Chapter 21

                                    

                                          
The day of the grand feast finally arrived. Since it was a day off for everyone and the feast would begin later in the evening, everywhere around the castle, the Galra soldiers were making their final preparations for the night.
The throne room had been decorated lightly and in one end of the huge room, there was an elaborate system of music placed. Towards the opposite ends of two parallel walls, different types of food items and drinks were placed. The whole place was set and arranged according to Galra customs but Keith had been flexible to other ideas and suggestions, taking them in view and implementing them as well.
As soon as Keith woke up, the anxiousness hit him and he felt sick. It was a long time before he got out of bed and freshened up. For the particular day, he had been brought the finest of the Galra suit meant only for the Emperor. It was the Galra tradition to wear it on any royal feast or party and the advisors had already prepared it for him according to his very own size.
It was much less a suit and looked more like a royal cape that hung from his neck and touched the floor. Beneath it, he wore a royal Galra shirt with the Galra Empire's Sign embedded elegantly into it and simple Galra pants.
He looked at himself in the mirror and felt odd. He had never worn a Galra outfit before. He wore his red paladin suit throughout the day and then his normal Earth clothes when he wasn't in his paladin suit. Oddly enough, the size fit him perfectly. The advisors had brought royal tailors to measure his size and make it according to his body.
Keith didn't know if he liked himself in it or not. He was used to his clothes and attire according to the Earth's standards and this was something completely new for him. With a start, he realized he had completely blended into the Galra customs. He was so focused on the Empire and its betterment he didn't realize he had taken up all their customs and ways.
He stood in front of the mirror for a long time, looking at himself, giving himself little pep talks but nothing helped against his anxiety. 
At last, Keith summoned some courage from inside him and left his room. The castle was oddly quiet as he walked towards the throne room. There weren't any Galra to be seen around and Keith felt nervous. 
He stood in front of the throne room and looked at the doors. He inhaled and closed his eyes.
Everything is going to be fine. Believe it.
Keith opened his eyes and pushed the double doors open. As he entered the throne room, he was greeted by a loud noise and the blinds were raised from the windows so that the throne room finally looked lit up.
In front of Keith stood all of his Special Tasks Squad as well as the rest of the soldiers and sentries who worked in the palace and other Galra commanders, looking at him with beams on their faces.
"Congratulations on your one year, Emperor Keith," all of them said in unison. 
Keith felt overwhelmed. He had worked hard for the Empire day and night, giving it his everything and more. He had devoted every single minute of his life to the Empire and now, his Empire stood in front of him, congratulating him.
"Thanks, guys. This is....amazing. I love it," he said as he looked at banners that hung from the ceiling, which read "Congratulations, Emperor Keith" and also "One year to the Emperor and many, many more to come" and the confetti that fell over him in light drizzles. 
It looked amazing and the fact that they had done that just for him made it all the more special.
"Since the feast would include everybody, we decided it was your special day and you deserve a special party for you," one of the commanders said.
Keith smiled and they all looked proud.
Then he was led towards the centre of the room where a huge cake stood in the middle on a grand table, with "Congratulations on your one year, Emperor Keith" written on it.
"We prepared this according to the earth's customs," Acxa began.
"We contacted the other Paladins and asked them what was the one thing they did the most on a special day and they told us about this. So we asked them how to make it and since we hadn't made something like this before, chefs from earth were brought here to make this," another commander said.
"We hope you like it, Your Majesty," they said in unison once again.
Then Keith was brought a knife and as he cut it, cheers erupted from them and they all clapped and hooted loudly. Keith felt tears prick his eyes but he blinked them away as the cake was cut and they all ate it together, appreciating the news taste.
It was a nice party thrown for the Emperor by his most closely affiliated people and Keith loved it. All those endless days of hard work were worth it and Keith couldn't keep the smile off his face. 
"It is your day, Sire, enjoy it as much as you can. There is still half the day left before the feast begins so make sure you cherish this day, Your Highness," a commander said and then bowed respectfully. 
After that, one by one they all congratulated him and left the throne room. In the end, Keith stood alone in his throne room, looking at all the decoration that was done just for him. 
He wiped the tears that fell out of his eyes and smiled. He was as happy as he could be.