"It is time, my lord," a soft spoken sharp young man in black informed him, one hand holding a watch and the other clasping a small ledger.

Hadrian Gottlear stood on a pedestal in front of a mirror, two other servants were tying a knot on his belt, draping his scarf, and combing his oiled beard and hair. Jewels on his person sparkled under the candlelight, and Hadrian himself made the final touch on his outfit, putting on the grand minister pin on his chest.

"You have taken a liking to that watch, Westin. When was the last time I see you without?"

"It was a gift from my lord. This has helped me becoming more precise with time. I shall cherish it forever," Westin replied.

Hadrian rose his eyebrow, recalling the occasion. It was a few years ago on Westin's coming of age celebration when he gifted him a pocket watch made by none other than Skamlin who back then was just an upcoming craftsman very accomplished at making intricate little things.

"And yet you could not make a time to visit your father. When was the last time you see your family?"

Westin came from the Sagler family, rulers of the Crescent. Duke Royce Sagler was his grandfather, but when his daughter eloped to marry a knight from Emerald, a Sir Ronbright, the boy was disowned before he was born. His parents asked Hadrian to ward for their child and it had been ten years since that day.

"Perhaps soon, my lord," Westin answered, smiling.

Hadrian fixed his sleeves and stepped off the platform. He came to face Westin who lowered his gaze in respect.

"Make sure to do that after this celebration is over. I've heard you said that so many times yet you never ask for a leave," he warned him.

"Yes, my lord. But first, the banquet," Westin replied, opening the door for his lord.

A pair of king's guard, Sir Arthur and Sir Dronsley, guarded the entrance to his chambers. Another person was present outside, a tall and gaunt man but eyes sharps as an eagle and an awkward smile.

"Heinsburry! what a suprise," Hadrian said, unsurprised.

"Apologies, my lord," Sir Dronsley reported, "We tried to send Lord Heinsburry to the hall, but the lord insisted to wait for you."

"I wish no trouble, my lord, I simply want to have a little talk before the banquet," Lord Heinsburry said skittishly.

Hadrian gave his knights a nod and they let Heinsburry approached the Grand Minister. Their metal armor clinked and clanked as they moved, their black feathers was as sharp as they came.

"Shall we, Heinsburry, before we are late to the banquet?"

"Yes, my lord," the gaunt man hurried and followed Hadrian's entourage.

"What can I help you with, my friend?"

"It was nothing much, my lord," Heinsburry gave him an awkward smile. "The world is a changed place. Life is much improved, everything happens easily and fast. There was no longer idle work waiting for the wind for windmills and streams to flow again to get any work done. I-it's simply magical. I remembered my childhood days of waiting for merchants to come with their horse carriages so my mother could bring me a nice pickled berries, but nowadays, the berries come fresh within a few days!"

"All thanks to the grace of king Eldward and his predecessors. Soon every village shall have an iron heart, free for them to use as they wish."

"Of course, of course, my lord. It was a very wise decision, goes without saying. We all appreciate everything the kingdom has done..."

Westin exchanged glances with Sir Arthur behind the two lords as they made their way toward the hall.

"Go on," Hadrian urged.

"Apologies in advance, I don't want to sound obtuse, my lord. But there are murmurs in town I cannot help to hear, that the palace is planning for something, a secret project if I may say, after gifting iron hearts."

Hadrian smiled.

"Pray tell, Heinsburry, what was it that you heard?"

Heinsburry cleared his throat, and looked around in fear of people eavesdropping. He then turned toward Hadrian and lowered his voice so much he sounded like a thief fearing for his life.

"I heard Skamlin had done the impossible, he... he had succeeded at putting an iron heart on a carriage," he said in a hush-hush.

"It would be a natural progression," Hadrian replied. "... if you heard true."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"But it is true, it will change the world, my lord. This is a bigger change than iron hearts on ships. Imagine reaching places no horses could reach, without the need for rest but firewood and water."

The ever growing number of people living in the capital brought along with it new sets of trouble. Walls became thinner and words traveled fast. Skamlin's factory was on the far outskirt of the city and his workers were trustworthy, but still secrets managed to slip through. It was fine when it was just some locals who gossiped about it in taverns but when rumours reached a lord's ear it became troublesome.

"Sounds like a promising endeavor, but why are you telling me this?" Hadrian threw a bait.

"Well, you see, my lord, I-ah... my family has been a loyal supporter of the royal family. My great-great-grandfather fought alongside King Garmund to end Paxton's menace has always supported the kingdom since. Hen's Hill had been supplying stones and ores for hundreds of years, but... but are not only stones and ores, my lord. Heinsburry will be a shadow of its past if we don't join the future."

"But why come to me, Heinsburry?"

"Skamlin has been... difficult, my lord. Brilliant as he might, but he's no politician. He lacks nuance and tact. Skamlin doesn't get the bond we lords share."

Hadrian chuckled and shook his head. "You may have said something true, Heinsburry. But Skamlin is a reasonable person, perhaps even a great businessman. Consider this. If," Hadrian stopped and pressed on the hypothetical, "If you heard true and Skamlin is putting iron hearts in carriages, he would need a lot of iron. He would need a lot of ores, one that Hen's Hill, YOUR mines, produces. I will not make any promises, Heinsburry, but I'm sure we can arrange for something that would be favorable to the kingdom and everyone."

Their talk continued for a while, but Heinsburry excused himself and they entered the Great Hall separately. It was already packed to the brim, nobles old and young huddling into groups, drinks in hand, laughing. A band was playing music as loud as they could lest they got drowned by chatters from the nobles. Servants scuttled about bringing trays of refreshments, endless sweets and fruits and drinks from all over Eastland. The nobles who noticed his entrance stopped their conversation and turned to bow at the Grand Minister and Hadrian returned the courtesy. Those who actually knew him well gave him a quick nod and continued with their acquaintances.

"Lord Hadrian, I couldn't help but realized that you did not join us touring the king's garden," said those who lacked tact and courtesy. He laughed them off and continued his merry way. "Keep up, Westin," he told his ward who lagged behind the crowd. Arthur and Dronsley had taken their place around the head table of the hall, standing guards with other fellow black feathered knights. His wife was nearby entertaining some guests, among them was Humphrey Eronblaz.

"... that would be no problem, Katerine. My dresser is fantastic. There's no fabric she cannot get from the whole of Eastland. Oh, there's my husband," Lady Gottlear announced to the Eronblaz. She wore a floral purple dress and jeweled hairpins that matched the golden necklace looping around her neck. Lady Eronblaz and her daughters wore matching layered milky gowns that looked like it did not match the valley's weather, but if they were bothered by the warmth, they were not showing it.

Humphrey turned and greeted the grand minister.

"Hadrian! We just had a pleasant conversation with the Duchess. I was made aware of all improvements you made to the city and was told you took no credit for it. Even managing doubling Academy grounds beyond the hills. Must have been a juggle mixing governing at the same time."

"My friend, Humphrey, please don't fall for the commoners misconception that a single person is responsible for the kingdom flourishing. The council worked together to achieve this world we are living in and I am just a helping hand to the king."

"Speaking of his majesty, I was wondering if there will be a proper introduction. I couldn't help but sense that the other family have familiarized themselves and we were a bit behind..."

Humphrey led Hadrian away to a corner when Lady Gottlear introduced the Eronblaz ladies to fine young lords on the other side of the hall. A young lad kept a distance but followed them, keeping an eye out on the crowd, sometimes to his uncle. Black feathered guards paid them no attention as they continued their conversation.

"I'll be honest, Hadrian. It's been a very long time since we attended a banquet, let alone a royal one. It's not a common occurrence down at Drant. The one I remembered vividly was the one we had back at Greenwoods, your home. We were so young and now I have a family."

"I see where you're coming from, my friend. But worry not, this is just an ordinary dinner, nothing much. The king simply wants to meet his guests."

"Regardless, we have prepared a little gift for the king to appreciate his majesty's grace for allowing us to stay in the palace... Quinn, can I have the box, please?" Humphrey called to his nephew.

The young lad nodded to the Grand Minister and from inside his vest pulled a small wooden box with intricate golden inlay of vines wrapping around. It was handed over to Humphrey who then held it in front of Hadrian.

"My brother, Ian, prepared this. He thought you would appreciate what we have prepared for his majesty."

Inside the box was a golden beetle. It brought him back to the old days, in his youth. Ian and Humphrey were spending winter in Greenwoods. They were barely teenagers. A traveling merchant came to town for a festival at the lake. The family was there to celebrate with the townspeople. A feast was held and Hadrian's father made a competition for the boys. A game of wits where one would choose an object and the others guessed and whomever guessed correctly the most won the game. The prize was a golden beetle the merchant was selling, the most expensive object he currently was selling, a craftsmanship from the distant Fymar.

Hadrian gasped. That same beetle was in that box.

"It was said that in a moonless night, where the moon would've been be the highest, the beetle will unfurl its hidden wing and began to float in front of a special person. At least that was what my brother told me. But it's hard to argue that the beetle isn't fascinating, is it?" said the Viscount, proud with his story.

The grand minister chuckled.

"Dear friend, the king would certainly love this gift, but only if it floats. Perhaps I might suggest another gift? I'll have my ward fetch it."

Westin appeared before Hadrian had to call him.

"Yes, my lord?"

"Say, Westin. Return to my chamber and fetch a gift fit for a king. The golden beetle may have a story of our friendship but it was too small for the ruler of Aldmrya. Say, what if you take something from the South Sea? I believe there was a new chest coming last month."

"Yes, my lord. I shall make haste," said Westin excusing himself. Humphrey bowed to Hadrian in gratitude and he patted his old friend's back in return.