Two hours before the appointed time of the King's birthday banquet,

The little girl stood next to her mother with the rest of the servants standing behind them as they watched a series of carriages moving towards the exit of their estate.

'I hope everything goes well.' Yvonne wished the passengers luck in her mind as she looked up at her mother.

Feeling her gaze, Raylene glanced down and smiled before extending her hand towards the child.

"Shall we get back inside?" She offered and received a willing nod from her.

The mother and daughter who had come out to see the two men in their family off were now walking back into the Mansion while the servants soon followed after them.

___

The carriages that had left the St. Claire estate were now on their way to the Royal Palace grounds which was their destination.

Three carriages were moving in a straight line as they followed the one at the front.

Inside that carriage were the Earl and his son who would be introduced as the heir to house St. Claire in the presence of the King.

Rutherford had his eyes fixed on the brooch with a pretty pink diamond that his wife had pinned to his coat's lapel just before they could enter the carriage.

The stone that reminded him of his wife's eyes brought a smile on his usually cold face which made him look even more handsome than what he already was.

Today, Rutherford St. Claire was wearing a white shirt inside his long-tailed black coat.

He knew that he looked ruggedly handsome with his tall and muscular body fitted in the formal suit he had worn for today's special occasion.

The proof of this was his wife who could not take her eyes off of him when he was about to enter the carriage.

'That goodbye kiss was intense.' He smirked that he had gotten her hot and bothered with his look for the day.

On the other side of the carriage sat the young boy who was accompanying his father to the banquet.

Howard's midnight blue hair, similar to his father's was swept to the side unlike his usual style of letting them fall freely on his forehead.

The young boy had a grey formal attire today which accentuated his dark blue eyes which were now sparkling with excitement as he recalled what had happened before they boarded the carriage.

While the parents had been indulging in a long goodbye kiss, the boy had asked his sister a question.

The little girl glanced at him from top to bottom with a contemplative look in her eyes before she gave her verdict.

'Vonny called me handsome!' He grinned, a triumphant look in his eyes when he received the compliment from the same girl who had once scowled at his appearance.

He recalled their first trip to the Commercial district after she had come back from their Summer estate.

At that time, when their mother had called him as handsome as a prince, he had seen her rolling her eyes in a clear rejection of that statement.

Therefore, now he was happy that she had changed her views about his appearance.

If only Howard knew that his sister was scowling at that 'Prince' their mother had referred to and not at him, then he would surely be happy.

However, he was ignorant about that piece of information and was simply overjoyed that he was praised for his looks.

He then glanced at the sapphire brooch his mother had pinned for him as well with a smile.

While the two men were in their own thoughts, the speed of the carriage lowered, indicating that they had neared their destination.

"Prepared?" Rutherford inquired as he fixed his eyes on the boy before him.

Howard had spent the entire week in preparation for this event so he nodded his head, confident that he would not bring shame to their family name today.

When the carriage finally came to a halt, it was Butler Limo who held the door open for the Master and Young Master.

He then bowed and stood at the side when the two men alighted from the carriage and glanced around.

Howard's eyes scanned the place that he had come for the first time today in a poised manner.

Rutherford was pleased that he was not glancing around like a child in a playground but was behaving like a well-mannered noble.

He had been here numerous times before so he knew that they were still at the entrance of the Palace grounds where they would have to undergo inspection to make sure that nothing that could harm the Royal family was being transported inside.

The security here was tight as it was an important occasion and the Royal Knights began checking the three carriages that had come from the St. Claire estate.

"Sir, you cannot take these men with you." One of the guards objected when he saw that along with the Earl's carriage there were two more which were meant to follow him.

Past these gates, even the Butler of the family wasn't allowed much less the men who were seated in the second carriage.

The Earl understood that these were the rules of the Palace so he did not argue but said a single statement in his defense.

"These men were brought to handle the present I have prepared for His Majesty." Rutherford disclosed as his eyes flitted to the last carriage.

If Yvonne was here then she would have recognized this carriage which looked like the goods carrying trucks in her previous world.

The Knights paused when they heard his words and also understood what was implied by his statement.

'What if His Majesty's present is spoiled because we do not allow them in?' The man who had objected was now on two minds.

Noticing his predicament, Rutherford chuckled which surprised the men who were standing around them.

Everyone knew that the Earl of St. Claire was a cold and stoic man who did not like to mingle with others.

There were many rumors about him being ruthless and bloodthirsty which made the people fear interacting with him.

Though a part of these rumors held truth, most of them were spread around by those who wished to sully his image.

Therefore, now these men, some knights, and some nobles waiting for their turn were shocked to see him let out a casual chuckle.

"Only my son and I will enter the banquet hall. These men will remain out in the garden along with that other carriage and you can have your guards keep an eye on them at all times." Rutherford suggested as these men were only needed when the present was unveiled.

The guards looked at each other but as they could not make a decision by themselves, they called for their Captain to sort this matter out.

Howard watched with sparkling eyes when an older man with a salt and pepper stubble strode in their direction.

'Captain Nuinez!' He squealed in his mind as this man was one of the best swordsmen among the Royal Knights squadron.

"Earl St. Claire." Captain Nuinez nodded at the taller man standing before him who nodded in return.

The guards explained the issue to the Captain who glanced at him in return.

"What if we find your men doing something suspicious?" The Captain questioned as it was his job to keep these grounds secure.

Rutherford's eyes flashed before a calm smile graced his lips.

"Slit their throats if you find them guilty of treason against the Royal family." He answered without a moment's thought.

The noblemen around them gasped at how ruthless the Earl truly was to his own men and shot him disapproving glances.

Howard's expression did not change even after hearing this as he knew that his father would never do something to harm his own people.

True to this thought, the Earl was not yet done with what he had to say.

"However, if in the circumstance that my men are killed today then I would demand for a detailed report for what might have led to that outcome." He added as a trace of menace flashed through his eyes.

Captain Nuinez was an older man in his late forties yet he felt his back stiffen at these words accompanied with that strange look in the Earl's eyes.

"Very well then. My men will watch over your two carriages." He acquiesced after hearing his suggestion.

He had nothing against this Earl but his duty came first so he would still take all the necessary precautions to prevent any mishaps.

With the Captain's approval, the men from the St. Claire's family boarded their carriage once again and were given permission to enter the Royal Palace grounds.