Chapter 317 part 1

Chapter 317: Elderly tend to speak to no end, so letting them talk is a mistake.

Day 76 – Evening, The Capital, The Royal Palace

Just as I began considering going into retirement, having reached an advanced age, everything turned upside down. The King became bedridden with illness. And with the Kingdom in a state of decline and decay, it finally came to the princes rising in a rebellion. However, while we could but passively observe the state of affairs, everything gradually was resolved, and that’s how it ended… That’s how it was ended. And it would seem that this ball in celebration of victory is to become my last big job as the Grand Chamberlain.

In my long years of service in the Royal Palace I’ve been forced to see quite a few things I would’ve preferred not to. But if my last task is the celebration of the Kingdom’s salvation, then I ought to do a work worthy of that, otherwise I won’t be able to say that I have fulfilled my long-standing duty.

Attendants and maids quietly but busily rushing around the empty hall where at the moment only a few nobles who had been invited to the hall so far are gathered sparsely. Soon, the swordless battle among the royalty and the nobility that will decide the fate of the Kingdom will take a place here. Be it the count of the Frontier, or the heroes, here, we are the ones ought to protect them.

Only sounds of instruments being tuned are ringing through the hall. This is the most grand venue in the palace… The Royal Palace has several dance halls but the one used this time ranks the highest among them all. If it was merely about the size, the palace still has a few comparably spacious ones, However, when it comes to the venue for this ball, not only the size but also the formalities are important. On this occasion, we are to extol the heroes of the Kingdom. This is going to be the greatest celebration since the foundation of the Kingdom… Which might also become its worst battlefield.

Thus, while making arrangements to make sure everything is up to the par, I closely observe how the instructions are carried out. Not the slightest imperfection can be tolerated when it comes to the ball meant to express the highest gratitude of the King. With that atmosphere hanging in the air, all of the castle’s servants are wearing tense expressions. As soon as attendance begins, they fulfill their duties while feeling such a heavy pressure that their faces turn stiff.

A ball is not just a place to dance, it’s also an event where rewards are given and achievements are celebrated, and all the while intense power struggle is taking place under the surface. It is also a gorgeous stage meant to hide the ugly underbelly of treachery and secret deals made as people flock together to strengthen relations and form cliques. Aristocrats gather on that flashy stage in pompous outfits, exchanging harmless and unassuming words and greetings. Without them showing what lies beneath those smiling masks, a friendly atmosphere envelops the venue filled with laughter and calm music.

The ball this time is held by the King himself, with every invited person holding a high status, position, or a post. There are but a few nobles capable of disregarding an invitation from the King, and as a result, all sorts of nobles are going to gather, regardless of the factions to which they belong.

The custom has it that those of the lower status are to be announced and admitted into the hall first, and now it’s a preliminary skirmish where the regional nobles of each faction are trying the waters.

It’s the perfect opportunity to investigate, create ties, and resolve differences for nobles of rivaling factions, who wouldn’t be able to meet under normal circumstances. After all, two of the four great marquis houses have perished, and the position of the remaining two remains unclear. The alternative power system, separate from court ranks, that of factions, have crumbled, leaving everyone to fumble in confusion, searching for houses to side with.

This ball has everyone desperately investigating into the state of affairs of each other, creating a crowd of nobles who are wandering around in search of connections, ready to grasp at straws, despite the fake smiles they are wearing. Unlike the ugly balls of melancholy and gloom of the past, where everyone was too busy trying to set up each other, this time they are eagerly greeting and calling out to everyone like pitiful children that lost their parents, trying to find new appreciative friends or means of self-protection.

The closer one is to the entrance, the lower is their status. The later one is announced, the further they proceed into the hall. In accordance to that, appropriate furnishing and implements are set up, representing the status of attending families.

One after another, nobles arrive into the hall, and under the pretense of greetings are probing into each other. With the arrival of numerous nobles the venue is gradually beginning to liven up. Gorgeous interior arrangements fitting for the event held by the Royal Family and gaudy outfits matching the ladies in flashy and extravagant dresses color the hall. Wearing gentle smiles they are chatting with friendly looks on their faces. Exchanging mundane greetings and honeyed words they are making a display of calmly discussing situations in the domains, weather, rumors, each other’s appearances, pastimes, without any signs of trouble. Social intercourse, the nobles’ long long probing into each other under the guise of courtesy.

While probing into other houses and factions, trying to get a peek into their state of affairs, creating connections, and looking for negotiation opportunities, they are bluffing and applying pressure in order to avoid appearing weak, competing for the hierarchy and position in the power relationship, and at the same time, devouring information while looking for someone to follow. Quagmire-like conversation plays with lies and bargaining unfold everywhere, and the venue quietly grows busier as deception and music intermingle.