Chapter 260: Luncheon in the Throne Hall
In a luxurious carriage pulled by four beautiful white horses, Alexander and the group headed to the Aeddoterra Imperial Palace. Ariel sat in the coachman seat, and seven people were in the carriage.
Two knights on horseback escorted the golden chariot at the front and the other two at the rear. They were knights from the Knight a.s.sociation who would accompany Rosie and Fran back to their hometown.
Elysia looked out the window. Many people watched them from the roadside in awe. How could it not be? The golden carriage they were on was the luxurious carriage belonging to the Holy Cathedral... Only the distinguished ones could ride in it.
"Ah, it"s been a while since I last rode the carriage. How many years ago is- Uhm, Ely, why are you pensive?" Ella was just about to respond to her grandfather"s small talk. Still, she suddenly became worried because her friend had been silent since the golden carriage left the Holy Cathedral area.
"That"s not it, Ella. I was just looking outside." Elysia turned to Ella and shook her head. Then, she pointed outward. "Look, everybody makes a path and watches from the curb."
"Oh, that..." Ella nodded in understanding.
"Ah, look, we"re almost there." Evelyn informed, followed by a hand gesture.
Hearing that, Elysia leaned her body towards the window and turned towards the back. The majestic and luxurious all-white Imperial Palace was before her eyes, and they had just entered the palace area.
It was not Elysia"s first time seeing Aeddoterra Imperial Palace, but it was her first visit. Apart from that, she and Elena were still wondering why the Princ.i.p.al Emperor had deliberately invited them to a banquet with his family, the Griffith Royal Family. They could only hope that there was no ulterior motive behind this.
A few moments later, the carriage stopped in front of the palace, and Ariel immediately opened the carriage door. Rosie, Fran, and Maximilian got off first because they were the closest to the opened door.
Then, Ella, Evelyn, and Elysia followed suit. Pope Alexander was the last to come out. Ariel and the four knights followed closely behind as the group walked towards the entrance.
Several imperial knights were waiting for their arrival. After the respectful greetings, the imperial knights guided them to the designated hall.
Elysia glanced right and left before she used her advanced perception for sight-seeing. She didn"t want to be seen as a curious country girl.
"Ely, this palace is so grand and majestic. A little bigger than the Holy Cathedral, perhaps. However, if this palace is called the Aeddoterra Imperial Palace and the knights here are called imperial knights... Why is the Princ.i.p.al Emperor"s family called the Royal Family, and not the Imperial Family?" Elena patted her chin in wonder.
"..." Elysia pondered for a moment in thought. She also had no idea about it because history was recorded thus. "Maybe, it was because of something that happened in the past? In each region also, it"s the Imperial Palace, not the Royal Palace. Then, Emperor, and not King."
"But each region is called the Kingdom, not the Empire. Besides, it"s the Royal Family and not the Imperial Family. Ah, never mind, I"m confused by this Human Continent. Who knows about the details of other continents." Elena shook her head. She didn"t want to wrestle with that matter anymore.
"Well..." Elysia also closed the undisputed issue. She looked around again using her advanced perception.
Several knights stood guard every ten meters in a regular pattern in the beautiful hallway paved with red carpets. The carvings on the walls showcased the charming and enchanting work of art.
This Imperial Palace, as if deliberately accentuated the impression of grandeur and luxury, slightly different from the Holy Cathedral, which was inclined more towards glory and holiness.
Elysia followed the lead before them until they stopped in front of a magnificent metal door.
"Behind this door is the imperial throne hall. Emperor Arthur, Prince Theo, and the others await your arrival. We are only guiding you, distinguished guests, to this point. Our honor, we excuse ourselves." One of the imperial knights informed the guests respectfully before they walked away.
As soon as the three imperial knights left, the magnificent metal door suddenly opened slowly without anyone doing anything. It was from within, and a man dressed in a fancy aristocratic suit revealed himself from inside the room.
"Your arrival has been eagerly awaited and antic.i.p.ated by Emperor Arthur. Allow me to escort you into the throne room. Please." The man gave a courtesy gesture, then walked in after receiving a nod from Pope Alexander.
Once again, Elysia walked forward to follow the lead and entered the throne hall. It was a magnificent, round hall with six ornate pillars. The huge jewel rune on the ceiling illuminated the entire hall with a warm glow.
The scarlet rug stretched from the throne down through the middle. While rectangular banners with adorned tips draped from the walls.
The elegant jade throne was located in the center of a small platform. It was juxtaposed with two similar but smaller seats. One thing that was a little out of place, a long banquet table covered in white silk cloth and surrounded by chairs, was placed near the platform.
Emperor Arthur sat on the jade throne, complete with his trademark Emperor robe. The one sitting next to him was a young man who had a glimpse of him, his son, the prince. Meanwhile, one other seat was left vacant for unknown reasons.
The escort walked to his colleague, who dressed alike and also stood near the platform. Conversely, Pope Alexander"s group stood in the majestic hall center in silence, waiting for Emperor Arthur to speak.
"Welcome to my Imperial Palace. It"s been a long time for us to see each other since your meditation on divinity, Holy Grandfather. Allow me to invite you to my little banquet after all this time.
Hmm, it"s exhilarating to see you come with your friends, Elysia Avery. Forget about the formalities and uncompromising ethics that are often enforced. This is not an official occasion but a luncheon." Emperor Arthur gave a kind welcome in an expressive voice. He didn"t forget to remind Elysia to leave the formalities.
Basically, he didn"t want Elysia to think differently, resulting in a stiff and distant att.i.tude with himself. Besides creating a good relationship with this G.o.ddess"s disciple, he also wanted to introduce his son to her.
"Hoho-ho... Forget about formalities, right? Then don"t act like a superior to me, Arthur brat. State your business clearly. You should know why I ignored your letter and requested that breakfast invitation become lunch. Besides all of that, you invited us, and I took my time to come. However, you serve the banquet with an empty table?" Alexander laughed out loud briefly, then he acted without formality according to Arthur"s request.
The corner of Arthur"s lips twitched at that. He really wanted to scream and tell about what he said earlier for no one other than Elysia and her friends. Yet, he just smiled at Pope Alexander. "Of course there is. It"s rude for me as the host to serve up an empty table at my little banquet."
After saying that, Arthur gave a signal to two of his trusted people. One of them gave a subtle nod before taking out a thin stone tablet and writing something there.
Not long after, several maids and butlers came into the throne hall with several serving trolleys. They put many dishes on the table nimbly.
Vanessa, who was nestled in her master"s arms, drooled a little at the many dishes on the table. Today was a day of feast and struggle.
When all dishes were neatly placed on the table, the maids and butlers immediately went out of the throne hall.
"It"s all complete now. However, before that, Theo." Arthur gave a signal to his son.
After getting the cue, Theo got up from his seat. He stepped off the platform and approached the girls.
"Greetings, my name is Theo Griffith. I"ve heard a lot about you, Elysia. It"s my pleasure to meet you in person." Theo gave a greeting bow. It sounded like an introduction to everyone, but he was standing right in front of Elysia.
Elysia looked right and left. She thought Theo"s greeting was not only aimed at her. However, Ella and Eve only looked back at her as if waiting for something. Then, she turned to the scarlet-haired prince.
"The pleasure is mine, Prince Theo. My name is Elysia Avery." Elysia returned the greeting with courtesy just for politeness.
Theo smiled a little then greeted the girls and other guests without exception. All for courtesy and no one should be overlooked, not even the knights who came along.
When Theo was having a little trouble because of Pope Alexander, Elena just snorted because of Theo.
"What"s the matter, Sister Elena? You look dissatisfied." Elysia asked out of concern.
"Hmph! This prince seems to be after girls, especially you, Ely. Geez, look at this kid"s age. He"s even older than the average age of grandparents on Earth." Elena snorted in dissatisfaction as she folded her arms under her chest.
"Why a.s.sume that? He"s just being suave with imperial etiquette, right?" Elysia thought otherwise, but she didn"t really care about Theo in her mind.
"Hehe, you say it as if you care about him when in reality you don"t. Yes, etiquette like that is troublesome. We have to be even more careful. It"s a political issue after all." Elena chuckled at the thought of her sweet little sister.
Elysia only rolled her eyes. She returned to watch the silly interactions between Theo and Pope Alexander. Well, the others just watched as if they were amused.