Thales did not know the order of the Constellatiate nobles' banquets, but at least from this royal banquet, which was hosted by him in name, the Constellatiates' table etiquette was much better than that of the Northlanders.
The banquet was still at the seating stage, but the people exchanged pleasantries in an orderly manner. Men and women sat intertwined and interacted appropriately and naturally. The servants and attendants came and went in an orderly manner. The guards kept a low profile and almost invisible. Even the clowns and minstrels played appropriate music and performed in moderation. They never crossed key areas and disturbed the guests.
Thales could not help but recall the banquet hosted by King Nuven in Heroic Spirit Palace. He could not help but feel sorry for Little Rascal for a second. But then he remembered that Little Rascal's life and death were unknown, so his teasing moment of silence turned into complete gloom.
"His Majesty is here!"
"Long live the king!"
"Long live the queen!"
The king's entourage entered the hall. The originally quiet Mindis Hall burst into an uproar. Greetings and discussions came one after another.
"May you be healthy!"
"God bless Constellation …"
"Congratulations on your reunion with His Grace the Duke …"
It was as if there was a huge whirlpool in the banquet hall with King Kessel at the center, full of power and irresistible. It sucked in all the guests, from honorary counts to hereditary barons, from invited officials to honorary conscripts, out of their seats like ants. It was only when they entered a safe distance and bumped into the unpretentious royal guards that they snapped out of their daze.
Many guests in the front row bowed respectfully and knelt down to salute, but proper etiquette could not hide their impatience.
"The Lechmurry Family of Donna River greets you …"
"Your Majesty, I represent all the members of the East City Police Station …"
"Move forward a little. Try to let His Majesty see us, but not too deliberately, lest we embarrass ourselves in front of His Majesty …"
"Your Majesty, do you remember Hazard from the Battle of the Altar?"
Thales watched all of this. He watched the guests surrounding King Kessel scramble to see him. They bowed from front to back, like rows of harvested straws.
Wherever the scythe touched, the straws fell.
Thales suddenly remembered the Dark Night Temple's play he watched when he was young. In the scene where the calamities descended, the actors who played the roles of 'kind people' on the stage also acted the same way. In the plot of the calamities destroying the world, they followed the tense and heavy backstage accompaniment and fell one after another in front of the strangely dressed 'calamities'.
The only difference was that after these "straws" fell, they slowly rose back up and tilted towards Thales in a barely discernible manner. They brought with them a restrained but complicated gaze.
King Kessel's expression was as usual, and his steps were steady. Beside him, Queen Keya nodded gently and smiled. Just like that, one silent and dignified, the other amiable, they walked forward hand in hand, step by step, towards the top of the two steps, facing the entire banquet hall, which was also the highest seat that belonged solely to the royal family.
Of course, not everyone was sucked into the 'vortex' caused by the king.
The Duke of Eastern Sea cum Prime Minister Bob Cullen sat at the long table on the second step with a smile, surrounded by the nobles of Eastern Sea Hill who were on good terms with him. There was an endless stream of central officials and important nobles who came to greet the Prime Minister. They exchanged cordial greetings and toasts as they patiently waited for the arrival of the king and prince. From time to time, they would exchange a few words of praise and exclaim that after the kingdom was gone, Constellation would prosper.
Duke Zayen Covendier sat opposite Prime Minister Cullen. Many of the junior bureaucrats and newly wealthy merchants who came to the long table with anticipation but could not muster the courage to meet the Prime Minister chose to express their respect to the young nobleman who owned South Coast Hill. Under the duke's encouragement, they gradually relaxed and chatted happily. When they left, they repeatedly praised the approachable, noble, and sincere Master of Iris Flowers.
In stark contrast to this table was another long table on the same step but much more secluded. The shackled Duke of the Northern Territory, Val Arunde, with his hair hanging to his shoulders, sat quietly at one end. He ignored the curious and probing gazes of those around him and drank by himself. Behind him stood a few royal guards who never left his side. Other than old acquaintances, only a few upright Northern Territory nobles and honorary conscripts who had fought alongside him dared to come forward to greet him.
At the other end of the long table sat the casual Duke of the Land of Cliffs, Koshder Nanchester. The owner of the Great Antler Deer had a cold and gloomy eye as he sized up the commotion caused by the king. From time to time, he would raise his glass at Duke Val, who was sitting opposite him. Many nobles with deep family backgrounds and close ties with the Northern Territory and the Land of Cliffs came forward to greet him, but compared to the Prime Minister and the Duke of Iris Flowers, this table could only be considered deserted.
In contrast, the third step of the table next to the Duke's long table was much more harmonious. The people sitting here may not be as noble as the guardian dukes and appointed counts, but they were still more important, such as the central political figures of the Imperial Conference, the various bureaucrats in Eternal Star City, and the important heads of the industrial and commercial industries.
And the hereditary landlords of the Central Territory, including the "Seven Jadestar Attendants".
"There are so many people, isn't there?" Baron Stone looked at the king expressionlessly.
"There are four dukes alone …"
Baron Stone paused for a moment.
He saw the young man who came with Princess Elise and laughed softly.
"Sorry, the five of you."
"Indeed, forget about the Iris Flower and the Sun Sword and Shield, as for the Great Antler Deer and the White Eagle, as well as many people …" At the same table, Viscount Adrian of Swan County expressed his agreement and sighed at Mrs. Barney across the long table, but his eyes were focused on her son and the "toy" in his hands.
"I thought I would never see it again in this lifetime."
"The return of the Young Lord, the stability of the kingdom is naturally unprecedented. Congratulations," Mrs. Barney responded with a smile that was watertight. She also urged her son, who was lowering his head to play with the nine-pointed star badge, in a low voice.
"Luther, listen to your mother. Put away the Duke's gift first. Look, there are so many fun things on the table."
On the other side, Doyle's father, Old Baron Doyle, turned his head and excitedly introduced to a market bureaucrat at the next table.
"So, this year's grain harvest in my territory is bountiful, and the granary is full … But you know, cheap grain hurts the farmers. If you can follow the law and do things according to the rules, when outsiders come to buy grain, set the local market price of agricultural grain higher … I mean, set it a little more reasonably … Oh, I see, I understand. After all, you have to do things according to the rules …"
"By the way, do you see the two guards behind the Duke of Star Lake? Pay attention to the more handsome one … Hey, that's my son, Daniel Doyle. He guards the royal family, is loyal, and is deeply trusted by Duke Thales … So, with him here, every time I come to Mindis Hall, it's like going home …"
"The big, serious-looking man next to him, that's Caleb Glover, a close friend of my son's who serves the Duke together, a brother! He's also Viscount Glover's half-brother … Which Glover? Oh, you know, the Viscount of Lake Mountain County, Lozano Glover, one of the Seven Jadestar Attendants, the mainstay of the Kingdom's Department of Finance … "
"Oh? What? You've changed your mind? You also think cheap grain hurts the farmers? You want to go back and re-check the relevant laws and adjust the pricing? Oh my, my lord, I really did not misjudge you! To be honest, I'm a man of noble character, and I don't usually look up to those mediocre and vulgar people. It's rare to see a good person like you who worries about the country and the people and does things according to the rules … Come, come, let's drink … "
As the king and his entourage approached, the lords at the noble long table stopped talking. They were not like many guests who were so excited that they rushed forward one after another without caring about their manners, but they still stood up from the long table and respectfully saluted the king.
"There's no need to bow, everyone." Thales watched the king walk through the center of the hall, up the slow stairs, from the most common seat to the dukes' long table, and listened to him speak slowly.
"If I wait for all of you to kiss my ring one by one, then we won't be able to start until dawn."
The king's tone was indifferent, but the weight in it lingered in the hall.
However, it made Thales' heart tremble. He subconsciously touched the back of his hand.
There was no ring there.
"Pay attention to your behavior." Beside him, Aunt Elise noticed his abnormality. Although she was smiling as usual, her tone was unusually stern, "Perhaps Jines can ignore it, but you …"
Thales only felt a tightness on his arm.
"You are a prince. Facing the entire kingdom, your demeanor, expression, gaze, tone … Every move will be infinitely magnified and over-interpreted."
Aunt Elise held his arm, but her words were full of power. Thales could not help but straighten his back and adjust his bearing.
"Put on your armor, or as Jines would say, raise your shield."
Thales took a deep breath and tried his best to make his smile natural.
Under the guidance of Baron Quentin, the Chief of Palace Staff, and Adrian, the Captain of the Royal Guards, the king held the queen's arm and stepped onto the highest table with great familiarity, then sat down leisurely.
Facing the guests and overlooking the hall.
Thales, on the other hand, sat down at the long table that was one level lower than the king's under Mallos and Gilbert's instructions. Aunt Elise and Jines sat on his left. Both of them cast him a concerned gaze.
A few meters away, at the next table, Zayen Covendier gave Thales a meaningful smile.
Countless gazes looked up and focused on the few people at these few tables.
The guests had different expressions and reactions, all of which could be seen from his point of view.
Of course, from the king's point of view, Thales' actions were presumably the same.
Thales listened to his own heartbeat, but very unprofessionally spaced out for a second. He suddenly remembered the memory from his past life. The moment he stood on the podium, all the flukes and fantasies you once had as a student would be completely shattered.
It turned out that for thousands of days, the teachers could clearly see all the little things you thought were hidden, low-key, and undiscovered, on the podium and under the table.
But they still pretended that nothing had happened, and continued to lecture patiently and smilingly.
It seemed that the students below the podium were good children who were listening attentively, weren't they?
At this moment, Thales maintained his smile as he quietly looked at the 'good students' in the hall, and suddenly had a realization about the height of the king's seat.
"Damn it, Zombie, sit there a little, or else the beautiful maids … I mean the attendants will not be able to pass when they deliver the food …" Doyle's gritted teeth came from behind him.
"This place is too narrow, is it really prepared for the prince? Even the banquets in the Barney family's manor are wider than this …
"Or do the attendants have no human rights …"
Next door, Mallos, who sat at the same table as Gilbert, glared at Thales.
Doyle's whispered complaints immediately disappeared in Thales' ears.
The banquet hall slowly turned from noisy to quiet.
The master of Eastern Sea Hill cum Prime Minister, Duke Cullen stood up from the table with a smile. He first reached out to stop the music, and then bowed to the king. His huge belly almost pushed the heavy long table back a few inches.
"Your Majesty, Eternal Star City has not had such a large royal banquet for a long time. This is a national event …"
But Kessel the Fifth just waved his hand lightly, and nonchalantly stuffed the Prime Minister's words into his mouth.
"I know why you are here.
"You also know why I am here."
The king's cold voice reverberated in the hall, and just like the countless Imperial Conferences he had attended, the temperature absentmindedly dropped.
"There is no need to waste time."
Prime Minister Cullen, who had obviously prepared a lot of opening remarks, choked.
King Kessel leaned back in his chair and said calmly,
"Let's eat."
In the hall, the guests who had come to attend the rare royal banquet and were looking forward to the festivities and enthusiasm were all stunned!
Huh?
At that moment, whether it was the composed nobles, the well-dressed ladies, the performers who were trying their best to make a name for themselves, or the guards and attendants who were trying their best to maintain order …
Everyone felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over their heads and faces.
The hall was silent, and the atmosphere was extremely awkward.
Princess Elise, who was beside him, sighed, while Gilbert, who was next door, furrowed his brows.
After a few seconds of silence, the hall began to fill with endless whispers. The guests whispered to each other, almost like buzzing bees.
Duke Cullen, on the other hand, was dumbfounded and somewhat at a loss.
Thales felt the atmosphere around him, and could not help but turn his eyes and subconsciously lowered his head.
Damn it.
Father Kessel.
I've underestimated you.
You're the strongest atmosphere killer in the kingdom!
But, speaking of atmosphere killer …
If only Duke Fakenhaz was here. As boring as he was, he would definitely know how to answer.
Amidst the noisy buzzing, the guests had their own discussions.
"You know, Kessel wasn't like this before …" Aunt Elise leaned close to his ear and explained awkwardly in a low voice,
"Maybe it's because the royal family hasn't held a banquet for too long …"
At the table of the Seven Jadestar Attendants, the old Viscount Patterson ignored the horrified looks of his two nephews and snorted disdainfully and disrespectfully.
"No matter how many years have passed … even with the crown on, that kid's speech is still terrible.
"I guess when he's about to bed a woman, this is what he says: Let's do it."
These words made the guests at the same table a little embarrassed, and they all laughed without saying a word.
That was until Viscount Adrian responded appropriately.
"Concise, efficient, and straightforward.
"His Majesty is indeed our role model."
Viscount Patterson snorted softly, his voice sarcastic and unclear.
"Us?"
On the other side, Baron Stone turned around and nodded expressionlessly.
"Us."
At the distant table of foreign guests, Administrator Jorge from the Northern Deer City had a gleam in his eyes.
"This king has guts …"
The bearded man chuckled, ignoring the gazes of the people around him.
"Damn, I'm starting to like him."
The scene lasted for a few seconds, until Duke Cullen sighed and coughed violently a few times to quell the situation of the gradually rising discussion, and began to earnestly persuade again.
"Your Majesty, but according to convention, you need to make an opening toast at the beginning of the banquet …"
King Kessel slowly raised his head, as if he had just woken up from his contemplation.
"Is that so? I almost forgot about it. "
Duke Cullen nodded and smiled.
"That's right. Think about the banquets you attended when you were young, right? Many of them were held here …"
The king narrowed his eyes, his voice as heavy as ever, making people unable to help but look serious.
"But it wasn't my turn to give a speech then, was it?"
The Duke of Eastern Sea shuddered.
"Your Majesty, this …"
His face was pale, his lips opened and closed, but he still could not continue.
Thales could not help but sympathize with Duke Cullen, who had to pay attention to his public image while also taking care of the king's reputation, and was left speechless.
When he thought about how this poor fat grandpa was actually the prime minister, and how he would probably be put in a spot by King Kessel at the Imperial Conference every day …
"Alright."
King Kessel snorted softly. He let the poor prime minister off the hook, and looked at the table one level lower.
"Child, you're here."
Thales met the king's gaze, and subconsciously, according to his instincts from his etiquette training, nodded at His Majesty in response.
The etiquette was perfect, and the smile was appropriate.
To show one's loyalty.
But …
Huh?
After a few tenths of a second, the young Duke of Star Lake came back to his senses, and his smile froze.
Wait a minute.
What did he say?
Come, come what?
The next moment, everyone in the hall turned their gazes towards him!
They were like countless swords that shone with a cold light, and they were all over Thales' body.
Duke Cullen exhaled and sat down shakily.
The king lowered his head again and played with the glass of wine in his hand, as if everything that had just happened had nothing to do with him.
Thales was aware of the current situation.
He turned back numbly and saw Queen Keya's expectant gaze, Jines' surprised and worried gaze, Gilbert's anxious expression, Mallos' thoughtful expression, and countless …
"Thales."
The smile on Princess Elise's face did not diminish. She was as calm as ever, but she pushed his arm under the table, and a few syllables as weak as mosquitoes emerged from her lips.
"Quick, don't hesitate, give a speech.
"Anything."
After a few months of training, Prince Thales instinctively stood up without anyone's reminder.
Thanks to Jines' etiquette lessons, his posture was elegant and his expression calm.
Only Thales himself knew that it was all fake.
At this moment, the Sin of Hell's River was desperately helping him stabilize his body's reactions, from his joints, muscles, blood vessels, heartbeat …
He was like a pitiful plasterer who was panting and running back and forth, tearing down Peter to repair Paul, but still could not stop the house from leaking.
Thales took a deep breath, desperately maintaining his calm smile, and frantically racked his brain.
No, a speech, what speech?
Is there such an item in the program?
It wasn't mentioned during the banquet rehearsal!
Thales twisted his neck stiffly, but in the eyes of others, he appeared to be calm. He raised the wine glass beside him that was filled with wine that he did not know what it was, and he did not have the time to know.
He looked at the pairs of eyes in the hall that were filled with all kinds of emotions: doubt, curiosity, anticipation, fanaticism, schadenfreude …
The Sin of Hell's River was a little at a loss. It kept changing back and forth, but it still could not figure out what its master wanted at the moment. Explosive power? Speed? Endurance? Agility? Senses? Balance?
Or the courage to fight to the death without retreating, kill everything in front of you, and only stop?
Thales tried his best to suppress the Sin of Hell's River, which gradually became fierce because it could not find its target.
After all, this was not a battle of life and death.
Thales smiled worriedly, raised his wine glass, nodded slightly, and cleared his throat to stall for time.
'No, this is much more difficult than fighting.
'Fighting? Taking care of opponents like the Star Killer, the Raven of Death, the Legendary Wing, and the Knight of Judgment?
That's a piece of cake, okay?
(End of this chapter)
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