The day That Duke Oryn and I were supposed to leave for the capital, was the day after he had arrived. He had fortunately already picked out a suit and accessories for me, we were both wearing black and yellow. But we were now both in his estate in the capital, and it was the banquet day.
I was in my bedroom having Victor help fit me into the suit, which we were both struggling with, but managing to put it all on right.
"Damn it, why does this have to be so complicated," I grumbled.
"Haaa, it's only complicated because you keep moving," He sighed.
"It's only because I don't want to go, i mean, what's up with them forcing me to attend this stupid banquet anyway!" I lamented.
"M'Lord, please watch your manners; this is most likely punishment for running away last time."
"You were with me, so why don't you have to go!"
"Because I was just following your orders, and I'm only a butler."
"And? You should still have to accompany me since you are also my guard," I reassured.
"May I also remind you that Duke Casilda is the captain of the 1st squad of battle mages. So I'm sure you'll be fine and safe without me," Victor stepped back, "There, you're all ready to go now."
"Haaa, When I get back…oh just you wait," I glared at him, then I turned around and went downstairs.
Once I was at the grand hall, I was once again greeted by familiar crimson red hair, "Ho, I didn't think that my partner would be so handsome," Oryn teased.
"Duke Casilda, could you please be more modest?" I lectured.
"Haha, how cute," He mumbled, then lifted his hand toward me, "Alright, shall we go now?"
"I suppose," I said while walking past him without taking his hand.
'Damn, why does he have to be so cute yet so rebellious?' Oryn thought.
We didn't talk for most of the carriage ride, but he did ask me a few questions here and there. And gave me some advice regarding the types of people in and at the royal court, as well as some information on who might be attending this ball.
"Well then, do you have any questions for me?" I asked.
"Ho, so you'll answer some of my questions?" Oryn wondered.
"If I can answer it, then yes I will, as long as it's not too personal."
"HAHA, what do you take me for? I am a gentleman, I know boundaries," He said and then leaned forward and put his elbow on his knee with his cheek resting on his knuckles, "Then…for my first question…What was your goal in leaving the Griffins household?"
"You…haaaa, I wanted to live my own life and be bound by a family name that wasn't originally meant for me," I admitted.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I follow," Oryn apologized.
"Ugh, what I mean is that I didn't want to take away Callums, Valaries, and Alice's right of succession. I'm not even related to them by blood so that it wouldn't be right of me."
"I see…Heh, thats quite noble of you, leaving your adoptive family after being labeled as the successor even though they have children of their own, I respect that."
"Mm! Hah you flatter me, but it was more so because of my selfishness and wanting my own power, not power that someone else gave me," I proclaimed.
"Hehe, whatever you say," Oryn chuckled and then asked me, "And your plans? You must have had a reason for it, and what you planned to do after you left."
"...Sorry, but thats is something I can not tell you, it would obstruct my success," I admitted.
Oryn started to say something, but before it could escape his mouth someone knocked on the carriage doors, "My Lords, we have arrived."
"Well then, shall we go?" He said standing up and leaving the door.
I groaned and then got up, "I suppose."
***
The ballroom was rather big and grand, it was a long rectangle with two half circles on either side. At the end was a grand staircase, with a portrait of what I guessed to be the king and his family, it was a tradition in the Ouare Kingdom to have a portrait of either the head of your household or your family by your staircase.
It was like this for Royalty, Nobles, and some people of the higher class. It was to honor the family, and when the next generation came, you would have a portrait left over for the next to remember.
"Admiring the interior, or are you in awe of the staircase?" Oryn joked.
"Huh!? I wasn't doing either, I was simply getting my thoughts together," I responded.
"Haha, well whatever you say," Oryn then noticed someone trying to get his attention, "If you'll please excuse me, it seems that someone wants to speak to me."
Oryn then patted me on the side of my arm and started walking over in someone else's direction, I looked for an empty table so that I could sit down and let my anxiety pass.
'Damn it, why the hell did I have to attend, and as that idiotic Duke's partner no less.'
Unfortunately, I didn't see any open tables, they were mostly full of aristocratic ladies chatting or a few lords sharing a drink and telling stories, so it was obvious that there wasn't going to be an empty one any time soon. I then decided to just get a glass of wine and stand by one of the walls, it was my own little attempt at isolation.
After a few minutes I saw Oryn coming my way, but he was stopped by a group of young ladies, perhaps a few fans of his.
'Poor bastard.'
I had unfortunately jinxed myself though, because just then there was a small group of two ladies and a man in front of me.
"Excuse me," One of the ladies said.
"Oh, um hello, Do you need something," I tried my best to sound polite, but I wasn't in an excellent mood after being forcefully dragged here.
"We were just wondering if you'd like to join us at our table," She said pointing to a table with two more girls and a guy, "You just seemed a little lonely."
"Mm, I'm fi-" I was cut off.
"Please, we insist, I would want a hottie like you getting wrinkles from all that frowning, so allow us to cheer you up." The man that was with her said.
'This prick!'
"I-!" I was then interrupted by the call of a familiar-sounding voice, one that I've heard more than I've wanted to.
"Lev! Sorry for leaving you alone like that, I had some private affairs to take care of," Oryn grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the duo, "Come on, the King is going to arrive in 30 minutes so let's go grab a few drinks and go out to the balcony."
"Duke Casilda-!" he grabbed two glasses of wine and dragged me over to the balcony in a rush, "haaa, you really!"
"Sorry, you just looked annoyed and tired, so I thought I should get you away from there as soon as I could." He said leaning against the terrace.
"Thanks, I guess, that actually caused me more stress than you would think," I then bent down and took some deep breaths, "Crowds aren't my strong suit."
"Ho? But you seemed just fine while evacuating the citizens in Ascelpius City, and man were they a crowd," He said while lighting a cigarette.
"Please, that was a difficult situation, and the people's lives are of top priority, plus I was stressed even then," I admitted.
"I suppose, you know what helps me in times like that?"
"What does?"
"Lighting a cigarette, want one?" He offered me.
"No thanks, I quit smoking a few years ago. Even if I can't get through this sober, I have alcohol for that." I said.
"Hm? Are you sure, you might regret it later?" Oryn chimed.
"...Fine, but if I pass out from this, you're dead," I said taking a cigarette and lighting it, I coughed a bit at first, "God, I forgot how awful they were."
"HAHAHA! It really has been a while since you've lit one hasn't it?"
"I suppose it has," I paused and blew out some smoke then looked back into the ballroom, "it's about time to go back inside, shall we?"
"...One more thing before we do, from now on please be careful in public."
"Huh?!"
"Well, let's go inside now!" He said while walking out of the terrace and into the ballroom.
'What was that?'
After we went back inside we were able to quickly find an empty table since about half of the attendees were out and about talking, the table we found sat four. There were some daffodils and tulips in a vase in the middle of the tables as well as some small candles.
"You know…this almost feels like a date," He teased and smiled at me.
"Erhh! Wh-" I was cut off by the abrupt sound of an announcer.
"Now entering, His Majesty and Sun of the Kingdom Roman Fortunata, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Emeric Fortunata!"
Two men then came down from the stairs in the front of the room, the one in front had straight dark red hair with green eyes and looked much older than the man behind him, the man behind him had curly dark red hair with green eyes. The man in front looked to be just about an inch below 6'6, and the other somewhere around 6'1.
I could easily tell that the one in the front was the kind since he was adjourned with more jewels, and gems, and just sparkled more overall. Behind him was clearly his son who was wearing gems, but instead of jewels, he was wearing gold. [1]
They were both wearing a white base, the king had a royal blue and gold accent, while the prince was wearing a light grey and gold accent.
They stopped at the bottom of the stairs, and the king looked at the room. As he did that, he turned in my direction, I noticed him squint his eyes at me and give me a taunting smile.
'This guy! He's lucky he's the king'
Roman then extended his arms towards the whole room, "My dear Nobles, thank you all for attending this Ball on such short notice. I humbly apologize to those of you who got their invitation letter than all the others, it took a while for us to reach all of you."
'This prick is talking about me and The Duke now isn't he.'
I then looked over to Oryn who was looking over at his cousin with a blank look, he was clearly not overjoyed at that.
"But I can assure you that tonight will be worth the short notice, because not only will we have a few announcements, but also a title will be given to a very special individual!" He then brought his hands back to his side, "Now in about 30 minutes I will call back for your attention, so I would first ask for a chance to socialize."
The king then walked forward and everyone went back to doing what they were before, then some music started and people started the first dances of the night.
Oryn then turned his head back to me and we chatted for a while before the king and the crown prince came over to greet us, "You know I would have liked it if my Cousin and his partner came over to talk to me so I didn't have to come to them," He jested.
"Oh please, I wouldn't dare to strike a conversation with the Sun of our empire! After all, i am but a miniature star in your glorious presence," Oryn struck back.
'Why do I feel like something not so good is about to happen, hm…I suppose i could say something…'
"Excuse me for my rudeness your majesty," I stood up and bowed, "I wasn't thinking of that at the moment, so please forgive my rudeness."
'Hopefully, he'll fall for that half-assed apology, if not then I can't help you anymore Duke-san.'
"Hahaha! Oh, you are quite alright, I was merely joking, to begin with," he laughed and took a seat at the table, "Please sit back down, I want you to be relaxed in my presence, you too Emeric."
"If you say so, Father…" The crown prince then took the seat next to mine and I sat back down.
"You know, I was quite surprised when I heard that you left the Griffins household and took over the responsibilities of Zyon city," King Roman said, "I was hoping to talk to you about that matter sooner, but you left the country before I could."
"I apologize if I upset you your Majesty, but I had been planning that trip for a while and it was something that I could not cancel, i hope that you come to understand."
'At this point, I'm just lying through my teeth.'
"Hahaha! You are a funny one, I completely understand, but you will have to make up for it eventually…" he trailed off, "Oh look at the time, it's about time I go back to the main floor for the announcements!"
Roman then stood up and wanted his way through the separate groups of nobles, eventually he reached the stairs, stood at the top of them, and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.
"Ahem, as I said earlier I had some announcements and a few awards to give out. And now is the time, If everyone could please clear a pathway in the middle of the room it would be much appreciated!" He commanded.
And so following the king's command, everyone did as such. The was now a line leading straight from the stairs to the entrance to the ballroom, and you could now see the intricate mural on the floor of the ballroom. It had a cover over it so that people wouldn't scratch it up while dancing, and if I remember correctly it was one of this kingdom's pieces of art with a preservation spell on it.
The king then started his big speech and later got started with the rewards, they were mostly for peoples dedication to serving the kingdom, but he then called the Duke up and rewarded him for his contributions to the defeat of the demons who attacked Asclepius City.
"Now with all of those other trivial matters out of the way, I would now like to call forth the star of tonight's awards ceremony, Lord Lev Varuna please come forth," He ordered, which of course I had to follow.
'What the hell is this petty Mother Fucker up to now?'
I waded my way through the crowd to the middle of the room and up the stairs, where I then kneeled in front of him, "Your Majesty."
'I wish I could just spit on those stupidly shiny shoes of his!'
If I have to be honest with you, the King of the Quare Kingdom was one of the characters that I hated the most. Mostly because of his petty and trashy personality, but also because of all the trouble he gave the protagonist. But don't get me wrong, overall he is a good king.
"This king Sir here had put in the most contribution to stopping those rotten demons from destroying part of our wondrous country, he not only gravely injured their captain, but he also spent of his own expense to the reconstruction of the City," he continued, "So I bring forth the reward of not only a title, but a great reward."
He then turned around and grabbed a sword from a butler who was holding and pillow with it on top. He then held it with both of his hands and stood in front of me.
"I now present you with the honor of accepting a title, after you left the Griffins household you lost all of your noble rights and lineage. But I now present you with not only the title of Viscount but the rights to govern Zyon City as well as the title of Lieutenant Colonel of the Quare Kingdoms forces."
"..."
'THIS PETTY MOTHER FUCKER!!'
I flinched after i heard that, i knew that my goals were all now not achievable. All i wanted was to live in comfort and peace and not be bothered by anything in the Novel at all, but noooo i can't even do that.
The king then rested the sword on my right shoulder, "I present you the right to govern and lead you land as you see fit, but also hope that you treat your citizens right," he then rested the sword on my left shoulder, " Lev Varuna, i hereby dub the title and honor of the Viscounty of Zyon and reward you with the name Andraste, and give you the honorable title of Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Knight order, Arise and be recognized." [2]
I then stood up and was handed the sword he was holding on to, which i took and turned twords the rest of the nobles in the room. Who were all clapping.
"..."
'What the hell just happened!?'
***
[1]: something like this { https://www.pinterest.com/pin/68746452477/ }
[2]: i was inspired by the knighting ceremony of midevil times but i twisted it a bit to fit the occasion.