The evening was pleasantly organised. The ballroom was beautifully decorated, though for Takane the colours were too flashy. All the attendees were dressed up elegantly in the latest western fashion.
Takane had helped her Princess to get ready accordingly and she was patiently waiting for her and Prince Benedikt to join the party.
Archduchess Linda and Baroness Isabella were already present, looking lovely and elegant in their dresses.
A small ensemble played music softly in one corner, easing up the atmosphere.
The two most anticipated guests were still missing and Takane could tell that they were all curiously awaiting them. Except for the hosts and the Hohengoldlinden entourage none of the others had seen the well known couple together yet. The stakes were high since that would be their debut as the Prince and Princess von Hohengoldlinden in their social circle. It was all the more important for Princess Yumiko as the first foreigner to be introduced into the royal society of the western continent.
It was also in Takane's duty to not cause any blemish on their origin and her Princess' reputation. The thought alone brought her so much regret and shame, that she wouldn't dare stray away from anything else but perfection for the entirety of this gathering.
She reminded herself of the deeply rooted pride that she felt towards Yashima, the name of the Kirishima's and her natural obligation. It was empowering to her.
"Takane-san, may I join you?" Hagen-san came to her side, moving ever so inconspicuously firm.
For a long time she appreciated that he had adjusted his way of addressing her by calling her in the yashimian way.
"Hagen-san, certainly. Please do not hesitate," she bowed down politely and pointed beside her in a subtle gesture.
The brunette man positioned himself next to her, his uniform was meticulous, just like his stance and the aura he exuded. Not too dominating to grab the attention of the noble, but enough to ensure that at least within the employees his status as the Prince's aide was clear.
He too knew about the importance of this first evening and it was uplifting to have him on the same page as her.
"They should arrive any minute now," Hagen-san spoke softly without facing away from the middle of the ballroom.
Takane didn't reply and instead, without moving her head, looked over to the large door awaiting the moment it would swing open and present the couple.
The atmosphere in the ballroom was relaxed, however it was noticeable that everyone, especially the guests, were stealing brief glances at the door as well. Takane tried not to pay too much attention to the Bedan couple. The Baroness Henriette revealed herself to be quite a handful.
Takane was very displeased with how she questioned everything her Princess would say or do. Her attitude towards Princess Yumiko was more than just unmannerly. She didn't even try to mask her intention during the conversations and for Takane this disrespectful behaviour was unforgivable. In her eyes it was such a downright insult that she didn't want to welcome her in Kleingoldlinden. She didn't want to accommodate such a crude person in the duchy.
Despite that Takane knew that this confrontation was just the beginning.
As she silently sighed by the thought of all the trouble that her dear Princess had to endure, the large wooden door finally swung open.
In came both Prince Benedikt von Hohengoldlinden in his immaculate, cream-coloured suit with a blue tie that complimented his eyes. He stood proudly along with Princess Yumiko von Hohengoldlinden by his side. Her kimono was kept in soft colours with golden, cream-beige highlights. Together they easily overshadowed all of the other attendees. Takane had noticed that in the very beginning already. There was something about them together that would captivate everyone's attention and it wasn't the fact that they were an odd pair, rarely to be seen together.
It was the playful indifference from Benedikt coupled with Yumiko's elegant charme that was so enthralling.
They first approached the hosts, Elector Maximilian von Wettin and his wife Augusta von Wettin, for their formal greetings.
Princess Yumiko held subtly onto her husband's arm and matched the height of her face perfectly to the other's while speaking and listening. Takane couldn't hear what they were saying, but she kept her eyes firmly on the Princess.
"They are remarkable," Hagen whispered.
Takane nodded and smiled proudly.
They continued to speak with the Wettin couple and Takane could tell that Prince Benedikt was as charming and lively as he could be. He made them laugh while engaging all of them into the conversation without overpowering the share of speech. He made it seem flawlessly easy and as an outsider it was appealing to observe.
Prince Benedikt made it seem like they had the most interesting and meaningful exchange that could ever happen. One would want to be part of that.
Takane saw that the other attendees must have felt that way as well by the looks of it. They remained in their circles, while stealing glances at the two couples having a joyous conversation, hoping to catch a few words. It wasn't for them to interrupt or join without being approached first. One of them slowly passed by Takane and Hagen. It was Baroness Henriette and her husband Gottwald. They had been walking around the ballroom, greeting everyone and engaging in some shallow pleasantries.
Baroness Henriette used a decorative paper fan to cover her face while whispering to her husband. Despite that Takane could still hear her, although her alleman dialect was a little bit stronger than what she was used to. So she had to listen a little bit more closely in order to make out their words.
"Do you think it is real?" She swiftly glanced at the Hohengoldlinden couple.
"What do you mean?" Her husband followed her gaze. "Them?"
"Do you think their marriage is real or is it truly just an arrangement for economical benefits?"
They stopped not far from where Takane and Hagen were standing.
"Well first and foremost it was an arrangement with solely economical and political interests. Everyone knew that. As if there is any other benefit or reason from taking a woman from the eastern continent. I can't possibly imagine what the Hohengoldlindens gained from marrying off their son to some blind feudal princess, but it must be quite valuable. At least enough to betray their allemanian bloodline." Baron von Bedan looked around the ballroom. "Judging from what the ever so suddenly romantic Prince had said during the day, it appears like their marriage might be genuine. However, I believe that he is simply trying to keep his image up as best as he can. Who wouldn't want to do that when the entire world is judging them?" He scoffed.
Henriette sniggered disdainfully. "Unfortunate, isn't it? He was the most desired bachelor of noble blood on this continent. Seeing him being tied to this foreigner is almost heartbreaking. As if it wasn't punishing enough that she looks and speaks so differently from us, to add further to it is the undeniable fact that she is blind. She can't see! Her slanting eyes are completely useless. It's outrageous." She fanned herself agitatedly. "He is completely wasted on someone like her. What is even a feudal princess? Didn't that country of hers Yashima have any other better person in their noble ranks to be offered to Allemania? It is insulting that she is the best they had, what a disgraceful country. Couldn't they at least find someone who had all their senses?"
Gottwald chuckled, trying to cover that up by holding his hand before his mouth.
Takane could feel the raging heat well up inside of her. She was fuming internally, their words were outright disrespectful and grotesque. But the only thing she could do was clench her hands tightly into fists to contain the anger. Trying to not let her aggravation be seen from the outside.
"It is a shame indeed. I wanted to see how the women from Yashima looked like, but I guess I have to make do with her. She isn't necessarily ugly or anything. I do have to say that there is something about her closed eyes though. Like a secret." Gottwald blatantly stared at Princess Yumiko.
Henriette snorted. "I don't want to know what is behind that woman's eyes, what kind of barbaric thoughts and strange values she will spread."
"I heard the weirdest things about the people from the eastern continent. I wonder if she is fit to be in our sophisticated, established circles."
"Fit? Just look at her weird dress. This is what the rich in Yashima wear? Absurd. It makes her look like a slab of wood, all stiff and straight. She even wore a western style dress during the tea party and looked absolutely obscure in it."
Gottwald shrugged his shoulders. "You know that I'm not too fond of such womanish absurdities. Her hair has an interesting black colour though. I haven't seen such a deep colour on a person's head before."
"It looks like coal to me." Henriette turned away from the dazzling couple. "I will expose that wicked woman and prove that someone like her doesn't belong in our midst. She is nothing but a facade."
Gottwald looked at his wife in amusement. "I haven't seen you so eager since their engagement was announced."
"It is as you said, dear husband. It is simply a shame."
The Bedan couple then continued on with their strides around the ballroom.
Takane could feel her heart racing. Her hands were clenched so tightly that her arms were trembling.
"Don't pay them any mind," Hagen whispered to her calmly, still firmly looking forward. "Trust in our Prince and Princess. They will prove them wrong so quickly that they will be ashamed of ever wasting so much time on talking like that behind their backs."
Although his voice was calm, she could tell that he was angry as well. Usually his tone would be either composed or stressed. The latter would be any time the Prince would act on his own accord and Hagen to try to get him back to focus on the tasks at hand.
This was the first time she could sense anger from him.
"It is a disgrace that we were born in the same Empire. I am deeply ashamed and humiliated to have these kinds of people in Allemania. I apologise that you had to hear those despicable, untrue words."
Hagen now turned to Takane and she returned his gaze. His eyes that were a light blue with green speckles looked at her in remorseful pain.
She shook her head softly and turned away, looking at Princess Yumiko who was saying something with a lovely smile on her face. Upon seeing that her heart calmed down.
"Raise your head, Hagen-san. It is not in your responsibility to bear the shame of words that weren't said by you. Soon enough they will learn that their words will not carry them far into a successful future when their hearts remain as rotten as they are now."
Hagen barely withheld a gasp, but managed to remain mostly silent. For the remainder of the evening Takane didn't avert her eyes from her Princess, because to her she shone the brightest regardless of any disdain anyone else felt towards her.
The ballroom's atmosphere had changed drastically when Benedikt and Yumiko entered.
It was fascinating to observe as the nobles adjusted to the newly arrived. Naturally, the attention was completely turned towards the unique couple.
Hagen carefully examined the decorated ballroom, registering each attendee in their lavish dresses and suits, studying their expressions and motions in order to gain a flawless overview of what was happening in front of him.
He also saw all the Wettin's employees walking discreetly in the shadows and corners of the room, standing out of sight for as much as possible while finishing up their tasks.
Compared to what Hagen was used to on the training fields and on the wild unpredictable sea, this was a walk in the park. The only other thing that played less of a role in the other two scenarios were the unwritten, subtle hints that the nobles would give when being on this kind of social gathering.
It could be a suggestive gesture, a movement with their eyes, the way their upper body was turned or even the way they smiled. All this and many more indications would foretell what the person was secretly thinking and it was in his responsibility to know about any tendencies towards the Hohengoldlindens.
Archduchess Linda and Baroness Isabella were engaged in an interesting conversation with Princess Eleonore Steufer and Duchess Adelheid von der Pfelz.
Benedikt and Yumiko were still talking with the hosts, while the problematic Bedan couple engaged the Leuthringen couple, as well as Duke Erhard von der Pfelz and Prince Hermann Steufer into a conversation.
Hagen conscientiously observed that specific group to read their expressions. Even prior to what he had to overhear it was clear that Baroness Henriette would pose the biggest nuisance for the Hohengoldlinden's peace. Before the announcement of Benedikt's wedding Henriette, despite being married herself, didn't mask any of her crude advances towards his blonde friend. She had always wanted to be on good terms with the second most influential family of the Empire. However, her attitude had drastically changed after the wedding. The prospects of being his favourable mistress vanished completely and it was pathetic to believe that Benedikt would have considered such an arrangement. With her nonetheless.
Her husband didn't appear to be any less bothersome. Hagen had noticed Benedikt's irritation during the day out. Usually the blonde would be able to hide every personal emotion behind his perfect mask, however today it seemed obvious and he didn't quite try to conceal his feelings. The Baron must have said something to upset Benedikt and it wasn't difficult to guess what it might have been. It takes a tremendous amount to agitate Benedikt in a formal setting, however after his marriage his pool of weak points had naturally increased.
Hagen hadn't seen his friend, the Prince, ever so publicly irritated and he wasn't the only one who had noticed that subtle reaction. Now it was a matter of finding out who was benevolent and who wanted to take advantage of this information.
Takane was beside him, both standing by the wall, inconspicuously.
He briefly glanced at Takane with her straight posture, attentive eyes and always ready to help her Princess. Her expression was as indifferent as always. Only the faint, proud smile on her lips would betray her stern appearance.
Benedikt and Yumiko's change of movement drew his attention back to them and he saw how they greeted Archduchess Linda and her circle of companions.
The Wettin couple followed them with their eyes with a pleased expression on their faces.
Now everyone's subtle observation was stirred on how the couple interacted with the group of women.
Naturally, the mood was friendly and untroubled. This time, Benedikt held back and let Yumiko control the conversation which she did without any effort.
Just like her husband, she had very high social skills and was even more charming when it came to captivating other people's hearts.
Hagen had yet to identify what it exactly was that the Princess von Hohengoldlinden did with so much natural ease. Benedikt was definitely the more playful and relaxed one, however Yumiko managed to let her own playfulness flow into the way she spoke and gestured so that it appeared intriguing. All the while being the epitome of elegance and properness.
Hagen couldn't make out their exact words, but based on their reactions and Yumiko's expressions it was clear that she had made their conversation as interesting and fascinating for any outsider uninvolved as possible.
Even Hagen could feel that he wanted to inch closer in order to catch just a few words of that conversation.
Benedikt stood by, occasionally commented on something and never stopped to watch his wife with loving eyes as she spoke. If it hadn't been obvious to the observer yet, then it must have been now that the Prince von Hohengoldlinden was undeniably and irrevocably captivated by his wife. One could easily tell that he was entirely within her palms and that the infamous bachelor of the Hohengoldlinden house was truly and absolutely in love with this woman by his side.
Hagen glanced at the other circle of nobles as they also watched the lively conversation led by Princess Yumiko.
Henriette showed her displeasure by frowning her eyebrows noticeably.
It was no secret between the attendees that Baroness Henriette took the most offence in who was now introduced into their social circles. She had already voiced her ignorant remarks when the engagement was officially announced. Unfortunately, she wasn't necessarily a minority in that aspect. There were many more royalties in Allemania and other western countries that were against a foreigner entering their sacred society.
The common folk outside of the Hohengoldlinden duchy were also split up about the new Princess in the north. Especially since the family favours such a beneficial position in Allemania and with its Emperor. These people deemed it wrong for a foreigner outside their traditions and customs to enjoy such a privilege.
It was indeed a complex social situation for Benedikt and Yumiko, however their ambitions and hard work will pay out, silencing all these foolish opinions.
They would begin by continuing on, ending the pleasant conversation with the Archduchess and the other and approaching the remaining circle of attendees on the other side of the ballroom.
The Hohengoldlinden couple moved along the wooden room with elegance, talking and bantering with each other while capturing the eyes of all.
The music played in the corner accompanied them and it appeared as if the warm light was directed solely on them. Although Hagen could have cared any less about any poetic or sensible words, it was even clear to him that Benedikt and Yumiko were both individually made for the spotlight in the high society and together they were such a force that one couldn't turn away.
Whatever they were saying to each other seemed to be made up of the most delightful words.
Hagen suppressed a chuckle as he closely looked at Benedikt. Utterly and hopelessly enchanted.
Yumiko too didn't try to hide her adoration and affection towards her husband.
As the brunette aide subtly steered his eyes around the ballroom, he saw that the others, albeit their current position in regard to the recent Hohengoldlinden marriage, were able to recognise the genuine feelings that the couple shared towards each other.
Baroness Henriette's crude question prior to that shall be answered now without her having to test them any further. Despite that, Hagen knew that this woman wouldn't give up that easily. Her opinion and stubbornness wouldn't change so generously.
She would try to find a way to prove her stance, no matter how long it might take or which ressources she had to use up for. This wicked woman would certainly cause more nuisances in the future and he felt pity for Takane who had to deal with it along with Princess Yumiko.
Nevertheless, it was all part of the customs and traditions of the society that they were all born into.