The wedding hall is a vision of splendor. Hundreds of candles cast a warm, golden glow across walls draped in rich silk and velvet, while towering floral arrangements fill every corner with the sweet scent of roses, lilies, and jasmine. Guests from a dozen kingdoms fill the room, their colorful robes and elaborate jewelry creating a magnificent tapestry of cultures and traditions. Music floats through the air from a small orchestra in the corner, their instruments weaving melodies that blend Callibean and Soria's musical styles into something entirely new and beautiful.
Cael enters alongside Vonce, and immediately, a wave of greetings washes over them. They move through the crowd slowly, stopping to speak with each group of guests. Their words are carefully chosen, their smiles warm and genuine all while fully aware that Custodian's spies are watching from somewhere in the room.
"Prince Vernom! How wonderful to see you looking so well."
Cael turns to find Duchess Clara of the Western Marches, a close and trusted ally of Callibean, standing with her husband and daughter. She is dressed in deep purple silk embroidered with silver thread, her gray hair pinned up with lustrous pearls. She passes a small, knowing smile in my direction; she knows exactly who I am, but she plays her part perfectly, treating Cael as if he truly were the prince.
"Your Grace," Cael says, bowing politely. "Thank you for traveling so far to join us. I hope your journey was smooth?"
"Perfectly so," she replies, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Though I must say, the roads have been far quieter since your brother strengthened the border patrols. We haven't seen a single bandit in months!"
"The Crown Prince has done remarkable work up north," Cael says, glancing toward my brother, who is currently speaking with a group of Soria's military advisors. "Though I suspect the peace has as much to do with the upcoming union as it does with our guards. When kingdoms stand together, troublemakers think twice before causing chaos."
"Wise words," adds Duke Mathos of the Eastern Plains, stepping into our conversation. "Which is precisely why we have brought a proposal. We would like to establish a joint trade route between our lands, Soria, and Callibean. More than just exchanging goods, we could share knowledge, crops, and even military training."
I let a look of thoughtful surprise cross Cael's face an expression I had coached him on beforehand. "That sounds like an excellent idea," Cael responds. "Though we would need to be careful. Some kingdoms might see such an alliance as a threat to their own power."
"Let them," Duchess Clara says firmly. "We have seen what happens when small kingdoms stand alone against those who seek to conquer. It is time we showed the world that cooperation is far stronger than conquest."
As they continue discussing trade routes and mutual defense agreements all topics we planned in advance to draw attention away from our real military preparations I spot Prince Aldric across the room. He is speaking with Princess Miolla's parents, King Torvin and Queen Isolde of Soria. I stay close to Cael, guiding him subtly, until he excuses himself and makes his way over, stopping to speak with other guests along the way.
"Prince Vernom!" calls out Lady Seraphina of the Silver Coast, catching Cael's arm lightly. "I must tell you your gardens are the talk of every noble in attendance. The way you have arranged the moonblossoms near the fountain is simply magical!"
"Thank you, my lady," he says, managing to sound neither awkward nor arrogant, wearing a genuine smile. "I have found that gardens teach us valuable lessons. Some plants need plenty of sun, while others thrive only in shade. The key is understanding what each one needs to grow strong. Much like alliances between kingdoms, wouldn't you agree?"
She laughs, a bright, musical sound. "How poetic! Though I must admit, I have never thought of diplomacy in terms of horticulture before. Perhaps we should invite you to redesign the royal gardens of the Silver Coast?"
"I would be honored," he replies. I have to admit, this kid really knows how to act; all our effort and practice is clearly paying off. "Though I warn you I have a tendency to plant flowers where others might put statues. I believe beauty should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford to admire it from afar."
As we reach Prince Aldric and the Soria royal family, King Torvin greets us warmly.
"Prince Vernom! We were just discussing your brother's wedding vows and such beautiful words about unity and mutual respect."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Cael says, bowing low. "Rondolf has always had a way with words. Though I think he would credit his betrothed for inspiring him Princess Miolla's commitment to improving life for her people is truly remarkable."
Princess Miolla smiles modestly. "We all have a role to play, Prince Vernom. You yourself have been doing wonderful work with your agricultural programs helping farmers improve their yields and share their surplus with those in need." She glances briefly at me, standing quietly in the background, acknowledging the truth behind the work.
"I only do what I can," Cael says, carefully glancing at Aldric to draw him into the conversation. "Though I have been thinking we could expand those programs to include other kingdoms. Imagine what we could achieve if we shared our knowledge of farming, medicine, and craftsmanship across borders."
"That is precisely what we were discussing," King Torvin says. "Prince Aldric was telling us about Meodes' expertise in mountain agriculture they have developed ways to grow crops in terrain where we would have thought nothing could thrive."
Aldric nods, his expression perfectly calm and friendly. "We would be happy to share what we know. In return, perhaps Callibean and Soria could teach us about your irrigation systems and crop rotation methods. When kingdoms share their strengths, everyone benefits."
Just then, a group of nobles from the Central Kingdoms approaches, led by Lord Cedric of Valeria.
"Your Highnesses! Forgive us for interrupting, but we could not help but overhear your conversation about trade and cooperation. We would like to add our voices to the discussion. Valeria has long been a hub of learning, and we would be pleased to open our academies to students from all allied kingdoms."
"Now that is a proposal worth celebrating," Cael says, raising his glass of wine high. "To knowledge shared, to lands united, and to a future where no kingdom stands alone!"
The group raises their glasses in agreement, and the room fills with cheers. As they clink glasses and exchange stories, I catch sight of a man in dark robes standing near the back wall. His eyes are fixed sharply on our group, and his hand moves subtly to adjust his cloak a nervous tell I recognize well. A Custodian spy, no doubt.
I signal Cael and the others to keep the conversation light, focused entirely on public alliances and peaceful cooperation. They discuss plans for a joint festival next year, talk about exchanging artisans to share their crafts, and even joke about organizing a friendly tournament between our kingdoms' knights.
"Prince Vernom, you speak so passionately about unity," Lord Cedric remarks. "Have you always been so interested in bringing kingdoms together?"
Cael laughs, a warm, easy sound that fits the role perfectly. "I suppose I have always believed that we have more in common than we do dividing us. Growing up in the palace gardens, I learned that different flowers grow better when planted near each other they support one another, keep pests away, and create something more beautiful than any single plant could on its own. Why should kingdoms be any different?"
Satisfied with what he has heard, the spy turns and slips quietly out of the room. I allow myself a small, almost imperceptible smile. We have given him exactly what we wanted him to see: nobles from across the continent gathering in friendship, discussing peaceful cooperation and mutual prosperity. He will report back to Custodian that Callibean is focused on celebrations and alliances, not on military preparations. These nobles really are excellent actors; they are taking their roles and our deception to heart perfectly.
As the music swells and the first dance of the newlyweds begins, I join the crowd in applauding Rondolf and Miolla as they take the floor. The room is filled with genuine joy and hope a perfect mask for the serious work we are doing behind the scenes.
I move aside and blend in with the other servants. They act slightly awkward around me at first, unsure how to treat someone they believe is a high-ranking noble disguised as staff, but I quickly reassure them. "Just think of me as if I were the real Cael," I tell them softly, and they relax.
I catch Cael's eye across the room. He is standing near a window while I stand beside the door, watching him with a proud smile. He gives a small nod, and I know he understands. Tonight, we celebrate love and unity. But tomorrow, our real work continues planting seeds of hope that will one day grow strong enough to protect us all. And succeed, we must.
After another round of conversations exchanging pleasantries with ambassadors from the Coastal Realms and laughing with young nobles who traveled from distant lands to witness the wedding Cael feels the familiar pull to step away from the noise and crowds. He has said everything he needed to say tonight, and planted all the seeds we intended for the watching spies.
I catch his eye across the room and give him a subtle signal. He understands immediately, excusing himself from the group of nobles he has been talking with and making his way toward me.
"Shall we step outside for some fresh air, Your Highness?" I ask aloud, making sure my voice carries just enough to be heard by those nearby.
"Please," he replies, letting a look of mild exhaustion cross his face. "All this celebration is wonderful, but I find I need a moment to clear my head."
We make our way through the hall, exchanging brief goodbyes with guests who call out to us. As we exit into the palace courtyard, the cool evening air hits my face a welcome relief from the warmth and heavy scents of the crowded hall. We walk slowly through the gardens, following winding paths that lead away from the main buildings, until we reach a small gate that opens onto the city streets beyond.
I pull a dark cloak from my satchel and help him fasten it around his shoulders. Its deep gray fabric is designed to blend perfectly into the shadows of the night.
"The meeting point is just ahead, Your Highness," I whisper. "Tomas should be waiting for us."
We turn down a narrow alley between two merchant shops, the cobblestones beneath our feet worn smooth by years of use. At the far end, a figure leans against the wall broad-shouldered, with a cloak pulled low over his face. As we approach, he straightens up and pulls back his hood to reveal Tomas, one of Vonce's most trusted soldiers.
"Your Highness," he says, bowing his head respectfully.
"The men are in position as you requested," Tomas reports. "We have identified three spies so far one from Custodian, and two from smaller kingdoms we suspect are working in their interest."
"Good," I say, moving deeper into the alley where we can speak without being overheard. "I want you to let them all go. Make sure they leave the city unharmed, and ensure they have clear passage all the way back to their masters."
Tomas's brow furrows slightly in confusion. "Your Highness, we could capture them interrogate them to learn what they know about Custodian's plans."
I shake my head, leaning against the wall as I look out toward the main street where lanterns cast dancing shadows across the ground. "We already know what they have seen tonight: nobles gathering in friendship, talking only of trade and festivals. Letting them go unharmed will only confirm their reports. If we capture them, Custodian will know we were aware of their presence… and they will simply send others who are harder to track."
"Besides," I continue, "we want them to carry our message back. We want them to report that Callibean is focused entirely on peace and unity, not on war. The longer we can keep Custodian believing that lie, the more time we have to prepare both here and in Meodes."
Cael nods in understanding. "It is like when you plant decoy crops in a garden to keep pests away from the real harvest," he says quietly. "We are letting them see exactly what we want them to see."
"Exactly," I say with a small smile. "Tomas, I want your men to follow the spies at a distance. Make sure they reach the border safely, but do not let yourselves be seen. We need to know exactly where they go and who they report to. That information will be incredibly valuable when we move forward with our plans."
"Understood, Your Highness," Tomas says, pulling his hood back up. "I will give the order immediately. The spies will be out of the city by dawn."
I clap him firmly on the shoulder. "Thank you, Tomas. And tell Gilbert I said to keep up the good work at the border. We will need every man ready when the time comes, but for now… let them rest. Let them enjoy the celebration too."
Tomas is one of General Gilbert Poluz's men. I haven't met the general again since our brief clash during my past life in the military, but we have been exchanging letters and information secretly for quite some time now.
As Tomas slips away into the shadows, Cael and I make our way back toward the palace. The sound of music and laughter still floats through the night air, a reminder of the joy that fills the halls we have temporarily left behind.
"Your Highness?" Cael says as we walk. "Do you think they will really believe it? That we are just here celebrating, doing nothing to prepare for war?"
I look at him, then up at the stars shining bright in the night sky.
"They will believe what they want to believe," I answer. "Custodian's King thinks everyone is as greedy and power-hungry as he is. He will see our alliances as weakness, and our celebrations as foolishness. And that… will be his fatal mistake."
We reenter the palace grounds and make our way back toward the wedding hall. As we approach the grand doors, I pull off the cloak and hand it to a nearby servant. I straighten the folds of Cael's royal robes once again, adjusting them to perfection, and give him a final instruction.
"Smile," I say. "Now, let's go back and enjoy the party. After all, we have to make sure our guests believe we are having the time of our lives."w