At the banquet.
Liszt saw various nobles, most of whom held higher ranks than himself, or were noble heirs without a title yet.
"Marquis Wallace Pineapple Green of Deep Throat Island, Marquis Roderick Gold Wheat Sheaf of Golden Island, Marquis Ramirez White Glutinous Rice of Leather Island, Marquis Glendenton Red Maple Leaf of Red Maple City…" Liszt counted the attending marquises to reinforce his impression of them.
In the Grand Duchy, there were seven marquises in total—four of whom were present here.
The other three marquises were unable to attend.
Marquis Merlin Taro of Red Crab Island had retired and was residing at home; Marquis Andy Sapphire of the Bull had become a rebel and was now besieged; as for the last marquis, Marquis Nesta Big Flower Hydrangea of Quicksand City, he was assisting Lady Sarette in purging the court's servants.
The arrangement of the seven marquises had solidified since the accession of the fifth Grand Duke and had remained stable to this day.
