At the announcement everyone in the room kneeled. three figures, a man a woman in their mid-30s and a teenage girl started walking, every step from them emitted a presence of royalty. They were the pinnacle of nobility, the highest authority of the kingdom.
The man who had a robust physique, resulted from his arduous training, wore a grey uniform decorated with intricate golden patterns along with a luxurious cape filled with jewelry and a giant lion with crossed swords in the back and a golden crown decorated with precious stones.
Carrying the traditional golden hair and eyes, he was the current king of the Romanus kingdom and its strongest warrior, Enoch Von Romanus.
By his side was his only wife and queen, Melissa Von Romanus. She had long golden hair and eyes which only elevated her already beautiful face and figure, combined with her more classical style silver dress gown, she was the embodiment of a perfect noble lady.
And lastly the attraction of this event, the reason why they went out of their way to be present, the 4th princess Layla Von Romanus makes her public debut.
Different form her parents she wore a wine-red dress with red sleeves and a golden necklace that perfectly complemented her golden hair and eyes.
Contrary to her parents who had a bright expression, Layla had cold indifferent look on her face, which added an extra charm to her, was someone who couldn't be reached and only admired from afar.
The royals arrived at a throne at the end of the room, before sitting the king turned around and addressed his subjects.
- Rise.
His voice amplified by aura, echoed in the minds of everyone, compelling them to follow his command.
Despite being exposed to a king aura moments earlier, Luke felt in his bones.
'He's levels above the duke!'
Although he didn't know the reason, all rulers of the kingdom were knights and to assume the crown the heir had to defeat the current king/queen in combat.
Should the heir lose, his right to challenge is passed on to the next child.
So naturally every new ruler surpassed their predecessor, and all the knowledge and strength were improved in each reign.
The king continued his speech.
- Firstly, I would like to thank everyone who attended my daughter's birthday, and for showing your support to her social debut! I you like to speak more but I 'am not today's attention so please enjoy yourselves!
After the speech, the guests lined up in front of the princess to greet and present her gifts.
Luke and his family were at the front followed by the Perseus since the order went form the highest rank to the lowest.
The Argentis stepped forward, Amnda gave Luke small box to present to the princess as a gift, it was a magic item she made herself.
They bowed to the princess and said in union.
- We wish you a happy birthday your highness, may the founder's soul bless you.
-Thank you.
She responded in with an indifferent voice.
As Luke stepped forward to present the gift a female guard stepped in.
She had long blue hair tied in a ponytail, deep silver eyes, that reflected her devotion to her role.
Different from the knights outside who wore a red uniform, hers was grey, similar color to the king's attire indicating she was part of the royal guard, a knight unit dedicated to the safeguard of the royal family, every member had the best members of the unit as bodyguards.
Seeing Luke's confusion, the queen spoke.
- All gifts will be received by the princess's knight.
'Must be her request.'
He glanced at the princess, his gaze met her eyes full of hostility towards him, she obviously didn't appreciate his presence.
Ignoring the hostile glare, he handed the gift as instructed and left with his family.
**
After all guests delivered the gifts, the party proceeded as normal.
The musicians started playing a variety of classic songs, complementing the high-class atmosphere, as the nobles interacted with each other.
On the surface it seemed just a friendly conversation, each one was a battle of wits, an attempt to flaunt their superiority as noble or trying to form alliances to further their personal greed.
Luke even Luke wasn't safe from this, several children from other families already tried to engage in small talk with them, but he courtly rejected them.
Some girls even tried the clingy approach, but their bad acting couldn't fool Luke.
Now he was quietly standing in a pillar, subtly releasing mana to keep everyone away.
And his source of entertainment? watching others trying to approach the princess.
Despite being the main attraction for today, nobody tried to start a conversation with her. She was leisurely standing in the corner with her escort beside her.
Then one person walked towards her.
All eyes where the young man with ashen hair and yellow eyes along with a dark green suit full of jewelry.
Unless one was blind, all could clearly see that he was attempting to flaunt his family's wealth.
'If I remember, that's the son of Count Abaz'.
Luke's impression of him was a typical noble kid who is weak against the strong and strong against the weak.
If the rumors are true, someone like him going to talk to her, it only ends one way.
The boy approached the princess and gave a slight bow.
-Greetings your highness I am the son of count Abaz Hen…
Before he could finish, she turned to him with a look of disgust.
Startled by her look he asked.
- y-your highness is something wrong?
- Shut up trash, don't show your face in front of me again.
With those words she left.
The boy stood still with shocked look in his face, never in his life he was insulted in such a way.
He entertained the thought of insulting her but refrained from since he was in the royal palace.
'I guess he will cause her some trouble in the future'.
With that little show, everybody gave up on initiating talks with her.
Luke decided to leave the hall and take stroll on the garden outside; however, something caught his eye.
He caught one of the waiters desperately looking around before going to one of the corners of the room.
He decided to follow him, since that was clearly a suspicious action.
The waiter stopped then pulled a gun, shooting a woman nearby.
Naturally all the attention was him but, before anyone could act, he pushed the wall and yelled.
- DEATH TO THE NOLBES!!!!!
*BOOMMMMM