Chapter 17: A Night of Unity

The royal palace was alive with the sound of laughter, conversation, and the soft clink of silverware. The evening banquet had begun, a grand affair that was part of the ongoing celebrations for King Knox's marriage to Queen Amaria. The guests, both from Eldoria and neighboring kingdoms, were treated to a feast of the finest foods, prepared by Eldoria's best chefs. Despite the formal atmosphere of the evening, there was a warmth in the air that had been missing for so long, especially since Amaria had entered the palace.

Amaria sat beside King Knox at the head of the long banquet table, her hand resting lightly on his. Prince Alexander, who had been eagerly awaiting the evening, was perched on the edge of his seat, his eyes shining with excitement as he looked around at the guests. He had already eaten, but it was clear he was more interested in the company and the lavishness of the evening than in the food itself. He leaned toward Amaria, tugging on her sleeve.

"Are there going to be more dancers tonight?" he asked, his voice full of wonder.

Amaria smiled down at him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Yes, sweetheart. There will be more dancers and musicians. Are you excited?"

He nodded vigorously, his little face lighting up. "I want to dance too! Will you dance with me?"

She chuckled softly, her heart swelling with affection for the young boy. "Of course I will, Alexander. We'll dance together."

King Knox, who had been listening quietly, looked at the two of them with a hint of fondness in his eyes. It was moments like these that reminded him of how much his life had changed in such a short time. He had once thought his duty was his sole focus, that his responsibility to the throne and the kingdom was the only thing that mattered. But now, as he watched Amaria with Alexander, he realized how much he had missed—the warmth of family, the joy of simple moments shared with loved ones.

The evening wore on, with laughter and music filling the hall. Amaria and Knox exchanged a quiet glance as the dancers swirled around them. It had been a long day for both of them, full of meetings and duties, but this moment—this time with their family—was something they both cherished.

After a while, Alexander tugged at his father's sleeve, his face earnest. "Papa, will you dance with me too?"

Knox looked down at his son, surprised by the request. He had never been one for such frivolities, but something about Alexander's earnestness and the way Amaria's gaze softened as she looked at him made him reconsider. He gave a small nod.

"Alright, Alexander. I'll dance with you," he said, his voice more tender than usual.

The music shifted to a lighter, more playful tune, and Alexander grabbed his father's hand, pulling him toward the center of the room. Amaria watched them, her heart swelling with a mixture of pride and love. It was a sight she hadn't expected to see when she had first arrived in Eldoria. King Knox, the cold, distant king, was now dancing with his son, a genuine smile gracing his face.

As they moved together on the dance floor, Alexander's small feet barely able to keep up with the rhythm, the guests watched with admiration. It was a moment of unity, not just between father and son, but between the King, the Queen, and their kingdom. It was clear to all that, despite the weight of the crown and the challenges that lay ahead, Eldoria was healing—one step at a time.

The banquet continued late into the night, with laughter and music echoing through the grand halls. But for King Knox, Queen Amaria, and Prince Alexander, the most important part of the evening wasn't the grand feast or the opulence of the event—it was the quiet family moments that filled their hearts with warmth.

As the evening came to a close and the guests began to retire, Amaria tucked Alexander into bed, kissing his forehead softly. "Sleep well, my darling," she whispered.

Alexander yawned, his eyes heavy with sleep. "Mama, Papa... thank you."

Amaria smiled softly, brushing his hair back from his forehead. "We love you, Alexander."

And as she left the room, she found King Knox waiting outside, his gaze softening when he saw her. He said nothing at first, simply taking her hand in his as they walked down the hallway together. The weight of their responsibilities would always be there, but in this moment, it didn't seem quite so heavy.

For the first time, King Knox allowed himself to feel the warmth of what it meant to have a family. And for the first time, he felt truly at peace with the life he was building—not just for himself, but for his son, and for Amaria.