The emperor was signing a few documents when the doorman made an announcement.
"Her Majesty, Empress Consort."
He looked up from his paperwork and gestured to his steward to put the paperwork away. It was not often that she came to see him especially not in his study, so it had to be important.
She came in followed by her steward and a servant holding a tray of his favourite refreshments. She always paid attention to such things.
The row of transcribers was sent away by the steward. The emperor also moved into an inner room of the study.
"I'll serve His Majesty myself," his wife softly insisted.
Both the stewards paid their respects and made their way of the study to stand in the outer room as they couldn't be too far.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit Consort Johari?"
The empress consort smiled as she poured the tea that had brewed on the way. It had been a long time since he had seen that tender smile.
"The first thing to assume is that I have an ulterior motive."
"Her Majesty knows that's not what I meant," he said with a light smile off his own while taking a seat opposite her. His mood greatly improved by just taking a few minutes away from the paperwork.
"Actually, I do have an ulterior motive but it's more for someone else than myself."
"Is it about Kamaria?"
"Your Majesty knows too well."
Consort Johari was not a very social person, so it was highly unlikely that she wanted to call in a favour for one of the nobles or officials.
It was easy to guess because Kamaria was her only child and she worried about her above all else.
She tried her best to keep a low profile to not annoy the empress and her children but there were certain things she had to discuss for her daughter's sake.
"Yasir, Kamaria has never asked for much, so I at least wanted to do something for her in a social setting now that she's of age. Who knows how much longer I'll have her with me."
Her husband understandingly nodded.
Kamaria was indeed a problem child in the sense that she was such a wallflower. Even being a beautiful young woman just like her mother, she always managed to hide herself away.
Then again, it wasn't as if there was absolute peace between his wives so maybe she just wanted stay out of the conflict. However, if he didn't do something even if it was small, then he wasn't a father.
****
The Louvaros party arrived at the grand gates of the capital to find an imperial official in striking floor length purple robes and his party waiting for them.
They were warmly welcomed and led into the city, the officials in carriages and the rest of the invited soldiers on horseback.
Sorin couldn't help but observe the absolute defence of the city as they rode in. It was certainly interesting, maybe they could learn a few things before leaving for Louvaros.
They knew that the imperial capital was large but what they imagined and what they saw in front of them differed by a thousand leagues. There had to be hundreds of thousands of people living within the city if not millions.
It was bright in terms of weather and the clothes of the people who bustled in the streets. The unfamiliar aromas of different foods and scented products attacked them almost as soon as they entered through the city gates.
This was not even the market district, and it was already this busy.
As chaotic as it was, people cleared a path when they realised that it was an imperial carriage followed by the carriages of some other noble house and uniformed soldiers on horseback.
Many foreign carriages and visitors had come through considering that it was such a festive time, but this was a strictly military party.
Those in the know heard that their empire had once again kept the enemy at bay, so these soldiers had to be from the region where the battle taken place.
It was thanks to them that they could carry on with festivities without fearing for their lives or those of the people they knew in different kingdoms.
Lili had already traded in the coins when she came upon the military convoy. She didn't know much about it, but she guessed these should have been the soldiers from Louvaros and their officials.
If Kamaria heard that they had arrived there would be no end to it. Considering the rumours about the army, none of the young men or women seemed especially ferocious.
It also surprised her that besides what would be their Grand General and his subordinate in front, the rest of the soldiers were young.
They were supposed to be of higher ranks but some of them looked no more than a few years older than herself.
The demeanour made it obvious they were soldiers, they would be somewhat rugged and yes, the house colours were rather gloomy, but they just seemed like ordinary people.
Even in her young life, she had seen worse. Turning away from the convoy, she realised that she still had another errand to run before returning to back to the palace.
The sights were interesting enough to Sorin as they rode through the beautifully cobbled streets but amongst the throngs of people, his sight fell on a certain young maiden passing by.
Her hair was half braided with a curly mane that reached her shoulders which were properly pulled back giving her a certain poise that not even some nobles had.
The clothes indicated she wasn't a commoner but not a usual noble either even though she was in the crowded market. He had only seen a glance of her face, but it left him with a niggling feeling at the back of his mind.
The fact that he had noticed her out of so many people but couldn't quite place if they'd ever met, bothered him. He rarely encountered situations that left such an itch that just couldn't be scratched.
"A few minutes in the city and already there are beauties catching Captain's interest. This is the dream city indeed," commented Lark and Altair beside him chuckled.
"I'm not like you, she just looked familiar," said Sorin and the two behind him just glanced at each other with mischief in their eyes.
Altair certainly didn't know anyone that looked like her and he knew just about everyone Sorin knew.
Then again, the young master had a better memory and tended to pay attention to the smallest details even if he seemed completely uninterested in it.
They were riding for some time when they approached an upmarket part of the city.
Some people stared as the carriages slowed down in front of a large, beautiful inn adorned by a few silver banners with moon phases painted on them in preparation for the festival.
The party was welcomed by what appeared to be the owner of inn and a few staff members who immediately bowed when they saw the carriages.
The General dismounted from his horse, a sign for his soldiers to do the same. They stood to attention as he gave them a once over with the lieutenant general next to him.
"You mutts better not make any trouble while we're here or someone's getting castrated," he said in his raspy voice and his subordinate tried not to smile.
The Official approached them while they were still lined up. In total there were about fifteen soldiers, all part of Sorin's company.
"I'll be seeing you all tomorrow. Dismissed!"
There was instantly some chatter amongst them as they relaxed and started playing around. The Official had a short conversation with the General before approaching Sorin.
"If young Master Ulfric would prefer, there is a room in the imperial guest villa with the other Officials."
The chatter died down a notch as they tried to listen to the conversation.
"I appreciate the offer my Lord but I'm in charge of this troublesome crew. I'd rather stay close to regulate them."
The Official was somewhat surprised at the answer, but he understandingly nodded. The young man was also unlike the rumours of him being a domineering prodigal.
He gave the unruly air of a soldier but no different from the rest.
It was just that one could tell there was a certain arrogance in his very bones which gave him the air of a hooligan but a young master at the same time.
"Very well, just for this afternoon there is a royal scholar from another kingdom holding a lecture. There'll be several young nobles at the gathering. Would the young Master like to be in attendance?"
"Lord Official, this soldier is not refined enough for such events, and I'd like to rest after all the travelling."
"I understand young Master Ulfric, pardon Captain Ulfric," said the Official with a bow before backing away and then walking towards his carriage.
The General admired the youth for being so humble but at times did want him to participate socially otherwise he would miss good chances.
No one ever knew when their military career would come to an end. As he was not staying with the youngsters, he mounted his horse without saying much else.
Before Sorin could turn to his squad, a strong arm suddenly held him in a headlock.
"Sometimes you should be a young Master and not a lowly soldier you crazy mutt."
It was the lieutenant general with a smile on his face.
"I'd rather not listen to Lieutenant General's snoring in the next room while I try to sleep."
The man laughed and let the young soldier go before getting on his own horse beside the General.
As the convoy started moving again, one of the soldiers offered to take Sorin's horse to the stables as the attendants were already leading the horses away from the street.
The owner had noticed Sorin's interaction with the Official.
For the Official to personally interact with him meant he was an important figure.
Usually, inn owners were not fond of hosting soldiers as they tended to be rowdy and problematic but being such an illustrious inn had to be maintained so accepting imperial guests would keep that reputation.
Besides, the money was not such a bad thing either.
The emperor was fair and had the treasury pay money for the rooms and any other cost incurred instead of using his name and the honour of hosting imperial guests as payment.
The staff were already taking down the chests of luggage from the cart as the owner approached Sorin.
"Captain, I am the owner of the inn. And this is my capable manager, Manager Kade. Please feel free to request anything from us at any time."
"Thank you, I'll just be taking a bath and resting. Serve the rest of my soldiers well."
The owner almost shivered at the young man's authoritative demeanour even though he was much younger than him.
People steeped in the blood of a battlefield certainly had a different aura. He hurriedly nodded and requested the staff to move in the wooden chests faster while the manager led the rest to their rooms.
"Young Master could have met a princess if he went to the lecture."
"It's great to know that I have such a dedicated matchmaker. I'll leave princesses to princes. I'm sure the seven kingdoms aren't short of them," said Sorin as he continued walking.
"I give up," mumbled Altair.
"Good because I'm going to sleep. We'll be too conspicuous walking around during the day anyway."
Altair could only shake his head as he followed. It was understandable being tired from the travel, but they could have been at the lecture for less than an hour.
He knew it was no good trying to convince Sorin.
From what they had been told, the Luna Festival celebrations began after sundown. At least they could look forward to some entertainment then.