The crown prince, bearing a striking resemblance to the king, was a sharp featured young man with a prominent aquiline nose and a mischievous glint in his eyes. The princess, on the other hand, was a vision of beauty, often hailed as the kingdom's greatest jewel.
As the royal family made their entrance, a fanfare of trumpets resounded through the hall, prompting all guests to rise and pay their respects to the royalties.
Dominic and Michael approached the royal family, bowing deeply before the king and queen, then exchanging polite introductions with the prince and princess.
Once the greetings concluded and everyone had taken their seats, the highlight of the evening finally began.
Kensington Baron, with a flourish, presented his impeccably groomed Rainbow Plus foals. A chorus of gasps and exclamations erupted from the gathered ladies, enchanted by the creatures' beauty.
Following Michael's advice, Kensington first gifted one of the foals to the princess. The princess, charmed by the creature, named it "Lola" and affectionately stroked its forehead. The simple act won over every noblewoman in attendance, shifting their focus entirely onto the foals.
Feeling triumphant, Kensington privately reveled in his newfound success. Finally, the perfect market had been found.
The event's crescendo followed shortly after, with the grand entrance of the sphinx, Miaomiao, and the dragon, Marcus, set to a specially commissioned march. For this formal occasion, Miaomiao's full name was used.
An entertainer, hired at great expense, announced their arrival with flair.
"Behold! The pride of this evening's host, Sir Michael von Crassus! His companions are none other than Neferetari Hatshepsut, the Sphinx of legends, and Marcus Plenysos, a descendant of the mighty dragon lineage!"
The hall buzzed with excitement as murmurs rose among the crowd. Some guests even stood, unable to contain their amazement.
With poise and dignity, Miaomiao and Marcus walked down the red carpet, taking their places beside Michael. Their regal demeanor left an indelible impression on all present.
The crown prince, unable to resist his curiosity, approached with wide-eyed wonder.
"Sir Michael! Are these magical beasts truly bound to you? How in the world did you manage it?"
Miaomiao answered coolly before Michael could respond, her voice resonating with authority, devoid of her usual playful tone.
[Your Highness, we divine beings do not serve anyone. I chose to befriend Michael and stand by his side. Marcus, on the other hand, has his own unique arrangement.]
Caught off guard, Marcus hastily chimed in, nudged by Miaomiao's sharp glance.
[I have entered a contract with Michael, not subjugation, human.]
Had anyone else addressed the crown prince so bluntly, it might have caused a scandal. However, Marcus's status as a dragon granted him leeway.
The prince, far from offended, laughed heartily and extended his hand to both beasts.
"Then we can become friends, too! It's a pleasure to meet you both. I am Crown Prince Randolph."
The prince's easygoing demeanor encouraged others to approach as well. Soon, Miaomiao and Marcus found themselves surrounded by eager nobles, all vying for their attention.
Overwhelmed by the onslaught of questions, Miaomiao let out a sharp hiss, scattering the crowd. Still, many lingered nearby, unable to suppress their curiosity.
The spotlight inevitably shifted to Michael, with nobles flocking to him for stories and insights.
"Sir Michael! What an incredible feat—how did you come across a sphinx? I've only ever heard of them in legends. My heart's still racing!"
"Count Barkus, hold your horses! I was speaking with Sir Michael first. Sir Michael, I'd love to hear about your dragon—"
The lively debate over who would get Michael's attention first was a clear sign of the evening's success.
The banquet exceeded expectations. The food was exquisite, the enchanted serving trays Leonardo crafted became an instant sensation, and the magical lamps earned widespread acclaim.
Every time a guest uttered the activation phrase, food seamlessly appeared on the trays, eliciting gasps of amazement. The lamps' soft, colorful glow added to the enchanting atmosphere.
Lawrence, the Crassus family treasurer, diligently took orders for the new items, cheerfully directing interested buyers to the inn for contract discussions.
Guests continued stealing glances at Marcus and Miaomiao while enjoying performances by jesters and magicians.
As the night progressed, Michael seized an opportunity to showcase the abilities of his two companions.
Miaomiao launched herself into the air, performing an elegant flip before instantly transforming into her kitten form and perching on Michael's shoulder. The ladies in the audience erupted into delighted screams. Even the princess blushed with excitement.
Marcus, embodying his draconic heritage, delivered a breathtaking fire display. A stream of intense flames shot skyward, morphing into a fiery phoenix that soared through an open window and disappeared into the night.
The crowd gawked in awe, unaware that Leonardo had orchestrated the latter part of the display.
Miaomiao, now settled on Michael's shoulder, nonchalantly licked her paw, her tail puffed up in irritation.
"Not enjoying yourself, Miaomiao?" Michael asked, stroking her head apologetically.
[I'm fine. A poor household can't help but resort to these measures.]
Michael chuckled awkwardly at her jab, continuing to gently soothe her.
As he did, the princess, her cheeks still flushed, cautiously approached.
"Sir Michael... if it's not too forward of me, may I pet your sphinx?"
Michael glanced at Miaomiao, gauging her mood. To his relief, she showed no signs of irritation, even appearing slightly intrigued by the princess.
[You're beautiful, so I'll allow it. But only if you offer me a strand of your golden hair.]
Smiling, the princess signaled to a maid, who promptly returned with a small jewelry box containing previously trimmed strands of her hair. Handing it over, she gently cradled Miaomiao, stroking her soft fur.
"Oh, so soft... truly magnificent. Neferetari, may I call you that?"
Miaomiao, curling herself into the princess's arms, purred contentedly.
[Very well, you're a princess and quite lovely. I'll allow it.]
Michael, observing this exchange, was left speechless. So dignified until now! The bias toward appearances is simply outrageous.
AN: There will be a mass mass release next week.