In Line

We returned to the party in time to catch the final speeches. No one seemed to notice the three royals they were giving speeches for were absent. Regardless, my brother made it difficult to miss as we walked into the gathering covered in the scents of a brothel. We took our seats next to Sky at the high table overlooking the party and witnessed the madness that followed.

The final speeches were given by a foreign king, Teco Tibet, and a foreign queen, Ola, and our King Father and Queen Mother.

King Teco ruled over a land of people closer to my natural lineage, and darker complexion. In the southern sand-covered mountains, his people prospered well. Teco was known for being cold-hearted to those, not of his kind, but his kingdom and our King father's were, for the most part, at peace.

Queen Ola, the most beautiful yellow-haired vixen, ruled over what might have been the most diverse kingdom across the red sea. In her territory, there were more than milk roses and moon. Even her royal adviser was an Asian, rare to our kingdoms of deserts sands and oasis.

The first to stand was Teco. With gray hair and shaky bones, he was an older soul but never showed his age.

"The kingdom of Catalina is happy to celebrate the health and prosperity of your house. As a gift we offer to Par, Son of the Throne, this," the foreign king spoke.

He waved an assistant to his side, who carried a sheathed sword. Teco presented the blade to the room, holding it high for all to see as he unsheathed it with a swift motion letting the light reflect off its blood gold grip and engraved blade.

"A blade of 'The Last Dragon Kingdom' forged in war and held in times of peace. This is a symbol of power and authority fit for the next in line to win a war or keep the peace," he added.

He lowered the blade and sheathed it once again before having one of his men hand it to me at the table. It was a lovely gift. The era of dragon kingdoms was thought to be a golden age. Those old kingdoms ended only after their kings died without leaving successors to take their place. Anything from a dragon kingdom was priceless and rare. Still, what made king Teco's gift strange wast it's being given solely to me. He spoke of "next in line" to the throne, which was fine, but to give his gift to me alone was a direct endorsement. He was turning our party into a political move, and when he finally sat down, the entire room knew where he stood.

There was a bit of a silence that took the air before Queen Ola stood.

"The kingdom of Oboshi thanks the Queen Mother and King Father for inviting us to celebrate this joyous day of life," she said with silk tone.

My siblings and I called our parents Queen Mother and King Father because they were our mother and father, but others would use the same names. As queen, our mother was mother to the kingdom by her generosity and love for its children. Our father was father of the nation by protecting its citizens and guiding it to prosperity.

"We give the next queen the gift of the goddess," Ola continued.

Like Teco, Ola waved her assistant to bring forward the gift, but rather than open it, she handed the small jewelry box made of ocean roses to my sister and let her open it herself. Again the room felt politically charged as it was clear Queen Ola was casting her vote for next in line for the thrown to be Sky. It was shocking, and I don't think Sky actually opened her gift.

Before yet another long silence could haunt the gathering, our King Father stood.

"The kingdom of Fae thanks you all for your generous gifts and kind words," he said.

Queen Mother stood to help our father as it seemed he was unsure how to swim the waters presented to him.

"We know that one day one of our sons or daughter will make a great king or queen with the support of our people and our allies from the north and south," she said as father took her hand in union before the room.

Despite King Teco and Queen Ola making politics, there was a bigger elephant in the room, or more accurately, not in the room.

Though we were not at war, no one had any doubt of troubles between The Kingdom of Fae and the Kingdom of Mar. Ola cast her vote for Sky, and Teco his vote for me, but the king of Mar would have undoubtedly voted for Louis. But the Kingdom of Mar was not invited to the party.

The other kingdoms had power over the royal line of Fae in complex relations. People voted for specific heirs to be next on the throne in many ways for many different reasons. Relations between foreign and neighboring powers was often a deciding factor. If the public knew Teco wanted me to be king, then people would vote for me because of the likelihood that trade might grow between our two kingdoms.

"But we are far from that time, so for now, let us celebrate another year of peace, joy, and love for our family and all here tonight," mother added.

"Yes, let us raise a glass," Father suggested.

We all raised our glasses.

To peace, we toasted.

"To cake, can we cut the cake now," Louis joked.

The room laughed at my brother's blunt impatience. The cake was cut and served to everyone. Following tradition, Our king Father took the first bite. He should have used his royal taster.

Before Father could swallow down a single bite of cake, it was clear something was wrong. The royal guards came to his aid, but by that time, foam was forming around his mouth, and he'd passed out. Mother couldn't hold her shrieks, and our guests were up in a panic.

Someone poisoned the cake.

Our father survived the night, but he could not leave his bed. There were three questions on everyone's mind that night. Would the king recover? Who poisoned the cake? And who would we soon be at war with?