Afternoon, the next day.
The sun would be setting 2 hours so we had arrived at the imperial palace just in time. We entered through the northern gate of the wall that encircles the palace grounds.
At the north was the official building dedicated to holding events. It was a 5-floor mansion in a more modern architectural style. It used a red and white curved design and had a large dome located at certain positions.
The carriage quickly pulled to the front and we got off.
It was going to be my parents, Risa, the 3 elders, Celes, and I that entered. Our guards had to stay outside and would be stationed nearby by the place soldiers.
Normally, Risa wouldn't be allowed to enter the ball as she was well underage but for some reason, our parents insisted on bringing her.
It was strange. We would have to ask for the imperial families permission to do something like this but apparently, they had already gotten the permission a month ago.
Father and mother had to have a legitimate reason to bring her but I could figure out what it was.
When I asked Elina if she had any idea of what was going on she said:
"This never happened in the last run."
When I asked my parents, they said:
"You will know why at the ball."
They said this with a strange grin. I couldn't help but feel nervous at the thought that my usually tame parents were up to something. I had a feeling that it wasn't going to be any good for me.
Putting these thoughts aside, I started to focus on our current surroundings.
Celes walked beside me as we walked on the luxurious red carpet that had been laid out. Leading us were our parents and the elders. Risa was in my mother's arms as always.
I took a quick glance behind me as an endless row of carriages kept entering and dropping off people. Everyone was dressed to impress.
The most expensive dresses and lavish jewelry were being worn by the women. The clothes were so elegant yet absolutely blinding as the golden linings reflected the color of the setting sun.
The men were not dressed as fashionably and kept wearing classic suits. All the suits were made with the finest materials and lined with subtle yet expensive metals.
"Those dresses look heavy. Arent those women uncomfortable?" asked Celes as she looked at her own clothes.
She wore a black suit with red accents that matched her hair and eye color respectively. I was doing the same as I wore a black suit with purple accents.
"Not really. Almost all noble women either have cultivated their physiques or have used herbs to strengthen them. They can easily handle the weight of those bulky dresses." I explained.
"Hmm...then why isn't your mother wearing such a dress?" she asked while turning her gaze to my mother's back.
Mother was wearing a light purple dress that was made more for comfort than style. It didn't have excessive decorations or many layers. It didn't even have much frills. It was just a plain dress that had been lengthened and made more flowing.
Mind you, it still looked quite elegant and my mother's beauty complimented it well. Still, it was out of place if you compared it to the multi-layer and highly decorated pieces the other noble ladies were wearing.
"Mom doesn't like the extravagance that nobles indulge in. She prefers finding elegance in more simplistic things."
Celes knows that my mother was a commoner before she married my father. That's why she was often more conservative with her clothing and expenditure. She doesn't even like attending big parties like this as she finds them a massive waste of money.
Money that could go to helping the poor people who struggle in slums throughout the nation.
Still, Dad insists that she come with him every year. He doesn't like to come along and stand at the side while the rest of the noblemen dance with their wives.
Mom understood this so she reluctantly attended each time.
"She looks quite happy for someone who didn't want to come." Celes points out that mother was happily smiling and talking to the elders.
This was unlike the past times when according to Dad, she would be sulking the entire time.
"That's weird. Maybe it's because she brought Risa along?" I speculated.
"Probably not. You said they had some reason they were hiding from you to bring Risa." she rebutted.
"I mean, it could just be a side effect of bringing Risa." I shrugged. I had not much idea of what was going on these days.
With all the shocks that Celes and especially Elina have given me in the weeks since my return from school, I am starting to doubt my intelligence and sanity.
I was hoping this ball would maybe help me relax a bit as I put aside all the tasks that I had taken up but I was wrong. 'Just this ball was bringing up a lot of questions that I had no answers to.
'Oh well. Let's just wait and see. They said we will know during the ball." I said with a sigh. The only thing I could do right now was wait.
"Alright." Celes nodded as carresed the handle of her sword, Blud Got.
I also brought one of my many swords as like her, it was tied to my waist.
Guests were allowed to bring their weapons and magic wands/staffs. These items were something the imperial family couldn't stop their nobles from bringing.
Since our bodyguards weren't allowed to enter, they had to at least allow us to bring our own form of self-protection. Plus, many nobles were quite attached to their weapons.
We had already entered the building and I could see a grand dining hall ahead of us. There were already groups of nobles conversion as they drank wine sitting or standing up.
It wants time for the grand banquet yet, as the tables are still devoid of food.
"Oooh!" I could see Celes's eyes sparkle at the sight of the expansive banquet table. She must be expecting the feast that was to come later.
At the wide open doors of the hall were 2, 6th-tier knights in full armor but without their helmets. One was a middle-aged man while the other was a middle-aged woman. They exuded discipline as they scrutinized every noble guest who entered the hall.
The nobles who passed their scrutiny were able to walk into the hall.
But when it got to our turn, we were stopped.
"Stop!" said the female knight as her gaze landed on Celes.
"Only nobles are allowed in the hall." she said with a blunt, heavy tone.
The nobles inside the ball, who were near the entrance saw the commotion and turned their gaze. The same applied to nobles who were entering behind us.
Their eyes drifted to the striking figure of Celes who was the only woman at this event to be wearing men's clothing. They looked at her like some rare specimen as her beauty and curves were accentuated by the well-fitted suit.
It was a strange but welcome sight for these nobles who were not used to seeing a woman in men's clothing. They found her to have some sort of wild and uncontained charm.
This is the effect I wanted for her. It's why I had her dress like this.
I smiled and stepped forward as I grabbed Celes' hand. I stood in front of the female knight who was just as tall as me and looked her in the eyes.
My smile turned into a playful smirk.
"This lady is a companion of mine. I fully vouch for her identity with my authority as the heir to the Vornix Marquisdom." I say.
The gazes of the female knight and the nobles around us depended on when they heard this. They were confused as to what I meant by a companion.
Companion could mean many things in our language. It could mean friend, partner, life partner, comrade, and many other things.
It's usually a term that's avoided due to the misunderstandings it might create but I purposefully chose it for today.
Beep!
The sense that had been formed in the area was broken by a small nose that came from the male knight. He took out a small metallic slate the size of his palm. It was glowing with blue light.
After reading what was written on the communication artifact, he turned to the female light.
"Her identity has been cleared," he said sternly.
The woman nodded when she heard this and turned back to us.
"As her identity has been confirmed and the heir has voiced for her, she may enter." she said stoically.
I turned to my parents after hearing this they nodded and continued walking in.
The elders had some skeptical gazes as they glanced at me. They were wondering about what shenanigans I was planning now. 'Unlike my parents, I hadn't told them why I had brought Celes with me today.
"Let's go!" I said while dragging Cles in with me.
She had a confused expression on her face as she didn't know what was going on. I hadn't actually explained to her what this banquet was going to be like and what role she was going to play.
I should have told her but I would rather her be in for a surprise.
This banquet was going to be a storm of politics. A storm that I had thrust Celes in without preparing her.
This was fine as I was going to be in the storm with her. I find such storms fun a a form of relaxation. With Celes and Elina, who would be arriving soon, by my side, it was going to be one hell of a storm.