Dex and his family are invited to a surprise party for a local group of kids who admitted they'd never had a birthday party before. -- BKF
Many children attending the Arachismont Public School went by one name. Many also stayed in the attached boardinghouse and went home for the weekend. It was an initiative so that many children could interact with their contemporaries as normal. There were no ranks beyond personal accomplishment. Those who were ahead were expected to help those who had difficulty. And social activity was similarly egalitarian.
Kormwind Arachis Felbourne Whitekeep, tenth of his name and 'Dex' to everyone who knew him, was seven years old and pleased as punch to have an invitation to a classmate's birthday party. "Doni invited the whole family, Papa. That means you an' Mama and Bene and Joy and Uni and Tis and maybe Persy and Cert and Ten and Com can come too!"
"I never was invited to anyone's birthday before," allowed his father the King. Known formally as Kormwind Arachis Felbourne Whitekeep, ninth of his name. Known around the world as the Thrice-Sworn King. Known to his friends as simply 'Kosh'. "Though... three years old might be a little young for a ten-year-old's party. Does Doni know you're a Prince?"
"Uhm..." said Dex. "I'm not allowed to tell anyone at school that."
"An informal appearance then. Assassins know better than to try me, but... I think security can be arranged. May I see the invitation?"
It was well handled. Dex kept looking at it and showing it to his assorted siblings. Hellkin and Human alike. Dex watched as his father read the address and -seemingly by magic- mentally connected it to the tax records he went over annually. "Ah. Yes. The southwestern district. Think he'd appreciate a wall hanging of Halovar the Hero?"
"He loves reading Halovar the Hero! How'd you know?"
"Everyone aged ten loves reading the Halovar stories. You can get him the tin toy set. I'll bring along the hanging."
"Can I help?" said Bene, Dex's twin brother. "Dex tends to get the first thing he sees. I wanna make sure it's a nice one."
"Clarity of speech, my darlings," sighed Mama. The Princess-Consort Cordelia Maripose Heartsalve Whitekeep. "You want to make sure it's a nice one. We're expected to speak so all can understand us."
"Nobless oblige," said Papa. "We are all expected to speak to the people and we don't want anyone to mis-hear what we say." He handed the invitation back. "It's always good practice to practice that which is expected of us."
Nevertheless, the plans went ahead over the weekend dinner. Informal dress, but still nice clothing. Papa would not be wearing his Demon's Diadem, and dressed as casually as a reigning King could. And since the invitation asked attending parents to bring some food to the party, he would be bearing a large platter of peach-flavoured Mountain Fish pastries.
"A King," he said, "can afford to be generous."
Dex knew for a fact that his father would sneak himself at least one of those pastry fish.
Mrs. Wykantha, Doni's Mama, was glad to see Dex and Bene bearing gifts. She almost fainted to see her King on the doorstep with a gift in one hand and a large platter borne on the other.
It must have been quite a shock to discover her son was best friends with a Prince.
"No need for formalities," said Papa. "Today, for a handful of hours, I am off duty. For those hours, I am merely Kosh."
Papa spent most of those hours herding Dex's younger siblings from trouble, talking about Parenting with other parents, and occasionally sneaking party treats meant for the kids. Just like all the other grownups there.
[Photo by rawkkim on Unsplash]
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