Banquet for A Drunk

A few weeks later, the palace buzzed with renewed excitement as the gates swung open to reveal Terran’s mother, Lady Akari, returning home after her long journey. Her face was alight with joy, her eyes sparkling with pride and anticipation. She practically burst through the grand halls, sweeping into the throne room where her son, Uriko, and the others gathered.

“MY SON!” Akari exclaimed, immediately rushing forward and pulling me into a tight, exuberant embrace. “Oh, I’m so proud of you! I want to throw the biggest celebration this palace has ever seen! A feast! A festival! Everyone must know how marvelous my boy is—and his lovely fiancée, of course!”

She turned to Uriko next, her eyes shining. “And you, dear girl! You’ve made my son so happy. We must celebrate both of you—properly! I demand a full, glorious celebration—nothing less!”

Heero, always eager to please and convinced that he could secure permission easily, stepped forward with a confident smile. “Don’t worry, Lady Akari. I’ll make sure it’s the grandest celebration ever. I’ll speak with the council and—”

Before he could finish, Sadie’s sharp voice cut him off, her tone laced with gentle scolding. “Master Heero, slow down. Promising a full celebration without knowing the details isn’t wise. We need to be realistic about what we can organize. It’s not just about making promises—it’s about making sure everything’s planned properly.”

Heero blinked, a little sheepish. “Ah, right. Sorry, Sadie. I just thought—”

I chuckled, raising a hand to stop the small argument. “Maybe we should keep it simple at first. A banquet, with both families—my family and Uriko’s. We can plan a proper celebration later, once everything’s settled.”

Sadie nodded approvingly. “That sounds perfect. A banquet can be a wonderful way to bring everyone together—family, friends, and allies. It’ll be a good start.”

I looked around at the gathered faces, then added with a smile, “Let’s do a banquet—something everyone can enjoy. With the royal family, Uriko’s family, and mine. It’ll be a celebration of not just the wedding but of the future we’re building together.”

Akari’s face lit up even more, her exuberance barely contained. “Yes! That’s perfect! I’ll start making arrangements. This will be a day to remember—my boy and his bride, surrounded by everyone who cares for them.”

As plans began to take shape, the palace settled into a mood of joyful anticipation. The grand banquet hall was alive with warmth and celebration, lanterns casting a golden glow over the gathered guests. 

As the evening progressed, Emperor Solja rose to his feet, raising a goblet high. His voice boomed with pride and joy. “To the future of our realm—Uriko and Terran! May your union be as strong as the mountains and as enduring as the stars. Cheers!”

Laughter and cheers erupted around the hall, and Solja’s toast was met with clapping and shouts of agreement. Nearby, Akari, the ever-exuberant mother, was practically bouncing in her seat, eyes shining with excitement.

“Oh, my sweet children!” she exclaimed loudly, voice slightly slurred from too much wine. “This is only the beginning! I dream of a future where—where—oh, where everyone dances and sings for you! I see grand castles, beautiful gardens, and a kingdom so happy they forget all their troubles! Yes, yes—my dreams are just beginning to come true!”

Her words spilled out in a torrent of enthusiasm, her cheeks flushed, and she clapped her hands wildly, nearly knocking over a tray of desserts.

Heero and Solja exchanged glances, quickly trying to intervene. “Akari, dear,” Heero said gently, “perhaps you’ve had enough—let’s get you some water.”

“Too much?” Akari giggled, waving her hand dismissively. “Nonsense! I’m just celebrating the best day of my life—my boy and his bride! Nothing can stop us now!”

As her drunken merriment grew, Sadie stepped forward, quietly helping to steady her. She gently guided Akari toward a side table, where she could sit and rest. Just then, Sadie accidentally bumped into Uriko, who was nearby, helping to clear away spilled drinks and broken glasses.

Their eyes met briefly—a flicker of old tension passing between them. Sadie, remembering her past feelings for Terran and the subtle envy that sometimes lingered, offered a warm, polite smile. “Congratulations, Princess. Truly. I wish you all the happiness in the world.”

Uriko, her expression carefully neutral, responded with a polite, almost forced smile. “Thank you, Lady Sadie. I appreciate your kind words.” Her voice was measured, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of bitterness beneath the surface.

They exchanged a brief, awkward silence before Sadie gently added, “It’s a beautiful day, and I’m happy for both of you. Truly.”

Uriko nodded, her smile tight but deliberate. “Yes. It’s a day to celebrate—and I intend to enjoy it.”

Inside, a complex mix of feelings swirled within her—envy, bitterness, and the faint hope that someday, perhaps, all the old wounds could heal. For now, she chose to focus on the joy of the moment, even if her heart was a little heavy.

The banquet roared on around them, filled with laughter, music, and the promise of a new beginning—each person carrying their own hopes, doubts, and dreams into the night.

As the festivities wound down and the guests began to depart, Heero gently helped his wife, Akari, to her feet. Her cheeks were still flushed, her eyes a little glassy, and her laughter echoed softly as they made their way out of the hall. Heero steadied her with a reassuring grip, whispering calming words to keep her from stumbling too much. Taking home the happy mom, and Heero told his son to take his time and join them back home.

After a while, I finally decided it was time to head back to my home. As I entered the front foyer, I was surprised to see my mother, Akari, still lingering in the kitchen, swaying slightly and clutching a goblet in her hand.

“M-Mother?” I called softly, approaching her.

Akari turned, her face lighting up with a goofy, affectionate grin as she saw her son. “Oh—Terran! There you are,” she slurred, stumbling forward a little. “You… you’ve made me so proud today.” She reached out, clutching my arm as if anchoring herself. “I mean… really, truly. You’re—” she paused, her voice thick with emotion, “the only one who can save all those innocent people out there. The demons…” her voice trailed off, eyes glassy but sincere.

I looked at her, concern flickering behind my eyes. “Mom… you’re still awake. You’ve had a little too much to drink. Get some rest.”

Akari waved a hand dismissively, though her words carried a heavy weight. “No… no, I mean it,” she insisted, voice trembling. “You’re the hero now. The one who can save everyone. I’ve been a bad mother—bad at everything—but you… you’re the real deal. You’ve got what it takes.”

Her words made me pause. Her tone was unsteady, yet there was a raw honesty behind it—an unspoken hope that I would continue to be the hero she believed I could be.

“Mom,” I said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I’ll do everything I can. I promise. But I need you to rest now. You’ve done enough for today.”

Akari looked at me, a tear slipping down her cheek, then nodded slowly. “Good… good,” she whispered, her voice almost a whisper. “Just… go save more people, okay? That’s what you’re meant to do.”

I gently guided her toward a nearby seat, deciding to let her rest. As I looked down at her, I realized—her drunken words, her erratic manner, all masked a deeper hope and a fierce love for me. Despite everything, she believed in my strength and my purpose.

With a quiet resolve, I turned away, knowing that tomorrow would bring more responsibilities, but also the new unbreakable bond of family. And that was a strength I would carry with me, no matter what darkness awaited.

Akari opened her left eye to peek, make sure her son walked away. With another exhale of alcohol breath, she said, "My dear son, he is a late bloomer. Yet became the most beautiful warrior. Now best chance they have." with a single tear rolling down her cheek. She tried to sleep, murmuring. "So unfortunate that I have to leave the reasonability to my treasure."