The children with the mother left the castle while their father stayed for the feast. Most of the people were already inside the hall. Once he entered a guard standing by the doors, announcing the nobleman coming inside.

“Lord Zimowit Von Alk has joined us!” The guard officially announced as he opened the door for the lord.

Once they heard his name, Zimowit was surrounded by the nobles. Some of them were his supporters and some faked friendliness as they knew that House Alk might become the next ruler. The rest of the Royal Houses only gave him a look.

Nobles were separated into three groups. House Alk and supporters, House Peresia and supporters, and lastly the rest of the Royal Houses plotting something together. Except for the head of the Lophia family. He was the only one who came to congratulate House Alk. He wasn’t faking the friendliness like some nobles.

“Lord Zimowit!” Shouted the man.

“Ah. Lord Gran!” Answered Zimowit.

They both hugged each other and patted on the back.

“How’ve you been? I haven’t seen you in four months!” Asked Zimowit.

“I was out of the capital in my county. Had to make sure everything was okay and make some changes. You should also visit your county. Even if everything is fine it makes people happy to see their lord.”

“I was planning to do it. No worries my friend. I care for my land.”

“And how is your family?” Garan grabbed Zimwit’s shoulder and led him further into the room, closer to the table with food.

“My wife left with the children at our house. They are leaving for the county earlier than me. If not for the changes in the schedule they would stay for the final duel… Speaking of the final duel. Is my son here?”

“I haven’t seen him… If he were here there would be a crowd around him.” They stopped, looking for the man in question.

“You’re right… Where might he wander to?”

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Peresia’s group began to move toward Alk’s group. That caught everyone’s attention. Standoff between two houses that are fighting in finals. Zimowit watched the family head with his frail body and his son. The son who was supposed to fight was limping along the way. A smile appeared on his face once he knew that the strongest fighter in their family was wounded, the rest of the sons were too young to fight and the family head wasn’t in shape.

“Well… Well. Well. If it isn’t Lord Donkiel and his son, Gerad.” Said Lord Zimowit as he leaned a bit to make a welcoming gesture.

Gerad answered by leaning too but his father taped him with the shoulder to stop him from doing that.

“Congratulations on making it to finals but I think this is as far as you go…” Said Lord Donkiel but he was stopped by Lord Zimowit.

“I don’t think you can stop us right now… Seeing your best fighter in a bad shape…” Zimowit looked down at the boy’s possibly damaged leg.

“This is nothing for us to worry about. Our win is secured.” Said Donkiel, looking Zimowit straight in the eyes.

“Hmp. Can’t wait to see the look on your face in two days…” Said Lord Zimowit as he walked away, being disgusted by Peresia’s attitude.

“Yeah. Right…” Whispered Donkiel.

The House Peresia group left the feast after exchanging words with the rest of the families. It was more of a business meeting for them than an actual feast or celebration. Lord Zimowit and Lord Gran were the ones who stayed the longest. Zimowit wanted to leave at first but after Gran’s suggestion for a drink, his mind changed.

“I’m not going to leave my friend alone with a glass of wine. What would everyone think of you if that would’ve happened?” Said Zimowit, making an excuse even for his peace of mind to stay and drink.

“Right? What would they think? That I have drinking problems? That I’m lonely. That I can’t make bonds?” Gran started counting the possible things people could think about him.

“That side of you never changes. Sober or drunk. You overthink everything.” As he was explaining, a servant poured him more wine.

“Boy. If you could bring us a couple bottles of wine. We can pour them ourselves. No need for you to stay around drunkards. We’ll spare you that experience.” Gran stopped the servant after he poured him some wine.

“If you insist, Lord Gran.” Said the boy as he bowed and left the room.

“Like I said. Overthinker through and through.” Zimowit said as he watched the servant leave the room.

“This overthinking saved me a few times! Like in the war with the Fadim Empire twelve years ago! There was this suspicious village that wanted to help us. With my ‘overthinking’ mind I was wary of them and found out that they tried to poison us!” Gran told the story as he stood up and acted out his story as if he were an actor in a theater.

“If only that overthinking stopped you from drinking this much beer.” Said Zimowit as he pointed out Gran’s beer belly.

“Know I’m not drinking beer… but wine!” Gran picked up the bottle of wine to prove his point.

“Because that’s the only alcohol they have in here…”

“Enough about drinking preferences. How is your second son?” Gran shook his hand to leave that topic aside.

“Lance? He is at the front in the war against our good old enemies. Fadim.”

“Kicking Fadim for his father. You must be proud.” Gran laughed.

“Of course I am. But I am worried at the same time.” Zimowit dragged his words as he looked at his image in the wine.

“As every parent would, Zimowit.” Gran said, making Zimowit take his eyes away from the wine.

“Well… I don’t know if every parent. My father was a bit different.”

“Yes… He might be the only exception…” Gran’s smile disappeared for a moment as he was reminded of that person’s existence.