For the next few days, it was all the same, every morning we went to the Royal Palace where I spent time my time with Asia. Then in the afternoon, back at the house, we would keep practicing for the day of the Royal Banquet.

I haven't been training all that much these past few days because of the ceremony that's taking place but once it's over I'll have to get back to it. I made myself a promise of no more slacking off.

Anyway, the most anticipated event has finally come. Today is the day of the Royal Banquet. Since it was an important occasion we dressed up all fancy. Leon and I wore similar suits. The maids combed my hair neatly to one side while tying back all the excess hair.

Mia, Hanna, and Emma all wore different-colored dresses while the maids did their hair and makeup. I think this is the fanciest I've ever dressed, in both lives.

"Hm?" I heard Theodore let out, looking closely at me while in deep thought. "You finally look like a noble child," he said as we walked together down the hall to the front yard where everyone else was waiting.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked already having an idea of what the answer would be.

"Well... You usually wear simple clothing," he pointed out. "Even when we go shopping you choose the most boring outfits ever."

"I don't know what's in style here in Iradale," I replied. In fact, I don't know anything about the style in this world at all. "Please show me next time we go shopping."

"Will do," he said. It is true that Theodore presents himself more professionally than I do.

Once we made it out to the front yard, not everybody was ready so we sat down to wait on a few benches that were lined up underneath a small circular roof.

We didn't wait long before the others arrived. So we quickly hopped on the carriage. There weren't multiple ones to transport us separately, instead, it was one big one.

All of us kids sat on one side. While the adults sat on the opposite side of us. For the whole ride, we were all basically cramped as the carriage wasn't big enough to fit us all inside. Except for Flare since she rested on my lap.

Once we made it to the castle I stretched my body immediately when I exited the carriage. Then we were led by Orin, my grandfather, through the castle into a big spacious decorated room.

Inside were people already waiting and chatting among themselves, all of them were nobles. Since we are high nobles we sat on a much bigger and fancier table.

As we were about to take our seats I noticed that close to us were two more tables similar to ours. At those tables sat the other two high noble houses which were Sapphirus and Verninne. Two of them from each house were staring daggers at Leon.

"Are those the guys you jumped?" I whispered to Leon who was walking next to me. He nodded slightly in embarrassment.

My attention then shifted to two people, one a man and the other a woman. Both wore dark military uniforms as they stood guard by the entrance. Were those two always there? I thought. When we passed through there I didn't even notice their presence.

Dark uniforms, huh? There is only one reason for them to be wearing that specific uniform. . . They're Marshals. . . The Marshal position is the highest military rank you can receive in this kingdom and a title that can only be granted by the king.

It is certainly not an easy title to acquire since you'd have to be either in the Lord class or higher, and there is nothing higher than the Lord class. Which means that they are both possibly one of the strongest people on this whole continent.

Not only are the Marshals strong but they also have a high level of authority just by their position alone. They could even be considered a fourth noble house in that term.

Since it is the highest position, there are only a handful of people that can call themselves a Marshal. And in that handful, most of them are either special born or of a different race.

Like the woman there, based on the color of her midnight blue hair, I can tell she's not human. She's pretty short and looks young. As for the man, he's blond and looks quite bulky. He too looks young.

Turning my attention back to the table I saw that most of them had already taken a seat. Luckily the seat next to Theodore was free. But when I sat there I realized I had seated next to Nina as well, who had shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Hey," I told her in an attempt to start a conversation. She's an outgoing person, so knowing that she's the type of person who would talk about anything. But. . .

"Hi," she replied awkwardly and left it there. I guess it will take time for her to go back to normal.

Shortly after we took our seats, a man showed up atop a stage where another, much fancier table rested.

The man raised his hand up, signaling for everyone to be quiet. Once the crowd's chatter died down the man lowered his hand. "Everyone! Please welcome, his majesty the king along with the royal family!" the man announced, extending his hand to his left.

Everyone turned their attention to where he signaled and bowed as an old man walked onto the stage. Following him was an old woman who was the queen, and a younger woman, who was the second queen.

Behind her was a kid who looked to be about Hanna's age, he was the prince. Following him was a girl whom I recognized, Asia, who was. . . What is she doing up there?

"That's the princess!" Hanna said excitedly as she stared up at the small girl on the stage. "She's so pretty!"

Holy crap! She's the princess?!? I feel like that's something I should've really been aware of. As I freaked out I noticed that from atop the stage, she waved at me.

To everyone else, it might've looked like she waved at the whole crowd but I could tell it was directed at me as she stared straight into my eyes. Awkwardly, I returned the gesture unsure of how to react.

"Welcome everyone! I'm glad you could make it!" king Morgen said as he took the stage. His fancy, stylish robes swung through the air. "I won't spend much time talking. Just, enjoy yourselves," he said. "And now, let this generation's royal banquet, begin!"

At that, everyone once again took their seats. Meanwhile, servants walked in through the many entrances, pushing karts full of food. They first came to our table and placed a plate in front of each of us while pouring some drink into our empty cups. Since the food was mostly steak, Flare happily started chewing on her plate.

After some time of eating, I wondered why no other houses were coming our way. I thought this was a social gathering for the high classes. Is it because of the incident Leon caused all those years ago, I wonder.

Just then music started playing as a group of young noble boys and girls lined up at the center of the room, including Alexander. "What's going on?" I asked, looking at the kids go.

"It's time for the dance," Theodore said turning his head to see as well. "If the prince or princess wishes to dance they'll come down and choose one of them as a partner to dance with," he said pointing at the lined-up kids.

"We don't have to be there, right?" I asked. If anything I'd like to avoid dancing. Even though I'm now decent enough to dance I still don't enjoy it.

"It's optional, but if you want to go, then go ahead," Theodore said, turning his attention back to his food.

"Yeah, there's no way," I said, turning my attention back as well.

"I thought so," Theodore replied, knowing I was going to say that. As soon as we both turned our attention back, we heard loud gasps from the crowd.

Feeling confused we looked at each other for a second, then turned back to see what was going on. And there, I saw Asia had stood up and was walking towards the boys.

"Wow, the princess actually got up," Theodore said, sounding kind of shocked. "Do you think she'll pick Alexander?" he asked now looking closely at the scene ahead of us.

"There's no way," I answered with the same intrigue as him.

"She's so beautiful," Hanna said, admiring her from where she sat.

"I agree," followed Nina before quickly turning her head toward me. "What do you think, Arata?" she asked.

"Sure, she's pretty," I answered with no change in my expression. I wonder who Asia will pick. Hopefully not Alexander, it'll only make his ego worse.

As I waited to see who she would pick I noticed her walking past all the boys without even giving them a single glance. Seeing this, everyone in the room looked at her as she made her way straight to our table.

"Is she. . . coming here?" Hanna asked, looking confused. Probably wondering why the princess would be coming to us of all places.

But I had a feeling of why she was coming. Don't tell me she's going to. . . I thought while panicking on the inside. With each step, she got closer and closer until we were face to face.

"Hey, Arata," Asia spoke, her voice soft. "Uh. . . Mm. . ." she let out, turning away from embarrassment. Then, looking at me once more with full determination, she raised her hand. "Please! Dance with me!!" she exclaimed, her cheeks becoming red as she stared into my eyes.

Dammit, I don't want to dance. But I can't tell her that. . . How can I refuse her? "A-Asia. . . I. . ." I trailed off as I was about to make an excuse. Seeing as her face was bright red and how her body shook slightly out of nervousness made me rethink my decision.

I can't refuse her. She worked up all her courage to walk up to me and ask. Plus she's the Princess, if I refuse her it'll look bad on me and our house.

". . . You don't. . . Want to?" Asia spoke, her voice breaking me out of my thoughts. Looking at her I noticed her beginning to lower her hand as her face fell.

Having stayed quiet for some time, I finally looked around and saw that everyone eyed me with anticipation. Waiting for me to respond. Resolving myself to do just that I looked back at Asia.

"Who said I didn't," I told her, grabbing ahold of her hand before she put it down. "let's go," I added, half regretting my words while getting up from my chair.

"Hehe!" she giggled, showing a wide happy smile before dragging me away.

Now standing at the center of the room we readied ourselves along with a few others who had gathered to dance too. It was mostly adults as well as a few other kids. However, everyone's eyes were mostly on us which made me even more uncomfortable.

"You ready," I whispered. In turn, she gave a determined nod.

Reaching out I held her hand and placed my other one around her waist. At my actions, she stiffened for a second before doing the same. Shortly after, music started playing.

The slow rhythmic music that played resembled that of our tutors clapping and humming. I took the first step on beat with the music, then she followed one beat behind.

By the look on her face, Asia seemed impressed that I was able to perform a dance like this. As she continued smiling I could tell that she was enjoying this. While I, put on a fake smile, as I was not enjoying this.

Everyone's attention was on us which made me paranoid about not missing a step. I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to leave. I wanted to curl up in a corner. I wanted to bang my head on a wall. I ended up doing the thing I wanted to avoid the most.

Step after step and spin after spin. With me holding both her hands, the dance finally ended. Everyone around us clapped. Followed by me bowing down to her respectfully, since she's the princess. While she picked up both ends of her dress in a curtsy.

I then took my leave, relieved that the dance had ended. While walking back to my family's table I could already see their questioning gazes on me.

Once I got there no one said anything as I had my head down. "Hehe," I giggled out of pure embarrassment while my face was bright red. "That was so... So... So humiliating!" I said grabbing onto Theodore and banging my head on his chest.

"A-Arata calm down!" Theodore exclaimed while moving his hands in a complicated gesture unsure of what he should do. "I've never seen you get this worked up," he pointed out, looking down at me as I stopped what I was doing. "Anyway, how do you know the princes?"

"Yeah! How do you know the princess?" Hanna asked, following Theodore's question.

"I'm curious too," Nina said while looking at me from where she sat but immediately broke eye contact as I stared back.

"Oh?" Before I even got the chance to respond Hanna spoke up, bringing her hand up above her narrowed eyes. "She's coming," she said.