The next day, inside the grand palace of Drakethorne grand ducal house, everything had returned to normal, and the decorated hall had been turned into its old self by removing all the decorations.
The gate that was previously filled with expensive linen cloth has been returned to its simplicity.
Maids and servants worked all night to remove the decorations and clean everything, making sure it was clean.
In the morning, in the private study room of Shane Drakethorne, the grand duke of Drakethorne House, was sitting on his chair, and in front of him were Ragnar Drakethorne, his father, and Nyra Blackheart, his mother.
The room was cleared, and no one was there except these three figures. There was tension in the air, making everything even more uncomfortable.
For the past half an hour, they have been talking about the events that unfolded yesterday.
They immediately ended the banquet after Alex was taken to his private chamber to sleep. Morgana Chronveil, a paragon rank warrior, lost her consciousness immediately after holding the hands of Alex and was reduced to a pathetic self.
They didn't want others to see more than they already had, so they ended the banquet as gifts were already received, and it was nearing the end. So, it was ended immediately, and all the people were escorted back to their carriages.
Shane Drakethorne can still remember the rumours and the words of the people as he was bidding everyone farewell.
There was shock in the eyes of people present; even the veterans and powerful individuals were shocked to see Morgana Chronveil, a matriarch of one of the four grand ducal houses, trembling in her chair, after which she lost her consciousness.
"Hah, I can't even imagine the rumours that must be spreading at this moment," Shane Drakethorne said, shaking his head.
"You're right, people are surely cooking something, and it won't be wrong to think they might label Alex as a threat," said Ragnar Drankethorne, one of the empire's forces to reckon with, recalling the events at the banquet. He couldn't fathom how Morgana Chronveil could turn like that. He knew Morgana wasn't on his level yet, but she was a power to be feared with.
Nyra Blackheart, who was taking a sip from her teacup, nodded her head, reminiscing about the events.
"Sigh, it's out of control now. Who would have thought this would happen? We are not yet sure what happened, as Morgana is still sleeping. We can only pray she wakes up soon and tells us what happened." Nyra Blackheart said as she took another sip from her teacup.
"We can find out about what happened from Morgana when she wakes up, but what about the betrothal between Alex and the Emperor's daughter?" Shane Drakethorne asked, glancing at his father, who was lost in thought.
Nyra Blackheart, who was drinking tea from her cup, put down her tea cup and became serious.
Ragnar Drakethorne was about to say something, but was interrupted by his wife.
"I don't know what the emperor is thinking, but he is surely up to no good," Nyra Blackheart murmured.
Ragnar Drakethorne, not wanting to be interrupted again, spoke, "No one in the world can know what is on his mind. Even when he was little, no one even thought he would become emperor. He was a free-spirited child, but suddenly he changed as if someone took over his body."
Drakethorne recalled how this emperor was once a free-spirited child unbothered by politics and enjoyed himself in his own world.
Shane Drakethorne said, "I can't understand why the Emperor gave Alex the chance to cancel the marriage if he really wanted this marriage to happen. He went as far as to even use that ancient promise. The emperor could have used that promise to ask for anything". Shane Drakethorne's eyes flared up, thinking how dare the emperor bind his son to this marriage without his permission.
"Control yourself, son. I know you are angry," Ragnar Drakethorne said quietly, his voice rough with the effort to remain calm. "We can't know why Alex was given the chance to cancel this marriage, but we can only be thankful that if Alex doesn't want it, then this marriage won't happen." Ragnar's ferocious red eyes locked with his son's, whose black eyes burned with raw, uncontained fury. "So stop thinking about this, and control yourself."
Shane Drakethorne had unconsciously released his paragon rank aura, and Ragnar had used his powers to keep this aura from lashing out on the table and books kept on nearby bookshelves.
Shane Drakethorne, as if coming back to his self, controlled his aura; he was still getting used to his new powers and needed more time to get comfortable with his newfound powers.
As Ragnar Drakethorne was telling Shane Drakethorne to learn and stabilize himself in paragon rank quickly, if not delayed, stabilizing could harm his future goals. Ragnar was sharing his experience and giving him guidance. Suddenly, a voice came from outside the standing knight guarding the door: "Your Grace, Lady Morgana Chronveil has woken up."
All stood up immediately, without waiting further, after hearing that Morgana Chronveil had woken. They wanted to know what happened yesterday right away.
- - - - - -
Inside the private chambers of Alex Drakethorne.
Every child in Drakethorne House would get their own private chambers. Servants and maids would mostly care for the child at night, while during the day, the parents would make sure to look after the child if they were free.
But Sera Azurestorm and Shane Drakethorne were different from the previous generation; they had placed one bed in Alex's chamber and would sleep in Alex's private chamber, and would look after their son day and night.
Especially Sera Azurestorm, the current duchess and Alex's mother, would never leave her son alone for an entire day.
At this moment, Sera was singing a lullaby to her son, who was sleeping peacefully in his bassinet, decorated with toys made with magic that would play different sounds.
A knock sounded at the door. Sera Azurestorm said, "Come inside."
A maid in her twenties stepped inside, bowed, and said, "My lady, Lady Morgana Chronveil has woken up."
Sera Azurestorm placed her hand softly on her son Alex's cheek. "My baby, sleep for now; your mother will return soon."
Sera Azurestorm looked one last time at her son, stood from her seat, and made way to the room where Morgana Chronveil was staying.