Master Dorren didn’t wait for the elves to fully clear the floor. He walked forward with heavy and confident steps. His boots thudded loudly against the floor, snapping Leon out of his thoughts.
"Enough of being absent minded, little guy," Dorren grunted as he looked at Leon.
He shoved Bram forward, who was practically buried under the weight of the metal chest.
Leon remained quiet and respectful as his curiosity piqued by the kind of gift.
Dorren slapped Bram’s back with a thud. "Bram, open it up. Don’t tell me your back is still sore from the roads."
Bram winced as he nearly dropped to his knees from the slap but he quickly set the heavy chest onto the floor as he clicked open the chest. As the lid opened, it revealed a dark metallic hand band along with various short weapons.
"No fragile toys or birds from our forge," Dorren laughed as he playfully mocked the earlier gifts. "A custom defensive artifact forged in the shape of a band along with several short weapons."
Dorren pointed to the metallic band as he directed his explanation to Leon and Vera. "Once the boy grows up and learns to sense energy, bind this artifact to him. It’s a defensive artifact capable of taking a full force strike from a Manifestation stage without breaking at least ten times. It will depend on the nature of the attack."
Leon looked down at the band and the small weapons arranged inside the chest and looked up as he met the dwarf’s gaze directly.
"Thank you, Uncle Dorren," Leon said, his small voice clear and calm.
Dorren let out a laugh as he was amused by the boy’s direct manners. "You’re welcome, little guy. Make sure you use those weapons properly when you’re older!"
Vera stepped forward with a genuine smile she accepted the chest from Bram. "Thank you, Dorren. This is exactly what he needs for his future." She then turned and handed the chest to Hanna, who carefully moved it to the side to be stored with the other gifts.
Marcus let out a chuckle as he crossed his arms. He looked at his old friend. "A Manifestation stage defensive artifact for a toddler? You really outdid yourself this time, Dorren. We will definitely be opening that liquor later tonight."
"Hah! That’s my old friend that I remember." Dorren replied loudly as he gestured towards Bram to step back and rejoin the guests.
Following the major powers, the regional lords stepped up to conclude the formal presentations. Lord Zephyr presented high grade spiritual stones while Gideon Wells offered a rare, century old elixir for stabilizing vital essence.
Roland sat down beside his brother’s seat. His eyes observed the presentations as the regional lords offered their formal and respectful salutes to royals, Viscount and foreign guests.
Down by the clearing tables, Iris finally came back from her group of friends. She ran back up to the elevated platform as her face lit up with excitement. She took her seat right next to Leon.
Marcus rose from his seat as he drew everyone’s attention. "The gathering has been concluded. The regional lords may return to their duties and oversee the outer sectors."
"May the sun shine upon the Aurelis Empire and House Hayes," the regional lords responded in unison. They performed a final salute towards Prince Asher before turning away and exiting the inner hall.
With the general public and distant regional nobles gone, the layer of formal protocol finally dissolved. The atmosphere inside the hall lightened slightly.
Asher stood up as he looked across the remaining group. The room now contained only the core family and their most trusted allies. Playing the role of a supportive brother in law rather than an imposing prince, he turned to the delegates.
"Master Dorren, Lord Kellan, Lady Elara. On behalf of the royal family, I welcome you to the Aurelis Empire’s border. House Hayes is family to the throne, which makes their friends our honored guests."
Kellan Ashgrove dropped his rigid and aloof posture as he inclined his head slightly. "The royal family’s words are well received, Prince Asher."
At his side, Dorren’s voice boomed loudly. "Good words, Prince. As long as the empire keeps buying our steel and keeping the trade routes clear, the dwarves have no complaints."
Marcus walked over to the center of the room as he gestured toward the lounge areas. "The formal day is done. The servants have prepared the private quarters. Let us move somewhere comfortable."
The men gathered near the large fireplace at the side of the hall. Marcus, Asher, Kellan and Dorren took their seats around a round table.
Dorren immediately gestured to Bram who was standing near the door. "Bram! Bring that barrel we brought here. Not the common stuff we gave the outer guards but the main one."
"Right away, Master!" Bram called out as he ran towards the carriage. He also called a servant to lift the steel barrel as it was heavy.
Asher leaned back in his chair as he looked at Marcus. "Your border troops look as sharp as ever, Marcus. I watched the perimeter guards during the arrival. Their discipline is tighter than some of the units in the capital."
"They have to be," Marcus replied in a low and steady tone. "The border doesn’t give you a second chance. If a guard slacks off then a beast tide or a rogue person can take their head before the watch shifts."
Kellan sat with his hands resting calmly on the table. "Your commander in the airspace was particularly aggressive today, Marcus. He didn’t care that our hawk carried the Ashgrove’s crest."
Marcus let out a low chuckle as he remembered that scene. "Garret is a stubborn man, Kellan. He doesn’t care if you ride a dragon. If you didn’t show the invitation scroll, he would have shoot first and asked questions later."
"And that’s exactly why your borders are safe," Dorren interjected as he slammed his fist on the table.
Bram also returned with a barrel. "A soft commander is a dead commander. Now, stop talking about military protocol. Let’s open this."
Dorren said as Bram began to pour the liquor to all and the rich and heavy aroma of the liquor instantly filled the room.
Asher took a sip as he raised an eyebrow in appreciation. "Strong. In capital we usually prefer refined and toned sown drinks but this has a real foundation to it."
"They all drink sugar water in capital," Dorren scoffed as he took a massive gulp. "Real men need something that burns the throat. Right, Kellan? Or is it to strong for your elven self?"
Kellen picked up his mug with a calm expression as he took a sip. "It is heavy, Dorren. But we prefer wines rather than strong drinks. We focus on our work unlike lay drunk somewhere every time."
The four men continued their banters. The talk shifted between old academy stories and past disputes they had resolved together. Asher fit into the group naturally as he showed no arrogance despite his status as a Prince.
At the same time in another room, the women had formed their own comfortable circle. They had brought along Iris and Leon.
"Sofia, you look exhausted," Vera said softly as she leaned over to touch her hand. "The capital life must be hard on you."
Sofia let out a long, dramatic sigh as she leaned back on the cushions. "You have no idea, Vera. Every night is a different noble house trying to show their fake smiles and their wealth. At least here, if someone hates you, they draw a sword instead of whispering behind one’s back."
Vera smiled at Sofia as she looked towards Leon, who was sitting quietly on a small chair at the side.
Sofia seeing that also turned towards Leon. "Vera, Is Leon usually this quiet? Usually, during large events, children get fussy. But he just watches everyone."
Elara also looked down at Leon as her ears twitched slightly. "He possesses a very stable temperament, Lady Vera. When Kellan and I stood before him earlier, I felt a strange stillness from him. It is rare for a child of his age."
"He takes after his father," Vera said as she looked at Leon with deep affection. "Marcus was the same according to the old records. Always observing, never making useless noise."
"Let’s hope he doesn’t get Marcus’s stubbornness," Sofia joked as she took a small sip of the tea the servants had brought out. "One Marcus in the family is more than enough to handle."
The women laughed softly as the conversation drifted into domestic matters.
Sofia asked about the preparations for the border territory, while Elara shared her insights on the raven that they had gifted. It was a relaxed exchange of life experiences, completely separate from the heavy political talks.
Outside the house, Roland surveyed the inner circles one last time as he ensured the guests left and guards were stationed before going inside.