Chapter 208: Snowfall
Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try getting over 500!
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Meanwhile, as shock began to spread out inside the large banquet hall after Chancellor Osborne declared his intent to suggest an engagement between two neighboring nations...
Outside of Valflame Palace, one by one, fancy orbal cars began to roll in. The sun had now set, and it was now evening. Yet the vermillion splendor of Valflame Palace seemed to light up ever further thanks to the orbal technology streaking across the city.
All of Dreichels Plaza could be seen sectioned off by barricades, with several RMP officers strolling about. There were some curious onlookers, but its not like they weren't used to happenings like this. Thanks to the arrival of the orbal cars driving into Dreichels Plaza, they could easily figure out the palace was holding an event of some sorts. Especially after they saw the orbal cars' doors open up, only to have nobles dressed in fancy outfits begin stepping out one by one.
On top of it being a practice ball for the crown princess, Princess Alfin, His Majesty took it upon himself to invite several influential figures tonight to host a real ball tonight, which would further act as a means of practice for the princess. Seeing real nobles dance with each other will also help ease the tension of it being a practice dance for the Princess, considering that she has not likely had her first dance yet.
Thankfully of those participating, His Majesty was relieved after hearing Liberl's Crown Prince accepted the invitation to be Princess Alfin's first dance partner, even if it was only meant for practice. He was someone the princess knew well, so he figured his daughter wouldn't be too nervous with all the noble guests arriving right now.
One after another, the orbal cars soon started to flood Dreichels Plaza. Noble families with their sons or daughters also came out, sporting fancy suits and dresses alike. It was not a masquerade ball to where one hid their faces with a mask, no one could be seen wearing masks right now.
However, as this first round of nobles began to make their way across the plaza and have their ids get verified by the couple of RMP officers stationed at the entrance to Valflame Palace, a singular fancy green orbal car began to make its way inside the plaza, eventually reaching its designated parking spot. Unlike the other cars, this one arrived a lot closer toward the entrance of the palace, which drew everyone's attention.
Like other nobles, the driver was a butler, and they proceeded out of the driver's seat, only to walk around to the other side to open the passenger door. It didn't take long before a blonde haired man and a blonde haired boy to step out of the orbal car, both sporting fancy green robes. If one looked closely at their robes, an insignia of a unicorn could be seen on them. These two figures resembled each other quite a bit, and on top of that they hailed from the same family, one whose influence spread throughout all of Erebonia.
After all, these two figures hailed from one of one of the Great Houses. The Albarea Dukedom.
The moment the younger boy of the two stepped out, he couldn't help but marvel at the grandiose of the large palace standing before him. At the same time his breath became visible as he let out a cold breath of air. Seeing his own breath, he proceeded to look into the sky.
It was no longer a starry night. Thick grey clouds started to slowly gather and roll in, not only above the palace, but over all of Heimdallr and its surroundings. It was well into the winter now considering it was December.
"It is rather a chilly evening, isn't it?", The younger blonde haired boy said, only to let his cheeks turn a bit rosy from the cold. As he said that, he observed the daughters of other noblemen wearing large jackets over their dresses to protect themselves from the cold as they made their way inside the palace.
"Indeed it is. It can get rather cold in the winter here in the capital. Don't go getting sick on me now, Jusis. After all, we've a ball to attend tonight, at His Majesty's behest no less.", The older blonde haired man said, revealing a playful grin at the younger boy.
"I can handle this much. You worry too much, Brother. I didn't think His Majesty would go out of his way to invite several noblemen tonight. The invitation letter that was sent mentioned that tonight was going to be more of a practice ball.", The younger boy said with a hint of confusion in his eyes.
"Ahaha. That is where you are wrong, Jusis. It is true that the main event tonight is a practice ball, but its other purpose is a social gathering for us nobles. His Majesty is quite impeccable with his timing, considering it is the dawn of the next century. It is a nice way to celebrate the new year. And on top of that, I hear there is a foreign emissary here in attendance as well.", The older man said as his playful grin turned into a smile, only to proceed to step out of the green orbal car himself.
"A foreign emissary is attending the ball tonight? Who?", The younger boy asked as interest started to grow in his eyes while ignoring the cold air around him.
"An acquaintance with whom I've met personally in the past. He is a rather interesting fellow. Should the time come, I'll introduce you to him.", The older man said.
"Someone Brother has personally gotten acquainted with already? Now that can't be right. You've never spoken of this before back at the house.", The younger boy responded, revealing a frown.
"Hahaha I've merely not had a need to bring it up prior to tonight. Come now, Jusis. It seems most of His Majesty's guests have checked in already. We wouldn't want to keep His Majesty waiting now, do we?", The older man said, looking down at the younger boy.
As they appeared rather similar in
appearance, it was safe to assume they were brothers.
After all, both shared the name Albarea. The older man appeared to be in his early twenties now, one who Naoto has not met since the incident the two have experienced back in the Calvardian Waters. He was Rufus Albarea.
What made tonight different was that Rufus Albarea was not alone. He was not the only one to receive an invitation to tonight's ball. The younger boy beside him had also received an invitation. He was the spitting image of Rufus, but with shorter hair and a more stern look that took after their father. He was twelve this year, and was the same age as Rean.
This younger boy would also eventually become one of the main members of Thors Class VII in the future. He was Jusis Albarea, the second son of the Albarea House. He was wearing a fancy robe tonight to experience the practice ball, as would many other nobles would do tonight. And as his brother said, the event tonight would additionally serve as a social gathering, and perhaps a means to find a suitable partner. He was a noble as well, and they had different standards that matched to society.
Hearing Rufus say that, Jusis nodded his head.
"I agree. It should be starting soon. Let us head on in--?", Jusis tried to say, only to have his eyes get distracted by something. It wasn't some noise that another person had just made, but rather, his eyes glanced upward.
Slowly but steadily, the atmosphere around them had turned cold enough, allowing the water forming inside of the gray clouds above to crystallize. Snowflakes soon started to fall one by one, only to melt the moment the it touched the payment below the two. Still, Jusis couldn't help but reach his hand out, only to feel the coldness of the falling snow to strike against his palm.
"Snow...", Jusis said, marveling at the sight of the falling snow. The couple of nobles who were still on the bridge also looked up and enjoyed the sight.
"Snow huh? It is not uncommon to see it here in Heimdallr. Still, let us be on our way. Come now, Jusis.", Rufus said, trying to urge his younger brother inside the palace.
"Yes, Brother.", Jusis replied, only to nod his head, joining him as the two began to walk toward the entranceway to the bridge, eventually making their way inside Valflame Palace themselves...
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[Insert picture of Jusis Albarea here]