Chapter 4- Doing some swimming

In the year 2031, Earth's modernization and technological advancements have enabled the seamless integration of artificial intelligence into daily life.

Autonomous vehicles dominate the streets, smart homes and wearable devices optimize health monitoring and daily routines.

Renewable energy sources have become the norm, significantly reducing the carbon footprint and promoting sustainability.

However, amidst these ongoing global changes, the focal point remains the Arinphiam Empire.

While the world has embraced various forms of governance such as republics and democracies, the Arinphiam Empire uniquely combines a feudal system with modern governmental structures.

As the world moved away from old systems to adopt democracies and republics, the Arinphiam Empire retained its Royal family, supported by a private army of individuals possessing supernatural abilities.

Though concrete figures and methods to verify their loyalty and identities were scarce, their presence posed a significant threat to the current government.

Despite modern weaponry and nuclear options to eliminate the Royal family, historical attempts resulted in the sudden deaths of high-ranking government officials within an hour of such declarations and orders were made.

Consequently, the government was compelled to negotiate a treaty with the Royal family on equal terms for mutual existence.

According to this treaty, all nobles fell under the jurisdiction of the Royal family, independent of governmental oversight.

In cases involving both citizens and nobles, a jointly established court by the Royal family and government would adjudicate.

Upon signing the treaty, all assets of the nobility were consolidated under a single kingdom, compensated with stocks, money, and gold by the newly established system.

Henceforth, nobles would manage only their wealth and lands within a designated territory under the Arinphiam Empire.

The Arinphiam Empire comprised three kingdoms: Arinphium (Royal Kingdom), Thaloris (Kingdom of Thaloria), and Free Cities (ordinary citizens).

Thaloris was allocated to nobles based on land, assets, and mines valued at their 1972 asset rates.

Over time, hereditary titles lost value relative to the actual wealth held by each noble in the present day.

For example, the wealthiest noble after the Royal family in the Empire is Marquess Avendial Croceaus, with a net worth of 13.2 trillion Imperial Crowns (1 IC = 1.50 USD).

His vast wealth spanned diverse sectors, including expansive agricultural estates, cutting-edge technology firms, and lucrative mining ventures.

Additionally, he held a substantial stake in the Empire's renewable energy sector, further solidifying his financial influence.

Following the traditional feudal system, the Empire regularly organized gatherings for the nobility in Arinphium, the Royal City.

These events provided opportunities for noblemen to convene, interact, and engage with one another.

Similiary today on 13th January 2031, a gathering is also organised inside one of the royal palaces of Arinphium, Royal City.

In the northern reaches of the Royal City, where heavenly architecture of various palaces belonging to royal heirs reigned supreme, one magnificent palace stood out among the many surrounding it.

Tonight, under the full moon's brilliance, the palace glowed with an enchanting yellow light, accentuated by the presence of several luxurious cars filling its surroundings.

The hustle and bustle of tonight's gathering added to the atmosphere, making the princess's palace a captivating sight under the cover of night.

The moonlight lent an ethereal glow to the palace's opulent exterior, adorned with intricate carvings that mirrored delicate patterns on its marble surface.

Towering pillars of the finest marble framed the entrance, each standing as tall as 15 metres and cool to the touch in the gentle night breeze.

Inside, the vast halls were bathed in the moon's soft light filtering through tall windows.

Instead of golden chandeliers, ornate candelabras cast flickering shadows against walls painted in deep indigo and midnight blue, evoking an aura of mystery and refinement fitting of princess's taste.

Outside the palace walls, a tranquil lake mirrored the starry expanse above, its surface rippling gently in the breeze.

Lanterns, suspended from ornate poles, cast a warm glow over the scene, illuminating clusters of elegantly dressed figures engaged in lively discourse.

The air was filled with the soft murmur of conversation and occasional bursts of laughter, punctuated by the clinking of crystal glasses and the tinkling of silverware as servants moved gracefully among the tables, attending to the guests' needs.

The scent of exotic flowers mingled with the aroma of delicately prepared dishes, creating an atmosphere that whispered of opulence and refinement.

Just a few meters away from the gathering of noble men, two figures, unnoticed by any eyes, made their way to a garden brimming with bushes and trees, offering them concealment from the guests engrossed in tonight's events.

"Are you alright, Rivia?" Avendial asked, his gaze shifting to the woman whose fluttering purple locks in the breeze momentarily obscured his view as he guided her to sit behind a tree, propping her back against it before his eyes settled on her swollen ankle.

"Yes, Master, I am perfectly fine," Rivia replied impassively with her amethyst eyes meeting his calm and composed gaze which seemed to be analyzing the severity of her sprain.

"You'll need a few days' rest with this," Avendial remarked, his gaze shifting to the swollen ankle, a consequence of their fall from the second-floor balcony.

'....' His eyes narrowed as he scanned the garden where the party was in full swing, searching intently for a particular individual.

'There you are,' his gaze relaxed with them finally settling on a man some fifty meters away. A cold glint flashed in Avendial's eyes before they turned cold, his gaze briefly flicking over the opulent surroundings. 'Seventeen servants, twenty-eight soldiers, and two Empyreals.'

After assessing the entire area, he turned back to the woman beside him, her expression unreadable. Avendial glanced at the bedsheet in her hands, realizing she must have fetched it from inside to ward off the night's chill.

"Rivia, we can't risk being seen. Stay here until I return, alright?" Avendial leaned in, whispering urgently, his eyes locked with her impassive gaze as he nodded for emphasis.

"I understand," Rivia replied quietly, her fingers gripping the bedsheet tightly as she lay there, dressed only in that thin white shirt.

Avendial gently took the bedsheet, unfolding it and draping it over her, then straightened up.

"Once we're back at our estate, there will be heads to roll," Avendial declared grimly, his words carrying the weight of inevitable death for some of the betrayers. Rivia gave a blank look seeing his clear sharp gaze prompting her free hand to clench tightly around the hilt of her sword, concealed beneath the cover of white bedsheet.

"Patric Vrandin," Avendial muttered, his gaze fixed on the gathering of noblemen. A killing intent flickered in his eyes as they landed on a man in a velvet suit, who was all smiles while conversing with other distinguished men.

Avendial's attention shifted to the large table arranged in the middle, laden with various food items and teas, served to several elegant ladies who exuded a noble and calm aura. A woman draped in an enchanting dress sat at the head of the table.

His eyes then turned towards a lake a few meters away from him, situated nearby the gathering with a small smile forming on his face.

----

In the center of a garden filled with several noblemen engaged in conversation—some seated at round small tables, others on luxurious sofas—a group of noblewomen gathered around a large round table adorned with a variety of cuisines.

"Lady Margaret, you look as beautiful as the moon," remarked a woman in a red gown, her fan delicately poised in her hand, directing her words across the table. She nudged the woman seated beside her for agreement.

"Indeed, Lady Margaret is absolutely charming, much like my little hammy here," added the woman next to her, one hand cradling her chin while the other played with her cute, small hamster, following the lead of her nudging companion.

"Heh, that's a polite way of describing someone with a face marked by dark spots like the moon and as chubby as a hamster," Lady Margaret responded with a wry smile. She sat gracefully, her figure gently curving beneath the snug fabric of her dress, which emphasized her mature charm and confidence. Her presence was distinctive, not adhering to conventional noble standards but exuding a confident allure that hinted at a life enriched with experience and wisdom.

"Wh-what, no! You are truly beautiful, Lady Margaret!" Both women exclaimed, startled by how Margaret had misunderstood their words. They stood in their places, eager to clarify their intent and avoid any misunderstanding.

"No, it's alright. I am just a little hurt, nothing more," Margaret replied calmly, her voice carrying a softness that masked her feigned hurt.

GASP

Both women gasped in shock, realizing how their innocent compliments had been misconstrued.

At 34 years old, still unmarried, and having made a name for herself as Baroness Margaret in the perfume business worldwide, Margaret was undeniably beautiful and worthy of praise.

"Come now, Margaret, don't toy with their fragile hearts."

Suddenly, a soft, melodious yet composed voice drew all the women's attention to the head of the table. Their gazes fell upon an elegant sight—a woman with yellow pupils and blonde hair, seated gracefully. Her white-gloved hand traced the handle of her teacup before she lifted it delicately to her lips, taking a soft sip as her deep eyes finally settled on them.

{A/n: Illustration of Princess Katheria Arinphiam}

"Princess, you've just disrupted the entertainment," Margaret smiled, leaning forward with her chin resting on her palm, her eyes flickering between the two women who were still blinking in surprise at having been fooled.

SPLASH

'?!!'

Suddenly, the sound of something splashing into water captured the attention of everyone present at the gathering.

The princess remained calm, savoring her tea without acknowledging the disturbance. As she brought the cup to her lips, her hand paused upon hearing a voice.

"Wait, is that Marquess Croceaus?!"

'.....'

Raising her eyes, Katheria turned towards the lake, following the gaze of everyone around her. There, she spotted a man with no upper body clothing, soaked and swimming in the lake on this chilly night. His distinctive white hair and serene blue eyes left no doubt in her mind—it was Avendial Croceaus.