The next day. The Capital was even busier. The day before the festival means that even more people are visiting and even more problems popping up. Soldiers were on high alert and royal guards were even more protective.
The duke wore a black, knee length tunic with a fur lined cloak. He wore a black and purple jacket with purple embroideries on the jacket. He radiated the intimidating presence of a Duke and one of the strongest people in the world.
The Madam had a dark purple gown with golden embroidery. She wore a fire lined cloak and her necklace was gold with purple gems. Her hair was twirled in intricate braids which was a braided bun. She looked absolutely stunning and radiated nobility.
Very similar to the Duke, Arthur and Tommy wore a black, knee length tunic. No fur lined cloak. They both wore black and purple jackets over the tunic with purple embroideries.
"Oh! My children are so cute!" Gloria pushed her checks into her kids and squealed in excitement.
"Mom, you are going to mess up our hair." Arthur complained.
"Yeah! Listen to Arthur, you are messing up our majestic looking selves."
"Oh you guys are indeed majestic looking. The girls are going to go crazy over you guys. Besides, your hair is always messy, but that's the style you guys like I guess."
Hunter said, "Honey, stop bothering the kids. We have to go."
"We can be late, the main characters always arrive late." Gloria said smugly.
Hunter sighed, "But we aren't the main characters today, it's the princess. So, let's go."
"Hmph."
They made their way to the castle and saw many nobles walking in and out of rooms of the inn we came out of. The streets toward the castle were empty of commoners and only nobles passed through.
The family arrived at the gate of the castle and handed our ID before going in.
Arthur muttered, "Huge."
"That's what she said." Tommy said absentmindedly as he stared at the castle in front of him.
They went in and made their way to the ballroom. As they arrived at the entrance, they were stopped by a royal guard. "Welcome Sir and Madam. This door to the right is the kids and the adults are to the left."
Gloria spoke up curiously, "Why separate rooms?"
'I wanna be with my kids!'
"It's the princess's birthday, not the adults. It would be uncomfortable for the princess if all she was really doing was mingling with adults and having the kids stick next to their parents for the entirety of the celebration."
The royal guard continued, "Also it won't be the entire time. When it's time for the celebration, the walls between the two rooms will disappear and it will be one."
"Come on honey." Hunter gently nudged his wife toward the left door as they went inside.
"Young masters." The royal guard gestured.
As the boys went inside the room, there were many kids staring at the newcomers.
All kids around here were of various ages. Ranging from 8-12 maybe. Perhaps with some exceptions.
"Which noble family are they from?" Someone asked.
"Wow, they are quite cute!
"Aren't they children?"
"Wait?! Purple eyes? Isn't that the trademark of the Shelby Family."
The older kids raised their eyebrows. Unlike the younger ones who don't know much of the other noble families outside their bubble, the older kids studied and knew.
Tommy and Arthur looked around and saw a familiar face.
"Colon!"
"Eek!"
Tommy walked up and put his arm around, "Wassup up bud, crazy how we see each other so soon," He lowered his head and whispered, "after that incident."
Everyone had their eye on the twins and them already being friendly with the young master of the Graveborn family was interesting to say the least.
Arthur walked to the food section and grabbed a couple of cupcakes. "Hello."
He looked to the side and saw a brown haired girl with blue, sapphire eyes.
"…Hello."
'Mom always said to be polite to whoever talked to me unless—.'
"My name is Alacaera De Vera. Nice to meet you." She stretched out her hand to Arthur.
Arthur reciprocated the action and introduced himself, "Arthur Shelby. Nice to meet you."
Alacaera smiled so brightly it almost blinded Arthur. "I think we are going to be great friends."
'Oh my, what have I gotten myself into.'
While Arthur was having his…meeting, Tommy was being, well, Tommy.
Tommy went to the drink section and poured himself some fruit punch. He clicked his glass 3 times and stood up on a chair, "Attention everybody! Attention."
Arthur saw this and wanted to punch his brother for doing this, 'What the hell is he doing?!'
"I would just like to introduce myself. Thomas Shelby, Son of the prestigious Shelby Family, brother of… Where is he? Oh there! Arthur Shelby! This is just the first greeting of many that will happen in the future. I hope we can be friends in the future."
"…"
Some people laughed while others ignored him completely and a select few had other thoughts regarding that speech.
Tommy stepped down and was about to go to his brother but saw him chatting. He smiled and looked around. "Phew. Let's do this."
He opened up a book that was in his pocket and saw a list of names. He scanned the room and his eyes lit up. "Found you."
A brown haired boy with brown eyes that looked about 8 years old was in a group with his friends that looked similar in age. "Hey. Get us some lemonade."
That order was directed at a black haired boy with red and green eyes.
—"Can he even see correctly with those different colored eyes?" One of them laughed.
—One of them added, "You guys think he sees two different colors out of both eyes like an animal!"
"Haha you guys are so funny." The group of friends turned around and saw a black haired boy with purple eyes.
"Thomas Shelby." He introduced,
The brown haired boy had a smirk on his face. "We know who you are. Making a fool of yourself. How the Shelby family must've fallen after giving birth to someone like you. My father told me you guys were one of the strongest, it seems like it won't be for long."
The group laughed.
'What is he doing?' The black haired boy with different eyes felt that Thomas's actions were weird.
"Wow, good insult. Really got me soo scared. Anyways, I didn't come here for you guys." He walked past them and stepped in front of the boy with two different eye colors.
"I don't really feel like introducing myself again after doing it so many times. What's your name?"
"Luca." He paused before saying his full name, "Luca Capet."
Tommy smiled, "Well, Luca, I would like to talk to you about something. Would you come with me?"
The brown haired boy put his hand on Tommy's shoulder. "Hey! I, Kaven Willisburn, will not tolerate the sarcastic remark you directed at me!"
"Hey…" A heavy feeling pressured Kaven. "You better let go before I cause a scene."
Kaven rapidly let go and stepped away.
"Shall we go?" Tommy turned his body and looked back.
Luca quickly stood up and followed, 'Is this the right decision?'
They went to a secluded corner of the room where nobody would bother them. Feeling something suspicious, Luca got a little scared. 'Is he going to hurt me?'
"Luca Capet, fourth son of the Capet family. Mother is the official wife but is overshadowed by the favoritism of the concubines by the patriarch. Talent is low compared to your brothers and your eyes are different which makes you different from your family."
"Dreams of becoming one of the strongest people and proving yourself to your family. As well as…becoming patriarch of the Capet family."
'What?! How?' Luca's eyes were wide open and his face portrayed the shock he just experienced.
The boy in front of Luca smiled but to Luca, it seemed terrifying.
"How did I know? Well, that's a secret. It's true is it not?"
"N-no." Luca denied. Why would he admit the things he had never told anyone. Things that would be considered blasphemous in his family that would get him treated worse than he already does now.
"You better be honest. It's true. Is. It. Not?"
Luca's eyes teared up. 'Why is this happening to me?! What have I done to deserve this?!'
"Well I won't pressure any more than this. I already know it's true. However, I have a proposition for you."
'What is he going to threaten me with? To be his butler or perhaps…"
Tommy seems to think that Luca's thoughts were going the wrong way. "It's nothing weird. It benefits both of us."
"W-what is it?"
"I will make you one of the strongest human beings in Twilight that has never been seen in history before. I can help you become patriarch of your family and raise it to become one of the best nobel houses. People won't make fun of you."
Tommy continued, "All I ask of you is to become my loyal friend."
Of course this wasn't some nonsensical promise that Tommy couldn't fulfill.
He knew where almost every hidden object was. Artifacts, information and more.
'In Twilight, I alone am the cheater. And Arthur.'
Luca didn't know how to respond, other than this way, "But aren't you a child. You are even younger than me. I'm seven."
Oof—!
Tommy almost fell down. "H-hey. Age doesn't matter in strength. Just believe in me and I will accomplish your goals and you will help accomplish mine."
He saw that Luca was still contemplating this proposal. He knows despite his young age that this isn't a childish proposal. This is different.
'A little more.'
"If you don't believe in me, believe in the Shelby Family. My brother and I are the only children in the family and our parents love us a lot. I have more influence than you think."
Luca contemplated, "Can I have time to think."
'No!'
"Of course but I would like the answer as soon as possible. I have a plan and you aren't someone I would go on my knees and beg for."
Tommy walked away and moved on to the next target. 'Maybe I should've grown up before doing this.' He regretted his decision but still went through with it.
'Ahh, this shit is so embarrassing. Which 5 year old acts even like this?'
'I wanna go home.'
Smacking his cheeks, he hardened up.
'I'll do everything young so I can refine it old. My famous and personal quote,
"Don't think, just do."