"Ladies and gentlemen, the Governor."
Aliana descended the stairs with Lex, using AJ's face to smile like Aliana. She made up her mind, rather than trying to copy Aliana Jovan she better incorporate Aliana Jovan and herself so people won't suspect much.
Aliana Jovan was the Duchess of Jovan, Governor of Adrian City, and Commander of Red Battalion.
Her position was a perfect place many people dreamt of, it would be outrageous if she lost it. After a week of contemplation, Aliana decided to treat this as preparation work before her heist. Observation, manipulation, and action. Her crew had successfully obtained some antiques using this method, it won't be hard for her to fool this stranger into believing her as Aliana Jovan.
Showing her brightest smile Aliana exempted their salute, "You all may rise."
The procedure for a banquet at Lyn Empire was that upon the arrival of the host then the banquet began and those who wish to have an audience with the host will be escorted by the Butler or the host's confidant to them.
The host expected not to show favoritism therefore they had to sit in the highest and furthest seat from the guests. Lex was standing on her right while Butler Sanders was on her left. Butler Sanders swung the bell on his hand after Aliana sat down followed by the invitee.
The waiters lined up in an orderly fashion, preparing cutlery and filling the guests' glasses with water. Quickly started the banquet with appetizers.
The procedure for a banquet at Lyn Empire went a long way from the food to serve, which tableware to use, and even how many people to invite. The Lyn Empire did everything it could to establish a cohesive system.
"What is this garbage!" An angry voice was heard in the middle of the main course.
The long table quietened down, the invitees zip their mouth and movement.
"Count Wintour, does the food doesn't suit your taste?"
"Food? Did you call this garbage food? It tastes bland! Even the servant in my house has better food!"
"Oh, that's very generous of you Count Wintour… These are the Emperor's favorite vegan menu. The Queen Regent invented this menu herself for His Majesty the Emperor to nurse back his health, I just thought because the Emperor likes it, this won't be an offense as the main dish for this banquet. After all, I just back from the western border and don't know anyone's taste yet." Aliana leaned on Butler Sanders, "Butler Sanders, please serve another dish for Count Wintour. "
"It's alright, Duchess."
The Count's face flustered but Aliana knew she got him.
This man had been abusing the public's assumptions in Adrian City about his lineage. This man wasn't the core Wintour from Queen Regent's natal family, he was an illegitimate son and Aliana Jovan was the only one that knew this, but Aliana must shake the faction's foundation, starting from the noble faction.
Count Wintour had been using his "kinship" with Queen Regent to deceive the citizens of Adrian City for too long, this man really thought his cover would not be exposed especially when Aliana Jovan was famous for not hanging out much in aristocratic circles and instead spent time practicing magick, this man thought as long as he didn't speak up then Aliana will not ask many questions about his Wintour's lineage.
"Duchess, the Count is from the Queen Regent's natal family maybe he just bored with this dish."
But sometimes there are those who feel compelled to "defend" their compatriots even when the situation wasn't called for it. This so-called compatriot was Count Edgar Allen, the right-hand man or more like the loyal dog of Count Wintour. He had no idea that he just helped Aliana to dig a grave for this fraud Wintour.
Aliana put down her silverware, smiled in an interested manner to Count Wintour. "Oh? It's an honor to meet a war hero like you Count Wintour, I always wanted to meet you in person but the Queen Regent said you are staying in a quiet place to recover from your injury. I just never thought it will be Adrian City, what an honor to meet you."
Count Allen squinted his eyes, "War hero? What war are you talking about, Duchess?"
"Count Wintour also led the expedition to the north with my father back then, his cavalry saved our soldiers from an ambush and my father could reclaim our northern border thanks to his bravery."
A man from the committee chipped in, "How come we never knew this?"
"Count Wintour was a very down-to-earth person, he told the war historian to leave his name out the official records. But my father's military report is a different kind of record, so I know this. My father always said that Count Wintour is a man of his word and never seeks glory, he doesn't want people to treat him differently just because he is the brother of one of the Queens."
"But Count Wintour isn't the Queen Regent's brother, he is her cousin."
"Cousin? That's odd, I don't recall the Arc Count having another brother or sister.." Aliana trailed her voice while putting on a contemplating face, "Nevermind, maybe I remember it wrong. Come on, enjoy the meal everyone. If anything is not to your taste please tell Butler Sanders here."
The banquet resumed but Aliana knew she had successfully planted the seed of doubt to these people. Count Wintour was very quiet and the rest of them couldn't wait for the meal to be over.
Count Wintour might be wrapped these nobles around his finger but this was only because they thought he was the Queen Regent's cousin, now with his identity questioned it would be hard for him to maintain his power. With his power weakened, Aliana could re-assess the situation and hopefully make the noble her allies.
The banquet was over hours ago, Aliana was in her office again with Lex to look over the official records... Or to be exact, Aliana read the records while Lex frowning deep in his thought.
Aliana rose from her chair, crossing her arms to Lex. "Say it."
"Pardon?"
"Just say what's on your mind, Lex. we have to learn about Adrian City as soon as possible, we can't do that if you keep on daydreaming like this."
"I'm sorry, Commander. It was nothing."
"My Lady," She corrected him, "or Duchess, whatever you prefer but not Commander. We're not in the military right now."
"Yes, My Lady."
"So say it now."
"Say what, My Lady?"
"Whatever bugged you right now, I need your help so I want you in the best performance, Lex. Now, just say whatever bothering you and we call it a night, okay?"
"It just… Why do you do that, My Lady?"
"What? Telling stories about his fraud?"
"Yes, we know from the start Count Wintour is the half brother of Queen Regent, he just tries to save his face by saying he is her cousin. I don't see the necessity of your action, My Lady."
"The noble in the capital have their own arrogance, so does the noble here. The folks here regarded monogamy as absolution if they knew they were led by some illegitimate son the nobles will be furious. It was always been easier to break the divide, hopefully, we don't have to take too much action to turn the noble faction into our ally."
"So the main course just bait to make the nobles look into the real lineage of the Count?"
"Yeah, you saw what happened in the capital. The Queen Regent is forcing me to take her side and weaken the Emperor's power, she sent me here as a punishment and tried to separate me from the Red Battalion. I'll be a fool if I don't weaken her influence here first."
"But we won't be here for long, My Lady. You still are the Commander of the Red Battalion. There are military situations to handle."
"Wrong, a commander without their army is useless. I bet the Queen Regent will send an imperial decree soon to remove me from the Commander position in the name of focusing on my governor post."
"I understand she dislikes you, but she can't do that. The Emperor won't approve her proposal."
"Wrong again. Think Lex, who is really governing this country now? The Emperor or the Queen Regent?"
"My Lady! Please be careful with what's you said."
"You are my confidant and I won't hide my plan from you, Lex. I'm planning to raise an army, the real Jovan Army. We are knights, it is our duty to annihilate the enemies of the state and ensure that the legitimate government runs properly. The Queen Regents and her cronies are the enemies of the state. I'm planning to take them down once and for all." Aliana took a mental note of the changes on Lex's face and continued, "In order for this to work, we need to eliminate her allies as much as we can. Be it turn them against her or turn them into our allies. For this I need your help, Lex. will you help me?"