A few hours had passed since the carriage departed for the royal capital, which wasn’t too far from the Luminastra estate.

  “So, are we there yet~?” Farthington asked with exaggerated cheer, leaning completely outstretched against the plush seat.

  “No, we are not,” Tokei grumbled, rolling her eyes as she shifted her head to look out of the carriage window. The distant spires of the capital were still a ways off, barely visible against the horizon.

  “How many times do you plan to say that before we get there?” Elysia chimed in, her tone a mix of amusement and exasperation as she adjusted the accessories in her hair.

  Farthington waved a hand dismissively. “Well, if we were in Erbium or Trizen, we could’ve gotten there ten times faster. The transportation systems there are leagues ahead of this place—I’ve been fully prepared for this banquet since yesterday!”

  “You’d better not go make a ruckus there. You know we’re supposed to be in disguise, after all,” Tokei warned, turning to fix him with a pointed stare. “It’ll put Elysia in a tight spot if you do anything stupid. After the banquet, she still has to go back to the Luminastra estate and report to her father.”

  Farthington placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. “Bah, what have I done to get this sort of attitude from you? I’d never dream of doing anything to embarrass our dear Lady Luminastra!”

  “You mean like when you accidentally put salt instead of sugar into my brother’s tea?” Elysia giggled,

  “Though I’m not mad about it, it was quite entertaining.”

  Farthington winced at her mention of his clumsy actions.

  “Okay, fair. But that was a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding... Besides, who’d put two things that look so similar right next to each other in the kitchen without any labels?”

  “Just... try not to talk unless absolutely necessary. The more you talk, the more suspicious you’ll look.”

  Tokei heaved a deep breath, as if to assure herself that everything would go fine.

  “Don’t you worry about a thing, I never break character,”

  Farthington said with a gentlemanly bow from his seat, though the mischievous glint in his eyes suggested he was anything but that.

  The conversation lulled as the group lapsed into a brief silence. Outside, the scenery had begun to change, the dense forest giving way to open fields and, eventually, the outskirts of the royal capital. The faint buzz of activity could be heard even from within the carriage, a sign that they were nearing their destination.

  Tokei glanced at Elysia, who had been unusually quiet. Her silver hair was perfectly styled, and her composed expression didn’t betray the turmoil she might be feeling.

  The carriage rolled to a smooth stop in front of the royal palace, its grand fa?ade illuminated by torches and the soft glow of moonlight. The towering spires and intricate stonework loomed imposingly, a testament to Arden's wealth and power. Elysia stepped out first, her silver hair gleaming under the night sky as she adjusted her elegant gown.

  Tokei followed, her violet eyes darting to the guards stationed at the entrance. Their polished armor and stoic expressions didn’t faze her. Farthington emerged last, stretching exaggeratedly and earning a sharp look from Tokei.

  “Remember,” Elysia said quietly, glancing at the two of them. “You two, as my attendants and servants, you should stay with me until after we get settled in. Oh, and—”

  She paused for a moment before she clarified further,

  “There’s an unspoken rule for servants under nobles around there—don’t speak to anyone unless they come to you first, alright?”

  Tokei and Farthington assumed the posture they were taught by Emilia and then said in unison, “Yes, my lady.”

  …

  As they approached the palace gates, an imperial guard stepped forward to meet them. His armor had a regal luster, the plating on his shoulders engraved with the royal crest: a shield with two swords. The fine gold etching on his reflective steel armor showed just how decadent the Nieren was.

  The knight held his halberd upright, and spoke directly to Elysia.

  “Name and purpose of visit?”

  His tone was neither crude nor quiet.

  “Lady Elysia Luminastra,” she replied with grace as she slipped over her invitation.

  “I am here for the royal banquet at the behest of my parents. These two are my attendants.”

  The guard gave a cursory glance at Tokei and Farthington before nodding.

  “You may enter. Enjoy the evening, my lady.”

  The trio made their way inside, the palace’s interior even more opulent than its exterior. Lavish tapestries adorned the walls, and chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, alighting the entirety of the place in a resplendent golden hue.

  Elysia took a steadying breath,

  “Let’s get this over with,” she murmured, leading them into the grand hall.

  The banquet hall was a marvel of grandeur, with its high-vaulted ceilings and twin staircases leading to an expansive upstairs floor. The upstairs served as a quieter area, offering an overhead view of the vibrant crowd below while hosting exclusive groups in private alcoves. The lower floor was alive with laughter, clinking glasses, and the hum of mingling nobles of various families.

  The trio had only barely entered the banquet hall before naturally drifting apart. Farthington had wandered off almost immediately, heading deeper into the crowds found in the lower floor. He maintained a curious grin, perhaps at the thought of the trouble—or amusement—he might find.

  Elysia mingled with those she found familiar, exchanging polite greetings and engaging in light conversation. Tokei, ever attentive, remained by Elysia’s side until she was asked to fetch a glass of wine from the upstairs floor.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Ascending the grand staircase, Tokei’s violet eyes swept over the upper level. The atmosphere was noticeably more subdued here, with small clusters of nobles engaged in hushed conversations. Spotting a waiter near an ornate serving table, she made her way over to collect the requested drink.

  As she turned to descend the stairs, her sharp ears caught a snippet of conversation from an alcove tucked to the side.

  “...Yes, the invasion plan is moving ahead, but there are... complications,” a measured, authoritative male voice said.

  Tokei hesitated. She was sure this was something worth lingering around for. She feigned interest in the intricate carvings along the banister. Inching closer to the alcove, she kept her back towards the conversation.

  “Neuro, Combat Trance.”

  [On it. Combat Trance initiating. Blocking background noise now~]

  Suddenly, the melded chit-chat around Tokei found itself becoming serene, as though one had completely plugged their ears, with the previously faint conversation having become the only sound, ringing clearly,

  “It’s the Luminastra family,”

  a woman’s voice interjected, low and sharp. Tokei shifted her gaze subtly and caught sight of the speakers. Adrian Everhart, with his angular face and piercing scarlet eyes, stood beside his twin sister, Elara, whose navy hair was tied back in a clean knot. The Everhart twins—renowned generals of Arden’s army—were figures Tokei had heard of from Elysia.

  “They’re causing delays,”

  Elara continued, her tone clipped,

  “Their influence in the southern territories is proving... inconvenient. They want the rights to the one of three Aeronite mines in the kingdom.”

  Adrian nodded, his expression neutral but his tone deliberate. “Indeed, the king is aware of their stance. He’s displeased, to say the least.”

  “Displeased doesn’t even begin to cover it,” Elara muttered, folding her arms,

  “But His Majesty always finds a way. For now, we should ensure the others are unaware of this.”

  “Agreed,” Adrian said,

  “Come, we should rejoin the festivities before our absence raises questions.”

  As the twins exited the alcove and disappeared down the stairs, Tokei resumed her path, her expression composed as she retrieved the glass of wine. The pieces of their conversation played over in her mind.

  ‘Invasion plan? Luminastra family? Whatever their cryptic exchange meant, it definitely sounded like trouble.’

  Returning to Elysia, Tokei handed her the wine and leaned in slightly.

  “We might need to have a word later,” she murmured.

  Elysia raised an eyebrow but said nothing, her attention returning to the noble she was conversing with. Tokei tried to keep up her poker face, but, in comparison to the other nobles’, she could’ve been seen as a laughingstock. Her mind was busy turning over the implications of what she’d just overheard.

  Farthington was amidst the banquet hall, observing the predictable antics of the nobles around him. They gossiped over trivial matters, traded thinly veiled insults, and flaunted their opulence with tiresome regularity.

  ‘Amusing, perhaps, but hardly engaging,’ he thought.

  He approached the refreshment table, reaching for a glass, when a voice cut through the din, sharp and confident.

  “There you are, darling!”

  Farthington turned pointedly, finding a striking woman in a bold red gown striding towards him. Her hazelnut hair caught the gleaming light, and her golden-green eyes shimmered, displaying a fake glee. Farthington blinked a couple times, only now registering what the woman had said.

  “I’m sorry,” he began cautiously,

  “But have we met?”

  Her lips curled into a smile, unyielding.

  “Oh, we’ve met, darling. In fact, we’re practically inseparable now~”

  Farthington frowned. “I think you have the wrong person. I’m—”

  “Oh, don’t be so modest,” she replied, her voice almost being overly fawning.

  “You’re not going to break your fiancé’s heart, are you?”

  He stared at her, completely baffled. He carefully phrased his next few words,

  “...Is there something I could be of assistance with?”

  She got closer to him and pulled herself up to his ears, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

  “I’ll keep this simple: I’ve decided that you’re my fiancé. You’re going to help me fend off these insufferable suitors tonight.”

  She subtly gestured toward the crowd, where several well-dressed men cast fervent glances their way.

  “Count yourself lucky. If you hadn’t been up to my standards of looks, a servant like you would have never encountered me.”

  Farthington opened his mouth to protest, but she raised a hand, silencing him.

  “Don’t argue. If you refuse, I’ll make sure your reputation is tarnished beyond repair. Perhaps even have your head hanging from the castle wall for the ‘heinous crime’ of forcing yourself on a maiden.”

  He was truly at a loss for words now.

  “You can’t just—”

  “Oh, but I can,” she interrupted smoothly, her eyes narrowing,

  “Do you know why? Because I’m Seraphina Caliber, and people don’t tell me no.”

  Farthington’s jaw worked soundlessly as he processed her audacity. Finally, he sighed in resignation.

  ‘This has to be the most absurd thing I’ve ever encountered. There’s always a bigger fish out there…’

  Farthington could only bow his head, as he had brought this situation upon himself,

  “I suppose I have no choice in the matter…”

  Seraphina smirked.

  “Good. Now shut up, smile handsomely, and try not to embarrass me. We’ll discuss the rest later.”

  Farthington managed a wry smile, fully playing into his role now,

  “...Lead the way, my fiancé.”

  Seraphina linked her arm with his, her expression triumphant as she dragged him away to heaven knows where. His whole thought at the time was only if he would get a suit as recompense...

  Away from the larger hustle and bustle of the banquet’s grand center, a man stood near the edge of the gathering on the second floor, partially cloaked in the warm glow of the chandeliers overhead. The golden light caught in the deep crimson of his wine as he swirled it lazily within the delicate glass, his motions slow and deliberate. His indiscernible gaze flickered over the expanse of the hall, noting the shifting tides of conversation, the forced laughter of people feigning merriment, and the subtle undercurrents of intrigue woven into the evening’s festivities.

  Of course, how could he not see it all for what it was—the masked glances exchanged between rivals, the quiet negotiations disguised as idle pleasantries, and the barely concealed tension simmering beneath layers of silk and powdered civility. The scent of spiced meats and honeyed desserts filled the air, mingling with the faint perfume of wealthy courtiers.

  Such indulgence couldn’t move him, not in the slightest. This was the way things should be. Nay, this was how things should have been.

  Bringing the glass to his lips, he took a measured sip, savoring the way the aged wine spread across his tongue—smooth, rich, but with an underlying sharpness, much like the very event unfolding before him. He let out a quiet breath, his expression unchanged as he continued his silent vigil, waiting for the moment when the evening’s true purpose would finally reveal itself.

  He wasn’t kept waiting for long. Lo and behold, with measured footsteps that permeated a sense of a wandering traveler, searching and observing, that purpose for which he had lingered longer than his schedule, was approaching.

  “What brings you here, my fair Lady—”

  Approaching him was a woman with elegantly styled silver hair and glowing magma-orange eyes. She wore a gown of midnight blue, its fabric shimmering like starlit water with every step, yet despite her regal poise, there was a cautiousness in her gaze.

  “...Elysia.”