Lawrence changed his outfit to a considerably stunning one. Soon after he finished dressing, he met with the servants downstairs to greet them. "I've brought some fine bread. Please, help yourself." Lawrence smiled.
"Thank you, your highness."
"Thank you for your appreciation, your highness."
"We're grateful for this delightful bread, your highness."
Those were the replies to him from his servants. Some were even crying from Lawrence's thoughtfulness while others cheered more. Lawrence gave them his genuine and caring smile. Cute as a five-year-old kid, it was the most adorable thing they've seen. Lawrence noticed the adoring eyes of his servants and quickly moved outside the house.
He met with Emilia near the roundabout and on the footpath, patiently waiting for the carriages with a worrisome expression. Lawrence smiles at the concern and burden Emilia carried for him. Lawrence approached the lady with a warmful atmosphere, "Heya!" he surprised.
Surprised by Lawrence, Emilia jumped backward. "Y-your h-highness!" - "I'm sorry! I was deep in thought that I didn't realize your presence! Please punish me accordingly." she continued, bowing down.
Lawrence flicked her forehead, "Ouch-" Emilia moved backward and touched her forehead, "There, that's the punishment." Lawrence said, laughing.
"You're so mean, your highness," Emilia mumbled enough to let Lawrence hear.
"I'm sorry." Lawrence giggled.
Emilia pouts and looks in the opposite direction. Worrying about the banquet's outcome, she sighs. "I'm very sorry, your highness," she uttered out of the blue.
"I won't bring out gloominess and irritation, so don't worry about the banquet," Lawrence assured Emilia. He stood in front of Emilia with an intense determination.
Emilia flinches, pushing herself away from Lawrence. "B-but..."
"Your highness," a man approached the two from the gate, putting his hat on his stomach. "The guests will be arriving shortly," he informed.
Lawrence gave out a smile towards the man, "Thank you for your hard work."
"Oh sire, thank you very much for the appreciation." the man replied with moist eyes.
Touched by the praise of Lawrence, the man ran like a kid crying back to his post. The warming scene stopped as they spot the carriages towards the roundabout. Lawrence fixed himself and smiled once again to Emilia, "Let's go meet our guests with a smile on our faces, okay?" he said, receiving a nod from Emilia.
The first carriage to stop upfront was beautiful. It was a white carriage with royalty features, the door opened, and a man, wearing a butler's outfit, came out. He held his hand to assist Olivette, who came out looking neat. Then came out the two sons of Lovewell, Spence, and Victor. Spence and Victor gestured both of their hands, assisting the last woman inside the carriage, Evangeline herself.
"Madame Evangeline, and lady Olivette. Welcome to St. Apple Villa." giving out his sweetest and fakest yet smile, motioning a kiss on the hands of both ladies.
"Thank you," Evangeline replied, pulling her hand back. She proceeded into the mansion with Olivette.
"Welcome, brothers," he said to Spence and Victor, smiling.
Spence nodded and proceeded to the mansion. Victor gave a stare before following behind Spence. Another carriage stopped upfront, this time, looking rather green. It was fancy, like a royal's ride. Luca Ambrose, the eldest amongst Edith's children, came out of the carriage, handing his hand to his mother- Edith, then came the younger children of Edith.
Eleanora with her twin, Yasmine, holding each other's hand and Clause with his presence and fancy clothing. "Madame Edith and ladies. Welcome to St. Apple Villa." he showed his sweetest and fakest smile once again, greeting Edith with a kiss on her hand.
"How mannerful. Thank you for welcoming us." Edith replied with a smile on her face. Advancing towards the mansion and being escorted by the servants.
"Brothers," called Lawrence. "Welcome." this time, Lawrence kept a serious and straight face.
"Expected for a useless son of our father," Luca said, neglecting Lawrence.
Clause smiled at Lawrence, "Please forgive our older brother. He has quite a temper. Thank you for the warm welcome." he said and proceeded inside.
Another carriage stopped, and this time, more royalty than the rest. It had ruby designs and antique structures and was big, with three beautiful white horses. The door opened. Ernest came out with his wavy onyx hair, and fierce amber eyes, and his fancy clothes. He gestured his hand for his two younger siblings, Antoinette, dark blonde and sable eyes, with an elegant dress. Beside her was Grace Evelynne, the persona of her mother, with ruby hair and amber eyes.
Finally, Eleonora Felicity and her elegancy came out of the carriage alone. Her vibrant smiling and eyes stared kindly at Lawrence, "We've arrived." she stated.
Grace jumped onto Lawrence, "Brother!"
"Oh! Grace. Welcome back, Milady." he said, hugging Grace back. He gently pushed away Grace and smiled at her. "You look wonderful tonight," he said before turning himself towards the others. "Glory upon the empire, Madame Marchioness," he said, kissing the hand of Felicity.
"Milady Antoinette. I believe this is our first time meeting. You look perfect tonight." he complimented, kissing her hand too. "Welcome to my villa," he said warmly. "Please proceed inside," he said.
Felicity and her two daughters waved goodbye and proceeded inside. Lawrence gazed nervously towards Ernest. "Brother... welcome to St. Apple Villa."
"This is our first time too, little brother. Nice to meet you." Ernest gave out his hand, smiling towards Lawrence. Lawrence received his hand and shook their hands.
"It's nice to meet you too, Sir Ernest." Lawrence formally replied.
"If it's not a bother, you can call me brother." Ernest scratch behind his head, smiling awkwardly.
"Sure, brother. Shall we go inside?" Lawrence offered.
"Let's," Ernest replied. "But what about your last guest? I see a carriage approaching." Ernest added, looking at the upcoming carriage.
"Then shall I follow you from behind?" Lawrence said.
"That'll be good. Let's chat later, okay?"
"Okay, see you at the banquet." Lawrence smiled before turning back again to the roundabout. "Emilia," he called out to his assistant.
Flinching, Emilia spoke, "Y-your highness?"
Lawrence, confused by the last guest, "Who is this?"
"U-ugh... Uhm. You see, your highness-"
"Why are you hesitating?" Lawrence asked.
"Uhm... you see... It's- It's the Granted Marquess and the Emperor of Alexander..." she spoke, looking elsewhere.
Lawrence stared intensely at Emilia, smiling with an intimidating aura. "Emilia. Why did you not tell me?" he asked scornfully.
"I'm sorry, your highness! I thought you already looked through the list!" Emilia apologized, her head faced downwards.
Lawrence sighs, "No point complaining. The two special guest of Arch Aristocracy is already coming this way." he said.
The ordinary-looking carriage with a knight as a coachman stopped on the roundabout. The door of the carriage opened, two men with clothes of ordinary nobles. Sage and Emperor Forseti Sophronius Triarius.