424 Winter Solstice 2

The palace was magnificent. Built majority out of granite, the place stood tall and formidable against the natural landscape surrounding it.

The amazing architecture allowed natural light to shine through to stainglass windows hanging in the long corridors. Painting the passways with a whimsical flare. Mika was taken in by the artistic design.

If she wasn't here to catch a tyrant guilty of genocide then she would probably enjoy touring the place right now.

However, the closer they got to the banquet doors, the more she felt the need to get away and hide.

She didn't know what was happening to her, but feeling settling in the pit of her stomach.

Something was definitely going to happen tonight, and she prayed they are strong enough to get away alive.

"Right this way." A servant were directing the long line of people in front of them on where to go.

Looking straight ahead, the music and noise from the banquet hall could now be heard over the shouts of the royal guards and engines of the shuttles coming and going in the plaza.

Presenting their invites was the last thing they had to do before the grand doors were open and they were greeted to a feast for the eyes.

Everything one can think of that is associated with winter was put into this hall. White and pale blue flower petals were made to look like snow on the tables of the guests, to make up for the lack of outside.

Ice sculptures were place around the room, and silver and gold metallic stars and snowflakes rained down from the ceilings, with artificial light replacing the natural light in the enclosed space to make them twinkle.

"Prince Ailwin, this way…" A servant came up to them when they enter, bowed then escorted them to their table.

As was a grand celebration, all the royal family was invited along with officials and their families.

To keep with the pecking order, King and Queens have a secluded area to themselves at the highest point in the hall. Then comes royal family members with the most influencial sitting nearest to the king, followed by officials and then the rich families bring up the rear.

Mika assumed that is where Jaonas, Saavi and the disguised guard will be.

They were shown to two seats that were closer to the King' and Queen's area than he thought they would be.

"This is pretty close." Mika commented, noticing the distance as well.

With Prince Ailwin's take his spot which was closer to the King section, have many of the other royal family members grinding their teeth.

"I guess it's my turn to meet your crazy family." Mika said, observing who was sending hateful glares their way.

"Unfortunately…" Ailwin also felt the glares thrown they wait, but chose to ignored them altogether. He was use to such things, it's one of the reasons he never like coming to these things.

"...be on guard." Ailwin whispered as he pulled out her chair for her.

Immediately after their butts touched the seats, four of Ailwin's older siblings showed up at their table.

"Ailwin, it's a surprised you cared to show up tonight."

"En...brothers...sister." Overlooking Ailwin's short acknowledgement to their presence at his table, his older siblings continued to talk.

"Is there a special reason why?"

"Maybe he wants to get on father good side..."

"That's not what has been going around...heh"

"Oh! You mean that video. Well, it's not like father ever care for him before..."

"How come your sitting so close to father this year?"

They kept conversing with one another, leaving little chance to respond, although Ailwin wasn't planning to indulge them.

Growing frustrated with their younger brother ignoring them, they turned their attention towards Mikaela.

"Who is this?" One of his brothers known to have a taste for young lovers, asked.

Seeing the older males' creepy stares, Mika felt like throwing up again.

"You're not someone I want to introduce her to." Ailwin instantly replied.

"Oh, come now Ailwin… This is the first time you graced us with your presence at the winter solstice banquet...and you even bring us this enticing female. You should introduce her to your family…" The ring leader of this group held out his hand for Mikaela to shake.

Ailwin didn't want that hand anywhere near her, "Are we family?"

His sudden question had the whole group seething.

"Heh...you may think that you are above us, Ailwin, but the same Qinvyre blood that is running through all our veins is running through yours...this is why no one ever liked you."

The group took off back towards their seats, leaving Ailwin and Mika alone again.

"Sorry, about that." Ailwin whispered.

"It's fine… Your brothers leered at me, my sister drugged you. Were even, though I think I walked away easy…haha" Mika joked trying to break the awkward mood.

"The night is not over yet…" Ailwin muttered seriously in reply.

Noticing he was in no mood for laughs, Mika turned her attention back to the banquet. Catching another glimpse of the quartet after looking around the room, she wondered if they all really have the Qinvyre blood running through their veins.

None of them look alike. In fact, the four siblings she just met, she wouldn't even call them handsome or beautiful, unlike Ailwin and Prince Thallan.

Do they all take after their mothers'…? Mika guessed.

Just as she was thinking about this, she jolted with a thought.

Is it because of the Qinvyre blood that Ailwin is immune to the virus?

She had assumed it was because of his mother's blood as the King sent him to the city to die, but what if she is wrong and infecting the royal family won't make a difference.

Lost in thought, she fail to notice the change in the hall. Ailwin had to nudge her arm to bring her back.

The grand doors opened again and everyone stood up from their seats, Prince Thallan soon walked in with Kamryn and Lula following from behind.

Being the presumed crown prince, his seat was closest to the top.

Silence fell over the hall, then drums began to play as the doors of the banquet hall opened wide, King Rychell has arrived.