The audience hall of the palace was filled with people. The butlers were moving around with their trays filled with wine glasses, offering to each and every guest present. The long dining table was filled to the brim with all kinds of delicacies, tingling the noses of the guests and making them move to pick something from the table for a taste.

The hall was filled with nobles from all around the kingdom, and also a few barons, earls, viscounts and a few marquess. The lower ranks were busy trying to curry favor with the upper ones and the princes and princesses, who were greeting the guests in place of their father who was yet to arrive, while those without ranks were made to thirst for attention, forming groups of their own at the backs.

Just then the door to the hall opened and two figures in a luxurious robe and coat entered inside, making the eye of the ones present inside to turn in awe and admiration. They were Duke William Gandolf and his son Hayden Gandolf.

The higher nobles immediately rushed and surrounded the two of them, greeting and trying to start a conversation. The two of them greeted everyone with a constant smile on their faces.

But no one was given an opportunity to have any discussions or political talks easily, they kept on moving forward towards the prime minister who was approaching them.

"Welcome duke William and Baron Hayden." Vorthane greeted with a polite smile.

"Thank you for the invitation Prime minister." Hayden said.

"I thought we were late. But the party is yet to start it seems. Hahaha!" William laughed out loud as he said.

"His majesty Edgar Regelak!" the announcer exclaimed when the King finally entered the scene.

With general Cahil at his side, he slowly climbed down the stairs in his royal attire and the crown. Everyone bowed as he moved to the front and looked towards the guests in the hall when they all went silent, waiting for him to speak.

"I t-thank everyone for accepting the invitation and c-coming to join me and celebrate this s-special day of mine."

"Congratulations on your sixtieth birthday your highness!" all of them exclaimed together, as they congratulated the king.

A wide smile spread on Edgar's face, receiving such warm regards.

"T-Thank you everyone!"

Edgar took a seat when all the nobles started moving towards him one by one and offered the gifts they brought with them. Cahill received the gifts and passed it back to the butlers as Edgar thanked each of them.

Finally William and Hayden moved forward with a box in each of their hands. First, Hayden opened the box and presented it in front of Edgar.

"This is a rare life gem from the northern plains your highness. Fitting it into a locket or a ring and keeping it close to you will keep you rejuvenated and healthy."

Edgar was a bit surprised seeing such a precious gift, as the life gem was quite hard to obtain. Even the nobles at the back were shocked when they saw the life gem. They now realized why the Gandolfs are called the treasure bearers. They had all kinds of rare treasures with them which one yearned for a glimpse in their whole lifetime.

"Thank you so much baron Hayden. This is a priceless gift. I can't thank you enough." He said with a wide smile.

Hayden bowed and moved back, letting William come forward with a vial of creamy liquid placed within the box in his hands.

"Since it was your sixtieth birthday your highness, I went to great lengths to get this gift for you." William said with a grin as he moved the box towards Edgar.

"This is the Somrus. Said to be the divine wine of the gods. I had to pay a heavy price to the Elfs to get this for you, your highness. Drinking just this vile will fill you with energy and make you younger by almost a few years your highness."

Edgar was shocked speechless. His eyes got fixed on the vile of creamy liquid in the box and instead of letting Cahill take it, he himself moved his hands as he shakily took the box from William.

"I-I don't know w-what to say Duke William. Even priceless would be an u-understatement for this." Edgar said, his voice shaky from excitement.

If the other nobles were shocked from Hayden's life stone, William's Somrus blew their minds. Their hands started shaking and some even had greed in their eyes, but they all kept their emotions under control, since this was the palace and the one receiving the gift was the King himself.

"COUGH! COUGH!"

"Your highness!" Cahill moved towards Edgar in concern seeing him cough.

"My age is g-getting to me now. Haha!" he stopped Cahill as he lifted his arm up and laughed helplessly.

"I'm sorry everyone. I invited y-you all, but it s-seems, I won't be able to give c-company anymore."

"Your health comes first your highness. Please take care of yourself." William said with a slight bow.

"Please take care of yourself, your highness!" the other nobles spoke in unison as they bowed.

Edgar nodded and smiled at them. he slowly got up with Cahill's help and started moving up the stairs with an uncontrollable grin and excitement on his face as he held the box with the Somrus tightly within his fingers.

Just when the King left, the nobles were about to rush to William, but seeing Vorthane come forward, they all retreated, not daring to jump in between their conversation.

"That was a splendid gift for his highness Duke William." Vorthane said with a smile.

"Thank you, prime minister. Actually, there was something I wanted to discuss with you. Would you mind moving somewhere else with less ears?"

"Of course. What about the balcony outside the hall? I can't be away for much time since even the king is not here. Is it alright with you Duke William?"

"Let's proceed then." William picked two glasses of wine from the table and both of them moved out towards the balcony.

He nodded at Hayden who then stood guard at the door and let the two of them talk privately.

"You can speak freely now Duke."

"I wanted to discuss business related to the cryo lilies you found in the pocket realm prime minister. I'm getting quite interested in them you see." William said with a wide grin as he passed one of the wine glass to Vorthane.

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