Time had swiftly passed, and the day of the imperial banquet had finally arrived. It was a momentous day, marking the 541st year since the establishment of the Solara Empire. The entire city was alive with celebration, and a festive atmosphere filled the streets, teeming with people and resonating with joyful noise.
The main road leading to the imperial castle was lined with carriages, all waiting their turn to enter. The imperial banquet was a revered tradition, held annually after the hunting ceremony, symbolizing the empire's prosperity for the upcoming year.
Despite the recent dangerous incident during the hunting ceremony, the emperor had decided to proceed with the banquet, albeit with enhanced security measures, including collaboration with the witches to prevent any potential disasters.
Among the carriages, two belonged to the Damian family. One was occupied by Adrain, his wife, and their children, while the other carried Seraphine and Damian alone.
Seraphine looked resplendent in her shimmering green dress adorned with exquisite jewelry. Damian, on the other hand, cut a striking figure in his sharp black suit.
A warm smile graced Seraphine's lips as she admired him. "You are very good-looking today, Damian."
He chuckled, his eyes sparkling as he glanced at her. "And you, Seraphine, look absolutely enchanting. This green dress suits you perfectly."
"Thank you, Damian. I'm looking forward to a delightful evening," Seraphine responded with a smile, her anticipation for the upcoming banquet evident in her eyes.
After their carriage passed through the castle checkpoint, Damian presented their invitation card to confirm their identity. Once verified, they were granted entry into the magnificent castle.
As they arrived at the entrance on the grand staircase leading into the castle, Damian stepped out of the carriage, and it seemed as if a swarm of nobles had been waiting just for them. They rushed over to greet him, acknowledging his bravery and the Ornstein family's invaluable assistance during the hunting ceremony.
Damian, ever the polite nobleman, responded graciously to each of them. He knew that these pleasantries were mainly due to his family's influence and their gratitude. Seraphine, on the other hand, was caught off guard by the sudden attention from the nobles and felt a wave of nervousness wash over her.
Noticing her discomfort, Damian immediately reached for her hand and gently pulled her away from the crowd, guiding her up the grand staircase. As they ascended, Seraphine couldn't help but express her unease.
"This is... overwhelming," she admitted, her voice tinged with anxiety. "I didn't expect so many people to come to greet us like this."
Damian, still holding her hand, offered a reassuring smile. "It's only natural, Seraphine. Your bravery during the hunting ceremony is astonishing, and the nobility here appreciates valor. But don't worry, I'll make sure we find some respite from the crowd once we're inside the castle."
Seraphine nodded gratefully, her heart warmed by Damian's comforting presence. Together, they continued their ascent into the castle until they reached the grand doors leading to the banquet hall.
As the guards caught sight of Seraphine and Damian, they immediately opened the doors with a deep and respectful bow.
The moment they entered the colossal banquet hall, Seraphine was left in awe. The sheer size and opulence of the place were overwhelming. It was like stepping into a cathedral filled with light, grandeur, and luxurious decorations.
The hall buzzed with conversations and laughter as nobles from all over mingled and enjoyed the festivities. Seraphine's eyes were wide with excitement as she took in the splendid scene.
"Damian, there are so many people here. Did nearly every noble family in the empire attend this banquet?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by the vast crowd.
Damian, standing by her side, replied, "Yes, Seraphine. Almost every noble family is represented here tonight. With any luck, we might even meet Marcus's parents."
Seraphine's face lit up with anticipation. "I can't wait to meet them. After all, I am their adopted daughter now," she said with a playful smile.
"Indeed, you are," Damian responded warmly. He extended his hand toward her. "Shall we go down?"
Seraphine accepted his hand, and together, they descended the stairs and entered the bustling banquet hall below.
As Seraphine and Damian gracefully descended the grand staircase, they became the center of attention. Many nobles stopped in their tracks, their conversations halting as they turned their focus to the Ornstein family.
The transformation of the Marquis Ornstein from a family on the brink of financial and political collapse to one of influence and trust in the emperor's eyes had become the talk of the noble social circles.
The involvement of witches, once thought of as mythical beings, in directly supporting the Ornstein family during the hunting ceremony only added to their intrigue.
Witches, considered secret protectors of the empire since its inception, held immense respect and authority within the realm. Among them, Iris was regarded as a leader, a living legend among witches who still remained in the coven.
In addition to the Marquis, Seraphine had also captured the attention of the noble society. Her mysterious past, coupled with her sudden appearance as the adopted daughter of the Miller family, had piqued curiosity.
Her significant contributions during the hunting ceremony had earned her recognition and appreciation from many nobles. Still, not everyone held the same opinion.
Seraphine felt the weight of the stares and attention bearing down on her. She couldn't help but feel nervous, beads of sweat forming on her brow. Damian, ever perceptive, noticed her discomfort and held her hand firmly.
"Seraphine, did you see Iris at the back of the hall?" Damian spoke quietly into her ear. Seraphine focused her gaze and spotted Iris waving at her from a distance, dressed in her unique violet attire and mob cap.
"You could go and meet her first," Damian suggested, "to avoid any unwanted attention. I think most nobles will steer clear of the witch; they find her quite intimidating."
"Alright, I will go meet her then. Thank you, Damian," Seraphine responded to Damian's suggestion, and he nodded in agreement.
As Seraphine descended to the banquet floor, the nobles began to approach both her and Damian. However, before they could reach her, a sudden gap appeared beneath her feet, and she dropped into the dimensional void. Those around her were left in surprise as she disappeared.
"Uh... This again?" Damian muttered, his tone reflecting his weariness. He was all too familiar with the quirks of dimensional gaps.
The dimensional rift transported Seraphine directly to Iris's table, where Iris was seated, leisurely sipping her tea. Seraphine fell into a chair next to Iris, slightly disheveled from the sudden teleportation.
"Hi, Seraphine. Long time no see," Iris greeted her with a warm smile. In contrast, Seraphine's expression was one of frustration.
"Miss Iris..." Seraphine replied with a tired sigh. She had grown weary of these unpredictable teleportations courtesy of Iris.