4.6

Night came with the rising of the stars and the sky spilled in ink. It wasn't dark anywhere in the capital, the streets were busy with the most diverse stalls for people, the animation of families enjoying the event and the festive atmosphere all over the place. The Victory Celebration festival was taking place, while the nobles had the feast in the palace at night, the commoners enjoyed games and tasty food just to celebrate.

And for James, that's what he wanted to be doing, hanging out in the streets while eating caramelized apples and playing a few games of tents, experiencing the festival he'd never been to before. However, he couldn't. He had the damned feast, in his words, to go to, just for being part of the nobility and being in the palace. He understood that this was part of the Celebration, but he still felt a little frustrated that he couldn't escape as he wanted.

In his view, the banquet would be like the party he had in the room next to where the awards took place, but only for the nobility and much more formal, that is, more boring.

He didn't do much at the party that took place, he was near the dessert table eating and talking to Brandon the whole time and he didn't complain about it, it was fun. But in a place that had to follow etiquette much more rigorously than usual, he wasn't much to his liking, especially since he couldn't bring Brandon to talk to him.

Although his mother says he could make friends with some other children who would also go there with their families, after all it was a tradition for the whole family to go there, it did not create any expectations. He saw some noble children at the party, there weren't many, most should have gone home and only the parents or representatives stayed, but it was still a considerable amount. And they all knew each other and formed groups.

Their groups were closed and it didn't seem very easy to enter and talk to such people, even more so that some cared about their status and demanded that they behave in such a way. As he saw it, the less he wanted to talk to them. He liked to act a little more comfortable and saw no need to address himself by titles with those who are his age when not fully in the political world.

They looked like replicas of their parents, creating connections for when they were adults. It wasn't friendship, even if they knew each other from a young age. It was just a superficial relationship to get what you want.

Also, James wasn't the typical kid who was sociable with other people.

To his family, he was a good-natured, adorable, sincere boy who cared for them a lot. For employees, he wasn't the worst of masters and he didn't mistreat them, it was how his family sees them too, people who work for them and deserve respect as much as they do. However, to strangers, his face was cold and didn't show the slightest bit of goodwill; being polite and restrained, drawing a boundary for the other person, particularly those he didn't like.

So, him having to be in a place where a crowd of unknown people were was not something he wanted.

His parents would have to move away from him and walk around the hall, to talk and socialize, usual tasks of the nobility on a date. Just like his parents, his older brother, Ferion, would do the same, even more so for having participated in the award, so he had to meet even more people than them. And about Phillip and Johannes… James didn't want to side with two lovebirds who almost claimed to love each other at all times.

All in all, going to the feast was nothing to get James excited about. However, her assumptions that he would stay with the couple were shattered when her mother asked to follow her across the room.

"Stay close to me and don't go too far. We'll go to my friends first." Countess Claire said.

"All good."

In James' assumption, he didn't take into account that Phillip had no intention of taking him and Johannes with him and that his mother would think about it too. The engaged couple would talk about various subjects with other nobles and the focus should be even more on Johannes, since it was practically his official debut in the high class, and the earlier party was just the entrance. It would be much easier for him to stay with her, as normally in this type of place it is more common for the ladies to stay in one place talking, while the ladies walk, dance with their partners and enjoy the feast.

They both walked over to a well-placed table with seated ladies happily chatting about the latest gossip. All were ladies of high nobility and well refined, which was possible to assume by the aspects of their looks. The dresses they wore were so elegant and well designed that it was obvious the fact that it was made by a major design in the capital and that it was made to order. The earrings and necklaces were worth more than a few hundred gold and they were beautiful.

"Claire, you're home." A woman with honey brown hair said when she saw her coming. She looked at the boy who accompanied her and the purple hair denounced that it was the son because they were identical to the mother's curls. "And he must be your son. With that purple hair like his mother's, it's James." She smiled at him. "Hello."

"Hello, Marquise Maliart." He bowed in greeting. "And good night ladies too."

"Oh, it's so polite." Marquesa Maliart turned to Claire. "Your son is well brought up."

"Thanks for your compliment, Mary." Claire smiled.

Marianne Maliart was a childhood friend of Claire. Both met because their parents made arrangements together and whenever they visited the other's home for business, their daughters would play around and naturally form a friendship, so even though one has risen to the position of Marquise, Claire still called her by her name. nickname after their reunion.

James took it all in and looked at the other ladies at the table as well. All of them have been seen in their studies and all are at or above the rank of countess. He also knew them due to the fact that they were friends of his mother and that she had spoken a little about her youth with them. Just by seeing how her mother was doing and the others too, it was obvious they had a good relationship and it was different from the way she saw the children's "friendship" at the party earlier.

"And what were they talking about? They seemed very excited when I was coming over." Claire asked, handing James some pastries to eat as she chatted.

The women at the table looked at each other and smiled, then one with blond hair began to tell.

"You heard about the Marquis Rannon's treason scandal, didn't you?" She received a nod. "The marquise decided to get a divorce and filed suit. She threw him out of the mansion they lived in with nothing but a pair of underpants and forced her knights to throw him out in the street." She let out a laugh. "He made a tremendous mess, but it came to nothing. It seems that his lover, the maid, abandoned him and ran away. Now, he kneels in front of Rannon Manor asking for forgiveness and saying he is sorry."

"Isn't that shameless?" Said one with black hair, Countess Ginus. "He cheats and only when he loses everything does he regret it. He still has the nerve to ask for forgiveness."

"He just misses the money." Marianne responds. "Who doesn't know the rumors that run through the streets that he enjoyed himself libertinely? Even more his expenses, there is no noble who doesn't know that he bought things as if they found them on the ground."

"His expenses must be even greater than Countess Veloir's."

A loud laugh broke out. The blue-haired woman who laughed nodded at her friend's speech.

"I don't doubt it. But it's amazing to surpass even the lady of the Veloir. Isn't she the richest man's wife, after all?"

"Yes."

"In fact."

All agreed with this fact. What lady in the Yulard empire doesn't know the legend of the Countess Veloir, the one who walked with carts loaded with gold and emptied clothes, luxury items and others from different stores just in a show of wealth? Noble ladies love luxury, but even they find such a move too extravagant.

"But we all have to agree that the Marchesa Rannon was very merciful. I could have sworn she was going to cut his toy with a sword." The blonde, Marquise Lanus, spoke.

"Not me. A few injuries at most. We know she's a tough rider, but she's not one to do that."

"I just hope she gets over it." Claire said, smiling at her friends. She was very fond of the Marquise Rannon.

Marquise Barbara Rannon is a knight of the empire who has made history and is the symbol of many women who want to join the army and serve Arthorius with his sword, along with Vanessa Kaloz. Its existence is the hope that women will be seen in the same light as men in areas that are predominantly male. Her skill alone was enough to defeat almost all soldiers and knights in her time, with the exception of those in key positions, who were very talented.

And now, the same woman is suffering such an occurrence due to her husband's sins. She should have been furious, because at the time of her marriage, who didn't know that it was just a family arrangement with a prominent family at the time.

All she could do was hope that everything worked out for her.

"Well, what do you think of the new Celestia? The mercenary the emperor recognized."

"He's handsome. Oh if I were twenty years younger." Countess Ginus spoke, drawing laughter.

"Must be very skilled. He looked serious."

"I wonder what made him refuse the emperor's proposal? Does he have a mistress?"

"My husband didn't say anything about him being married." Marquise Maliart said. Her husband was one of the commanders sent to Torzik.

"I also haven't heard from my kids that he was with anyone."

"Perhaps…" The blue-haired Duchess Uersth muttered, drawing everyone's attention. "Not that he has a mistress, but a lover?"

"A man? It's possible."

"If that were the case, I understand why you turned it down."

"It indicates that he has more conscience than some nobles who steal the youth of the poor women who married them just to hide it."

"If true, the troupe of those who don't like it will definitely jump in and create a fuss."

Marchesa Lanus clucked her tongue, frowning. "As if it would be of any use. He is a Celestia, he has no way the emperor would give up his strength just for the confusion of those hypocrites."

"Besides, he isn't noble and isn't as prejudiced among commoners as he is at court."

"This is a fact." Claire spoke and smiled. "Anyway, I'll support him if they make a fuss and do something against him."

"Me too." Marchioness Lanus smiled at Claire.

The women soon agreed and also expressed their support and laughed, focusing on further conversation.

James, the one who was overlooked and eating the most desserts at the table, silently watched the ladies' conversation. In his mother's speeches, he was even surprised sometimes by her way of thinking, which was different from what he supposed she thought. It made him reflect and fall into his thoughts as he ignored his surroundings.

*

The palace hall used by the palace for banquets and balls on special occasions was large, as large as the main hall of the temple. The place was adorned with such luxurious decorations, the chandeliers were made of mana crystals and the whole area was well lit, in addition to being filled with the most distinguished furniture, so well preserved and designed, worthy of being used by royalty and available for use by the nobility.

Musicians played in a place further away from the center and the greatest hits of songs came out of their instruments, enlivening all the guests, in a low and harmonious melody, while no one from royalty has yet come and danced.

The guests were all nobles, with a few barons, but with more viscounts and earls, all with their families well dressed and prepared to demonstrate the best situation of the house. They were the upper class of the Yulard empire. But all of them were always surprised by the decoration of the palace when they came once more. Especially the younger ones, who had never set foot there before.

And Johannes was one of the people who had never set foot there, even though she was no longer young or noble.

With her white dress that went down to the floor, his arm sleeves went to her wrists, filled with silver details that made her beautiful and charming to those who saw her. His blond hair had green details to decorate it and match his deep eyes along with the wide white smile on his red lips. She looked like a fairy, but she also had a seductive charm that was pure, but not so innocent.

She was beautiful. She was beautiful.

The men in the hall were drawn and the women looked at her, studying her, and each of them wondered who the beautiful woman was that walked the banquette. They had never seen her before and were sure she wasn't a noble of the kingdom. They estimated that she was a foreigner, but even so, they did not fail to admit that she was beautiful.

They looked to the side and saw a man in black attire, matching the white of the beautiful angel, who walked with his arms crossed and with his chin up and an arrogant smile on his face, as if he was proud to walk with her at his side. He was soon recognized by those he has contact with and with whom he spoke at the party earlier.

Soon, the ladies also knew who he was and were surprised to learn that the one beside him was the woman he had brought from Torzik. Phillip Miller had made himself famous in noble gossip for having brought back a woman from the defeated nation, though he was not the first to do so.

A slim man of average height approached the two with a smile on his face. He displayed a kind and welcoming, good-natured aura, and wore a green haute couture outfit. He had green hair and eyes the same color, with his dark skin and freckles on his face. He was the first son of the Charsvelt house, Charles Charsvelt, a not very prominent political and not very relevant earl family.

"Sir Phillip, how good to see you." Carlos greeted him. "And nice to meet you, miss, my name is Carlos Charsvelt."

"Lord Carlos, I must say it's good to see you too." Phillip smiled the same way. "This is my fiancée, Johannes Attwater."

"A pleasure to meet you." Johannes showed a fake smile often used in his performance. It gives the impression that it is real.

"I see that Sir Phillip has chosen the right woman to be engaged to, for such is your beauty, Miss Johannes."

"Thank you, Lord Charles is handsome too." Carlos nodded and turned to Phillip.

"Sir Phillip, I would like to discuss with you about…"

Johannes was beside Phillip and Carlos as they both talked, but she was looking away, ignoring them. She grabbed a glass of champagne and drank, watching the other guests walk past them, smiling and nodding, and chatting among themselves. It was a little annoying for her, as the two men argued about various subjects, seeming more like Charsvelt wanted to find something in common with Phillip to have a friendship.

She could tell from afar that the man was looking to ingratiate himself with the Miller family now that prestige had risen thanks to Ferion's earlier award wins. Her years of acting experience have taught her to see through such cheap acting with ulterior motives. She didn't despise him or anything for acting like that, she just didn't understand how someone who is from the nobility could leave their intentions, feelings and thoughts exposed on her face.

If she could tell her purpose, then those who have a little talent and experience in the game of courtly masquerading could see it at a glance and use it to their advantage.

Phillip was one of them, she knew he was aware of the objective of the man in front of her, but still she continued to talk to him. She didn't know who the Charsvelts were or if it was an important family, however, if she hadn't heard of it as one of Yulard's leading families or their tutoring, then it wasn't of much importance. Surely Phillip was only continuing because he didn't want to offend him.

Looking around her, she panted around the room, pausing with interest at a spot where a few people had gathered around a man with orange hair and a polite smile. His whole posture was lazy and she didn't seem to want to deal with all those nobles, looking a little uncomfortable. She looked at him for a few seconds and focused her attention on something else. It piqued some of his curiosity about why so many people were around him, but it wasn't that many.

A sip of the drink went down his throat and a farewell was made by Charsvelt, walking away from the couple. She turned to Phillip, bringing her face close to his ear and wanting to ask. To those who saw this, it looked like she was kissing her fiancé in a kind of affectionate way, creating quite a few buzz in a group of ladies who saw it.

"Hey, why are those people around the one with the orange hair?"

She was curious and Phillip looked up the situation she said. He saw it and widened his eyes, understanding who it was. He moved closer to her ear to answer. The action wasn't really necessary, but it did give the impression that the two of them shared a secret and that they were pretty close. That was ideal for him.

"He is a Celestia of Yulard, Hulys Nattier, son of Duke Nattier, the minister in charge of the country's army." He said to her. "He is known as a lazy young man who is very lively and foul-mouthed. He does not respect the rules very much. He is the eldest son and was supposed to be the heir, but he passed the place to his younger brother, who is more capable for the position. "

"Is he one of the four? Where are the other two?"

Johannes was surprised to learn that he was one of the four Celestias of the Yulard empire. Of course, she was aware of how many Celestias the Yulard empire would have under its territory, this was public knowledge among the people of any nation, because it referred to the military power of the country in question, in addition to being a wonderful thing for someone to be blessed by a be divine.

The four Celestias of the empire were, first, Grand Duke Noir, the Duke of Darkness, as he was known and arguably the most famous among the nations surrounding Yulard, for the tales of his skill and cold-blooded murder. The second was the captain of the Royal Army, Vanessa Kaloz, the Silver Sword, a female knight who made her name under the king's banner and fought fiercely for her position. The third was the Great Mage who lived in the Magic Tower, Azen Telf, a genius wizard who created useful spells and some remedies for illnesses. And finally, it would be Hulys Nattier, the Orange Lightning, because his power is related to electricity.

Hulys was the least famous and youngest of the four. Not much was known about him other than that he was noble and that his powers were orange in color.

"Dame Kaloz must be on her watch and the Great Mage couldn't have come, he lives in the tower." He replied, based on his knowledge of the Celestials.

Neither of them knew the truth that both the Emperor and the Crown Prince were Celestias, as the Imperial family was hidden from this fact.

"Hmm. Should we go there too?"

"There is no necessity." He said, ending the conversation and greeting another nobleman who approached the two. "Hello."

After the conversation with the nobleman, others came, all with the same purpose, with the same intentions, and among them even women came, wanting to talk to Johannes about his origins and others to charm Philip with their charm. Johannes would raise an eyebrow at scenes like these, wondering how such girls had gotten so brazen. However, she couldn't say anything since even men had hit on her with Phillip beside her.

Both moved away from the center and went to a corner of the hall, next to a banquet table. Phillip was tired of smiling so much at those who struck up a conversation with him. Gods, he really would rather hold and move his sword a thousand times than be at these social events. The problem is that it was necessary. A sigh escaped his lips.

He looked at Johannes who didn't show any discomfort or discomfort with having to walk and stand for a long period of time. She didn't even look tired. He, who has a body trained to be resistant, was like that, how could she not? He was curious.

"Are not you tired?" asked.

"No." Simple answer. "The banquet is even lighter than the theater reception. There we not only had to entertain the nobles and commoners who came to see the play, but also perform afterwards, so I'm used to that. It doesn't affect me too much."

"I understood."

"Is tired?"

"No." Pride in her didn't let say it was for Johannes. "I can endure hours of battle, a feast is nothing to me."

She looked at him and nodded, ignoring his puffy chest. "Alright then, get ready, your father is coming for us."

Count Ivan approached the two. He wanted to introduce both his second son and his bride to one of his faction friends. The two could do nothing but go on for another round of smiles and high fives.