Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

The banquet continued beneath an atmosphere that was at once convivial and palpably restrained.

Crystal goblets clinked softly against one another while servants moved with impeccable precision between the tables, replacing emptied platters with fresh delicacies and replenishing cups before they were half-drained.

Gentle melodies drifted through the hall from the ensemble of court musicians stationed upon the elevated gallery, weaving seamlessly into the quiet murmur of noble conversation.

Laughter rose from one table.

Measured discussions unfolded at another.

Elsewhere, Elders reminisced about campaigns fought decades ago, while younger nobles exchanged stories of cultivation, politics, and the latest developments across the Great Kingdom of Valoria.

To an outsider, it appeared no different from any ordinary noble banquet. Yet beneath that harmonious surface... Every influential figure present harboured thoughts of their own.

Some observed Goldric, some observed Maverick and others simply observed both father and son.

Among them all, Lady Seraphina remained one of the most composed.

Gracefully cutting a small portion of the roasted Moonhorn Venison before her, she delicately placed it into her mouth. Only after swallowing did she set down her silver utensils before turning toward Goldric.

Her emerald eyes carried the warmth expected of the Matriarch of House Valehart, while her smile remained as graceful as ever.

”So, Lord Goldric...”

Perhaps since their arrival, this was the first time Lady Seraphina had addressed him directly.

”How fares the Frozen North these days?”

The question sounded perfectly ordinary; the sort of inquiry one relative would naturally ask another after years apart.

Yet Goldric knew better.

Beneath its apparent simplicity lay a carefully veiled attempt at gathering information.

However... He found himself equally curious about where she intended to steer the conversation.

More importantly, there was something he also himself wished to verify, and there was no better way to do so than to indulge her little game and observe where her curiosity ultimately led.

Even Valdric appeared mildly interested, pausing midway through cutting his food as he shifted his attention toward his younger brother.

Goldric calmly set down his goblet.

”The North remains much the same. The winters are still unforgiving, the beasts remain restless, the resources remain scarce. And my knights continue doing what they have always done... Enduring.”

Lady Seraphina nodded thoughtfully.

”I can only imagine the burden.”

Her voice remained gentle.

”Especially with the Tide Season fast approaching.”

She paused briefly before asking,

”Tell me, Lord Goldric... Is it true that this year’s Tide is expected to be considerably more tumultuous than previous years? I mean, there have been rumours flying around so I figured I would confirm them. ”

Lady Seraphina didn’t need to speak further because the instant the question left her lips, Goldric had understood exactly what she was attempting.

Yet he played along. This was not because he found the conversation particularly engaging. Rather, he wanted to discover just how determined she was to pursue the subject.

Deep down, he even hoped she might inadvertently expose something she had never intended to reveal.

Not because he believed Lady Seraphina herself had acted directly against him.

But because every instinct he had cultivated over decades whispered that she had been connected, in one way or another, to the incident that had befallen them during their journey.

He possessed no evidence, only intuition. And intuition had rarely betrayed him.

Goldric calmly sliced another piece of venison before replying,

”I cannot say with certainty. However, judging from the patterns observed over the years... I believe it is entirely possible that this year’s Tide may prove considerably more virulent than those that preceded it.”

Valdric slowly nodded before commenting.

”If that proves true, then the consequences could be catastrophic.”

Goldric raised an eyebrow.

”Oh? And what makes you say that, Brother? Aren’t all Tide Seasons catastrophic by nature? I fail to see how this one would be any different.”

Valdric leaned back slightly.

”You are correct. Every Tide Season leaves destruction in its wake. But for reasons I cannot quite explain, this year’s feels... Different.”

Hearing that, Maverick’s brows lifted ever so slightly.

Truthfully, he had only been half-listening to the exchange.

Initially, he had dismissed it as little more than polite conversation.

After all, of all the topics worthy of discussion, Lady Seraphina had chosen the affairs of the Frozen North, a subject that seemed remarkably ordinary for an occasion such as this.

He was also quite perspective so he knew immediately what she was playing out the moment she started speaking.

To him, however, if she truly wished to extract any useful information, there were surely subtler and more effective approaches.

Yet that thought vanished almost immediately after hearing Valdric’s remark.

This was because something about the Patriarch’s tone stirred his curiosity.

And judging from the faint change in his father’s expression...

Goldric appeared similarly intrigued.

”And why do you say that, Father?”

Cedric suddenly asked from beside his mother. His brows knitted together as he continue.

”I mean, just as Uncle said, every Tide Season follows the same pattern. A surge in beast activity. Followed by an eventual Beast Tide. For generations, Valoria, and especially the Frozen North, has always managed to weather them. So I fail to see what makes this year any different.”

Valdric smiled at his son’s words before giving a slight nod.

”You make a fair point. Perhaps I am simply being overly apprehensive.”

He chuckled lightly before turning back toward Goldric.

”Regardless... I know you have done an admirable job holding the North together. It could not have been an easy responsibility. I’m sure it was tough.”

”Tough?” Goldric merely shrugged.

”When one becomes accustomed to adversity... It ceases to feel difficult. Instead, it simply becomes routine. And routines, much like habits, have a way of embedding themselves into one’s life until they become second nature.”

Valdric’s eyebrows rose in pleasant surprise.

”Well said, Brother. I never imagined you had become so well-versed in philosophical contemplation.”

He laughed softly.

”It seems the Frozen North has done more than make you stubborn. It has also made you considerably more introspective.”

Goldric simply smiled faintly.

”I suppose you could say that.”

With that, he lifted his goblet and took another measured sip.

Meanwhile, Maverick could not help feeling disappointed.

Casting a sidelong glance toward Cedric, he inwardly cursed his cousin.

Honestly, he had the distinct feeling that Valdric had been on the verge of saying something genuinely significant.

Yet the precocious heir had chosen that exact moment to interrupt, derailing the conversation entirely.

What a waste!

Suppressing an inward sigh, Maverick quietly returned his attention to the food before him and resumed eating.

He was not the only one left dissatisfied by the conversation.

Honestly, Lady Seraphina herself had initiated the discussion for one purpose alone, to glean whatever information she could from Goldric’s carefully guarded words.

Yet despite her efforts... The exchange had yielded virtually nothing of value, leaving her no closer to uncovering the truths she sought.

Still, she remained unhurried.

This banquet was merely the opening move.

There would be countless opportunities in the days ahead to uncover whatever secrets Goldric Valehart had chosen to conceal.

Therefore with that thought in mind, she calmly resumed her meal.

And just like that...

The banquet continued peacefully beneath the warm glow of crystal chandeliers, while beneath its refined elegance, unseen currents quietly flowed between every influential figure seated within the Grand Banquet Hall...