The grand banquet hall of the Imperial Palace shimmered under the warm glow of crystal chandeliers. The golden light reflected off marble floors so polished they seemed to stretch endlessly, and the soft hum of conversation blended seamlessly with the graceful melody of a string quartet. The air carried the faint aroma of roasted meats, fresh bread, and exotic spices—every detail a testament to the empire's wealth and power.
Adrian stepped into the hall alongside his team, his posture tense but composed. The formal attire issued to him—a knight's ceremonial jacket adorned with the emblem of the empire—felt foreign and stiff against his skin. His freshly polished boots clinked softly with every step, drawing more attention than he was used to.
The room hushed briefly at their entrance before rippling with murmurs. Adrian's name was whispered among nobles and officers alike, his exploits in Galud having preceded him.
"Adrian Falter," a nobleman said, raising a crystal goblet as he approached. "The man who bested Leonard Durk and his demons. A toast to your courage!"
Adrian nodded politely as more hands extended to greet him, more faces smiled with approval. His comrades fanned out slightly, leaving him to navigate the sea of attention.
Not everyone in the hall shared the enthusiasm. From a shadowed corner, a pair of nobles observed him with barely veiled contempt.
"A commoner knighted?" one sneered, swirling the wine in his goblet. "This empire must be more desperate than I thought."
"Indeed," the other replied, his gaze fixed on Adrian. "What can we expect next? Farmers presiding over councils?"
Adrian caught fragments of their conversation, his sharp senses picking up the disdain in their hushed voices. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to remain focused on the dignitaries in front of him.
Nearby, Mohan noticed the subtle tension in Adrian's stance. He approached quietly, his voice low. "Let them whisper. They'll talk themselves into circles while you keep moving forward."
Adrian exhaled, the older man's steady presence grounding him. "It's harder to ignore than I thought."
"You'll get used to it," Mohan replied, his tone even. "And when you don't, use it as fuel."
The music shifted to a softer tune as the crowd began to migrate toward the center of the room, where a cleared space now served as a dance floor. Nobles paired off, their movements graceful and practiced as the string quartet struck a lively rhythm.
Adrian lingered at the edge of the floor, content to remain a spectator. That was, until a voice cut through the gentle din.
"Sir Adrian."
He turned to find Princess Fiona approaching, her sapphire-blue gown shimmering with every step. Her confident demeanor was softened by a playful glint in her eyes as she extended a hand.
"Would you honor me with a dance?" she asked, her voice lilting with both formality and warmth.
Adrian froze, glancing instinctively toward Mohan and the others. Kiera grinned, her expression clearly urging him forward, while Kael offered a subtle nod.
Taking a steadying breath, Adrian accepted Fiona's hand. "It would be my honor, Your Highness."
The pair stepped onto the floor, the soft strains of the music swelling around them. Adrian's movements were hesitant at first, his inexperience clear as he placed a hand on Fiona's waist and held her other lightly in his.
"You're nervous," Fiona teased, her lips curving into a smile.
"Not much of a dancer," Adrian admitted, his voice low.
"Don't worry," she said, her tone reassuring. "Follow my lead."
With Fiona's gentle guidance, Adrian found his footing. Though his movements lacked the polish of a trained courtier, there was an earnestness in his effort that earned Fiona's approving smile.
"You're doing well," she said softly.
"Thanks to you," Adrian replied, his voice steadier now.
As they moved across the floor, their conversation turned quieter, more personal.
"You've handled yourself well here tonight," Fiona said. "For someone new to the court, you've adapted quickly."
Adrian gave a faint smile. "I'd rather face another battle than navigate these conversations. But I'm learning."
"You'll find that the court can be its own battlefield," Fiona replied, her gaze flicking briefly toward a group of young noblemen watching them from the sidelines. Their expressions ranged from jealousy to barely masked disdain.
Adrian followed her gaze, his voice lowering. "I think I've already made a few enemies."
Fiona laughed lightly. "Consider it a sign that you're doing something right."
As the music swelled toward its conclusion, Fiona leaned in slightly, her voice just above a whisper. "You're different, Adrian. And that difference is exactly what the empire needs right now."
Her words lingered in his mind as the dance ended and they stepped apart, bowing to one another amid polite applause from the onlookers.
Adrian rejoined his team at a side table where a platter of roasted meats and fresh bread had been placed.
"Didn't think I'd see you out there," Kael said with a smirk. "Dancing with royalty, no less."
Kiera raised an eyebrow. "And you didn't trip once. Impressive."
Adrian shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "She made it easy."
Mohan, who had been watching the exchange, leaned forward. "The princess wasn't just being polite. She sees potential in you. And she's not the only one."
Adrian glanced at him, surprised. "You think so?"
Mohan nodded. "The court doesn't waste its time on those who don't matter. Tonight, you've shown them you do."
As the banquet began to wind down, Adrian found a quiet corner of the hall to collect his thoughts. The weight of the evening pressed against him—not just the accolades but the unspoken expectations that now rested on his shoulders.
"Thinking too hard?"
Adrian turned to see Kiera approach, her druidic staff replaced with a simple wooden walking stick for the evening.
"Maybe," Adrian admitted, leaning against the wall.
Kiera joined him, her expression thoughtful. "You've had a lot thrown at you recently. It's okay to feel overwhelmed."
Adrian exhaled, his gaze drifting toward the grand chandelier above. "I just… don't want to let anyone down."
"You won't," Kiera said, her voice firm. "You've already proven that. And if you ever doubt yourself, remember this: you're not alone in this fight. None of us are."
Her words settled something in Adrian, a reminder that he wasn't facing the weight of the empire's expectations alone.
As the final notes of the string quartet faded and the nobles began to filter out, Adrian and his comrades made their way toward the exit. The cool night air greeted them as they stepped into the palace courtyard, the stars above providing a stark contrast to the grandeur they had just left behind.
Kael stretched, his bow slung casually over one shoulder. "Not a bad night, all things considered."
Seraphina smiled. "It's rare to have a moment like this. We should savor it while we can."
Adrian walked slightly behind the group, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Despite the celebration, his thoughts were already on the road ahead.
"Ready for the next battle?" Mohan asked, falling into step beside him.
Adrian nodded. "Always."
Mohan smiled faintly, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good. Because the world isn't going to wait for us to rest."