The day of the Emperor's royal banquet had finally arrived, and Nolan Anderson could feel the weight of the occasion pressing down on him. His father, Duke Alpheus Anderson, his mother Eve, and his siblings were bustling around the estate, making their final preparations. The mood was charged with a mixture of anticipation and excitement as they prepared to represent the Duchy of Andrew at one of the most prestigious events of the year, attended by nobles and people sitting of higher statuses and positions in all the institutions from around the empire.
Nolan stood in his room, adjusting the cuffs of his deep blue and silver embroidered suit, especially made for the day. It was the same one tailored specifically for the banquet, by the tailors his mother invited last time and now it seemed more formal than ever, as if the intricate details on the fabric whispered reminders of his new responsibilities.
"Nolan, are you ready?" a soft voice came from behind him. It was Eloise, peeking into his room with a warm smile.
He turned, his heart racing slightly. "I think so. Just a tad bit nervous about 'what ifs' like 'I say something wrong, or forget someone's name'?" It's not just Marduk pretending to be a young lad, he had only interacted with nobles and such as someone beneath him and turning into a teenager although a soul of 1000 year old hag inside his body is still that of a teenager and effected by the regular hormones and such, so being nervous is natural as well.
Eloise entered the room fully and gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry. We're all going to be with you. And if you ever feel stuck, just smile, be polite, and remember—everyone loves a good listener. You don't have to impress them with words all the time."
Elspeth followed close behind her twin, holding a small box. "And if things get really awkward, you can always excuse yourself to go to the refreshments table or compliment someone's outfit. That usually works," she said with a wink. "Oh, and here's something for you." She handed him the box, which contained a beautiful silver tie pin with the Anderson crest engraved on it. "A little extra touch of family pride and magic device, if you feel a situation going out of your hands just rub on it, who ever is closest to you among us will get to you."
Nolan smiled gratefully as he fastened the pin onto his tie. "Thanks, both of you. I just… I want to do well tonight."
"You will," Juno's voice rang out as he stepped into the room. "Remember what we talked about. You know the people to be cautious around, and you know who our allies are. But most importantly, don't overthink things. It's just a banquet, it might seem daunting at first when going through preparations but when you are in there it's not that big of a deal."
Nolan chuckled. "Easy for you to say."
Juno gave him a playful punch on the arm. "Just enjoy yourself. You're an Anderson. You'll be fine."
…
The Journey to the Royal Capital
Soon after, the entire Anderson family gathered in the grand foyer of their estate, ready to depart. Duke Alpheus was dressed in an elegant black suit with gold detailing, his imposing figure radiating authority. Eve Anderson, looking graceful in a sapphire-blue gown, was the picture of nobility. The twins, Eloise and Elspeth, had their hair styled in intricate braids, both wearing gowns of pale lavender that accentuated their beauty, while Juno wore a similar dark suit as his father, though with silver accents. Nolan felt proud to be part of such a distinguished family, a family with actual bonds, that he didn't have in the past life, the butterflies in his stomach wouldn't go away.
As they stepped into the gold and silver-plated flying car waiting for them, Nolan took a deep breath, calming his nerves. The vehicle was sleek and regal, a testament to the wealth and status of the Duchy of Andrew. The family settled in, and soon the car lifted off the ground, gliding smoothly through the air.
The view was breathtaking.
Nolan pressed his face to the window, marveling at the enormous domed cityscape beneath them. The capital was surrounded by a protective barrier, a shimmering forcefield that separated the bustling metropolis from the untamed wilderness beyond. Inside the dome, towering skyscrapers stretched toward the heavens, their golden spires reflecting the sunlight. Outside the barrier, vast forests and rolling grasslands extended as far as the eye could see, land ruled by the mysterious Beast Kings—powerful creatures that maintained dominion over nature.
"This is incredible," Nolan murmured, captivated by the harmonious blend of human civilization and the untouched beauty of the natural world.
His mother smiled, watching his excitement. "You've spent so much time inside studying or training. It's nice to see you enjoying the view. Oh I wish we could have brought you out a bit more since it's also good for you health wise." His mother was getting emotional again, he gave her a sweet smile and just that made her mode lift up.
Juno leaned over and tapped Nolan's shoulder. "The Royal Capital is even more impressive when you see it from above. Wait until we arrive—Majestica is one of the most beautiful cities in the entire empire."
"Majestica," Nolan whispered to himself, letting the name roll off his tongue. The royal capital was aptly named. From a distance, the city gleamed like a jewel in the wilderness, a monument to human achievement.
As the flying car descended toward the outskirts of the city, Nolan's awe only grew. The architecture was a mesmerizing fusion of ancient grandeur and futuristic design. Marble buildings with intricate carvings stood next to gleaming, modern structures made of glass and steel. Lush gardens and pristine parks filled the spaces between, and the streets bustled with citizens, all eager for the upcoming banquet. Flags bearing the imperial crest fluttered from every corner, signifying the importance of the event.
Arrival at the Mansion in Majestica
The flying car smoothly touched down at the Andersons' mansion in the heart of Majestica. It was smaller than their estate back in the duchy, but still grand and imposing. The white stone façade gleamed in the afternoon sun, and rows of immaculately trimmed hedges lined the pathway leading to the entrance.
As soon as they stepped out, a team of servants greeted them, bowing deeply.
"Welcome, my lords and ladies," one of the servants said. "Everything is prepared for your arrival."
The Anderson family made their way inside, where they were guided to their individual chambers to prepare for the banquet. Nolan's room was spacious and elegant, with tall windows that overlooked the city. A grand four-poster bed dominated the room, and several servants were already setting out his banquet attire.
A tailor approached, holding up the final pieces of his outfit. "Young Master Nolan, we'll help you change."
Nolan was a bit confused by this earlier when he was told that he would have some things about his outfit changed when they get there, but nonetheless complied, it seems some things are not finalized until you get into the Banquet.
Nolan stood patiently as they fastened his cuffs, adjusted his collar, and ensured every detail of his outfit was perfect. He could hear the bustle in the house as his sisters were being prepared as well, their maids applying makeup and perfecting their gowns.
In less than an hour, everyone was ready.
Eve Anderson descended the grand staircase first, her sapphire gown shimmering in the dim light of the mansion. Eloise and Elspeth followed, their gowns flowing behind them like water. Duke Alpheus appeared last, his tall, powerful figure commanding attention even in their own home.
Nolan felt a surge of pride as he stood among his family. They were a force to be reckoned with.
…
The Royal Banquet
The journey to the imperial palace wasn't long, and as their flying car approached, Nolan's heart began to race once more. The palace was a massive, breathtaking structure that looked as if it had been carved from a single block of pristine white marble. Towers rose into the sky, capped with golden domes, and the vast courtyard was filled with guests arriving from all over the empire.
When the Anderson family stepped out of their car, Nolan felt the eyes of dozens of nobles turn toward them. He held his breath, waiting for their entrance to be announced.
"The Anderson family, Duke Alpheus of the Duchy of Andrew!" a herald called out in a booming voice, announcing their arrival to the gathered guests.
As they made their way toward the entrance of the banquet hall, Nolan's heart pounded in his chest. The towering doors swung open, revealing a grand hall bathed in golden light. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting shimmering light across the room. The floor was polished marble, and the walls were adorned with priceless tapestries and paintings, each piece of art telling the story of the empire's history.
At the far end of the hall, seated on a raised dais, was Emperor Septimus himself, resplendent in royal regalia, his presence commanding the room. Surrounding him were his closest advisors, generals, and members of the imperial family.
Nolan's breath caught in his throat as he took in the scene. The hall was filled with nobles dressed in their finest attire, all mingling, laughing, and exchanging pleasantries. Some turned to greet the Andersons with warm smiles and nods, while others merely glanced in their direction, their expressions more guarded or dismissive. It was clear that not everyone in the room was an ally.
"Remember," Juno whispered as they walked, "keep your head high and your movements graceful. Confidence is key." Juno may look worried, with all the reminders he's been giving to his younger brother, but he was actually confident in him, although his brother may look tardy at times during his lessons, but he catch on fast enough that it made him think that he was hallucinating the earlier mess ups.
Nolan nodded, his nerves steadying slightly. As his vision adjusted to the bright lights, he scanned the room, trying to put faces to the names he had studied with Juno. There was Lady Seraphina Bright, her red hair cascading down her back as she charmed a group of young lords. Across the room, Lord Garren Voss stood with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze sweeping the hall like a hawk.
Nolan's mind whirled, but he managed to maintain a calm exterior. He had been preparing for this moment, and now it was time to put everything into practice.
As the family moved deeper into the hall, greeting acquaintances and making small talk, Nolan could feel the stares following them. His heart raced, but there was an exhilarating thrill beneath his nervousness. This was the heart of the empire, the center of power and influence, and for the first time, he was part of it.
He couldn't wait to explore it all.