I never had a big party except for my first coming of age. My birthdays until now only pertain to a quiet evening with Izzy and Mother, Father and my brothers sending me presents, and my lessons with Mr. Reinhardt are put on hold. It was docile compared to what you would expect on a royalties birthday.
“Why are we having a celebration now? It’s only my birthday.”
“It’s your ninth birthday, my prince.” Louise specifies.
“Yes I know, but why a celebration?”
“We’ve always celebrated, this one is just larger. Haven’t his highness said, ‘at the age of nine, we began preparing you for Alistair Academy’.”
I raised a brow and say, “I won’t be attending.”
Louise climbs down from the wheeled ladder and hands me the book I had asked him to grab for me. We were in my room, where new books were put up on the shelf. One of them caught my eye, but I was too short to reach the top shelf. As Louise was grabbing the book, I took the chance to question him. He straightens his uniformed blazer and says, “The age of nine is still an honorary milestone a noble can reach for many reasons of beginning to prepare for the academy and being put to the test to see what they could specialize in. When they find their specialty, they would expand their skill set on it in the academy as well.”
I sigh. “I really am going to miss out on many things.” Louise doesn’t reply to my comment and before he could speak up, I walk to my desk to begin reading.
Other than writing, I dabbled in drawings. Anything to do with art, I tried out really. Maybe I can start doing that and sell paintings? That’s a plan.
By the time I got halfway through the book I was reading, it was time to begin my lessons. Mr. Reinhardt sat at his usual seat when I arrived. Ever since he had told me he was hundreds of years old, I look for any signs of old age on him in vain. This man was flawless. His skin was completely fresh and smooth, his teeth pearly white, his hair completely black and silky, his amber eyes alight with a young man’s energy. He could play for a young adult if he tried too.
“Prince Eli,” He greets me and I greeted him back by name. “Your birthdays in a few days no?” He asks.
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"Apparently, there will be a larger celebration with guests.”
“It won’t be as extravagant as a coming of age, but a noble's ninth birthday signifies to them beginning their path in life.”
I shake my head, “So many celebrations for so many things.”
He takes my comment amusedly and without another wasted second, he begins his lessons. Surprisingly, the lesson focused on the background of the guests that would attend, the invitations were already sent last week."If you have guests over, be sure to know as much about them beforehand." He stated.
Duke Turning, his wife, and twin daughters were the first to be sent invitations for the fact that the eldest daughter was the first candidate in becoming a fiance to my brother, Elias. I was surprised to hear this and questioned Mr. Reinhardt on when this occurred. “It’s not a surprise that you don’t know. This was a private decision brought up by Duke Turning himself in a council meeting.”
“Don’t princes usually marry with princesses?”
“That only happens to strengthen ties with other Kingdom’s. Or it would be an offering for peace by marriage. Other than that, noble’s of high standing in a kingdom can marry into the royal family.”
The house of Duke Turning overlooked the treasury on the kingdom. They managed the money brought in by the trade done by the house of Duke Garter. The third and last of our Dukes in our Sinnette Kingdom manages the business world. If one were to want to start up their own store, they would have to receive a certificate of business from the house of Duke Olbrich, and they have full authority to close it down if they wished. All rules in the business world in our kingdom is made by them and they receive the biggest percentage of tax from these businesses. The rest is given to royalty. Duke Garter gains the biggest percentage of profit made through trading, the rest also given to royalty. Duke Turning is directly paid by the royal family for being treasurer of the Kingdom.
Even when the Royal family gets the smallest percentage of profits, we still receive a percentage of all and every money made. So in the end, the royal family gains the biggest profit year round. No surprise. That's not to say the royal family wastes it. We send donations to Alistair Academy twice a year, a million in dollars worth each time to maintain the large campus and keep all supplies in the best state possible. This allows all activities to be taken care of and the tuition for the school is lowered enough for even the children of Baron's to attend it.
By the time he's done explaining in detail, I ask, "You're only doing the Dukes?"
Mr. Reinhardt answers, "The Dukes are the only invitees. As I've said, it won't be as extravagant as a coming of age celebration... But the ones attending are the most important figures in the kingdom. Be careful as to stay on your prime." He digs into his hidden breast pocket and pulls out a decorative envelope. An invite. "I'll be there to see it through after all."
After the lessons, I went over all the information I was given before it finally hit me: Daniel will be attending.