7 Fiancées (1/2)
He could hear the voices through the door to the parlour.
It was impossible to make out the words, but he could tell when his mother spoke from the odd stress she placed on her vowels. She wasn't from the Empire, which had been a minor scandal for the House at the time, and her accent was distinct enough that many treated her as an outsider at Court. It was probably why his father spent so much time away from the capital. As a capable officer, there were many positions in the Ministry of War that he could have been assigned to, but he seemed to be content with his relaxed lifestyle.
A tap on his shoulder made him focus and Chen gestured at the guards who stood beside the door.
Nikolai frowned at their amused expressions, he'd been standing here for some time, appearing hesitant and indecisive. The elder guard grinned sheepishly at his furious expression and just shrugged. As expected of the soldiers of Volhiniya, they cared little for formalities, or respect. At least, not showing it openly.
With a deep breath he gestured to them and one slipped inside to inform the chamberlain of his arrival. His mother had been clear on how he was to present himself initially.
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”Niki, you can behave as you like after the engagement but until things are settled you are to act like the person people think you are.” She'd lectured, looking down at him. He'd been forced to kneel and listen, glowering at his father who was struggling to hold in his laughter.
”What does that even mean?”
”Don't whine and just act like you do whenever you meet the Emperor.”
”Get dragged off to play drinking games?” he'd quipped. The Son of Heaven was very fond of liquor.
”In public Niki.” She had let out a long-suffering sigh.
”Fine I'll behave.” He sulked but Eva had just snapped her fan on his head and sent him away with a wave.
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”Count Nikolai Morales of Volhiniya, Defender of the Empire, War Mage of the Emperor, by grace of the Fates, Lord of Storms.” The chamberlain declared.
”Did they add more?” Chen murmured and Nikolai grimaced. He'd never liked having so many titles. The actual list was longer, but he'd managed to ensure that they used the short form or the chamberlain's tongue may have fallen off. They were a gift from the Emperor and had been granted in Court as a reward, which meant that they were recorded on a register somewhere in the palace and as such a matter of record. Knowing the Emperor, Nikolai was sure it was just a prank to saddle him with innumerable obscure appellations until he was afraid to even approach any event that had a whiff of formality.
As if he needed more reasons.