago that our lovely daughter was seeking suitors. We have watched as many of you have jockeyed for position and employed various tactics to gain my daughters attention.

“For this, I must apologize.”

Gennet stopped and bowed his head to the young crowd for a couple of seconds. He didn’t drag it out, though, and he quickly lifted his head to continue.

“What we didn’t tell you is that she had already found her suitor.”

Gennet was used to giving speeches, and it showed in his perfect timing for a short breath of air to allow those in the crowd to erupt in muted conversation. Everyone wasn’t stupid. They had seen that some things just weren’t right, but they also had their own ingrained biases. Nobody, until this very evening, had ever considered Reivyn to be a true contender for Kefira’s affections. He was just a subordinate, after all.

Now, all eyes swiveled to him. He remained calm under the scrutiny and simply looked up to Kefira and her father standing on the podium.

“I see that most of you have put two and two together,” Gennet chuckled. “Yes, young Reivyn, Prince of Vynn, is the very suitor I mentioned.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering how my beloved daughter could have fallen for one of her subordinates, but that’s only the surface. Their courtship started before he became her liaison.

“It isn’t that Kefira fell in love with one of her subordinate, but rather that she secured a prestigious position for the one she loved.”

More conversation was struck up on the reveal of the details. Gennet let the youngsters talk amongst themselves for a few moments before continuing once more.

“I know, I know,” Gennet said. “This doesn’t seem any better than the other way around. It sounds like she was giving special favors to those close to her.

“To that, I have two things to say:

“Number one: It was System sanctioned. Reivyn would not have been able to take on the position if he wasn’t qualified. He has all of the qualifications necessary, and then some, to hold the position that he does. The System has judged him worthy. I won’t hear any gossip on how he got the position through the backdoor.

“Number two: So what if he did?” Gennet smirked at the shocked expressions on the youths in the crowd. “Kefira is an Imperial Princess! She has the discretion to make her own decisions, and there’s nothing in the rules preventing her from appointing her loved one to the position he has.

“Even if he wasn’t qualified for the position, it is not your turn to criticize my daughter’s decision.”

Gennet switched from a friendly elder facade to a ferocious father backing his daughter at all costs at the flip of a switch. His demeanor morphed into one of deadly certainty at the end of his exclamation. He swept the crowd with a stern expression.

More than one throat moved as the owner gulped their saliva in nervousness.

Just as quickly as the ferocious look had come, it was gone. Once again, Gennet was the epitome of the friendly uncle.

Many backs were soaked with sweat, but everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.

“Now, that was just an appetizer to the true intentions of the gathering.”

Gennet held out his hand once more, this time to Reivyn. Reivyn smiled as his eyes remained locked on Kefira’s. He stood up and crossed the short distance to stand beside her. He grasped her hand and turned to face the crowd with her.

“It is with great joy that we, my wife and I, announce the engagement of Princess Kefira to Prince Reivyn.”

There was a sort of inflection in Gennet’s voice, and Reivyn wondered if not a little Skill, that called out to the seated crowd to cheer. It was like an avalanche. It was inevitable.

First, the crowd of youngsters with the best relationship with Kefira and no designs on getting attached to the Imperial Family began to clap. As others were drawn in by the energy, the clapping reached a crescendo, and many youngsters whooped and put their fingers together to give out loud whistles.

The applause went on for several moments. Reivyn noticed there wasn’t as much enthusiasm equally amongst those gathered. Remfort and his cronies only gave a half-hearted few claps before sulking in their seats.

Reivyn could see the defeat in Remfort’s eyes, though several of his underlings had apparently not realized the whole situation. Some of them leaned forward and appeared to offer either comfort or ideas for Remfort to consider, but he simply brushed them aside and continued to sulk.

Reivyn hid a smirk, marshaling his military bearing to maintain a simple smile on his face.

“The wedding date is still undetermined,” Gennet continued as the applause finally abated. “Know that everyone will receive an invitation for such a grand event, of course. It will be one of the finest weddings in all the Region.”

Gennet turned to face Kefira for a brief moment.

“Sorry dear, but I can’t let you show up your older brother.”

Kefira smiled sweetly at her father and simply chuckled. She knew it was a more imiportant state event when the future emperor finally got married, and he would have the full backing of two Tier 4 Empiries. Reivyn’s title was real, but it was also only a technicality at this point.

“Finally, this is an engagement party,” Gennet exclaimed. “Everyone eat, drink, and dance. Have a good time. It is a joyous occasion.”

He stepped down, followed by Reivyn and Kefira. The first table where the two had been seated erupted as everyone scrambled out of their seats to mob the couple. Gennet used his extensive knowledge and experience to quietly dodge the spectacle and make his way back to the second floor.

His wife Silfa must be basking in all the attention as the older participants surrounded her to question her about the engagement, but there was only so much even she could handle.

Reivyn and Kefira didn’t even make it half-way back to the table before Petre and several of Kefira’s closer friends rushed to them. Reivyn was slightly surprised to finally notice that Serilla was actually one of the girls wearing a dress in attendance.

I should have realized. She did wear a dress to the last ball, if I recall correctly. I was just so laser-focused on Kefira and what was happening that I didn’t even notice with my Divine Sense.

Hmm, am I getting better or worse at that Skill?

Reivyn dismissed the thought. It was tongue-in-cheek anyway, as he knew it was his prowess with the Skill that allowed him to ignore the flood of information it constantly bombarded his brain with.

“The two of you were together even during the first ball when Kefira returned from her excursion?” Petre immediately launched into an interrogation as he rushed up to Reivyn.

“Of course,” Reivyn confirmed.

“But, Empress Silfa announced Kefira was seeking suitors, and you spent the entire evening dancing with every lady present except Kefira,” Petre sputtered.

“Yes? I don’t see the problem here,” Reivyn answered. “We already knew her mother was going to do what she did. She told us ahead of time. It was a game to her, and we were the pieces on the board. What could we do but participate.

“And dancing with all the mothers of those present was a strategic decision that I informed Kefira about ahead of time. And believe me, it worked.” Reivyn winked at Petre.

“Hah! Yeah, I remember the look on Remfort’s face when you swept by with his own mother in your arms. I bet a lot of the Ladies are going to be disappointed the you’re off the table, now.”

“We’ll see about that,” Reivyn said.

Petre froze and stared at Reivyn for a second.

“You can’t be serious! You have public obligations to Kefira, now.”

“I’m dead serious,” Reivyn nodded his head. “Remember: strategic decision. The main battles have been won, but the war isn’t over. I still need to gain acceptance from all of the nobility, and what better way than to charm the matrons in attendance? They have wants and needs, too, and I’m simply going to give them what they want.

“You say I have public obligations to Kefira, but nobody said anything about the married ladies dancing with me last time. It’s just dancing.” Reivyn shrugged. “In fact…”

Reivyn waggled his eyebrows at Petre.

“You should really join me. Do you have any young lady you want to woo?”

Petre’s face turned a shade redder as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Aha! You do!” Reivyn pointed at Petre. “What better way than to dance with all of her friends and their mothers? They’ll put in a good word for you if you show them a good time and a gentlemanly demeanor.”

“I’ll consider it,” Petre said with a thoughtful expression.

“Speaking of, though, I really do need to run it by Kefira first. I told you last time that I had informed her of the strategy ahead of time last time, but I haven’t done so today. She’s the one who will ultimately decide.”

“Yeah, that makes sense,” Petre nodded along to the explanation.

“But that doesn’t apply to you. There’s no excuses for you. Even if I don’t dance a single time other than with Kefira, I’ll be sure to round up some Ladies for you to entertain. So I suggest you go sit back down and fill your belly. You’ve got a long night ahead of you.”

Petre once more stopped and stared at Reivyn to see if he was joking. Reivyn simply grinned and winked at him before turning to stand with Kefira again.

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