Chapter 35: Chapter 35: End of Banquet

    Arthur wasn''t particularly hungry, so he ate sparingly, only picking at the food on his plate before taking his wine glass and stepping toward the balcony for a moment of respite. As he moved through the room, he noticed several guests watching him intently. Offering them a polite smile, he said, "Please, don''t mind me. I just need a breath of fresh air."

    His words seemed to break their curious stares, and they quickly refocused on their conversations or meals. Arthur couldn''t help but observe that most of the guests, like him, had barely touched their food. The banquet wasn''t about the meal; it was an opportunity for networking—fostering alliances, building relationships, and subtly testing the waters in this newly proposed era for Keldoria.

    Stepping out onto the balcony, Arthur welcomed the cool night air as it brushed against his skin. Above him, the three moons hung in the sky, their soft light bathing the palace grounds in a silver glow. He rested his hands on the railing and let his thoughts wander. That was a lot of talking and explaining, he mused, sipping from his wine glass. I think they understood at least some of it.

    He glanced back toward the grand hall, imagining the discussions likely still buzzing among the guests. Maybe the scholars will grasp the concepts more thoroughly than the others. They asked the most questions but it was more that they didn''t understand, instead of rejecting the ideas outright or arguing.

    Arthur''s private thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the balcony door opening behind him. Turning his head, he saw Duke Richard stepping out, his towering presence unmistakable. Richard was dressed in a sharp navy-blue suit adorned with intricate gold embroidery, a cape draped over one shoulder—a style befitting his status yet practical enough to convey his restrained, militaristic personality.

    Beside him, Olivia appeared, her presence immediately commanding Arthur''s attention. She was radiant, more stunning than he had ever seen her before. Her gown, a deep emerald green that shimmered in the moonlight, hugged her figure elegantly. Fine golden embroidery swirled across the fabric like vines, and a delicate diamond necklace adorned her neck, accentuating her beauty. Her hair was styled in soft waves, framing her face, and the faint blush on her cheeks gave her an ethereal glow. At that moment, it was undeniable—she was the most beautiful lady in the banquet hall.

    For a fleeting second, Arthur''s thoughts faltered and felt a bit of regret. So, this is the same Olivia who I rejected to marry. Clearing his mind, he straightened his posture and greeted them with a nod.

    "Duke Richard. Lady Olivia," Arthur said, his tone calm but curious. "I wasn''t expecting company out here."

    Richard smirked slightly, his deep voice carrying the same weight it always did. "Well, Your Majesty, it seemed only fitting to check on the man who managed to silence an entire banquet hall with words alone. Impressive, I must admit."

    Olivia stepped forward, her emerald gown shimmering faintly in the moonlight. Her gaze locked on Arthur''s, her voice gentle yet inquisitive. "You''ve certainly given everyone much to think about, Your Majesty. Even the scholars seem at a loss for words. I must admit, I find myself intrigued."

    Arthur couldn''t help but notice how different her demeanor was compared to their first meeting. Back then, Olivia''s tone had been sharp, almost condescending, as if she were addressing someone far beneath her station. But now, after spending time with Arthur and witnessing his resolve and vision, her tone carried genuine curiosity—and perhaps even a hint of respect.

    "Thank you, Miss Olivia," Arthur replied with a polite nod, his expression composed yet warm. Then, shifting his attention to Richard, who stood beside her, Arthur added, "And you, Duke Richard? Is there something on your mind?"

    Richard paused, his intense gaze studying Arthur as if weighing every word he was about to speak. Finally, he broke the silence. "Yes, Your Majesty. I do have some questions."

    These musings faded as Arthur approached his seat at the head of the hall. He picked up his wine glass and lightly tapped it with a spoon, the chime cutting through the hum of conversation. The crowd turned their attention to him, the room growing still in anticipation.

    Arthur took a deep breath and addressed them, his voice carrying a confident but approachable tone. "Thank you for your patience, everyone. Now that I have your attention, I''d like to make an important announcement."

    The room fell silent, all eyes fixed on the king.

    "As you''ve heard tonight," Arthur began, "I''ve outlined plans for a new tax system, introduced some of my theories on economics and many more. I want to express my hope for your full support in these endeavors. The new tax system will be officially implemented starting next week. As for the economic theories, I intend to refine them further, add additional insights, and compile them into comprehensive documents. Once completed, these will either be available for purchase or accessible for free in libraries and public forums."

    Arthur paused for a moment, scanning the room, his gaze steady. "However, this process will take time—months, perhaps even longer. In the meantime, I must ask that you return the documents distributed to you tonight to one of the maids or staff before you leave. Rest assured, when the refined versions are ready, I will ensure they are shared with you again."

    The murmurs rippled through the hall once again as Arthur''s words settled over the crowd, each guest digesting the weight of what had been said. Some nodded quietly in approval, their gazes reflective, while others exchanged curious, skeptical glances. Whispers filled the air, a mix of intrigue and speculation, as they tried to piece together what this would mean for the future of Keldoria.

    The maids moved gracefully through the room, collecting the documents that had been distributed earlier. A few guests hesitated, their disappointment evident as they reluctantly handed back the papers, their desire to study the groundbreaking ideas more deeply evident. Others skimmed the documents once more, before returning, their curiosity tempered by uncertainty.

    As the final documents were gathered, the banquet gradually resumed its course. Conversations shifted to lighter topics, though the weight of Arthur''s revelations lingered beneath the surface. Guests mulled over the implications, some whispering excitedly about the king''s unexpected brilliance, while others remained cautiously reserved.

    The evening continued for a short while longer before winding to its conclusion. One by one, the guests approached Arthur, offering their respects before taking their leave. Some bowed deeply, their expressions thoughtful, while others gave polite nods, their minds clearly preoccupied with what they had heard.

    Finally, as the grand hall emptied, the banquet came to an end, leaving Arthur standing amidst the fading echoes of footsteps and murmurs.

    ---

    Not part of the story

    If power stone reach 30, I will release an extra Chapter. If it didn''t reach, it will be as scheduled, 4 Chapters a week from Tuesday to Friday.

    Thanks for reading.