Howard was relieved when he found his father walking into the hall once again after his disappearance quite a while ago.

Rutherford smiled when he noticed the changes in his son's expression and nodded that he was fine.

With his return to the hall, many noblemen came forward to speak to him and build connections after he had received high praise from the King.

As the King had not yet returned to the hall, Rutherford nodded at them while listening to what they had to say.

Topher and Howard went back to discussing the different training modules that would be implemented once the Royal Academy began functioning after this week-long break.

Marquess Samed, who had zero knowledge about this matter, was left stranded so he decided to go find someone else to converse with.

The two Dukes of the land were the most popular men in this room as many nobles tried to speak to them about various matters.

The audience today was not only discussing everything that had happened in the celebration until now, they were also discussing the events that had happened in the last few months.

They debated on how the new changes would benefit them and also how they could use it to further increase the profits they could gain from them.

While they were busy in their discussions, the Royal Steward entered the hall and announced the entry of the King which simmered down the murmurs taking place all around.

They watched as King Ophire strode into the hall and took his seat on the Throne before the second half of the presentation ceremony took place.

The next in line to bring out their presents to the King were the Viscounts and the Barons who were more in number when compared to the Earls and the Marquess.

These were on the lower end of the social ladder and their fiefs spanned over smaller areas of land.

However, the King accepted each of their presents and was even impressed with a few of them.

The most remarkable was Viscount Lumex who brought out a new medicine for the King.

The Lumex fief was at the Southern border and their family was gifted with the knowledge of medicinal plants and herbs which were passed down through generations.

Therefore, when the current Viscount Lumex offered his newly invented medicine to cure severe headaches the King did not doubt him and accepted it without hesitation.

Though he did not suffer from this illness, he had a hobby of collecting such medicines which might come in handy someday.

Viscount Lumex then promised that if ever the Royal family needed their aid in any matters related to medicines then they would be willing to do everything they could to assist them.

King Ophire was pleased with his attitude and praised him once again before calling out for the next man to step forward.

Howard stood with his idol, Topher, and watched as every nobleman completed their duty of presenting their gift to the King.

The sun was beginning to set which meant that now was their turn to leave the Palace Grounds.

The King and the other nobles would spend the last few hours of this festival with their family which meant that the hall needed to be vacated soon.

"I am pleased to see so many of you here." King Ophire stood up as he addressed them for the last time today before they could leave.

The men all bowed in gratitude for the praise they received.

The King then scanned his eyes across the hall and made a note of those who had arrived and also those few who had failed to make an appearance here today.

Only a handful of fief lords had failed to show up and had already sent a letter of apology with the reason for their absence so the King wasn't too bothered about it.

He then looked at the heirs who had followed their fathers as a few of these youngsters might be the ones to serve his son and brother as their aides in the future.

Thinking of the two boys, he recalled that he would have to speak to them as well about what they had learned from the task he had assigned to them.

"Today's celebration comes to an end here and I wish that the change in the seasons turns out to be favorable to each one of you." He declared the conclusion of the banquet with his well wishes which touched the men who had assembled here today.

They bowed once again and then watched as the King with his Steward followed by Duke Brodie left the hall soon after he had completed speaking.

The Royal Knights then escorted each nobleman to the entrance where their carriage was waiting for them.

Howard bid goodbye to Topher who returned to his father's side as they exited the hall.

Soon after, even Rutherford and his son exited the hall and found their carriage along with the massive one that had been used to transport the King's present and another one with the men in it were waiting for them.

Three carriages then exited the Palace grounds and headed at a high speed in the direction of the St. Claire Estate.

___

As the Palace grounds began to vacate after the banquet had come to an end, King Ophire along with his Steward and Duke Brodie exited this side Palace and headed towards the Main Palace where the real Throne room was.

The two men were then left alone in the Throne room while the Steward stood outside for them to finish their discussion.

The sky turned darker with the two men inside the Throne room and they reappeared only after the moon was high up in the sky.

"Spend the rest of the Festival with your family, Maldock." King Ophire suggested while patting his friend's shoulder.

Duke Maldock Brodie nodded as he had similar thoughts of spending some quality time with his wife who must be waiting for him at home.

King Ophire watched as his close friend and trusted aide began moving in the opposite direction which would lead him to the exit of the Main Palace.

'I wish he would soften up to his daughter soon.' He shook his head in disappointment and even a tinge of pity for that little girl who was not fortunate enough to obtain the love of her father.

Thinking of Duke Brodie who seemed to despise his daughter, the King was reminded of the man who was willing to lie to Royalty for the sake of his daughter.

Two men, both from his Kingdom yet they treated their daughters in such different ways.

King Ophire even felt bad while thinking of his precious daughter, Felicia who was also starved for love from another parent other than himself.

'Will I ever be able to change how my Queen treats her?' He sighed again as this was another dilemma that kept him up at night.

The Royal Steward sensed that the King was deep in his thoughts and did not disturb him until he was done.

When King Ophire had finished contemplating on how their futures might turn out to be, he turned around and began walking in the direction of his Palace where he resided with his Queen.

When he reached the garden in his Palace, his worries faded away and his smile widened at the sight that he beheld before him.

At the pavilion at the far end of the garden, he caught sight of his entire family waiting for his arrival.

His beautiful wife sat on one side of the pavilion as she gazed at the night's sky while on the other side were his younger brother, daughter, and son seated in that order.

The boys had left the secret spot in the banquet hall once everyone had exited and had gone to pick the Princess up before they came over to this place together.

"Were you waiting for long, my Queen?" He inquired as he stepped into the pavilion.

Queen Zena's attention diverted to the source of the voice and she rose with a smile to greet her husband, the King.

Along with her, the three children too paid their respect to the elder who had arrived.

The King then hugged his wife's waist as he sat next to her while the children returned to their seats.

He loved moments like this when they were nothing but a simple family, enjoying the company of those they held dear in their hearts.

"The fireworks shall begin soon, won't they?" Princess Felicia giggled while clapping her hands in excitement at the sight that she loved to witness each year on the last day of the Festival.

Since it was her husband's birthday, Queen Zena did not chide the girl who had behaved in an unruly manner just now.

King Ophire kissed the top of his wife's head when he noticed her silence, in appreciation of what she had just done.

The Queen blushed when she was subjected to this gesture of affection from her husband and chose to forget about her issues with the Princess for the day.

"Yes, Felly. They will begin at any moment now." Prince Fritzen answered his sister's query while the other boy nodded with a smile.

The family of five then turned their attention in the direction where the fireworks were seen every year on this day.

___

Similar scenes were visible in all the houses across the Capital city.

The finale of the Festival was the stellar fireworks that were displayed at the venue, Lake Poliza where many commoners were gathered to witness this sight.

However, most nobles chose to view the show from the comfort of their homes and in places where they were most comfortable.

Even the St. Claires had made their own arrangements to watch this show from the spot which was the best in their opinion.

Right now, Yvonne was seated on her mother's lap while Howard was on the father's lap.

Though he was embarrassed to be here, he did not complain as this was a tradition that they followed each year.

'Maybe this is the last year where I can sit on his lap.' The growing boy thought as he remained in the same spot.

This family of four looked up when the first sound of a bursting firecracker was heard at a distance and Yvonne's amethyst eyes widened with awe when the dark sky was illuminated with various sparkling figures.

Raylene rested her head on Rutherford's shoulder while they hugged their children and watched the sky light up repeatedly by the fireworks.

'May the new season bring lots of joy in our lives.' A wish echoed through various hearts at the same moment.