Walking towards the banquet hall Chara looks at the several artworks and busts covering the walls, a quick glance at one of the busts informs her that they are statues in the resemblance of former kings, queens and other members of the royal family.

"Galvin Eredros the third, king of Eredria, the flower king. What a weird nickname for a king." Chara though to herself as she guided Alicia, loosely following the servant. After around ten minutes of walking through several interconnected hallways and split-offs the duo had finally arrived before the large hall where the banquet was held. Gently holding Alicia's hand to assure her it will be okay Alicia returned the gesture by squeezing Chara's hand for a second. The servant announced to Alicia and Chara they may enter, opening the large wooden door the duo enters, Chara could see a sea of nobles and personal knights closely following behind their liege, some nobles talking with each other while others already have a glass of wine in their hand.

Alicia channeled her magic and through her shawl the usual darkness was suddenly filled with cores of mana in all colors, from ruby and sapphire to opal and onyx. Tugging slightly on Chara's sleeve she leaned in and whispered. "The room is filled with magic users, is this common, this amount of magic users is unusual."

"Well, most here are nobles of high class and personal knights to attend and protect, so its not weird most have some connection to a wind of magic, do you see anything abnormal?"

"I can't really tell, the cluster of mana cores causes my mana sense to weaken, I can only see their favored wind of magic, not their strength." Alicia replied.

Chara though for a moment about what Alicia said. "Hmm, it seems the more magic users your sense perceives, the heavier strain it takes on your eyes, do you feel any pain?"

"Not really, it feels kinda like when we stayed up late and a headache crashed unto eyes during our stay in the library at the academy."

Chara's lips couldn't hide her smile, remembering the long nights and her having to carry Alicia back to her room, "good memories." She thought. continuing their small talk Chara suddenly asked if Alicia would like a glass of wine, Alicia replied. "I have never tried wine, is it good."

Dumbfounded for a moment at her companions answer, she quickly recovered and answered that the wine is very refreshing, however it is on the stronger side. "Have you ever had any alcohol?" Chara asked.

"No, how so?"

Sighing in defeat Chara called for one of the many servants carrying a large tray, filled with glasses of wine. Asking the servant for a glass she was suddenly interrupted by the voice of Alicia. "Chara will you also have a glass?"

"I can't I'm currently protecting you, so I can't get drunk while on duty."

"But I want to test it with you."

Thinking for a moment, Chara contemplated her actions and surrendered, explaining to Alicia she will only have one glass of wine. A smile erupted on Alicia's face and Chara looked back at the still silent servant.

"Two glasses of wine please."

"Certainly lady knight." The servant answered while expertly balancing the tray and taking two glasses with his left hand and gave them to Chara, giving a slight nod in thanks she handed one of the glasses over to the out reached hand of Alicia, seeing her gently cupping the glass in her hands she Chara lets out a small chuckle before taking a small swig. Calling for Alicia to taste she looks on as Alicia takes a sip and a frown is on her face immediately.

"You liar, you said it was sweet." Alicia exclaimed while coughing from the wine.

"It is sweet, its just the alcohol, if you get used to the taste of alcohol it is really sweet."

Chara watched on as Alicia steeled herself as she took another gulp from the glass, a small frown on her brow. Chuckling at her companions suffering they talked for a bit about the many mana cores, but their conversation was interrupted by the grumbling stomach of Alicia, her cheeks blushed Chara asked if she would like some food, nodding slightly at the offer Chara asked her to stay here and wait for her.

After a few moments suddenly a voice called out to her a few steps away from her. "Excuse me miss, I have been standing in front of you for ages but you haven't seem to notice me, I guess my charm took you by surprise." A haughty voice suddenly proclaimed.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"I'm so sorry, how can I help you?" Alicia nervously asked, not knowing the identity of the man in front of her. Using her mana sense she could see a ruby colored mana core in the man, and she also noticed another ruby colored mana core standing right behind the first man.

"You are excused, who are you and how did you get an invite?" The man asked, not introducing himself.

"I... I got an invite from the first prince, I don't know why. My name is Alicia. What is your name?" Alicia stammered out her answer.

"Hmm, it seems elder brother is the doing of this..." Before the man could answer the voice of Chara was heard from the side. Hastily placing the small plate of food on one of the side tables Chara got down on one knee, "Prince Arthur Eredros, it is a pleasure to see you again."

"Well, if it isn't Chara Fersun, how unexpected to meet you at a royal banquet." The prince exclaimed.

Chara looked behind the prince and saw the ever vigilant appearance of her elder brother, Faelan Fersun.

"Hello elder brother, how is your stay in the capital?" Chara spoke, no emotion in her tone.

"Hello Chara, as usual nothing remarkable."

Sensing the tense air Alicia channelled her mana and silently cast a spell, "Chara, what should we do?" Chara, now familiar with Alicia's spell answered they should follow along with the conversation of the prince.

"Your highness, this is Alicia Solic, former student of Ave Ludum and currently my liege." Chara introduced her companion formally to the prince.

"Lady Solic, I seem to recall your name but I can't put my finger on the reason why, please refresh my memory." The prince asked, but his tone was that of an order.

Chara looked towards the still standing Alicia, unsure of her reaction, suddenly she saw her mouth open for just a second before closing again, sensing her nervousness Chara intervened and explained.

"Your highness, Alicia was in an accident at Ave Ludum months back, which caused one of the training facilities to explode, everyone except Alicia came out unscathed, as you can see." Chara explained without giving out to much information, looking back towards Alicia she could see her tense muscles relaxing a bit.

"Interesting, I faintly remember seeing a report about an accident at the academy. How are you faring now lady Solic?" The prince asked, mischief in his eyes. Chara opened her mouth to answer but the prince interrupted her.

"Thank you, Lady Chara, but I would like to hear miss Solic answer."

"I... I am fine... your highness. My wounds have... been treated already by the doctors at the academy." Alicia answered, stammering her words.

"All good, it seems my elder brother will be speaking, thank you for your time and have a pleasant evening."

Seeing the fleeting backs of the prince and her older brother Chara stands up and heaves a long sigh from the stressful moment, looking towards Alicia she could see cold sweat on her neck.

"Alicia are you okay?"

"I'm fine Chara, just nervous, I have never met or talked with a royalty before."

Taking in the stressful moment, suddenly the two friends began laughing at each other, not loud enough to cause a scene.

"You were so scared Alicia." Chara's words were filled with laughter.

"Shut up, what about your weird moment with your brother huh?"

"Don't mention it, we have never been on good term, ever since his knighthood he has become recluse to our family."

Elsewhere, Arthur Eredros was talking with his personal knight, "Faelan, why haven't you informed me that your sister is the personal knight of Alicia Solic?" The prince was frustrated.

"You haven't asked for that information, therefore I didn't include it in my report."

"It seems we have to push back our plans for a bit, send a letter to our ally to lay low until further notice."

"I understand." Faelan simply responded.

Suddenly the banquet hall became quiet as the eldest prince of Eredria, prince Gillian Eredros, walked down the large stairs, his wife walking along with him.

"Greetings, friends and allies of our kingdom, today is a joyous day, for we have had bountiful harvest to enjoy, eat to your hearts full!" The booming and dominating voice of prince Gillian bounced through the large hall, a wave of applause erupted from his words and the nobles continued their conversations while Chara and Alicia chattered, Alicia some weird potato dish.

"Chara, what is this thing atop the potato, its delicious!" Alicia exclaimed in surprise by the taste.

"Its caviar from the mountain range up north, where salmons are harvested for their fat white meat and their caviar."

"I love it! Is it possible to buy?"

"It will be difficult, most merchants from that region exclusively operate with well known restaurants and nobles."

Hearing Chara's reply Alicia's mood soured, her dream of eating this thing called caviar slowly fleeting away.

Their evening continued on, Chara conversed with nobles who were friends with her parents, and Alicia kept explaining to other nobles she wore the shawl for a reason.

"I don't understand miss, why would a pretty lady like you cover your face?" A stubborn man kept asking, Alicia could smell the pungent scent of alcohol on his breath.

"I have already explain, Mister Donnie, I wear it for a personal reason."

"Just take it off!" Suddenly the man reached out towards her face in an attempt to take off the shawl, but his hand was forcefully stopped by Chara.

"Excuse me mister Albert Donnie, heir of house Donnie, you have caused my liege unnecessary discomfort, please leave before further "persuasion" is required."

Flicking his hand free from Chara's grip he muttered something before leaving to grab another glass of wine.

"Who was that Chara?" Alicia asked.

"Albert Donnie, eldest son of house donnie east of here, he is pretty well known around courts for his behavior."

"Thank you for stopping him, I'm getting pretty tired of heirs and nobles trying to talk to me, why even?"

Chara thought to herself, "I mean, have you even seen what you are wearing?" while looking at her friend.

Hours passed and most of the nobles had left the hall, only a few were still there, Arthur Eredros and Faelan having left earlier. Chara looked over towards the sleeping form of Alicia gently resting at one of the tables near the wall. Sighing in tiredness she walked over and gently shook Alicia awake.

"Alicia, our carriage is here, you can continue to sleep there.

"Mmm, okay." Alicia muttered but stayed in her sleeping position.

"Cyril's light, we have to train your tolerance to alcohol." Chara muttered to herself as she gently picked up Alicia in a princess carry, quietly calling for a servant to guide them to their carriage. Following the female servant who continuously looked at her and Alicia in her arms Chara lifted an eyebrow in confusion.

"Ahem, I'm sorry miss knight, but you two look like something from a fairytale. A knight saving his princess from danger." The servant explained while giggling. Chara's ears brightly turned red in embarrassment by the comment but kept silent.

Arriving outside the royal palace the servant called for their carriage, the same one who sent them to the capital, opening the door for Chara she thanked the servant and climbed inside, gently placing Alicia down on the cushioned bench before sitting down herself.

The carriage began moving and Chara by reflex caught the falling hand of Alicia, holding it in the air she hesitated for a moment before slowly bowed down and kissed Alicia's hand.

"Silly girl, you really are troublesome."