Reginald was sitting on the corner of the head chef's desk. One leg doing it's lazily dangle, the other planted firmly on the floor. Coffee cup was in one hand. The other in the middle of the usual flick in the air. Already he was making the man bellow in laughter. He was leaning back in his chair and holding his belly. There was a smug grin on Reginald's face. Even for being up so early, he was perfectly polished.
He stepped through the door frame, catching both their attention. With a gentle smile, he joined Reginald by leaning against the desk. His brother's curling grin was hidden by the mug he put to his lips.
“Good Morning your Highness.” Chef Ortez's bubbly voice greeted him.
He nodded at him, “Good Morning. Recovered from yesterday?”
“Of course not. I had to sample so many banquet foods, I practically rolled out of the kitchen.” He chortled.
“Not necessarily a bad thing.” He lightly responded.
“Easy for you to say, young lad. You're youthful. Food doesn't affect your frame.”
“I wish it did, then I wouldn't be so hungry all the time.”
Ortez patted his belly.
“Even this frame doesn't free you from hunger.” He snorted.
He chuckled then turned his attention to Reginald. He received a wink.
“Good Morning to you, my dear brother. How did you find me so easily?” Reginald said as he lightly swirled his coffee.
“You know the answer to that question.”
“Frankly, I have no idea what you're insinuating.” He snickered.
With a raised brow, he gave him a look. He received an pseudo innocent face in return.
“What? Can you fault me for wondering if there would be rosemary braised pork on the menu today?” He shrugged before drinking out of his cup again.
He shook his head, resisting the urge to sigh in amusement.
“And what was the answer?” He asked the chef.
“Of course.” Ortez laughed.
“Satisfied?” He directed at Reginald.
Reginald dramatically groaned.
“Oh come now, John. Pulling me away from one of my favorite places so soon. I'm trying to savor my morning of freedom before I'm stuck in that main hall for the rest of the day.”
He did at last sigh as he looked him over.
“Are you quite finished?” He asked.
Reginald rolled his eyes and flicked his hand again.
“Yes, yes, let's go.” He lightly huffed.
Reginald straightened and held the mug out to Ortez in farewell.
“Thank you, my good fellow, I'll be seeing you tonight.”
“Looking forward to it, your Highness.”
He gave the chef a nod, it was quickly returned with that joyful grin. Reginald pushed past the door into the Kitchen. He quickly followed.
“Have you eaten yet?” Reginald asked as he picked a biscuit off a tray.
“Yes, I had it delivered to my room.”
Reginald clicked his tongue.
“So reclusive, you could've joined me.” He said through a bite.
“I wanted to review a few of my rewritten proposals in peace.”
They stepped through the kitchen doors.
“Why? We don't pair off into our respective halls until tomorrow.”
“To keep them fresh in my mind.”
“So blatantly boring.”
He chuckled, “Indeed.”
As they passed into the newer paths of the castle, Reginald handed his empty mug off to a servant girl. His wink and charming grin elicited a enamored giggle from her. He laughed to himself as they continued on.
“How many of those servants do you have wrapped around your finger?”
“All of them.” Reginald flatly replied with a twinkle in his eye.
“I dare not ask how many you've bed.”
“Ah, it's far smaller number than you'd suppose.” He said dismissively.
The corridors where becoming crowded. Councilmen and government officials were socializing in groups.
“Although, you shouldn't be one to speak. I saw you dancing with the Seer last night. I was biting my nails in worry that you'd trip over yourself.” He continued with a sarcastic snigger.
His insult wasn't going to get under his skin this time.
“My dancing skill aren't the main point,” He flashed a tipped smile, “I confirmed my suspicions. If I'm correct, I'll see the same thing later during Afternoon session.”
Reginald gave him an amused look of curiosity, popping the last of the biscuit into his mouth.
“And what is this suspicion that has you so damn pleased with yourself?”
“Remember how I told you about the lightening, and that I suspected placing a kiss on her hand in formalities triggered it?”
“Yes. Are you saying the same thing happened last night?”
“Yes. Since I was expecting it, I was able to observe it in it's entirety. Her behavior for several moments after completely mimicked our first encounter. Although, she didn't act like I repulsed her after.” He said in satisfaction.
“So, case in point, you're surely crazy.”
That deflated his pride completely. He shot him a glare.
“I am not!” He huffed.
Reginald snorted a laugh, “So defensive.”
“You don't believe me?”
“I'm undecided at the moment.”
With a sighing groan, it was through the grand entrance of the main conference hall. The long rectangular room boasted of hundreds of seats. All were arranged in a oval shape that raised up from an immense oblong table. The dark wood of the structure matched the rest of the furniture. Amplifiers powered by mana sat on the table. Their complimentary Pavilion horns sat in all four corners. Though half the seats were filled with beings making lively conversation, the acoustic sound panels above large windows kept the echoing to a minimum. As they took seats in their designated row, morning sun was shining down through a sky light. It made the wood tones of the table warmer.
He settled into his chair, and tried to brush off his irritation with Reginald. Clasping his hands together, he observed the room fill in mild interest. It took sometime before his father and Thaddeus walked in. They were both joined by the Elven King, Hybrid Prince, and Minister. His great cousin looked exceptionally like his father. He had a few defining human features, such as short pointed ears, blue eyes, platinum blonde hair, and freckles. A long deep red birthmark slashed through one eye, as if he'd been marked by a cutlass. Unlike the king, who kept his white hair long, his was cut short like most human males. He watched them all seat themselves in their respective chairs, conversation unhindered. The Nissé King and Minister quickly followed. Their custom chairs put them at waist height at the table. The very last to arrive was the Dwarf King and Princess. Both waddled in under lavishly designed leather robes laden with jingling gold fringes. Reginald striking up conversation with the Nissé next to him was a buzzing in his ear. His attention shifted to the curved table that shared the center space. It hugged the decorative railing. Relics were resting on it's surface. A collection of items brought from each kingdom. In four rows they were lined up. The variety boasted of everything from weapons and tomes to trinkets and statuettes. Some where old, looking as if they would crumble under a look. Others were far less ancient. They were bright and pristine.
It came time to where the acoustic sound panels couldn't drown out the growing volume of conversation. Instead, the sound of a loud gavel cut it down. A human Head Councilman standing at a podium perpendicular to him was looking around the room. He diligently waited for all eyes to settle on him. When all attention finally pinpointed on him the pounding stopped. Standing tall, he placed the gavel down and gripped the edges of the podium stand.
“Good Morning, esteemed Kings, Princes, Princess, Ministers, Councilmen and Women, Ambassadors and Peace Keepers. I would like to give you a warm welcome to the Second Deliberation in the Twentieth solar cycle of the Two Hundred Fifty Fifth Era of our Lady Fate. I motion to begin.”
A chorus of those seconding the motion.
“Any objections?” He called out.
Silence.
“All in favor?”
Another round of 'Ayes'.
“All opposed?”
Another silence.
“Motion passed.”
He took the gavel again, pounded it once, then set it back in it's place. His fingers picked at a pile of parchments in front of him. He flipped over the front page and cleared his throat.
“First Order of Business requires me to read the following schedule in which sessions will take place for each respective group of designations.
Beginning as of now…”
It was like the start of all Deliberations. A boring drone that continued well into the morning. He tried to keep note of when and where his sessions were to be held. There was parchment with the schedule on his desk in his room, but he hadn't paid it much mind. He'd review it later. The only part of the schedule that caught everyone's interest was the Seer's appearance for this afternoon. There was a large amount of shifting and whispers flying around the room. He had to admit he had anticipation for it too. A third confirmation of his theory would leave him in no doubt.
Already he was toying with the idea of out right asking her what she saw. He wasn't sure if it would be rude, but technically, they were his visions as well. Did he not have the right to ask for access to them? The curiosity burned. He wanted to know if they involved him. If they did, what did they reveal. His mind continued to churn as the Head Councilman moved on to basic housekeeping and safety protocol. It kept the boredom at bay.
Everyone came back to life when they were dismissed for the lunch hour. He and Reginald enjoyed their lunch in the kitchen. From their view through Ortez's door, they could see waiters and waitresses bustling in and out of the doors to the dining hall. Ortez's culinary expertise meant he made sure his staff were masters at preparing foods from the culinary preferences of other kingdoms. There was such an assortment, the smell was almost too pungent. But a full belly seemed to make him immune to it after a while. It also made him immune to Reginald's insistence of making conversation.
The second time around, the hall was filled with a completely different vibe. Excitement and angst was building pressure in the air. A Lesser Seer hadn't been summoned to participate in deliberations in over fifty solar cycles. The High Seer in nearly two centuries. It was a both a treat and an ominous omen. He could hear all sorts of predictions around him. A war between clans. A natural disaster. A great plague. Famine. The list was endless. He simply kept his eyes on the table of relics. He left his mind open to what she would see.
The High Councilman again called a motion to resume. It didn't completely mute out the subtle rumble of conversation. It was only when she and her handmaid stepped in. A hush fell over the room.