Tynesday, 4th of Septimus, 470th Year of the Fifth Era

Josias stared in awe at the absolutely breathtaking Palace of Griffsroost. It was far more incredible up close than it was from afar. As if it were even possible.

He and his companions had departed the mansion along with Count Lorenz and the countess in the previous hour. The mansion wasn't too far from the palace, being located within the Noble Ring of Skysea. As its name suggested, it was the part of the city where mostly nobles resided. Them and a few obscenely wealthy merchants.

The Noble ring was protected by a second layer of walls, separating it from the main districts of Skysea. Josias was astonished at how rigidly the westerners organised themselves along hierarchical lines. It would take some getting used to.

Indeed, back in Goria, the King was afforded his own great hall, but it wasn't separated by any other kind of wall. And while the great clans of Goria also practiced the custom of keeping a house in the main village in addition to their own home villages, it wasn't like this. The nobles of Feldonia were truly making a statement.

But what took the cake was most definitely the Grifsroost Palace. The palace grounds were large and also enclosed by its own set of walls and a citadel. If Josias were to compare it to his home… It couldn't be compared. It wouldn't be far-fetched to say that all of Goria proper could probably fit into the palace complex alone.

The palace was named Grifsroost because it was said – way back when – the entire headland where the palace was located was a roost for griffins. Speaking of which, it was then and there did he finally get to see the legendary Griffins.

Circling above the palace, he could see about a dozen griffins flying. Riding them were knights armed in more 'archaic' looking armor, complete with crimson red cloaks fluttering in the wind. The beasts' wingspans were also large, like that of eagles. Their caws and cries in contrast sounded like hawks.

"If we were to face men riding beasts like that in battle, how'd you reckon we beat them?" Johannes mused as he was also in awe at the sight of the beasts.

"Well, they can't just keep on flying forever." Mateus said "The beasts would have to land eventually. If not them, then their riders."

"Yes, but when?" Sadrach scoffed "They don't even need to face any warrior on the ground. They can just drop rocks or shoot at us from way up there."

Josias' focus remained on the flying griffins, but he still gave heed to all his companions' comments. It was then he noticed Hesekiel silently motioning towards the flying beast, as if he were holding an invisible arquebus. Josias chuckled as he saw that.

"Lae Hese's right." Josias turned to his other companions "If they shoot at us, then isn't it obvious? Just shoot back."

His other companions laughed at the absurdly simple answer he gave. Obviously, it was rather easier said than done. If they truly had to face a nation like that in war, dealing with flying opponents would be a huge problem to solve. But aren't those the most fun kind of problems?

"Gentlemen, I think we should focus back on what we're supposed to be doing here." Serena called out to the others as she tugged on Josias' arm. Josias' other companions were also similarly being held onto by their wives. Well, his married companions at least.

Josias and Serena had decided that for this particular occasion, it was best for the children to be left at the mansion. It was for the best as Josias couldn't risk the children making any innocent offense to the king of such a powerful nation. While Serena wanted to bring Tiur along, it wasn't fair to leave Togar behind.

At first, the two children were devastated. Tigor even threw a tantrum, saying he wanted to see the griffins. The usually cool little Tiur also threw a fit. They eventually calmed down when the countess led them to a room filled to the brim with all kinds of neat trinkets. Tigor was immediately drawn to the toy collection while Tiur marvelled at the mansion's library. Josias had to give it to the countess, she knew how to handle children.

In addition to lessons on etiquette, the countess also afforded them all new sets of clothes. Josias already thought the clothes he wore coming to the mansion were a lot, but the ones he had on right now? Absolutely ludicrous.

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But it was even more absurd for the ladies. They were given dresses so showy and opulent, they could perhaps feed a family for a year on one dress alone. Safira and Ruth were absolutely ecstatic at all the finery. Typical Hutabaru women… Although, he'd be lying if he said it didn't make the ladies – his wife particularly – look absolutely drop-dead gorgeous.

Following the count and countess' lead, they entered through the large doors, into the main entrance hall. Going through those doors, it was like they had passed into the New city of Eresalamme, promised by God in Revelations.

The floor tiles looked so polished, Josias could see his and the others' reflections on them. Silver chandeliers lit up the hallways, giving light to the various paintings, suits of armour, and other such opulent decorations. Such a display of wealth was a statement of power.

There, Count Lorenz introduced them to a few officials of the palace. Most notable among them was, of course, the Royal Steward of Grifsroost. In addition to being the king's steward, he was also a high noble in his own right.

Count Geoffrey Blaise de Andraville of a place Josias couldn't even begin to imagine how to spell. Regardless, he was a noble of the same rank as his wife's uncle, so undoubtedly an important person.

Count Geoffrey had briefed them all on the feast that was about to be held. It was intended as a more private audience with the king, his family, and his closest courtiers and advisors.

Apparently, the king wanted it to be a huge feast to showcase Josias and his companions to a broader audience. Luckily, Count Lorenz had politely asked the king to hold off on such a spectacle, citing budget concerns and lack of time for the planning.

His wife's a uncle was truly a saviour. Josias couldn't even begin to imagine what he'd do in front of all the prominent nobles of Feldonia. He'd be like a monkey put in a dress to dance. An admittedly funny, but no more pleasant of an experience.

Back home, Josias and his companions had already discussed with the count on what their titles would be to announce their arrivals. They spent the greater part of the day deliberating on that. But, they eventually settled on appropriate titles for each of them.

Though it wasn't a general audience, there were still dozens of important nobles and officials there. As such, their presence had to be formally introduced with protocols. With that in mind, Count Geoffrey had led them to the grand dining hall of the palace.

Count Geoffrey cleared his throat before he knocked upon the doors to the dining room. After the doors were opened by guards from the inside, the count had entered before making a few announcements there.

Josias could hear him preparing to introduce them in. Beforehand, Count Geoffrey had made them stand in a line according to the order in which he'd call them. The first to be called in were Count Lorenz and his wife.

Josias could feel his wife tightening her grip on his hand. He looked to his side before smiling at the clearly nervous Serena.

"Don't worry, hasian. They'll all be in rapture at your beauty, I'm sure of it." Serena silently nodded as her grip only got tighter. Her gaze was focused towards the dining room's entrance.

Josias couldn't hold in a slight snicker before he planted a kiss onto his wife's head. "It'll be alright, hasian. I'm here."

He could feel her grip somewhat loosening. That was good. He couldn't stand to see his wife as worried as that.

It was odd. Despite the fact that Josias was anxious about this whole meeting for days, when it finally came to it, he felt exceptionally calm. Was it because he decided to stop worrying about it? After all, he could still play the 'ignorant foreigner' card in case anything happened. Surely, they'd hold him to a lower standard. Worst comes to worst, he could just pretend to not speak Feldonian well.

Unfortunately all those thoughts went down to the gutter when he heard his name called out from the room.

"From the far Halaklands and the Kingdom of Goria, His Highness, Prince Josias of Clan Sigumogo, Crown Prince of Goria! Alongside him, his beloved wife, the Lovely Princess Serena Uli Rappmeister, daughter of the Archbishop of the Halaklands, heir to the Reicherton County!"

This time, even his own heart started beating like it was about to be ripped out of his chest. All that confidence was quickly flying out of the window.

It felt like irony that this time, Serena was the one to tug his arm along.

Swallowing his nerves and throwing in a quick prayer, Josias stepped into the dining room along with Serena.

***

Chapter Extras:

Here are the titles conferred onto Josias' companions:

Lord Johannes of Clan Sinatua, heir to the Duchy of Sinatua, alongside his wife, the Princess Maria of Clan Sigumogo.

Lord Hesekiel of Clan Rapmasari, heir to the Duchy of Rapmasari, alongside his wife, the Lady Safira of Hutabaru.

Lord Sadrach of Clan Hutabaru, heir to the Duchy of Hutabaru, alongside his wife, the Lady Helena of Sinatua.

Lord Mateus of Clan Sigompul, heir to the Duchy of Sigompul, alongside his wife, the Lady Arta of Idabagak.

The Reverend Prince Timotheus of Clan Sigumogo, Prince of Goria.

The Reverend Lord Nalom of Clan Rapmasari.

The Lady Ruth of Hutabaru.

The Lady Claire of the Parbulan Barony.

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