Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try to get over 500!
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Year S1200.
January 1st. 8:00 AM.
Valflame Palace.
First Floor. Dining Hall.
Several figures could now be seen in a rather long dining room, adorned with grandiose chandeliers, equipped with orbal lights that illuminated the entire hall. Most, however, were not actively on since the sunlight was now peering into the glass of the open windows. Many plates of food could be seen, ranging from fancy breakfast items to dessert, despite it being in the morning. Various types of aromas currently wafted around the giant dining hall. No matter the plate of food one currently observed, each one was handmade with care, using the best types of ingredients.
Toward the opposite end, several glass murals of previous Emperors could be seen adorning the wall inside. Each one represented a past Emperor, and one stood out from the rest, which was likely the image of Emperor Dreichels. In regards to the seat that belonged to the head of the table, it could currently be seen vacant. Despite it still being the holidays, the main chair of Heimdallr was now vacant in its own way, considering the fact that Chancellor Osborne was now on leave to visit a few surrounding areas.
That meant there was no one to report to as the head of the Imperial Diet. In place of the Chancellor, His Majesty the Emperor would often find himself in his spot to handle matters that may occur.
In the coming days, the Imperial Diet will become quite busy as it is in the process of electing a new governor to maintain its duties while the top brass are gone. This particular man had plenty of experience while residing in the Imperial Diet, but he was not officially granted with said title during Naoto's visit a decade ago. That man was Carl Regnitz. Ten years ago, he was just a member of the Imperial Diet, but if things go according to their current system, he was set to be promoted as official Governor. In this last decade, however, he had experienced that seat here and there as practice.
Naoto had yet to see the person since he was a little kid, but wondered if he was hanging around the Imperial Diet. Either way, with the head seat of the dining hall currently vacant, that signaled that the Emperor was already out on business again, and was unable to attend this banquet that Princess Alfin had requested the day prior.
On top of the Emperor being occupied with work at the start of the new year, one group of the girls had already set out for the day with their own agenda, which consisted of Emma, Fie, Renne and Musse. They were likely wandering around one of the popular bakeries in another district by now, but that didn't stop the rest of the people who were still present.
Near the head of the table sat three figures, all sporting bright golden-blonde hair. One seemed to be a young woman, but looks can be deceiving, considering this woman had already given birth to twins, who could likewise be seen present next to the vacant seat. She had a tiara on her head adorned with glistening jewels, and wore a fancy vermillion dress. One very similar to what Princess Alfin wore the night prior during the dance. One wouldn't want to look down on this woman, however. After all, she was the reigning Empress of all of Erebonia. Whenever Emperor Eugent was out on business, it would often fall on her to manage Valflame Palace, together with the maids.
Directly across from the Empress on the other side of the table sat Princess Alfin, while her twin brother, Prince Cedric, sat to the right of the Empress. Prince Cedric wasn't alone either. His older brother, who was born from a different mother, Prince Olivert, was seated right next to him. That meant Mueller wasn't far off, and since Kurt was with them, that meant he was seated next to Mueller.
On the opposite side, apart from Princess Alfin, of course was my seat. Still, a couple of unexpected guests decided to show up at this breakfast. The obvious one was Roselia, who decided to stick around after that little outburst back in the princess's room. The two familiars were currently not present, considering they spent most of last night roaming the night in Heimdallr's streets, doing Aidios knows what. In response to that, they were currently cuddled together, snoozing away in the princess's bed back on the higher floor.
Instead, Roselia butted her way into the breakfast that was prepared for us, who was hoping to get a good meal out of it. Unexpectedly, she wasn't the only one who was here. Excluding the events of last night of course, I haven't met Rose since I resumed my position of being Liberl's Crown Prince, but this woman is of a similar position. I haven't come across this silver-haired woman since she decided to show up at Grandmother's birthday celebration when I was showing Princess Alfin and the others around when she decided to visit Liberl for a day.
Aurelia le Guin.
Sole daughter of a count's family that resides in western Erebonia. Though she is quite unfettered in her duties as heir to her family, seeing that she had long started pursuing the path of martial arts. And on top of that, thanks to Roselia, who could be seen further beside Aurelia, managed to create a mana core for Aurelia. According to what I've heard from Aurelia last night, she's been in the pursuit of learning and developing her mana in these last couple years, to which she had found an element she is now proficient in, which was lightning. It wasn't just Lightning, however. I heard Aurelia mention she dabbled in Fire and Earth as well, to act as support in her combat techniques. Even I would fear the person who has to challenge Aurelia to a duel now.
Oh wait...
How could I almost forget. That person happens to be none other than me, haha!
Jokes aside, the time set for the duel I have with Aurelia hasn't been set yet, but seeing her here in Erebonia, she will likely remain here for the time being, considering that I offered her a spot to partake in the Vermillion Trials.
Still, I didn't think she would decide to pop up at the event last night, acting like a noble for once, and even going as far as giving me her hand in a dance.
"Is there something on my face?", Aurelia's voice said, revealing a playful grin while she shifted her head my way, causing me to stare at her for a moment. She really has become a beautiful woman in the years we spent apart...huh? I could see her eyes were clear as they can be, without any cloudiness or doubt. Her stature remained firm and strong, and her skin not a single blemish.
"Haha, I'm just surprised that you decided to attend not only the dance last night, but also the breakfast this morning. I didn't think Alfin would extend this invitation out to you.", I said, scratching my head a bit as I observed the silver-haired woman before me. She was born a full twelve years before me, so she was in her mid twenties now. Yet being such an age didn't render her beauty short even by an inch. I wasn't lying about her strength either. Aurelia would eventually become one, if not the strongest swordswoman in the cold steel saga, outstripping the likes of Sir Victor, Lord Vander, and so on.
"Well it was offered to me, so there is no way I would be someone to turn down an invitation, at the Imperial Family's behest. Plus this allows me to pay my respects as well. Thank you for the lovely evening last night, Your Majesty.", Aurelia said, remaining formal in her tone, causing Empress Priscilla to smile.
"Fufu, you needn't keep that polite tone with me, Lady Aurelia. You served just as much purpose to entertain the nobles last night as His Highness did, so it was very fruitful, to say the least. It is a shame that Lord Albarea couldn't stay. Seemed to have some family matters to attend to. Still, I hope you all will enjoy this breakfast my lovely daughter has prepared for you all today.", Empress Priscilla smiled. After saying that, we all nodded our heads. But as she did, she looked toward Princess Alfin again, who appeared to currently be in a daze, not paying much attention. Even Prince Cedric saw this, seeing as he was seated right next to the Empress.
"Are you alright, Alfin? You've been out of it since you came down here. Something didn't happen, did it?", Prince Cedric decided to ask, revealing a small frown. Hearing him say that drew the other's interest, and caused us to look toward Princess Alfin as well.
"H-huh?", Princess Alfin tried to ask, taking a second to realize where she currently was.