As the herald's words echoed through the corridor, I moved forward with deliberate strides, the repetition of his message serving as a reminder of the significance of this moment.
The grand doors swung open, and I stepped into the vast hall, my footsteps measured and composed.
The room was abuzz with anticipation, every eye fixed on me as I entered.
The air was thick with tension, the silence almost palpable as I made my way through the crowd.
I met the gazes of those who watched me with a mix of curiosity, disdain, and indifference.
Many of the nobles regarded me with disdain, their disapproval stemming not only from my past struggles with addiction but also from my diminished status within the royal family.
With my mother, the connection to the Aenarion clan, gone, I was now merely the son of a deceased concubine, viewed with suspicion and contempt by my own family.
As I scanned the room, my gaze settled on my siblings and the three dukes seated in the designated area for the ducal and royal houses.
I noted the presence of the dukes from the Mendea, Vermillion, and Silva families, while the Ainsworth family was noticeably absent.
My attention had been drawn to their empty seats instinctively, driven by Ryuk's emotions, which had immediately sought out a particular individual – Marianne Von Ainsworth.
I approached the dukes, who offered me a courteous bow and exchanged brief pleasantries before returning to their conversations.
I then took my seat alongside my siblings, my eyes scanning the room as I settled into my position.
As I settled into my seat, the herald's voice once again filled the hall, but this time, it was tinged with an air of reverence.
He dropped to his knees, his words dripping with solemnity. "Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, it is my utmost honor to announce the arrival of the 58th emperor of the United Human Empire, the ruler of humanity, and his queen. Emperor Rayregalia Vers Heidal and Queen Elizabeth Von Heidal."
The hall fell silent, and every head bowed in unison as the assembly dropped to one knee.
The princes, princesses, and even the mighty dukes humbled themselves, their faces downturned in a show of respect.
This was no mere courtesy; it was the law. No matter one's station or position, when the emperor entered, all bowed in deference.
The grand doors creaked open, and the emperor and queen made their stately entrance, flanked by an escort of knights, each a formidable warrior of at least level 7.
Their deliberate, measured pace was a calculated display of power, a reminder to the nobles that imperial law would be upheld, regardless of their individual strength or status.
As the emperor approached, he first addressed the dukes, his voice commanding.
"Acknowledged, you may rise." The dukes nodded and stood, their faces expressionless.
Next, the emperor turned to us, his children, and said, "Rise, my children." We stood, our eyes fixed on our father.
I glanced around, noticing that the knights had dispersed to various points around the hall, a subtle yet unmistakable show of force.
The emperor then turned to the assembled nobles, his voice booming through the hall. "You may rise, loyal servants of the empire."
The words hung in the air, and I could sense the tension emanating from some of the nobles.
A few clenched their teeth, their faces twisted in annoyance, while others rose with indifference.
It was a stark reminder that the empire was forged through conquest, its history marked by the subjugation of countless nations and cultures.
The surrendered royalty had become the lower-ranking nobles of today, their ancestry tracing back to kings.
It was little wonder that some of them bristled at being referred to as "loyal servants."
I couldn't help but wonder what had driven my father to use those particular words, and what message he intended to convey.
Father settled into his throne-like chair, its gold plating glinting in the light.
The queen took her seat beside him, and the banquet continued, with many nobles – counts, viscounts, and barons – paying their respects to him.
While some wore veiled smiles, others seemed genuinely pleased to show their deference.
As the evening wore on, the herald's voice boomed through the hall once more. "Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, it is our pleasure to announce the arrival of the saintess of the Holy Church of Lumina, Lady Olivia Linnet Luminous."
I turned from the food section, where I had been sampling the delicacies, to gaze at the newcomers.
The Church of Lumina, remnants of the Holy Empire of Lumina, had a complicated history with our imperial house.
As I watched, a group of individuals clad in pure white and silver armor entered the banquet hall, led by a woman who radiated an aura of immense power.
I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized she was likely a level 9, at the very peak of her abilities.
The saintess, Lady Olivia, approached the royal section, her knights and priests following closely behind.
As she reached the steps leading to Father's chair, she knelt on one knee, her head bowed in respect.
"The Saintess Olivia, as well as the priests and paladins of the Holy Church, greet the Chosen Emperor," she said, her voice polite and measured.
I raised an eyebrow at the title, "The Chosen Emperor." It was a name the Church of Lumina had bestowed upon the emperors of our lineage, a notion born from their attempts to rationalize their defeat at the hands of our ancestor, Vestaq.
They had convinced themselves that Vestaq's bloodline was blessed by their goddess, Lumina, and that we were chosen to lead humanity into a new era.
However, in the game, their stance had shifted with the emergence of Jason Hunt, Lumina's new hero.
The Church had initially joined forces with the empire to hunt Jason, but upon discovering his true identity, they had switched allegiances, supporting him in his campaign against our imperial house.
For now, though, the holy region remained a stronghold of imperial support, and the Church's animosity toward us was temporarily veiled behind a mask of courtesy.
"Acknowledged. You may rise, Saintess," Father replied, his voice snapping me back to reality.
The Saintess Olivia rose graciously, offering a slight bow to the queen before mingling with the dukes and other nobles.
I returned to my drink and the delectable food, savoring the flavors as I observed the interactions around me.
As the guest of honor, I was soon approached by various nobles, who exchanged polite conversation with me.
While their words were laced with courtesy, it was evident that their interest was superficial, driven by a desire to curry favor rather than genuine connection.
Just as I was navigating these polite exchanges, the herald's voice boomed through the hall once more.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Duke of the Northern Region, Duke William Von Ainsworth, and his daughter, Marianne Von Ainsworth, heir to the dukedom."
My attention was drawn to the entrance, where the Duke and his daughter made their way into the hall.
The Northern Region, governed by House Ainsworth, was notoriously lukewarm in its support for the empire.
In fact, they were often considered the least loyal of all the regions. And now, here they were, with the Duke and his daughter, Marianne Von Ainsworth, the main heroine of the game, taking center stage.