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(3rd Person POV)
The royal carriages had finally reached the Agriche Estate.
It was a magnificent estate spanning several hectares, with strong defences, numerous soldiers and extravagant buildings.
A place worthy of a ducal family but still paled in comparison to the Aula Regia, the royal palace.
Aston Phoenix, the crown prince of the Phoenix empire came out of the carriage with his assistant Panem and butler Edmund.
Aston was wearing royal clothes made of pure silk, laden with magnificent colours and pure gold linings, while both Panem and Edmund were extravagantly dressed as well appropriately justifying their noble upbringing.
He glanced around the estate as his eyes darted into every corner of the 270° view it had. He leaned towards Edmund and whispered softly, "Have you stationed members of Tenebres Squad throughout the Agriche territory?"
Edmund replied in the same low tone, "Yes, my lord. I can call on them with just one signal. Appropriate instructions have been given to them as well regarding any situation they might face in the future."
"Good. I have a feeling that this visit might be the flap of a butterfly that would start a storm."
Hearing that, Edmund recalled the simmering tensions in the noble world for the past few years.
After a chuckle, Aston moved in front and the other two walked behind him.
When he came in front of the gateway, he was met with soldiers of the Agriche straight and in a respectful posture.
They opened the gate and announced with extreme gusto, "All hail the honourable crown prince of the great Phoenix Empire!"
Announcing that, they moved aside and allowed the group to enter the Agriches.
On entering, Aston was met with several servants in front of him including an old butler, possibly the head butler.
The head butler bowed in front of Aston and said respectfully, "I welcome the crown prince of the empire into the Agriche Estate. Let us take care of your belongings. I will guide you to your rooms please."
When Aston saw the welcome and the absence of all Agriches in it, he had one thought in mind.
'So, the Agriches still want to retain their measly pride by not showing up for the crown prince? Let's see for how much time they can do that."
The three of them walked into the estate with the head butler of the Agriches, Anthony who was leading them in the Agriches estate.
They could see many people looking at them.
Several maids passed by who blushed on seeing the crown prince itself. It always intensified whenever Aston gazed at them with his enchanting smile.
It was the dream of every bachelor woman to view the crown prince and dream of the hope he might become their price on the white horse, though, from a survey run by the bards of the empire, 96% of married women said that they would leave their husband and kids for a night with the crown prince.
Many butlers bowed their heads under the pressure of seeing such a high-ranking person in front of them but they also had a shine in their eyes as they recalled his feats of valour.
Several Agriches saw him and nearly every one of them had a unique reaction to it.
There was a person who had lots of muscles but he looked like a dunderhead. He was glaring at the crown prince, unknowingly digging his grave as Edmund had noticed the apparent animosity.
One of the wives of Lant Agriche looked at him and had a gleeful, crazy smile as well as red blushing cheeks as she mumbled something to herself.
Along with the Agriches, Aston also noticed the underworld forces in the estate.
There were probably 50 high-class assassins throughout the way he walked and probably more than 500 all over the estate.
He just smirked at the pathetic level of the display of forces by the Agriches. Given that these were not even half the forces still it was pretty bad compared to the established forces under the crown prince.
The trio were guided to each of their respective rooms and then informed that the head of the Agriche was currently busy somewhere and would meet them during the dinner.
Three of them rested in their rooms while they waited for dinner.
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It was almost time for the dinner banquet. The table had been properly prepared with exquisite and extravagant dishes. The people from the Agriche who were participating in this dinner were the head of the house, Lant Agriche along with the people who had the privilege of dining with him, Roxana Agriche and Jeremy Agriche.
Dion Agriche also had the privilege but he had been sent somewhere for a mission.
The Agriches had already been seated excluding Roxana who was ordered by her father to come after the crown prince entered the banquet.
This was one of the tricks used by the nobles to try and disrespect the family visiting them.
Lant feared the crown prince but apparently, it was not enough considering he was looking for ways to grab the weakness of the crown prince.
The reputation Aston had made was the foundation of his whole status in society if even a couple of Aston's exploits came out and it was widespread among the nobles as well as the commoners, the consequences would be unimaginable.
This tactic by Lant was to try and find the chink in the seemingly impenetrable persona of Aston.
Aston Phoenix accompanied by his butler Edmund walked towards the dining hall.
Panem had already been served food in his room as the first dinner was designated with the crown prince and his closest aide only.
Aston told Panem that he could come to eat with the Agriches if he wanted to but Panem hurriedly denied that request. It wasn't a big deal for the crown prince to break such flimsy rules of the noble society.
He said that this was the first meeting of the crown prince in the Agriche house and allowing a low-class noble along with others could hurt Aston's chance of getting the upper hand in any negotiations that might want to talk in.
Aston smiled at Panem's thoughtfulness and moved along with Edmund only.
It was time to meet the Agriches.
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(End Of The Chapter)
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