Chapter 26: The Banquet

A/N: I added/updated something on the previous chapter.  I decided to finish their encounter with Mia on that chapter...so to those who already read that part before this chapter was posted, I would suggest to go back and read again the Chapter 25. Thanks.

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Chapter 26: The Banquet

Three days past, all servants who were affected by the gaprischo already recovered and continued the preparations, on the other hand, knights who were injured has been tended to and cured by Valen. Edward and Valen were not able to speak with each other due to this as both try to do the things that need to be prioritized  and that was for each and everyone to gain back their health and everything be returned to normal.

From time to time, Valen visited Meredith to check if she was recovering well but Valen took most of her time tending to Abby as she was in the most critical situation of all wounded victims. She finally awakened after two days of being unconscious due to blood lost, Andy never left her side as she recovers.

"How are you feeling today, Abby?" Valen asked as she placed a new bandage on her wound.

"Better than yesterday...though I think I would not still be able to get up yet. I heard that the banquet will be held next week since the celebration did not proceed due to the incident. I am glad that Lord Thomas and Lady Melinda are fine. What happened to Mia by the way?"

"Abby, I think it is much better to ask about everything once you are better. I do not know exactly what happened too, but let us ask the question next time. I want you to reserve your strength for you to recuperate faster." Andy said with much concern. "Are you hungry? Mother cooked chicken soup for you, I will bring you a bowl and some freshly baked breads."

"Yes, I am famished." As Abby answered, Andy instantly stood up to get his betroth her food.

"But Andy, I also wished to know what happened after I passed out." Abby added.

"Honestly, I have not spoken with Lord Thomas and Lady Melinda about anything yet. Though perhaps Edward had already mentioned something to them. What I can tell you is that Mia was already gone. You do not have to concern yourself too much that something will happen again. Once I spoke with the royal highnesses and once you recover, I will tell you and Andy what happened in the grandhall after you left." Valen answered.

Abby no longer asked anything, she understand well that she must recover first. Andy returned to the room with a tray of food for Abby then Valen left the two.

That afternoon, Valen was summoned in the conference chamber. The guard knight announced her arrival - Lord Thomas, Lady Melinda, Edward and Lord James were already there waiting for her.

"Please have a seat, Valen." Lord Thomas offered. Edward stood up and offered the seat next to him.

"We wanted to thank you for tending to the injured and curing them, the knights, the servants, all of them. We have not spoken for days, we have been busy with some things here in the mansion after the incident. How is Abby?" Lord Thomas asked. Lady Melinda smiled at her. Lord James on the other hand seemed so depressed and lifeless as he remained silent.

"She is better. She just regained her consciousness yesterday  and I heard from Andy that she ate her dinner well late last night. It will not take long, she will soon be able to leave her room so she can get some fresh air."

"That is good...that is good to hear." Valen heard Lord Thomas sighed in relief. "We already heard a bit of what happened from Edward. We summoned you because we wanted to hear your view to what happened as it seemed very mysterious." Then Lord Thomas looked at Lord James. "James, I know we have been talking about this thing for the past three days, you have to pull yourself together." Lord James just nodded.

"Have you visited Meredith, Valen?" Lord Thomas asked.

"Yes, I have been visiting her from time to time. Talking to her and telling her stories. I can say that compared to the last two days after the incident, just a while ago she was able to show an emotion, she smiled at me." Valen for the first time too, after the incident smiled as she told them about Meredith.

Meredith seemed to be so lifeless in the past few days  —  she just sat on her chair on the balcony of her chamber, staring off in space. Valen believed that it was because she was controlled by Mia before, and was under the effect of the dark gaprischo longer than the rest.

"S-she smiled? M-my daughter s-smiled?" Lord James for the first time showed relief and happiness. He had been down and depressed  after learning what happened to Meredith, to him and to Mia. Edward told them what happened, he just did not have any idea if Mia was dead or if she was just gone and will return someday.

"Yes, yes she did." Valen answered with a smile. Having received a confirmation, Lord James excused himself and went to Meredith.

"It was a good news for James. Finally a good news since this happened. It was a good sign that both of them already showed a positive response." Lord Thomas said while Lady Melinda nod in agreement.

"Edward had already told us everything that happened, up to the point when Mia disappeared. It sounded very mysterious, the way she vanished, that she sounded in pain and such. I think it was good that James is not here right now while we speak about this...do you have any idea, Valen, what happened to her? Do you think she is still alive...and will still return?"

"Uhm, I am honestly not totally certain." Valen sighed as she thought of a better way to explain it.

"I have pondered about the things that happened, about Mia specifically. Edward and I were certain that Mia was in pain, we could hear her. She sounded pleading and anguishing and she had a hard time breathing then after a few moments, it was silent until the dark smoke vanished...if she really did pass away, I thought that her body should still remain...but as you already knew, we could not find her, so we assumed that she vanished together with the dark smoke." Valen paused for a while, recollecting her memories.

"Last night, I just remembered something I unintentionally heard before,  black haired healers were talking about it.. It was about darkness and selling oneself to it. I believe Mia was totally gone. She was already taken by darkness as Mia had done something considered, I must say...'forbidden'."

"What do you mean, Valen? I believe that she has not accomplished her mission and plan yet. I was so glad she was unsuccessful. I do not know what I will do if she was able to slay you and gain the vital power she desired! It was not her time yet to be taken by darkness, so what do you mean?" Edward curiously asked.

"It was when Mia controlled the horses. Each and every animals are considered sacred creatures. They are not associated with any kind of darkness, so manipulating with darkness...especially to do evil deeds is I think, considered something 'unforgivable'. Hence, doing so made the darkness take Mia immediately; it was just my assumption though, I was not really certain."

"Why are animals considered sacred beings?" It Lady Melinda who asked the question.

"Well, perhaps we can say that animals can be considered pure and innocent — and unlike humans who can make choices and know what a virtue from a vice, animals live on their instincts."

Not a week passed and everything seemed to be back to the way it used to. All the knights were already healed The servants have been so busy doing the final preparation as it was already the day of the banquet, a day of celebration and merriment.

The royal family have invited each and every person in Cellis so the wide garden outside the mansion was the perfect place for a large number of guests. There were a number of long tables and chairs set up with linens and vase with carnations and tulips on top of each tables. For sure, hundreds of people will be able to take a seat and enjoy the feast. Every arcs and fountains where decorated with lilacs and daisies.

Lord James and Meredith were already better and were somehow back to their normal selves.  They already knew and understood everything that happened, especially with what Mia had done, but they already left the Cellis mansion and went home to Perino. Lady Melinda and Lord Thomas had asked them to stay for one more day to attend the banquet and celebrate with them but they refused as they were still a bit remorseful for everything that Mia had done. They felt that somehow, they were also liable too for everything that happened. Even though Lady Melinda had told them that they should not feel that way, Lord James insisted for them to leave and needed time for them to accept everything and they hope that everything will still be well between their lands Perino and Cellis which Lord Thomas have confirmed.

Abby was also doing better. Lord Thomas had ordered her to take some rest more and were not allowed to do any kind of work until she fully recovers.  She has been eating and resting well, and Andy has always been by her side, supporting her when she walk outside to get some fresh air.

News travelled fast as every Helena and Algom residents already knew what happened in the mansion a few days ago, though the thing between Mia and the Yelian healers slayings were only known by the royal family, Valen and Lord James. What the people of Cellis heard and understood was that everything that happened was caused by gaprischo and that was all. Lord Thomas no longer wanted any kind of situation or thing that will make people feel uneasy or feel any kind of hatred.

Helena and Algom residents  were all happy that everyone seemed to be doing well especially the royal family. Everyone were all excited for the banquet to be held that night and since it was a very big feast, each of them wanted to do their own part for the celebration. Helenians decided to cook fritter, some caught freshwater fishes and delivered it to the mansion for the banquet. Algom residents offered fresh milks and cheese. Then as late afternoon came, everyone prepared and dressed their best for the special night.

The much awaited night came, the orchestra started playing music as every residents, from Helena and Algom, arrived group by group and helped themselves to be seated. Just a few minutes later, the royal highnesses together with Valen arrived and went to the platform built  for the occasion. Lady Melinda in an elegant, peach dress and Valen in a charming, lavender dress  were so lovely that all eyes turned  to them.

"I told you, you are exceptionally beautiful tonight. Everyone is staring at you." Edward whispered to Valen.

"Well, I believed they are staring at Lady Melinda, she was so elegant and beautiful as always, but her beauty was incomparable tonight, but thank you for your compliment." Valen whispered back.

"It was not just a compliment, I was stating a fact."

Lord Thomas signalled and the orchestra stopped playing music. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"Everyone! I sincerely thank you for coming and joining us on this special banquet. It has been a long time since we invited everyone and I thank you for giving time and for the support in the preparation, as well as for the goods and food everyone of us will be enjoying tonight. As you all know, it was all Valen's decision that all of us should be gathered as we celebrate the occasion together and we believe that she was right!" Everyone gave an applause and smiled at Valen.

"As you all know, we are all here gathered, to celebrate two special occasions. First is the twenty and fourth birthday of my son, Edward." The crowd gave another applause as they directed their gaze to Edward.

"And second, it may sound a bit sad, but let us look forward to the future and celebrate the survival of the last healer, Valen!" Everyone stood up as they applaud ever so hard and smiled at Valen and Edward. "With that, let the feast begin! Please enjoy everyone!"

And with that, the orchestra started playing a merry music. The servants started to serve the food, there were roasted ducks, braised veal breasts, cauliflower soup, salads, garlic breads, fish, of course, the fritters and many more. Knights and servants also helped themselves as they find their own seats. Lord Thomas had asked them to celebrate together with them once the food has been served. Lord Thomas thought of having a sweet, pleasing and happy banquet, but he never thought that the event will turn to be so lively, he just laughed and had fun as some of the guests did not eat right away as they dance their hearts away and more followed. Valen was enjoying herself as she watched the residents having so much fun as they swayed, hopped and laughed.

Everyone enjoyed the feast and before the night came to an end, Edward signalled to the orchestra to stop the music play. Everyone looked at Edward's as he walked towards the platform.

"Ladies and gentlemen. It has been an honor to celebrate my birthday with all of you. For me, this has been the happiest celebration we ever had. I thank you for sharing this happiness with me." Then Edward bowed sincerely as a gratitude to everyone. Everyone applaused and smiled at him.

"I also wanted wanted to share something with you." The applause stopped and everyone lent their ears to Edward.

"I believe everyone here already knew the incident that happened last week and I knew you wanted to know more about it and many are curious as to what really happened; but...let me be honest with you, the story you heard was still incomplete." Edward paused for a while and the residents started to whisper with each other. The noise died down as Edward continued.

"But please - we, my family and I, would not be telling you about it. It is actually our decision to keep it to ourselves and we believe that it is for the best, so I hope that everyone understand. However, what I can tell you is that, for me, it has been the most frightening experience I ever had." The guests are still silent as they stared at their prince as he looked so sad thinking of the incident last week.

"I love my parents, I love our land, Cellis, I love the people living here, but I never knew the extent the love I have for everyone and everything  around me. But not until last week, I was frightened, I thought that I will not be able to do anything, to help my land, to help my people. I thought of my parents, I thought of all of you, everyone...I had Valen with me that time, I thought I was going to lose her too. That was the time I thought of the love I have for everyone and to Cellis. I was so glad everything turned out right and everyone was safe. The event opened my eyes and my heart that I really wanted the best for this land and to everyone as your future king. I knew that I have been immature in the past and that I should have already married, that I should have already produced an heir, and that I should have already replaced my father in ruling this land three years ago. However, now I knew why these things happened. I apologize for saying this but it was a good thing that I was immature back then, because I know I was not ready yet and I think this is the right moment to do everything right. I would need everyone's support and trust in order for everything to work well, for all of us to prosper. Let  us have a great future ahead of us." Everyone stood and applauded. Everyone shouted, "we love you!", we will help you!", "we are with you!", "for Cellis!".

"With that being said, I have pondered...  and I have thought of many and different things for the past days...and, something is telling me that I should start right now, that I should do it right now! It may seem a bit of fast, it may surprise everyone, especially this person." Everyone was silent. Edward started to reach something on his pocket. He made a step and another then he stopped and stood in front of Valen who was sitting beside his mother.

"I know everything is happening so fast, but something inside me is telling me that this is the right moment and I feel everything is going to be alright and this is the start." Edward spoke, and it seem the speech is not addressed to everyone but for Valen alone.

"Valen, I have loved you since we met." Valen eyes widened in surprise. Every guests, as well as the servants, even the knights gasped in surprise. On the other hand, Lady Melinda and Lord Thomas were just smiling and seemed they know that it was going to happen.

"Yes, you heard me right...since we met, the time when we bumped into each other and you were wearing your cloak, and in that instant, I knew you were different...that you are special." Edward kneeled on knee and picked the ring from his pocket.

"Valen, I-I knew...I knew it seem that it it fast to show you the ring. The getting-to-know each other phase may seem to be skipped or may seem to be not enough. However, for the years that past by, and then the few days with you since I met you, was the only right thing that happened to me. I promise you I will treasure you and...." Edward stopped as he saw tears were forming on Valen's eyes.

"No, no Valen" Edward said as pleading as he reached Valen's hands "Pease forgive me for asking so suddenly, forgive me if I have not taken your feelings into consideration...I-I.." Edward stopped as Valen placed her index finger on Edward's lip to halt him from apologizing.

"Yes!" Valen happily replied with still some few tears dropping from her eyes. "I do not know why, but I know it's a yes. I love you too!" Edward instantly kissed her and everyone cheered and applauded as the orchestra started playing a lively and happy tune.

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A/N:

Yes it took me a while to finish this, aside from being busy, I find it hard to find the right words to say to finish and end the story.

Regarding the animals being sacred, I was just an animal-lover (especially a certified dog-lover) that's why I think (unconsciously) I incorporated something like that on my story. I hate animal-cruelty and lately I have been watching (mostly) Eldad Hagar's (Hope for Paws) dog rescue videos and it melted my heart and I'd been crying to most of the videos. Please vote/comment. Thanks.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated — Mahatma Gandhi.

So this chapter is dedicated to all Animal Welfare Societies around the world!