The formal welcome concluded without further spectacle.
Shortly afterward, King Thalorien and Queen Lysara invited everyone to a private luncheon within the palace.
Attendance was intentionally limited.
Only the royal family.
The Royal Veil.
A handful of trusted advisors.
Twenty guests in total.
The atmosphere remained regal...
But intimate.
The Table
The dining hall reflected the royal family more than the palace itself.
Warm polished oak.
Towering crystal windows overlooking the emerald forests of Etherevalis.
Afternoon sunlight poured across the table.
King Thalorien sat at the head.
Queen Lysara at his right.
Llandra beside her mother.
Jax beside Llandra.
Then Nyxian.
Zee.
Bunny.
Across from them sat Llandra's brothers, sister, and their spouses.
Vaelrith Moonshadow occupied the opposite end beside Dawn.
Servants moved gracefully.
Elegant courses arrived one after another.
Conversation flowed easily.
Travel.
Trade.
The prosperity spreading across the continent.
Finally, the Crown Prince smiled toward Jax.
"So," he began, "I hear you are an adventurer who dabbles in commerce."
Jax smiled.
"I'd say I'm a merchant who occasionally dabbles in adventuring."
Nyxian nodded.
"That's probably the most accurate description of him."
Soft laughter circled the table.
"And what exactly," the prince continued, "does a merchant like yourself sell?"
Jax leaned back.
"A little bit of everything."
The Merchant
Jax reached into his personal storage.
Several palace guards instinctively straightened.
Hands drifted toward sword hilts before relaxing again.
The first item was nothing more than a polished wooden box.
He slid it toward the Crown Prince's wife.
"I was told you enjoy tea."
She looked surprised.
"I do."
Inside rested six glass jars.
Each filled with colorful dried leaves and flowers.
"Some blends are relaxing. Some help replenish mana after spellcasting. One is simply my favorite after a long day."
She opened one.
The aroma alone brought a smile to her face.
"I've never smelled anything like this."
"They're blended by one of my restaurants."
She looked genuinely delighted.
Another elegant case appeared.
This one went to Llandra's sister.
"I understand you enjoy painting."
She nodded cautiously.
Jax opened the lid.
Inside rested tiny crystal containers holding pigments unlike anything she had ever seen.
"The colors come from rare monsters."
She stared.
One shimmered like liquid sapphire.
Another reflected gold despite being deep crimson.
"They never fade," Jax explained.
Her fingers hovered over them almost reverently.
"...They're beautiful."
The younger prince received a compact leather travel kit.
Inside rested enchanted cooking utensils.
"...Cooking supplies?"
Jax nodded.
"I heard you enjoy disappearing into the forests for weeks at a time."
The prince blinked.
"...Who told you that?"
Jax grinned.
"I pay attention."
The prince laughed.
"Apparently."
The prince's fiancée received several elegant crystal bottles.
She looked confused.
Jax smiled.
"Beauty products."
She raised an eyebrow.
He pointed toward the first bottle.
"Hair conditioner."
The second.
"Facial cleanser."
The third.
"Skin moisturizer."
Then the final crystal jar.
"This one helps soften fine lines around the eyes."
She instinctively touched the corner of one eye.
Jax immediately raised both hands.
"Not that you need it."
He smiled innocently.
"But perhaps one of your friends complains about such things."
The women around the table burst into laughter.
Even Queen Lysara couldn't help smiling.
The young noblewoman laughed hardest of all.
"I believe... I know exactly which friend you're talking about."
Another small pouch slid toward Llandra's older brother.
"Culinary herbs."
He looked puzzled.
"I don't cook."
"You grill."
The prince blinked.
"...I do."
"I've heard."
The prince slowly smiled.
"...You really have done your homework."
"I own restaurants."
Jax shrugged.
"It's a professional habit."
The atmosphere had completely changed.
The royal family compared gifts.
Asked questions.
Passed jars around the table.
Laughed.
The conversation no longer felt like a royal audience.
It felt...
Like family.
Then the doors opened.
Six palace guards struggled inside carrying an enormous wooden crate.
Armor strained.
Boots slid across polished stone.
Even together...
They barely managed.
Jax stood.
"I've got it."
Before anyone could object...
He lifted the crate onto one shoulder.
The conversation stopped.
Not because he announced his strength.
Because he hadn't.
He simply carried the massive crate across the room as though helping move furniture.
He gently lowered it beside the King.
Moments later another crate entered.
This time even more guards struggled.
Again...
Jax walked over.
Lifted it alone.
And placed it beside the Queen.
King Thalorien quietly exchanged a glance with Vaelrith.
Neither man spoke.
Neither needed to.
Jax opened the first crate.
Inside rested one of Eldrich's newest refrigeration units.
Polished oak.
Silver fittings.
A crystal chamber glowing softly within.
"It preserves food."
Jax smiled.
"Fresh meat. Produce. Medicine."
He rested a hand on it.
"I thought it might be useful for the palace."
Queen Lysara looked genuinely impressed.
"I've heard rumors about these."
"They're true."
The second crate contained an advanced freezer.
Even larger.
"This one reaches much colder temperatures."
Several advisors immediately began whispering among themselves.
The economic implications alone were staggering.
Then...
Jax froze.
"Oh."
He blinked.
"I almost forgot."
He stood.
"If you'll excuse me for just a moment."
Without another word...
He hurried from the dining hall.
Silence settled over the room.
The Crown Prince looked toward his father.
"...Did our future brother-in-law just excuse himself in the middle of luncheon?"
King Thalorien chuckled.
"I believe he did."
Queen Lysara smiled knowingly.
"I suspect he'll be back."
Moments later...
The doors opened once more.
Jax walked inside carrying two enormous weapon cases.
Each nearly seven feet long.
Each crafted from deep black hardwood reinforced with polished steel.
He carried one beneath each arm as though they weighed almost nothing.
Llandra's breath caught.
She recognized them instantly.
Brannic's craftsmanship.
Not ordinary weapon cases.
Her hand covered her mouth.
Oh...
Jax...
You had these made for them...
Transmuted weapons...
As my wedding dowry...
She suddenly understood why he had insisted on waiting several extra days before leaving Solmere.
This wasn't a purchase.
It had been commissioned.
Made specifically...
For her parents.
The room fell silent as Jax carefully laid both cases before the King and Queen.
He looked almost embarrassed.
"I had these made for you both."
"I hope... you like them."
He opened the first case.
Inside rested a magnificent white bow, faint blue veins shimmering through the polished limbs.
The enchantments woven throughout it radiated quiet power.
Nestled beside it rested a single handwritten card.
King Thalorien picked it up.
His eyes scanned the message.
For the father of the greatest creation in this world, I humbly offer this bow to a fellow hunter.
May you never miss your targets.
A large empty space separated the final sentence.
Then—
Unless you aim it at me.
For a heartbeat...
The King simply stared.
Then a booming laugh erupted from his chest.
It echoed through the entire dining hall.
Queen Lysara covered her smile.
Even Vaelrith's shoulders shook.
Jax scratched the back of his head.
"...Too much?"
Thalorien wiped a tear from his eye.
"No."
He laughed again.
"It was exactly enough."
Then Queen Lysara opened her case.
Resting inside was an elegant silver rapier.
Graceful.
Refined.
Beautiful.
She lifted it from the velvet lining.
Immediately...
She disappeared.
Gasps filled the room.
"Mother?" Llandra whispered.
"I am here."
Queen Lysara's voice echoed softly through the dining hall.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Yet no one could see her.
Vaelrith's eyes widened.
"...Stealth enchantment."
Queen Lysara looked down at herself.
Still invisible.
She gave the blade an experimental flourish.
The moment she lowered it...
She shimmered back into view.
Silence filled the hall.
She stared at the rapier.
Balanced perfectly.
Weightless.
The enchantments humming in harmony with her movements.
She knew weapons.
This wasn't merely exceptional craftsmanship.
It was the finest blade she had ever held.
She looked up at Jax.
"You... had this made for me?"
Jax nodded.
"I heard you preferred lighter weapons."
"I thought this suited you better than a bow."
Queen Lysara smiled.
Not the practiced smile of a queen.
The warm smile of a mother.
"You paid attention."
Jax shrugged modestly.
"I tried."
Around the table, every member of the royal family understood the same thing.
Jax Darquebane hadn't tried to buy their approval.
He had earned it.
One thoughtful gift at a time.