Shade did not turn around to see what was happening behind him, nor did he get the chance to reunite with Dorothy and Tifa. The king's eunuch attendant hurried over and told Shade not to remove his armor yet, but to follow him and prepare to meet His Majesty the King.
Since Shade had won, there was no longer any suspense about the match. Five minutes later, amid the applause of the standing crowd, Shade, still clad in armor, climbed the steps to the highest point of the audience stands.
Queen Diana, Miss Galina, Leisha, and Angelina were all there, along with several Cavendishes whose names Shade did not recognize. Angelina seemed very excited, Leisha gave Shade a reserved nod, while Miss Galina bluntly took the initiative to speak:
"Congratulations, Shade."
"Thank you."
Shade replied softly, handing the initiative over to His Majesty the King.
This was one of the rare occasions when Shade had seen Leisha's father somewhere other than the study at Yodel Palace or a banquet. The man in his forties was a head shorter than Shade but looked quite imposing. He was dressed very formally, with a rather thick red fur cape studded with gemstones draped behind him.
"Congratulations, Hamilton of Leijed. You have shown us your chivalric spirit and superb knightly skill."
He spoke kindly, while the reporters took the opportunity to find good positions and prepare their cameras.
By then, the king's attendants had brought over the prepared champion's rewards. According to the custom of previous years, there was a Metal Shield bearing Shade's name and the Cavendish crest—since it had to be made on short notice, it would only be presented to Shade at the evening banquet—as well as a trophy symbolizing the "1854 Tobesk City Around the City Equestrian Competition Champion."
The