Nobles and dignitaries from all over the continent converged to celebrate the birthday of First Prince Amarendra, as the sun blared across the Kingdom of Ruthenia. King Henry VI warmly greeted Duke Arhenius Sureva of the Sureva Duchy, who was attending the event at the royal palace.
"Arhenius! Welcome to my son Amarendra's birthday."
Despite their long friendship, Arhenius kneeling conveyed a form of respect. Henry, uncomfortable with any sort of formality, let out a resigned, "How many times must I ask you to call me Henry, not 'Your Majesty'?"
"This is the 234th time," Arhenius replied, a hint of smile on his face.
Duke Liles Siegfried, perpetually guarded around the Sureva patriarch, interrupted them. "Count Sureva, where is your gift for the Prince?"
Arching an eyebrow, Maximus replied coolly, "My son's enthusiasm will surely delight the prince."
A moment of crackling tension hung until King Henry guided them away. "Where are the children?"
"Last I checked, they were in the gardens," Arhenius responded.
As they strolled, the three nobles cut through a crowd filled with ladies and lords. The aroma of mana-laced perfume filled the air, conversation quieted, and jewels flashed as the trio passed.
Similarly, outside in the Castle Gardens, kids were having fun with no restrictions. Luenor Sureva, in black clothing, ran behind Princess Amelia of Yunis.
"Got you!" he laughed.
Amelia huffed, cheeks puffed. "You always find me first!"
"You're just easy to find," Luenor teased, running off to find the other children.
Then, a shift in the air.
Inside the palace, King Henry's eyes narrowed. "Do you sense it?"
Arhenius and Liles nodded. The mana signature of a dangerous creature rippled through the castle. A Three Star beast.
A black snake with yellow spots had slithered its way into the Gardens.
Chaos erupted.
The snake had coiled itself around Amarendra. The other children—Amelia, her sister Sarah, George Sandow, Lucia Siegfried, and Luenor—either ran or tried to help. But they were only children.
The snake's tail flung Lucia and George aside. Arhenius, Liles, and Henry arrived just in time to witness the horror.
King Henry drew his sword, and in a burst of divine mana, the snake disintegrated into ash. Arhenius caught the limp Amarendra just before he hit the ground.
Questions followed. Why was a Three Star beast in the heart of the capital?
Lucia pointed, still shaken. "It followed Luenor. But it didn't attack him."
"Is that true, Luenor?" Arhenius asked, tone stern.
Luenor, wide-eyed and confused, stammered, "I was just looking for George when it followed me. I didn't summon it!"
When Amarendra finally stirred awake, he echoed Lucia's words. The snake slithered beside Luenor but attacked only after seeing Amarendra.
Liles pounced. "How did it get into the castle? Maybe Duke Sureva helped!"
Arhenius roared. "Liles! You dare question my loyalty after all we've fought for?"
King Henry raised a hand. "Enough. Arhenius, take your son and leave. His punishment will be decided later."
The words stunned Arhenius. He looked at Henry with disbelief.
"Henry—"
"It's Your Majesty. I am the King of Ruthenia. You are a Duke. Remember your place."
With a bowed head and trembling heart, Arhenius left.