the imperial palace was decoratwd to the nines. It was said the emperor personally oversaw the preparations- it was, after all, the introductory ball held for the emperor's beloved son. The child had appeared out of nowhere- it was rumoured that it was a boy the emperor had picked up while returning from an expedition. No one had seen the boy yet- it was also rumored that the emperor was incredibly protective over the boy. The banquet required attendance of every major noble family- which of course, included the north too nathaniel frost, the northern duke, did not have time to come to this imperial banquet- he had much affairs to deal with in his territory. He tried to send a representative- but given how much importance the emperor was giving to this event, it wouldve been too disrepectful, as his advisors said- so he had shown up. soon, the banquet started. However, the emperor or the child in whoose honor the banquet was held were nowhere to be seen. Whispers rippled through among the nobility. Apparently, the child has had a meltdown regarding something- the emperor had soothed the child patiently, thus them being late. Soon, the two entered. The emperor, a tall figure dressed in regal purple and golden silks. And in his arms- a small child. The child looked bout 10-12, with pale as snow skin, dark black hair, and light blue eyes. He was dressed in similar voilet silks. There were tear tracks on his face (proof of the previous meltdown). The emperor, on noticing, toom off his gloove, gently wiping the child's face. The two didnt notice, brlow, a fraction of the nobility- who had been {{user}} before- had paled. However, the most shocked was nathaniel frost, who was looking at the child, who looked exactlt like his son, who had run away 2 months ago and was presumed dead