CHAPTER 34: ROYAL BANQUET

The rest of the day passed in a hush of routine. Shadows stretched across the townhouse, and for once, Edward felt the unusual calm of a life that almost resembled normalcy. But the peace would not last.

When morning came, Edward stirred awake to the faint sound of breathing beside him. His eyes blinked open, landing on the familiar sight of Seraphine sprawled across the mattress, her dark hair tangled like ribbons over her face. Where once he had jolted and fallen off the bed in surprise, now he merely muttered, "Morning," and swung his legs over the edge.

He had grown used to it. Each day, the girl would wake him up by laying beside him, for reasons unknown to him.

But their routine broke almost immediately.

A sharp, insistent knock rattled the townhouse door.

It echoed up the stairs, a sound too heavy for the usual merchants or wandering drunks of the eastern quarter. Edward frowned and made his way down, Seraphine trailing after him, still rubbing sleep from her eyes.

By the time they reached the entry hall, Aeris already stood by the door, the light of morning spilling in behind her.

She was holding three envelopes.

"Royal seal," she muttered, her brow creasing. She broke one open with careful fingers, then turned and passed the others into their hands.

Edward took his, staring at the red wax pressed with a crest he had only ever seen at a distance. His thumb slid over it before he unfolded the parchment. The words felt foreign in his mouth as he read them aloud.

"This is a formal invitation to the royal banquet... in regards to the engagement of Prince—" he stopped, eyes narrowing. "Banquet?"

He had expected to spend the day refining tomorrow’s plans, sharpening his edge for the coming clash with Crimson Oath. But attending a royal banquet? That was nowhere in the plan.

His gaze lifted to Aeris, who seemed just as unsettled, her lips pressing together in thought.

"What?!" Seraphine suddenly shrieked. Both of them turned just in time to see her face pale before twisting in horror. "I have nothing to wear!"

Before Edward could utter a word, she bolted upstairs. A heartbeat later, the thunder of drawers being flung open and clothes scattering across the floor shook the ceiling above. Edward let out a slow breath and dragged a hand over his face.

Beside him, Aeris gave a small shrug that held no humour.

"Do you think we can... not go?" Edward asked, almost hopefully.

But the girl’s reply came without hesitation. "We have to. It’s a royal invitation. To ignore it would be—"

"Suicidal?" Edward guessed.

Aeris’ lips curved in the faintest of smirks. "Something like that."

Before he could respond, she pressed a small pouch into his hand. The sound of clinking metal betrayed its contents.

"What’s this?" he asked.

"Payment," she said simply. "Chief Warren sent it. For our recent help. I already took my half—the rest is yours."

Edward opened the bag, and his breath caught. Five gold coins glimmered up at him, heavy with promise. He lifted his gaze, but Aeris had already turned, her pale hair catching the light as she walked away, leaving him alone in the hall with riches he hadn’t expected.

Though not alone for long.

"Edward!" Seraphine’s voice crashed through the quiet, followed by her arms wrapping around his chest like a steel trap.

He choked. "What—can’t—breathe."

She released him with an exaggerated pout, then danced around to face him, eyes bright. "Can you do me a favour?"

He narrowed his gaze. "What is it?"

"I need clothes for the banquet. Can you lend me some money?"

"Can’t you just wear something you already—"

"No."

The refusal came so sharp and final, Edward chose not to protest. He studied her for a long moment, then reached into the pouch and flicked a single gold coin into her waiting hands.

"Thank you!" she squealed, leaping with joy. Before he could retreat, she leaned in and brushed a quick kiss against his cheek, then darted for the door like a thief.

"Where are you—damn it," Edward hissed, already summoning Shadow Striker. The shadowy figure melted into the streets after her. This way, if she blundered into one of the Crimson Oath’s members, he’d know.

The townhouse settled into a rare calm after her departure.

For the first time in days, Edward sat in silence, leafing through a stack of old tomes stacked on a side table. Their pages smelled of dust and forgotten ink, but they gave him a peace that even coin could not buy. A single gold piece had purchased him hours of uninterrupted quiet, and that, he decided, was worth every fraction of its value.

Above, Aeris kept to her room. He assumed she was training—her dedication to it rarely faltered. Seraphine, meanwhile, vanished deeper into the city’s bustle, her laughter and complaints likely echoing off market stalls.

The sun sank lower, spilling golden light across the rooftops.

By the time the bells marked evening, Edward rose and dressed in the best attire the townhouse had to offer. It wasn’t much—a clean shirt, a fitted vest, dark trousers—but at least it made him look less like a wanderer and more like someone permitted inside a hall of nobles.

He descended the stairs, adjusting his cuffs, and froze at the sound of footsteps above.

Aeris emerged.

She wore a pale blue dress that draped like liquid light, her hair drawn back in an elegant knot. For a moment, Edward forgot to breathe. He had seen her wield a blade, stand bloodied in battle, and stand stubborn in defiance—but never like this.

She walked down with quiet grace, each step as precise as a queen’s.

"Where’s Seraphine?" she asked, her voice calm, though her eyes searched.

Edward shrugged. "I guess she’ll meet us there. My summon is keeping an eye on her."

"I see." Aeris gave a small nod. "Shall we?"

The two of them stepped out into the cooling air, the lamps of the eastern quarter flickering to life around them. The noise of taverns, the calls of drunken voices, and the music spilling from crowded streets seemed distant now. Tonight, their path would not lead through chaos—but into the heart of royalty.

And with it, into unknown dangers that come with it.