Beyond The Glowing Whirlpool

Chapter 34: A ROYAL TREATMENT

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The day of the festival finally came and captain Arthur along with his selected crew members, Melinda, Tony, Alice, Stacie, and Ivar, passed through the portal where the Zhalian transportation was awaiting them. The celebration took place in the capital city of Zhalia. It was very large and beautiful with towering, interesting looking architectures. The crew was warmly received when they arrived at the Ebele estate and escorted inside the magnificent mansion. This resort was specifically established for the honored guests that visited their planet. It was beautiful and humongous with multiple wings and all sorts of accommodations designed for a comfortable stay here. There were Zhalian people everywhere stationed at the resort, to tend to and serve the guests. Stacie looked around with ave at beautiful halls they passed, decorated with exquisite furnishings and embellishments. They were led through a grand garden-like terrace filled with exotic foliage of blooming trees, bushes, flowerbeds, sculptures and fountains, all the way to the very back of the mansion, and into a grand hall, where prince Aries was already there, expecting them.

-There you are. - He said, getting up from a luxurious looking grand sofa, and approached to greet them. - You finally made it.

Stacie stared at him with a hint of bafflement. He looked very different from his usual, typical warrior-like self. At that moment, he really did look like a royal person, and so incredibly striking, wearing more richly adorned attire and a thin, embedded with some precious gemstones crown around his head. The overall appearance had made him seem so majestic that Stacie felt a little flustered in his presence. He really didn't seem like the same prince Aries, she was used to. On a daily basis, he didn't even feel like royalty by his casual behavior around them and much simpler wear preference, so she was taken completely by surprise. It's as if she was seeing the actual Satteran crown prince for the first time. And she wasn't the only one who felt that way. Everyone else, including the captain, was staggered by his appearance as well. They all just awkwardly stood there in the middle of the room and gawked at him at a total loss, not knowing how to proceed. 

"So that's what the Satteran crown prince looks like, in all his glory..." Noted Stacie to herself.

-Well, don't just stand there! - He said cheerfully, in his usual laid-back tone as if it was any other day. - I reserved a private section of this venue for us so come, sit, relax, enjoy the comforts of this place. - He gestured invitingly to the crew. - This place is specifically designed for that purpose and those people here will tend to your every need. I ordered the food and drinks to be served for us at your arrival.

-Thank you so much, your highness. - Said captain as they followed him to the reserved parlor which looked like it was designed for a king.

-You're alone? - Ivar asked him - I thought you were going to come with Damaris and Assarel.

-They are here and will be joining us shortly.

As soon as they settled down, refreshments were being brought to them by the Zhalian attendants of some drinks and appetizers of some fruit, baked goods, and entree that looked strange yet beautiful, and very appetizing. They were quite delicious too. Pretty soon, they were all relaxed, lively chatting with prince Aries and Ivar while enjoying the refreshments. Stacie looked around and studied everything with the eye of an archaeologist. This was a grand hall that very much resembled a large ballroom or a grand venue hall for weddings. There were very luxurious corners with sofas and tables everywhere. The enormous room was supported but very tall, and beautifully carved columns and lit up by huge, glass walls and a ceiling. A grand staircase graced the very center of the room, leading to an open upper floor, where you could see more lounging areas with some other extravagant looking guests also enjoying themselves. Those must be some of the other leaders, Stacie figured. The attentive Zhalian assistants bustled everywhere, making sure their guests are comfortable, delivering refreshments, cleaning up afterward, and pretty much tending to every request. Stacie observed them for a while. She noticed that they were a very interesting looking race of people. Their skin was deep tan and hair was pure white. They had a slightly pointy ears, kind of like elves, and their eye colors ranged between brown green and golden. It looked like they stepped right out of some mythical world of lord of the rings. In fact, the whole of Zhalia felt as if it was some sort of fantasia.