Dream, Where True Love Lies 9 Dream 8: Banque

"Fine, I know you're curious about all that, but I cannot explain it to you in just one sitting. It'll take some time for you to understand and digest all information. So let's take it slowly, ok."

*feeling down* "all right... I'll just wait then."

"And besides, you'll get some answers by what you see around you while you are staying here." Adara winked at Fai and added,

"By the way, my parents ordered me to bring you to them tommrow after the banquet. And also, let's keep it a secret that you're a mortal for the meantime ok? It would bring a big ruckus if someone would figure that out."

"Yes, of course. I wouldn't want to cause a problem in here Miss Adara." Fai stated.

-----

THE DAY OF THE BANQUET HAS COME

The palace is decorated elegantly according to queen's taste. Guards were deployed in every part of the palace. The hostarius are lined up and the maidservants and stewards were ready to attend the guests.

Everything is ready and all in place. They are just waiting for the visitors to arrive.

Then, the royal families from dragon clan's sub-territories and other royal families from other clans were gradually coming. Prophet Eigel, who is the guardian of Celestial Realm, also attended the banquet.

The guests extended their congratulations to the Shawn family as they give gifts to them.

Then the young prince started to cry in his crib "Uwahhh!Uwahh!"

"Oh, my baby must be feeling uncomfortable" said queen Mishal as she gets the baby and carries him to calm him down.

Now, the Phoenix Royalties have arrived together with Genrou.

"Mom, Dad, we're here."

Genrou said as he handed the gifts from Phoenix clan to the chambermaids.

The dragon king and queen greeted their future in-laws.

"My, my, welcome to our humble abode King Xandrite and Queen Emerald. We are glad to see you here!" King Aidan happily welcomed them.

"Well, we are honored to be here. So, is this the young prince?" Asked queen Emerald as she holds his little hand.

The young prince giggled, "tee-hee-hee."

"He likes you!" Queen Mishal said.

"Oh how cute he is! I like him too. Can I carry him just for a bit?" Queen Emerald appealed.

"Of course, here." She gently handed the baby to queen Emerald.

Then Genrou suddenly remembered something and a.s.serted "Ummm...Mom, dad and your majesties, sorry but I think I need to excuse myself first. I just...need to check on something. I'll let you elders talk."

"Oh, ok then do your thing."

Then they let him went to where he is going and they continued to talk.

As the queens are fond with the baby, the two kings talked.

"So how's the banquet going?" King Xandrite queried.

"The guests already extended their best wishes, although we are quite unsure whether the Tiger Clan's gonna comply with our invitation or not. They are not here yet." King Aidan replied.

"Let's just wait for them. I'm sure they are not that shameless to not attend this occasion, it's our culture after all." King Xandrite implicated.

Queen Mishal heard what they were talking about and a.s.serted, "what if... they're scheming about something?" She anxiously asked with an evident worry in her eyes.

"My dear, that's not possible. Whether you are a foe or an ally, you must respect Celestial Realm's culture. I'm sure they know that." King Aidan ascertains.

After catching up things with their friends and greeted the other guests, King Aidan said, "It's time, let's now make this banquet official." Then he signaled the duke to make an announcement.

The duke complied then announces...

"A pleasant afternoon to everyone! As you all know, it is the culture of Celestial Realm to conduct a big event to welcome a newborn baby in a royal family. Therefore, we are all gathered here to celebrate with the Shawn royal family on welcoming their newborn prince---the young prince Yoda Shawn! We will also witness to have the prince be anointed by the great Prophet Eigel. Welcome to all of you and enjoy the rest of the day!"

After the announcement, the Tiger Clan's royal family has arrived. All eyes were on them and they greeted the king and queen with gifts.

"This is our gift to the young prince as an expression of our congratulations to you your majesties" Raha humbly said as he offered a chest full of high quality clothes and animal fur clothing.

"I hope you accept this gift." King Ade said as he looks straightly to King Aidan.

King Aidan then replied, "Of course, thank you for the gift. We are glad to see your presence in this celebration your highnesses. I hope you enjoy the rest of the banquet."

They were smiling at each other but it was tense and the atmosphere is heavy. To break the tension, Prophet Eigel intervenes, "Congratulations King Aidan and Queen Mishal *looks in the crowd* should we drink a cup of wine altogether before I anoint the young prince?" He suggested while he lifts his gla.s.s.

The crowd then took their gla.s.ses each and saluted a toast. They altogether drink their wines.

-----

In Genrou's whereabouts...

As he walks in the palace corridor he b.u.mped into someone who is running hurriedly.

"Hey, watch it" He said and added,

"This is not your playground, don't run aro---"

He suddenly stopped as he saw who the person is and had his eyes wide open. He gasps and pointed his hand on that person. "You!You!I was looking all around for you!Where were you!?" He exclaimed.

"Oh! You're back. Thank goodness *sigh of relief* I finally b.u.mped into someone I know." The person said.

Then a shamrock colored-hair guy in prince clothing suddenly shouted as he runs towards them having an excited expression in his chartreuse eyes, "Miss Fai! You're here all along. I'm glad, I finally found you."

*flinch* "Uh-oh! Genrou please help me, he started bothering me when he came to know my name. He keeps asking questions!" Fai complained while grabbing Genrou's right arm.

"What!? Is that why you are running hurriedly? What happened?" He inquired.

"Well, here's what happened...a while ago...."

-----

A while ago before the b.u.mping incident...

In Adara's Place.

Fai who was finally groomed went to see Adara on her room.

"Tda! Adara look! *swirls and spins around* The dress fits perfectly on me, and I really love how they braided and put volume on my moderate curly hair, now I feel confidently beautiful!"

(I'm soooo happy even if this is just a dream!) She silently scremed.

"Well, you're always beautiful, but you are indeed splendid today! Just wait for me a little more until I finish my retouch." Adara responded.

"Ok, but you are already so gorgeous yourself." Fai implied.

"Oh, silly I already know that, no need to mention it anymore." She arrogantly said.

"Fine, you're confident *grins* I'll just sit here then." Fai sat at the couch.

"Do as you wish." Adara responded.

Then a few minutes, Adara's personal maid came knocking at her door.

"Your highness, the visitors have already arrived. It's time for you to come and greet the guests." she implored.

"Alright, good that we have already finished preparing. Let's go to the Banquet Hall now Fai." Adara stood up and went outside.

Fai followed her and in her thought "My goodness, am I going with her to greet the guests? I heard that the guests are royalties in this world. I've never greeted someone so prestigious before...even I, did not have the guts to meet our city governor."*nervous and anxious*

When they arrived at the banquet hall, Fai was astonished by the enormous and elegant venue. As they walk, she keeps looking around as she is fascinated by the beautifulness of the place as well as the elegancy of the people in it.

In Fai's inner thoughts, "Woah!This is it, this is what I live for! The banquet, these beautiful people and this enourmous place!*fantasizes and sobs* Hu-hu-hu thank you for letting me experience it even if it's just in dream" *feeling touch*

Adara finally started greeting the guests while she introduces Fai to them as their kingdom's guest also. Not as a mortal. As Fai shakes hands with them, she can't help but to put an awkward smile because she feels shy and embarra.s.sed.

(The announcement part)

Then after the announcement, Adara was called out by her royal friends from the Turtle Clan.

"Fai, I just need to catch up with them a little ok? Tell me if you need anything. Have fun and make friends here" Adara said.

"Ok." And all of a sudden she smelled a delicious scent. *sniff-sniff* she then look towards the tempting smell and found a variety of delicious looking foods aligned in the corner.

"Food!It's food!" Her mind excitedly exclaimed and she added, "Better ask permission from Miss Adara first before gobbling those foods *scheming laugh*."

She then went to search for Adara who's talking to her royal friends.

Then Adara saw Fai approaching. She raised her hand as signaled her to come to them.

"Fai, here!" She shouted.

"Oh!" Fai later went there.

"Who is this gorgeous lady, Adara?" Princess Mish.e.l.l from Turtle Clan's center kingdom asked.

As Fai sat with them, Adara replied "She is our Kingdom's guest. She's staying with us for the meantine."

"Then what clan does she belong to? Is she also from the dragon clan or is she a mixture?What is she doing here in your kingdom?" Princess Tate from Turtle Clan's East Flow asked.

Fai looked at Adara nervously, and Adara reasoned out, "My, my...I know you're curious about this beautiful lady here…but isn't it making her uncomfortable?"

"Oh true, we're sorry." Princess Tate said.

"Why? It's just asking what clan she belongs to, it is that hard to answer? We're just curious about her you know. I mean is she that sensitive to be uncomfortable? Or does she not like us?" Princess Terra from North Flow implored.

"That's not what I meant Terra. It's not all the time that we need to tell others about our personal information." Adara defended.

"Personal information? Well, yes of course that's personal information but THAT, is not private at all. Unless she's trying to hide something..." Princess Terra mockingly implied.

"Terra, that's enough, you're crossing the line." Princess Mish.e.l.l said while she lightly pats Terra's shoulder.

"Tsk... Not at all *shoves Mish.e.l.l's hand* Are they hiding something from us?" Princess Terra stubbornly implored.

Adara then seriously looked at Terra straightly as if she's ready to pick a fight like a volcano filled with lava that is ready to erupt anytime.

But all of a sudden...

"I'm from Phoenix Clan. I came here to arrange the matter regarding prince Genrou's marriage. You know I cannot disclose further information about that right? So are you happy now?" Fai indifferently stated while looking straightly at the stubborn princess.

The four ladies paused for a bit and they are left speechless.

In Adara's mind, "Woah, impressive.*clap-clap* What a nice alibi. Real smooth eh...I never thought she could be like this. She pulled it off *nods over and over* she definitely pulled it off *proud laugh*"

"All right. See, it's about work and it's something confidential." Princess Teta a.s.serted.

Humiliation was evident in Princess Terra's face. She then stood up and stated "I-I need to go find my dad. I feel that he is suddenly calling me, I-I'll excuse myself then."