King Larus III, the "Fire Leaper," arrived just as the seven o'clock bells rang. The king was burdened with countless affairs each day, and everyone understood.
Ten minutes before the king arrived, his chamberlain finally found Shade and informed him that he would be granted a Knight Title in ten minutes. He therefore needed an emergency lesson in the upcoming procedure and etiquette.
"No need, I've already learned it once."
Shade hastily waved him off. The chamberlain did not press the matter, merely telling Shade not to return to the banquet hall, but to wait nearby with him so they would not be unable to find him later.
Thus, the entire process proceeded in an orderly fashion. His Majesty the king's arrival brought the atmosphere to its peak. Beneath the Crystal Chandelier, which looked as though it might be worth several hundred Little Mias, the king and Queen appeared together and gave their speeches.
Shade listened from the side. The general message was that Queen Diana was safe and sound, every conspiracy would be thwarted, and the royal family once again condemned Kasonlik.
Once the summoned reporters lit their magnesium flash lamps, filling the place with blinding white light and drifting smoke, His Majesty the King briefly addressed the recent child abduction cases that had everyone on edge.
He spoke only a few words before temporarily stepping away. A representative from Ridgewich Field then reported on the subsequent developments to the banquet guests, while the specially invited reporters had long since received copies of the speech and were searching for suitable angles to photograph.
Tomorrow's front page would certainly feature a photograph of His Majesty the King with the unharmed Queen Diana, while Ridgewich Field and the series of child abduction cases could be relegated to page three.
As for