All people, regardless of family, background or status knelt down.
And the whole hall was filled with only four loud words.
"We Greet His Majesty!"
The roar was deafening, amplified by the high-vaulted ceilings of the Nave.
The King stood at the balustrade, motionless. He didn't smile, and he didn't thank them. He simply scanned all of them for a few long, agonizing seconds, letting the weight of his presence settle into their marrow. Finally, he raised a single hand,
"At ease!"
The tension lightened and All the people stood back up.
Its a Good thing that there's no old man with chronic knee problems in there.
"And! Here comes the Moons and little stars of the Regulus empire!" The butler announced.
Why did he announce the king's arrival like a grand monarch while the announcement of our arrival sounded like welcoming some traveling idol group celebrities ?
Are we that much of a background character ?
Anyways, after his announcement, we, the royal members went out and stood behind the king.
All the people gave us a slight bow.
...that's quite the difference in treatment.
I looked at the king. He is standing at the edge of the gallery, his shoulders broad and his posture impeccable with confidence, looking down at the people, at his 'loyal' subjects.
But gotta say, He really does have the 'main character' energy.
Turning my attention from the king, I looked at the people down there. I spotted Marquis Sterling with a woman and girl on his two sides.
Oh. Our eyes just met.
*****
"Daddy! Can I go to the food service and try the desserts ? Please!" Sophia, my daughter asked.
"Not now, Dear. Wait for just a little. Once the greetings of royals are done then we can go." My loving wife, Selena said.
Just when I was enjoying the scene of my wife holding back my daughter and Sophia pouting like a little kid, which she actually is, I heard someone calling out to me.
"Marquis Sterling!"
It was my 'old friend' Marquis Moraz. He was approaching us.
Selena noticed him too.
"...I will take Sophia to look at the food items." She suggested.
"Really? Yay!" Sophia exclaimed in joy.
Selena took her hand and led her towards the nearest food item stalls.
As I was looking at their figure walking away, Marquis Moraz came near me.
"It has been a while, Marquis Sterling." He said.
"It has. That is, If you really consider three months to be a while." I said with a sigh.
Despite being an old acquaintance, I can't talk as freely when dealing with high ranking civil servants.
"Haha, three months huh... It's been that long ?"
This noble man is a high ranking official of the ministry of war and defence.
He looked in the direction where Selena and Sophia went, "I am quite envious of you, Marquis Sterling. I wish my wife were as preceptive as yours"
I doubt it's her considerate nature that you're envious of.
But despite not being from a department that is connected to business And money, i can't afford to be relaxed in front of this man.
Since this man has a lot of connection to the departments that really are of concern to any businessman.
"You are a lucky husband, Marquis-no, Andras. I know that I need not remind you, but cherish her. Selena, take care of her."
And this man is quite well known for not leaving grudges behind. So, no one dares to get on his bad side.
But, I am lucky that he doesn't hold a grudge against me for Selena.
"You have what I always wished for. Since she chose you ....keep her happy. Please" his voice sounded almost pleading.
Has he still not moved on ? For the love of Goddess Elria, it's been more than two decades already!
He says the same thing almost every year.
"James, we're at the new year party." I reminded him.
James, Selena and I were in the same senior course. And both of us were her suiters.
There were times when other noble kids called the two of us crazy.
After all, two Marquis heirs pursuing the same one girl from a lowly viscount, was indeed something crazy in high noble society.
But what could we have done ? Selena was just that charming!
There were even times when she was bullied by other girls because of us, but thankfully we always succeed in protecting her. Or at least... most of the times.
But in the end, maybe it's thanks to me meeting with her earlier,
Or because of our time spent together during childhood,
Or maybe, because of our two family's connection, I had emerged as victorious.
Sophia is the proof of that.
"Oh... yes, yes. Sorry. I must apologize," James muttered, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "I sort of get a bit emotional when it comes to her. It's a weakness I haven't quite managed to purge yet."
I can see that.
I looked at him, feeling a strange mix of pity and respect. Even after being in a political marriage arranged by his house, he still has not let go. I cannot even call him pathetic, because if the roles were reversed, I might be the same.
if the roles were reversed—if I were the one standing in the cold while he held Selena's hand—I'd likely be the same hollowed-out shell of a man.
"Stop hurting yourself, James. For your own sake, forget it," I said, in a low but firm voice.
"...it's not exactly an advice that i can so easily accept, especially when it comes from you, Andras," He said with an empty smile touching his lips "But... I should. Yes, I should."
You say that each year, dear friend. every single year.
But, for now, lets change the subject. we Can't have a war ministry official shed tears now in the middle of the New Year's Ball, can we ?
"So, How is everything at the workplace ? at the ministry ?" I asked in an attempt to divert his attention.
"Oh! You know, you can see all that in the newspaper, can't you ? The headlines are quite fond of our department lately" He composed himself and answered, his voice regaining its professional tone.
good, it worked. the Attention diversion for a workaholic is work itself.
"I have," I replied, swirling the wine in my glass. "But they don't always tell the whole story, do they ? They don't always capture the... nuance of the situation."
James took a slow, deliberate sip from his wine glass, his eyes scanning the ballroom over the rim.
He smiled a little, "haha! Indeed they don't. But this time," He took a sip from his wine glass and said in low voice "the news is mostly true."