The sun was starting to set on the Royal Palace as the last few chariots that had beautiful intricate carvings on them carried noble families off to the palace.

Many nobles came to visit for the party that was happening tonight. There was no better way to show off your status in the kingdom than to meet with the King and Queen.

The Royal palace was already packed with many guests and was now buzzing with activity.

As the guests were getting ready for the party the servants were working nonstop to make sure every room was ready for the nobles.

They had the party in the main hall which was the largest room in the palace. It was able to seat over 300 people and could easily be transformed to hold a large ball.

It was currently decorated with large bouquets that were hung around the walls and on top of the tables. There was a long rectangular table that was set up with plates and silverware.

This was the main table and where the Royal family would sit and entertain their guests.

There was a large set of double doors that were open and had a large archway in the middle that led to the main ballroom. This was the entrance where the nobles would enter and see the King, Queen, and the young crown prince before they went in to enjoy the festivities.

All around the palace, there was a buzz of excitement as the nobles talked about the latest news and gossip as they made their way towards the party.

Many nobles who were part of the guest list were important members of the King's council, fiefdom lords, and other influential figures of the kingdom.

"I can't believe it's true... The Queen finally gave birth to the next heir to the throne... after all those miscarriages," said Lady Juliette as she walked down the main hallway.

"Lady Juliette... I agree with you but remember not to say such things out loud. Especially with the Queen present," said Countess Mara as she walked behind the noblewoman.

Juliette sighed, "I know Countess Mara... But, my heart can't help but feel for the Queen. All these miscarriages in such a short amount of time..."

Countess Mara frowned, "I know, I've had one miscarriage and that devastated me for months. I can only imagine how the Queen felt when all of this happened," Countess Mara said with a sad look on her face.

"Yes, but look at her now... She absolutely radiates with joy as she waits to greet her guests at the main hall. And I'm sure her husband is feeling the same joy right now. He is a good man after all," Lady Juliette said as she looked down the main hallway.

***

Servants were carrying in food and beverages to prepare for the party. All the major and minor lords of Fiafyr were mingling with each other and trying to make connections for the future of their fiefdoms. While the King and Queen were reconnecting with many of the lords and ladies they hadn't seen in months because they had to govern their lands on opposite sides of the kingdom.

In the courtyard, there was a huge garden party taking place with people mingling and drinking wine. And many other events were going on inside the palace.

Duke Alaric Revelia and his wife Duchess Leandra Revelia were the last to arrive for the party with their children in tow. They were dressed in beautiful gold robes and were wearing silver ascots.

Their two eldest children were in their early teens and their youngest was only 6 years old.

They were all smiling as they saw all the nobles from all over the kingdom gathered in one place. Marcus Revelia was the only one who wasn't smiling. He looked at the Duke and Duchess and then back at his older sisters who were standing next to him.

The Duke and Duchess approached the main hall with a smile as they started to hear the sounds of music starting to play inside the hall.

"Marcus? Remember that you can't let other nobles know how you truly feel. Put up a facade to keep them guessing, until you have the advantage. Only then will you be able to control your fate. Come now. We must first greet the King and then the baby and congratulate the Queen. Even if it is a lie. Just have patience," Duke Alaric whispered as he looked down at his son.

Marcus reluctantly put on a fake smile as he followed his mother and father into the main hall.

***

The party was going full swing with many nobles and their families enjoying the music and food. There was a large group of young noble children that were dancing in the center of the room as the young prince was sitting in a seat that was made for a six-month-old.

'This is so fricken weird! All these people are here to see me?... I-I don't know if I'm going to be cut out to be royalty. This is just... Strange?' Prince Quinus thought as he watched his parents and all the guests come by and congratulate him.

They all seemed to love him and were treating him like royalty. But he had a sickly feeling that some of the nobles that greeted him and his parents were putting up some kind of front to show off and be on his mother and father's good side.

'How are you supposed to trust someone if they only see you as an object? It seems only half of these nobles genuinely care about seeing my mother, father, and I... Plus that dude is fucking staring me down like he wants to beat the crap out of me! Who the hell is he?'

All the nobles would let their masks slip when they looked at Quinus. How were they supposed to know that he was a fully conscience adult who was reincarnated as a baby who had his old memories and intelligence? Half of them cared and tried to make Quinus giggle like most kids his age. While other nobles were half-assed in their greeting and seemed more put off by the idea of entertaining a baby and had tried to hold back the look of disgust when looking at Quinus. But then there was this one guy who was staring daggers into Quinus when no one else was looking.

The man looked to be in his mid-forties, with black hair and gray sideburns while being average high but was a stick-thin. He was wearing a blue long-sleeved robe shirt, with white pants, and had a gold necklace that was shaped like a wolf's head. Quinus couldn't help but think the guy was the most shady-looking bastard here and wanted to avoid him at all cost. But his baby body wasn't fully developed enough to do anything but sit there.

Prince Quinus was feeling very nervous right now as he sat in his high chair. And was trying to focus on what was going on around him.

The man put on a smile when it was his turn to greet the royal family.

"Your Majesty! How nice it is to see you again. It has been far too long. I can't believe how much time has passed since we last met." The man said to his mother, and father as he went and knelt before her.

"Viscount William Lysander... I'm glad you were able to make it to our son's party. You have my deepest thanks." King Cyndre replied to the Viscount.

"There is no need for your thanks. It is an honor to meet your son, and see the two of you after all this time."

'The fuck!? That guy is a Viscount?... Why did William Lysander look at me like he wanted to kill me!... Who am I getting in the way of to make him feel that way?' Prince Quinus thought as he saw the noble greeting his parents.

When the Viscount made his way to the Prince he made a point to smile at Quinus with that fake court jester smile of his.

"Congratulations on the birth of your first son," Viscount William said as he bowed towards King Cyndre and Queen Rianna again.

They both smiled and looked at Viscount William, "Thank you, Lord Lysander. I was planning on visiting your territory after hearing about the bad weather that hit your port city of Malabar. Is it as bad as the reports say?" King Cyndre asked with a serious tone.

Viscount William nodded, "It was bad Your Majesty... A few of our fishing ships were destroyed and the levy wall sustained damage from the tidal wave. But we were fortunate to have an earth mage in the city and we were able to hire him to cast some earth walls around the levy until the city engineers can repair it. We expect to have all the damage repaired by the end of the month," Viscount William said with a sigh.

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"I am sorry that you have to deal with this. I will send an extra 10,000 gold to pay for the damages. I feel that you've been a big help to us in the past and this should be a way to show my gratitude to the people of Silverhaven," The King said as he signaled to his advisor so Viscount William could receive the gold from the Royal Treasury.

"Thank you, your Majesty. I'm honored to receive such a gesture. And... I'm so pleased to know you have a rightful heir to the throne. You must be very happy," Viscount William said with a fake smile as he bowed again towards the King and Queen.

"You are very kind Lord Lysander," Queen Rianna said with a warm smile.

"Always a pleasure to help the royal family. I look forward to seeing His Majesty when visiting Silverhaven Coast. I'm sure the prince would enjoy it too," Viscount William said as he looked at Prince Quinus.

The Prince was glaring back at the noble and it showed but everyone just thought it was due to his inability to sit upright.

"Thank you, Lord Lysander. I hope you and your family enjoy the rest of the party. I'll let you get back to mingling with our other guests," The King said to the Viscount. William nodded and took his leave from the King and Queen.

'I do not trust him at all... Why would he keep staring at me like that?' Quinus thought as he saw the Viscount glaring at him one last time without anyone noticing.

Then before Quinus knew it the Viscount's expression changed from anger to surprise then to a smirk when he almost bumped into a tall nobleman with gray hair and eyes. He walked in with his family in toe.

Duke Alaric looked at the Viscount and gave him a slight nod before heading straight to the King and Queen.

"Duke Alaric Revelia... You always like to keep me waiting, brother... Haven't seen you in a while. Attending to Divalo enclave business," King Cyndre said with a smile.

"My apologies, Your Majesty. But I was in the middle of negotiating trade agreements with Baron Alistair Dravenhart. It was a rather long discussion that had to be done. I hope you can forgive my delay," Duke Alaric said with a smile and a bow.

The Duke was the one who took over the Divalo Fiefdom from their uncle, who was the one who had founded it. Their uncle didn't have an heir so Alaric was the one to become the Lord of the second-richest territory in Fiafyr.

"Oh, that must have been a very long talk. I would have loved to be in your shoes, dealing with Baron Dravenhart," King Cyndre said with a laugh.

"I'm sure you can handle everything with ease, Your Majesty. Myself and my wife are very pleased to know you have an heir at last," Duke Alaric said with a smile.

Marcus's smile faded as he glared at his father for saying such a thing.

'Oh... Oh no! That kid is my cousin!?... Don't tell me he was in line for the throne before I was reborn?! Why did I not see that coming!? I thought this type of thing was a cliche in stories!' Prince Quinus thought as he started recalling all the things he read in the books about his family but somehow missed this part of his new family tree.

'Dammit! I miss using the Internet! I could have searched for this information but nooo... I have to be a six-month-old reborn in a fantasy world! This is so messed up! I just got a second chance at life and I'm going to get stabbed in the back by my prick of a cousin, aren't I?!' Prince Quinus thought as he felt like crying but held back somehow.

"Thank you, brother. We've had our ups and downs. But I won't lie... I'm worried about the western labyrinth... Especially after hearing about the Horde of Goblins that spawned from it," The King said as he looked at his brother.

"Your Majesty... You don't need to worry about the western labyrinth. Baron Coldforge isn't the most reliable when estimating the length of time between the appearance of monster hordes," Duke Alaric said as he looked at his brother.

"I hope you are right. And to think we've never had a stampede since before our father became King," King Cyndre said with a serious look.

"Your Majesty... I don't believe there will be a stampede for a while—"

"And even if there was a stampede! I, Marcus Revelia, will slay them, Uncle! And prove to the kingdom that I am the best noble of my generation! I am a mage in the master tier!" Marcus said with a serious look on his face.

"Oh? I have heard that you are the best among the mages your age," King Cyndre said with a smile.

Duke Alaric frowned as he looked at Marcus, "That's because I took the time to hire a teacher for him before he will be sent away to the mage's academy to complete his training. But don't get ahead of yourself Marcus... Your lack of patience could be your downfall someday."

"A lack of patience can be the downfall of the weak! I'm the most powerful young noble here! And you know that!" Marcus yelled at his father.

Duke Alaric sighed as he looked at Marcus.

Queen Rianna was having trouble keeping a straight face as she was smiling and keeping her laughter back as she looked at the pouting young boy.

Leandra and her daughters looked embarrassed by Marcus's outburst.

"Marcus, I don't want you to be overconfident. You are a child and your actions show it," Duke Alaric said with a frown.

Marcus gritted his teeth and took a step forward and raised his hand towards his father.

"I will be a great ruler! I have the royal blood of the kingdom! I'm sure that everyone will follow me if I tell them to!"

King Cyndre and Rianna frowned at their nephew's declaration.

Alaric became alarmed by his son's second outburst and grabbed his hand in an instant.

"I'm sorry your Majesty... I seemed to have failed to discipline my son properly... Leandra, can you please take our son away? I'll deal with him later," Duke Alaric said as he looked at his wife.

Leandra nodded and looked at her three daughters.

"Sara, Jemma, Eleanora. Greet your cousin please while I deal with your brother," Leandra said as she glared at Marcus.

Sara was 15 years old and had her mother's dark hair and her father's gray eyes. And was dressed in a red dress.

Jemma was the second oldest, she had her father's gray hair but it was more platinum silver when the sun shone through it and her mother's red eyes. She was 12 and was in a red dress.

Eleanora was the youngest. She had her mother's eyes and hair. She was in a blue dress. She was 6 and loved her cousin Quinus. Mainly because he was a baby.

Quinus just kept a straight face as the girls came up to him and bowed.

"We're sorry for our brother's behavior," Sara said as she bowed her head.

"Aww! Cousin has such beautiful golden eyes like Uncle!" Jemma said with a giggle.

Eleanora stayed silent as she stared at Prince Quinus's gold eyes.

Prince Quinus just smiled at the girls and felt his cheeks blushing from their compliments.

All of them blushed when he smiled and started laughing.

"Your eyes are so pretty, cousin!" Eleanora said with a giggle.

"We must go now. The other nobles need to greet our cousin," Sara said as she led her sisters away from the prince.

"But we just got here," Eleanora said with a pout.

"They need to have some time alone, dear sister," Jemma said as she walked away from the Prince.

Eleanora nodded and followed her sisters towards their parents who were ready to scold Marcus.

'Well, at least my female cousins seem alright. But I have a bad feeling about the son... Marcus Revelia...'

Prince Quinus thought as he sighed.

'I don't think I'm going to get a good night's sleep after this day. I know he's a kid but he said he's a mage! I need to learn magic quickly... And I want to get out of this stupid seat!'

Prince Quinus was brought out of his thoughts when his mother picked him up and got him out of his high chair.

"That was an interesting moment there, wasn't Quinus," Queen Rianna said as she started to carry her son.

'Huh?... Oh? Did Mom know that I wanted out of this thing? Hmm... She is the best,' Prince Quinus thought as he leaned in close to his mother's chest and hugged her.

"That's enough mingling with your guests. I'll take Quinus up to his room for the night... Can you hold down the fort, Cyndre?" Queen Rianna said as she kissed her husband.

King Cyndre nodded and gave his wife and son a kiss on their foreheads.

"I don't know. Marcus might be coming for my throne while you're away. He's been trying to show me he is the most powerful noble in the kingdom," The King joked with a laugh.

Queen Rianna gave her husband a worried look, "I don't like Marcus... He's becoming quite the brat lately."

'Yes, mom's right! He's going to be a problem! A big problem!'

The King nodded his head, "Yeah, I fear my brother has been grooming him to be the next king of Fiafyr if Quinus wasn't born... I was hoping he could put his feelings aside once you had our son. But he's only 9 years old and is already a full mage. That boy is becoming a problem for me."

Queen Rianna shook her head, "We need to make sure he doesn't get too close to our son. He seems like one to hold a grudge and do anything to hurt Quinus in some way."

The King sighed and shook his head, "He's our nephew and Quinus's cousin. We can't avoid him forever my love."

'Bullshit! Dad! You're the fucking king! Decree something dammit! Like you're banned from seeing your cousin! There! It's not that hard!'

Queen Rianna looked down at her son and sighed, "You're right. But we should try our best to avoid him whenever he is near us. I just want our son to grow up safely in this world without any trouble or conflict."

'I love my second Mom! She gets me! It feels weird to say that after having been reborn but it's true!'

"Come now, let's go. I think we need to have some private time for a while," Queen Rianna said with a smile.

The Queen walked out of the ballroom and had a swarm of servants following her as she walked up the stairs to Quinus's room.