162 Eriss Advice (1/2)
Eris walked over to him and patted him on the back.
”Pretty stressful, isn't it?”
”For you, too? Have you never met with the Emperor before?”
”Just because I'm royalty in my kingdom does not mean I can meet with a magician king every day.” Eris just shrugged while shaking her head. ”Plus, I'm weaker than you so I feel even more intimidated in front of them. As the rulers of this Empire, they really do not hold back when it comes to their aura. They have an image to upkeep, after all. Us, weak subjects, will probably just have to endure the hardship.”
”Haah... I'm just glad that no one else can hear you. Is it not bad to speak about the imperial family so nonchalantly?” Greyson just looked at her speechlessly.
”Well, if you don't tell, then I won't. S-E-C-R-E-T~, right? Hehe.” She winked at him jokingly.
Feeling tired just listening to her, Greyson only rolled his eyes with a sigh.
”Anyways, aren't you looking just fetching tonight? I guess it's as they say, clothes make the man. I think your beauty may surpass mine.” She smiled with a slight rascally feel.
Choked by her odd compliment, Greyson just did not deign to answer her. Ignoring that, he finally took a glance at her wear today. In order to compliment her dark blue hair and blue-grey eyes, she wore a mostly white dress that was decorated with light blue frills. Although she could not be called the most beautiful, her soft features were brought out by her formal outfit.
”I could say the same for you. I always see you in pants and dressed to fight with your hair just tossed up lazily. You look much more ladylike today.”
”Hm... that won't do, though. All those beautiful maidens tonight will miss out on my charisma. Such clothes really do not bring out my charm.” Frowning, Eris did not seem pleased by Greyson's rare praise.
Once again at a loss for words, Greyson just side glanced at her. Before they could continue their conversation, a servant came to lead them all to the ballroom for the banquet. Although he did not want to follow at all, Greyson knew he did not really have much of a choice in the matter. Not going would be opposing the Emperor's will. He just had to stay for enough time to not be rude which his teacher told him was after the first couple of dances. Since he did not know how to dance, he would just have to enjoy the food and watch on the sidelines. Nodding to himself, he approved of this plan. Since this was a party held by the imperial family, the food would definitely be delicious! Thinking of this, a smile formed at the edge of his lips and his eyes sparkled a bit more excitement.
”Oh? What's got you feeling happy all of a sudden? You did not really strike me as the party type. Oh wait, don't tell me... Greyson, you. I did not expect you to be such a romantic guy. Are you excited to meet all the beautiful noble ladies, as well?” Elbowing him while smirking suggestively, Eris interrupted his thoughts.
”What are you talking about? I'm looking forward to the food! The FOOD!” Blushing suddenly, Greyson felt shocked by her words and accidentally shouted loudly. Feeling that he spoke too loudly, he glanced around and saw that everyone including the manservant were glancing at him in confusion. Keaton did not forget to add in his disdain. Gritting his teeth angrily, Greyson turned to glare at Eris who was barely able to hold herself up from the floor laughing. Refusing to pay any more attention to her, he picked up his pace to walk closer to the servant leading them.
”Aw, Greyson, no need to be shy.” Eris teased from behind. But Greyson just pursed his lips in annoyance and did not respond.
Under the lead of the manservant, the group quickly arrived in front of large double doors. There was a man waiting outside with a thick staff. When he noticed our arrival, he asked for our names and family. Before we entered, he slammed the staff into the ground twice. Two loud thumps echoed as he began the introductions:
”Presenting. His Highness, Prince Braiden.”
”Her Highness, Princess Aphina.”
”His Grace, Lord Keaton Mendenhall.”
”His Grace, Lord Trevion Vervan.”
”The Right Honourable, Earl of Hildebrand.”
”Lady Eris Whitstone.”
”Lady Tatyana Dawnbrow.”
”The Honourable Collin Meleldred.”
”The Honourable Cherell Ashtree.”
”and Mister Greyson.”
Upon finishing the announcements, the doors swung open and we were all led down a grand staircase leading to the ballroom floor. Greyson took a small gulp when he saw all the faces staring up at them. He did not know if his was his imagination or not, but it felt like the majority of the eyes were focused on him. Thankfully, his panicked expression was well hidden underneath an expressionless facade. Only if one looked closely into his eyes could they tell that his pupils were shaking slightly. He did not realize that Eris had already glanced over at him and hid her chuckles behind her fan. Legs slightly stiff, he slowly made his way down the staircase with the rest of the group. For the first time since meeting them, he starting feeling a little self-conscious of his status as the rest of them all looked so graceful and well-practiced. He was, at most, an educated commoner who understood manners and basic etiquette. Before he sunk too far into his own thoughts, he felt a warm hand wrap around the crook of his right elbow. Startled, he turned his head and saw Eris grinning at him.
”Lighten up! It's really not that big a deal. These people might look very fancy, but underneath their pretty smiles are people with primitive brains who can't think much past lust, greed, and power. The girls are stare at you because you are too handsome while the men hope to rope you into their family. Lust and power, simple right?” She whispered to him under her breath.
”Pfft. Ahem, ahem.” Turning his head away and trying to containing his laughter, Greyson tried clearing his throat. However, this time he did not feel angry and instead looked at her gratefully. His shoulders relaxing and a polite smile on his lips, he started to walk with a bit more confidence without paying any attention to the stares. Soon, they reached the floor and Eris pulled him over to a relatively unseen corner of the room. Teacher Leilena told him earlier that finding such spots was the easiest way to pass the time peacefully.
”Thanks for earlier.” He started first.
”No problem at all. I was frightened at my first ball, as well. I feel like there were definitely some people who were hoping for a show since they did not send anyone to teach you the basics. Typical of them.”
”I did learn some of the basics from my teacher Leilena. Speaking of, I thought only the daughters of Dukes and Marquesses were called 'Lady', but you are a princess.”
”Ahh... it is a little confusing. Our Country's system is rather confusing. The Moon Empire came into being after many separate kingdoms in the Snow Country were unified under our first Emperor. The First Empire sent his closest relatives and subordinates to take over the kingdoms. Even your Idris Kingdom used to be the Ancient Kingdom of Mesia, but that royal family had a coup d'état occur so the previous Emperor sent his nephew to take over and change the name. This is why the royal family of Idris still holds onto the last name Yce. When these kingdoms were conquered, the Kings were granted secondary titles as Dukes. So, your King is also the Duke of Idris in the Moon Empire, as my father is the Duke of Maewen. The Tier 1 Kingdoms are duchies, Tier 2 Kingdoms are either marquisates or earldoms, and so on and so forth. In the Maewen Kingdom, I am referred to as a princess. In the imperial capital and its surrounding land, I am seen as Lady Whitstone, daughter of the Duke of Maewen.”
”I do remember hearing learning that the Moon Empire was first the Moon Kingdom and that it was the largest and most powerful ancient Kingdom.”
”Yes, they conquered the rest of the kingdoms in order to rule over the entirety of the Snow Country. However, they mostly stay within the bounds of the old Moon Kingdom and our kingdoms are just subordinates who pay taxes. Our kingdoms are still rather autonomous.”