A young boy, around the same age as Rio, stood in awe as he entered the grand halls of the castle. It was a sight unlike anything he had ever seen before. Every corner, every part of it, be it stones on the ground, or glass on a window—all of it took his breath away.
With his jet-black hair tousled and his little brownish eyes filled with wonder, he looked around like a lost puppy, taking in every detail with excitement.
The boy couldn't contain his enthusiasm as he ran from one corner of the hall to another, exploring every nook and cranny. He darted through the crowd, maneuvering carefully to avoid bumping into other guests.
His smile beamed brightly, illuminating the room. His excitement was contagious, drawing smiles from some who caught a glimpse of his face.
While some had a sneer on their faces, thinking where did this hillBilly come from.
In their eyes, the boy was acting like a country bumpkin looking at the big city for the first time, going mad from the sight alone.
Yet the boy remained unfazed and uncaring to everything around him. He weaved through the throng of people, he marveled at the splendor of the event. The ladies in their designer gowns and jewelries, and the men in their fancy suits and coats—it was a display of something the boy had never seen, so much so that he believed it straight out of a fairy tale.
The boy was Leonard Heartwell, son of Baron Darren Heartwell. The protagonist of the novel, the chosen son of this world, the chosen son of sun and light. (But we'll get to those parts later, so let's continue here)
Leonard Heartwell had come to this party with his father, after begging him to tag along for hours.
And the moment he entered the castle, he knew it was all so fricking worth it.
Just after entering and some greetings with a few people, when his father was busy, he slipped away.
'If I stayed with father, I'd only listen to boring chat of old people, but this is more fun and exciting.' Leon thought as he looked at the group of kids gathering and shouting at the corner.
Feeling curious, he went there to check why they were all so excited. After trying for a while when no one let him pass and see what was happening, he pulled a chair and stood on it. Looking ahead from a height, he managed to see something that surprised him.
There in the center was a man doing magic with his hands, showing truck's and spells without stopping. With one wave some fiery birds would start flying, and with another a water serpent came forward and started fighting the bird.
"Woah that is so coool."
"I'm telling you that bird is going to be killed by the snake."
"Humf idiot. That bird is a Phoenix. My brother said it's a bird that can't die.'
"You're the idiot. If that yellow chicken is a phoenix then that blue snake is a sea dragon."
Leon heard some kids arguing amongst themselves, about who'll win. Watching them happily chat with each other, Leon couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. He wanted to share this experience with his friends too. But the reality of the occasion didn't allow him; this was a royal celebration, and he couldn't just bring anybody he wanted. Even he was only allowed to come here after he begged his father for hours, and since his big sis managed to make father agree to it.
He jumped from the chair, nearly falling face first, but at the last moment he managed to hold onto the boy standing in front and stopped himself.
Leon continued roaming and checking everything out. He looked at the dance and music performance, he watched a little play on some big display and tried a few games. After a while, finally feeling a little tired, he started walking towards the lines of tables where food was served.
'Should I wait for father. But he's in the other hall. Guess I'll eat something first myself.'
Leon's eyes widened with delight as he took a bite from one of the plates and the sweet taste of it was just heavenly. He drank the juice from a glass and only one word came to his mind -Nectar.
"Do the people of royalty eat and drink this daily. Ohh God, this is so good." Leon whispered, as he couldn't believe his eyes, about how good the food tasted here.
"Hey, look at this bumpkin. He's acting like he never ate anything." A boy standing near him, said to his friends while pointing at Leon.
"Hahaha his stomach's growling. He probably came empty stomach, so he can eat more here." His friend spoke and they both started laughing.
Feeling angry at the insults, Leon wanted to say something, but looking at the clothes they wore and how they looked, he remembered his fathers advice about how he should just stay silent and not cause any drama here. So he just glared at the 2 boys and left the place.
"Oyee where are you going? Won't you drink some more nectar hahaha" One of the boys, with shoulder length red hair called him from behind.
"Forget it Eddie, I bet he already filled his pockets with sweets here lol." The other with the black hair spoke to his friend, making him burst out in laughter again.
Leon glared back at the boy, but seeing how some kids were already gathering around, he turned back and walked away faster.
Before coming here today, he promised his father to watch his manners, and how his sister warned him not to pick any fights with anyone, so he kept silent.
'Humph these idiots.' He thought, but stopped as he heard a voice.
"Lincoln, you scared him. Now he's going to complain to his mama hahaha" Eddie or Edward said watching Leon leave, while holding his stomach and laughing out loud.
"What complain, he's probably going to cry to his mother's laps." The boy, named Lincoln replied, while holding back his laughter.
Hearing the boys, talking about his mother, Leon halted his steps, his eyes now filled with anger. He turned back and walked to the boys "What did you say?"
"Look Lincoln, he ate too much and now his ears aren't working." Edward spoke looking at him. "I said, did you put something in your pockets?"
"Ohh look, he did." Lincoln said, pointing at Leon's pants pocket, which were bulging slightly.
"Dam he really did. I was just joking lol." Edward said, really surprised and started laughing again.
"It's not food. It's the gift I bought for the princess." Leon said in a hurry, as he saw some kids who gathered around due to all the noise, pointing at him and making fun of him.
"Gift for princess. Hahha what did this hobo can even give the princess? You probably picked something from the roadside." One of the kids, standing aside, said while laughing. Leon recognized him at a glance. He was Hermaan Meismat, son of Baron Wilhelm Otto Meismat.
<Meismat family is the neighbor and rivals of the Heartwell family. As both houses are tasked to maintain the Eisjer domain on opposing sides. Due to constant dangers, along with losses and profits brought by the Eisjer domain, both houses had formed an enmity of sorts over the years. Where each just wants to tarnish the other's name and reputation, so they can prove themselves better and hoard the domain to themselves.>
Holding back his anger at seeing everyone ganging up on him, Leon just stared at the boy named Edward who started it all and said -"We don't even know each other, so don't talk about my mother or my family."
"Ohhh, or what will you do, pick a fight with me. Do you even know who I am? You dumb country bumpkin." Edward said, fuming in anger, at this weak bug pestering and staring at him in anger. He's the future heir of his house, looking at how many children of different families gather around, how will they see him. What will happen to his image? All these thoughts only fumed his anger more.
"I don't care who you are, just don't talk about my family." Leon said, looking at both Edward and Lincoln.
"I said, go cry to your mother, dumbo. Now stop pestering us shoo." Lincoln said, waving him away, shooing like he was some kind of dog or an animal. He was getting annoyed at this country bumpkin now too.
Just like how Leon's father warned him about minding his manners, Lincoln's brother warned him to watch his status too. He belonged to the house of Korbil, who were Count of Klishto city. He just wanted to play around and poke fun at this dumb idiot, with his childhood friend and partner in crime, Edward. But this guy just dragged the matter and started shouting.
Seeing them still talking about his mother again, even after he asked them not to, in anger, Leon pushed Edward back and threw a punch at Lincoln, who was treating him like an animal.
"Don't talk about me again." Leon said as a warning in his loud tone, and then, he ran away.
(He ran like someone put fire on his ass and he just propelled at high speed.)
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A/N - The fun begins. Also I changed the synopsis of novel, added little spoilers for you, so tell me how it is.
I'll update everyone's character arts in my discord server tomorrow, so join it okay.
https://discord.gg/zFTJsYP7kM
DevilDarkness#0506
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on fre ew𝒆bnovel.com