06) The Halls

1st January 1348

[POV: Edessak Augustus]

It's been a whole year since I had transmigrated into this world. I had already gone from a vulnerable prince surrounded by schemes and plays to a valid member of the extraordinary world who had enough strength to defend his own skin. However I'm still as vulnerable to those who truly possess reality bending power as I was a year ago. This fact became more prominent as I entered my father's office, it was no different than a year ago, when for the first time I my father's strength. Although I had grown our gap remained the same, I was a worm back then and now I was a slightly larger worm, rather I could now feel his control over the domain of disorder better than I could last year. He gave his typical smile and offered me seat, as I sat down I greeted him, "Good morning Father, Backlund is awful as always","Indeed Ed, however it does break my heart that you hate your father's capital that much, I hope a romantic honeymoon with your wife in hill station will fix that?" he said cheekily, however I struggled to maintain a polite smile on my face, "What are you trying to achieve father? You're well aware that both Eldest brother and 2nd prince are her suitors, is it discord?", he looked deeply at me and then smiled and explained "You still have much to learn, you need to 'judge' this situation better" as he said that, the narrative clicked into place in my mind and I felt a chunk of my potion being digested as I truly judged what was going, "So it was never about us or her, it's about the Hall family, you want use us as a wall to prevent other suitors from approaching her, and in turn preventing her marriage to another house, thus preventing the Hall family from gaining a stable ally...

You're Scary "

"Now you know how to judge, don't be sad you did learn something from this experience" he said cheekily and then continued "Now then, The Hall family is throwing a ball/banquet on 30th, You'll be visiting that. All five members of the Hall family would be attending the occasion, you'll be judging their actions and submitting your report to Lieutenant General Pantek, it will be your first mission as a Brigadier General, and yes you're getting a promotion now. Then here's your remuneration in advance" he said as he handed me a golden box which obviously held the Sequence 5 Discipline Paladin characteristic and supplementary ingredient. After giving me hints about acting as a Judge, he allowed me to take my leave, with me returning to my mansion while overthinking my plans to increase my contribution and exchanging it for demigod characteristics.

30th January 1348

[General POV]

As guests mingled waiting for the beginning of the banquet organised by the Hall family in this pleasant evening, a few noticed the gathering of few aristocratic Lords who followed the lead of Earl Hall and Duke Negan, as the group reached the entrance, the hall became rather still. As the figure of a rather tall man appeared on the entrance, Earl Hall along with Duke Negan bowed gracefully at his presence followed by their followers alongside the rest of guests, even those few who weren't even aware who he was, felt as if their natural instinct to obey the young man who was dressed in a simple gold-black aristocratic outfit, only after the young man shook hands with the Earl and Duke, did the hall came out the trance and realised it was the 3rd Prince Of Loen, Brigadier General Edessak Augustus, Deputy Director of MI9 and Team Leader of the Balancers.

[POV: Audrey Hall]

I found this banquet no different than others. It was same as always, however it was slightly different as none of my 'suitors' were bothering me today, I didn't really understand why? my mother noticing my obvious ignorance explained to me that all three princes had expressed interest in marrying me and thus warded my suitors, but also hastily explained to be nice to the princes as it was likely a plan by the Royal family from the Hall family gaining permanent allies, even if it was just a conspiracy I was still overjoyed by the fact that I would be free from the annoying dance offers atleast for sometime.

As I was spacing out thinking about how I can finally be free along with lovely Sussie who wasn't even a week old yet. The mood of the whole hall changed, I have always been good at observing, so when I looked around I saw everyone bowing towards the entrance, as I looked towards it, I saw a young man who was slightly older than me, but my father along with Duke Negan were bowing graciously towards him, the man smiled extending and shaking his hands with all present Lords around him. Hmm...slender Blue eyes, he was definitely not the crown prince, so the 3rd Prince? the moment I reached my conclusion, my father loudly announced his presence as if everyone hadn't noticed yet, " The House Of Hall is honoured to welcome His Highness The 3rd Prince Brigadier General Edessak Augustus"

So was Viscount Glaints's friend right? if so he must really be a strong extraordinary to terrify all other extraordinaries. Well, technically he's my suitor maybe I can ask him about mystical power and how to gain them? 'C'mon Sussie my friend, let's gain a superpower!' i said in my heart and started to approach the Prince who conversing with ladies who were trying their best not to jump at him, however I quickly noticed something amiss, when I looked over I found my source of horror, my mother! she was approaching me menacingly after obviously noticing Sussie with me even after already telling me that I'm not supposed to bring 'hunting hound' in a ball, the woman doesn't get it she my friend, thus I began my elaborate escape plan!

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