The last day of July was destined to be a "fine" day that brought joy to some and sorrow to others.
That afternoon, the list of those fortunate enough to attend the banquet was finally announced, with well over a thousand names spread across it.
Yet most citizens found the list rather strange, for these simple folk could find no pattern in it whatsoever.
In terms of military merit, most of the battle-hardened veterans who had followed Allen on his campaigns were absent from the list.
In terms of seniority, not a single one of the Rhodoks who had followed Allen from the beginning had made it onto the list.
And in terms of position and responsibility, none of the young officials serving in the Cabinet had been invited, although most had been given a day off.
They could only spend the day drinking gloomily in the taverns.
The names on the list truly emphasized "randomness" and "luck," just as the notice had claimed.
Of course, those invited sensed nothing amiss. Today, they had become the envy of everyone around them. They could attend the king's banquet in the Castle-what a tremendous honor!
Luck might have played a part, but these were guests personally selected by their beloved Queen! What could possibly be wrong with that? Fortune had smiled upon them that day and brought them glory.
And so these "lucky ones," already under the influence of desire, now even looked upon their neighbors with a measure of disdain.
They had little time to enjoy being the center of attention, however. The banquet began at dusk, and preparing gifts would take some time, no matter what. Surely they could not attend empty-handed?
That little bit of common sense had not yet been swallowed by desire.
This was precisely what Allen