Chapter 218: Arrival

Putting on my formal clothes, when I went to put on the scarf, I saw the piercing green eyes of Lily watching me through it.“Lily, I’m heading to the royal dinner. If you want to stay close, I’ll have Crisplet and Liane with me, as well as the scarf on.”

The eyes vanished, and I heard a soft thud behind me. Turning around, Lily was sitting on the floor, looking at me.

Turning around to finish getting ready, I happily said, “You’re welcome to come if you like, or you can watch from the scarf. Oh, also! Liane has taken the Ashmoon name now as well!”

Hearing a huff, I turned around to see Lily vanishing with a flick of her tail, which was odd.

“I thought you liked Liane now?” I said, knowing she could still hear me.

There was no response. I wasn’t sure what that was about, but I didn’t have time to worry about it. I needed to get to the carriage.

Heading downstairs, I saw everyone waiting, with Liane fully dressed in her matching suit, a giant smile on her face.

“Ready to go and shake the kingdom, Trev?” Jen said.

“I don’t know about that,” I laughed.

Milo and Hari both tried to give me last-minute tips as I made my way outside.

I wasn’t surprised to see the royal carriage, but I was very surprised to see nearly ten Royal Guards surrounding it, one of them opening the door for me as I approached.

“Lord Ashmoon.” The guard bowed.

I shuddered at that, but I was told this event would be very formal and not to correct everyone, so I made myself comfortable in the carriage as Liane and Crisplet entered behind me.

The journey to the palace was much slower than normal, as the Royal Guard escorted the entire journey.

“Does everyone get picked up like this?” I asked.

Liane shook her head. “The major houses probably do. I doubt they do it for anyone outside of the Lords and Ladies and their guests.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re a lady now, Lady Liane! I need to remember to inform Archie when we get back home.”

“Don’t you dare. You wouldn’t.”

The look of panic on her face had me laughing. I wouldn’t do it, but I knew once Archie learned of it, it wouldn’t matter if I told him to or not.

Crisplet just sent across the feeling of happiness, I’m guessing not understanding the formality and just happy Liane had joined the house.

Approaching the entrance to the palace gardens, I was shocked at the number of guards. It felt like they had every guard in the city on patrol or on guard. The next thing that surprised me was a line of carriages.

“How many people are here?” I asked.

“No idea. I’m guessing the invitation was extended to some minor noble houses, too.”

I felt dread at the idea of having to deal with so many nobles in one place, but I just needed to make it through this one dinner.

As we rolled into the inner courtyard, I saw a small crowd on the stairs waiting for us. At the front were Kathrine and Gerald, both of whom seemed to be in a discussion, which became clear as the door opened.

“…It’s not proper, Princess. It breaks protocol,” I heard Gerald say as I was stepping out.

I noticed a smile on Kathrine’s face as Liane and Crisplet, who was currently larger than normal, followed behind me.

“Welcome, Lord Ashmoon, Crisplet Ashmoon, and Miss Liane,” Kathrine began.

Gerald fell back a couple of steps, clearly going pale as he stared at me.

“Ye… yes, I think it best you take this one,” I heard him whisper, the smile growing wider on Kathrine.

“Welcome Lily, too, it would seem,” Kathrine said happily.

I was momentarily confused before it clicked what must have happened. Lily would have glared at Gerald through the scarf.

“Thank you, Your Highness, though I should tell you Liane has joined my house and taken the name of Ashmoon as well. She is basically family after all.”

Kathrine’s eyes went wide. “Very well, and is Lily joining us today as well?”

“She is here, but she won’t appear unless required.”

Nodding, Kathrine straightened up. “If you’d please follow me. I’ll escort you inside.”

Once we made it inside the foyer, it was a buzz of activity, with house staff moving back and forth while guards were everywhere.

“Where is everyone else?” I asked, not noticing any guests.

“You’re the last to arrive, so we’ll be starting in the throne room for the address. Then the hall and dining room shall be opened up for mingling and dinner,” Kathrine said.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

“I’m late?” I didn’t think I took that long to get changed.

“No, you’re the guest of honour, so you arrive last,” Kathrine smiled.

Approaching the familiar double doors, we were met by another smartly dressed elderly man, who was just reaching for the handles when he was stopped by Kathrine.

“June, slight change. It’s now Lady Liane Ashmoon.”

The man bowed, opening the doors into what appeared to be a packed hall, with nearly every seat filled. At the front sat the King, who was in his full red armour that shone brightly, unnaturally so. Next to him sat Queen Amber, who was wearing an incredibly elaborate red dress. Behind them stood Luis, also now in similar red armour to Marcus, and a man I had not seen before, who likewise was in the same armour.

“Your other brother?” I whispered, getting the slightest nod from Kathrine.

June stepped forward, loudly announcing us to the hall. “I present Lord Trevor Ashmoon, accompanied by Lady Liane Ashmoon and Crisplet Ashmoon.”

There were murmurs through the crowd as Kathrine whispered, “Just follow me.”

She then started walking forward.

This was the second time coming into this room, and both times it felt like I had every eye in the room on me and judging me.

We were led right to the front of the room, where there appeared to be ten large chairs I knew from my lessons to be the chairs reserved for the major houses in the kingdom, that shared a lot of similarities with the throne, just not as large or intricate. Next to each was a regular chair for their guests or partners.

I spotted mine immediately, sitting in the middle. Not only did it have the chair, but it also had an incredibly intricate brazier on the opposite side that looked to have the shapes of Alira in the steel, clearly made for Crisplet.

What surprised me was that only six seats were filled currently.

We all took our seats, Crisplet happily getting into the brazier. The glow of his flame gave the appearance of flickering phoenixes on the floor, which certainly wasn’t by accident.

Kathrine took her place next to her brothers, standing at the front of the others, which I had to assume was also rank-based.

The King stood, and the room went quiet. It was strange. It wasn’t strong, but there was a presence there, like Lily when she was flaring up her own aura.

“Thank you all for attending this royal dinner. Before we celebrate, I’m sure you’ve all noticed some houses missing. Regardless of rank, I will say this plainly: the corruption ends now. If you are caught, you, and possibly your entire house, shall be stripped of rank before any punishment is carried out. This is your one and only warning.”

There wasn’t a single sound in the room, even as he paused.

“We have some promotions to hand out. Lady Elowen, from House Clearwater, please come forward.”

That name seemed very familiar to me when it clicked that it was the surname of one of my household staff, Vanessa. This thought vanished as I saw a lady who looked to be a striking image of Vanessa walking forward, wearing a light blue dress that appeared to be flowing like water, yet despite that, there was an unmistakable phoenix embroidery along the side.

She knelt at the front just before the King.

“Elowen Clearwater, do you accept the additional responsibility and swear to serve the kingdom?” Marcus asked.

“I do.”

“Then please take your seat,” he said, looking back at the crowd.

Kathrine stepped forward, directing Elowen to a particular chair, while her guest, or I guess partner, was escorted forward to take a seat next to her.

This event repeated three more times, with the houses Greenfall, Ravenspire, and Oaken also taking their seats.

I noticed every single member either wore red, or at the very minimum had very noticeable phoenix embroidery on their outfit.

There was a lot of chatter in the room and looks of excitement on the faces of those who got promoted, until the King cleared his throat, and the room went silent once more.

“Next, we need to address what has already occurred. House Valrith has been stripped of its rank. Corin Valrith was found guilty of conspiring against the kingdom and responsible for countless deaths. I’ll address my own shortcomings in not noticing and addressing this sooner, but know moving forward, we will not allow such a monopoly or corruption to fester.”

Again more murmurs, but a flare of pressure that even I felt caused the room to go silent.

“All members of House Valrith have had their surname stripped and been banished from the capital. Any who shelters them here shall be punished. Next, House Belwyn has been found guilty of treason and executed, along with all those involved. Houses Havenel, Ironvale, and Greyrock shall all be known as Crestfall for their parts in the corruption, with Havenel and Greyrock to vacate their residences in the upper noble district.”

I was surprised that so many had been punished today. What stood out the most to me was his mentioning that Marie was executed, yet going by our last conversation, she was murdered in her cell while we were talking to the King. I clearly wasn’t the only one surprised, though, as the crowd behind me erupted in murmurs.

“With the bad news out of the way, let us celebrate the new houses that have risen and enjoy ourselves for the rest of the night.”

The pressure lifted as the two large doors were opened, leading back into the great hall.

I didn’t want to rush in there, so I stayed seated for now as the crowd began to move, the discussion about the events that had just occurred growing louder.

Looking back at the throne, I saw Marcus taking his seat again, looking pained, while Luis appeared to be talking with his brother. The topic worried me because he clearly pointed at me before they both walked over.

“Lord Ashmoon, may I introduce my brother, Prince Elijah,” Luis said.

“It’s a pleasure, but please, Trevor is fine,” I said, reaching out my hand.

Elijah stepped forward with a smile to take it but halted in his step, staring at me.

“Th… that must be Lily, the one I have heard so much about,” he said, taking my hand but staring at my neck.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, if you saw the eyes, that would be her. She’s just a little protective.”

Elijah visibly relaxed as the eyes must have vanished, but I couldn’t help but notice the smirk on Luis’s face.

“You set him up for that, didn’t you?” I jokingly asked.

Luis was grinning. “Perhaps.”

“My sister has told me some things that have me very intrigued, and I would very much like to discuss acquiring some of your goods, if possible. I would, of course, use it myself and not let it stockpile,” he asked.

I just shook my head. “Unfortunately, I don’t deal with the business side of things. You’d need to speak with Micca or Milo for that.”

“Trevor doesn’t deal with anything business-wise,” Liane added, before Luis quickly introduced her and Crisplet.

“Smart, honestly. I’m much the same. I allowed my sister to take all the responsibility while I get to adventure and play hero, though I have a long way to go in power. My brother mentioned he’s been training at your residence? I know I’m being incredibly bold by asking, but I, too, would love to train somewhere that isn’t here,” Elijah asked.

I was torn. Part of me would have said yes immediately. I really didn’t mind, but I was told not to agree to anything, so I would follow that. “For that, you’d need to speak with Hari Lindberg at the house. Might be worth visiting him with Luis.”

“I will do just that,” Elijah said happily.

“Shall we enter the hall? It appears my sister is waiting for us.”