Natasha the Halve - 113 – Royal Banquet (2)

After everyone found a comfortable spot on the many chairs around the room, a knock came from the door.

“That was fast,” I commented and went to open the door.

Seven Tigeas were standing outside the room and bowed when they saw me.

“Your Excellency,” the one at the front, a mature man with white hair and a few wrinkles on his face, greeted me. “We’re here to aid in preparations and give advise on protocol,” he informed.

I nodded and stepped aside. “Cool, go ahead,” I replied.

They went in and split in three groups, then approached my companions.

The old man stayed next to me, however. “Your Excellency, if I may… what’s Your Excellency’s choice of wardrobe for today?” He politely inquired with a smile.

I heard the other Tigeas ask similar questions to my companions. “A suit,” I replied, turning to the man.

He nodded. “May I see it?”

I arched an eyebrow and appraised him.

[Dhar’Ji Tigea, Lvl 312 Royal Seamster]

Damn. “Sure,” I complied and changed clothes. “May I hear your name?” I probed.

“Louis, though I doubt my name has any importance as of the moment,” he replied, circling me.

His eyes were similar to vulture’s watching a dying animal.

I observed the man while he checked my drip. “Nice to meet you, Louis.”

“Raise your arms,” he instructed.

I complied.

While I knew what colors to match and that sort of things, the dress code of a Royal Banquet was something unfortunately out of my grasp.

“Why did Your Excellency choose this instead of armor?” He asked after completing five laps around me.

I sighed. My reasoning may not be enough for a fashion professional. “Because it looks heavier than it is, is not that fashionable in my opinion, and armor means combat… which is not what the event is about.”

He frowned a little. “Please forgive my insolence, but I’m afraid Your Excellency’s choice of wardrobe is a statement. Halves wear armor not to be ready for combat, but to remind others of their business’ nature… which is combat first and foremost. It’s Your Excellency’s kind’s raison d’être, after all.”

I hummed in understanding.

“That’s not to say Your Excellency’s image will be at stake, far from it…” he quickly added. “But not wearing armor means Your Excellency is not ready to protect at all times. We can blame that on tradition,” he chuckled. “I hope Your Excellency doesn’t mind how… contradictory all of this is.”

“I see,” I muttered.

“Your Excellency is not only a Halve but a Warrior as well,” Louis continued, giving me a look. “While everyone knows Halves stand above others when it comes to physical prowess, and oftentimes do not technically require armor to survive mortal combat, fashion carries meaning beyond the outfit’s original purpose.”

“True…” I muttered.

“When it comes to events like these, there is always a ‘what if’ scenario that the participants take into account,” he carefully said. “A place where various Rulers gather would be an attractive target for various groups, for example. If some participants, especially Halves, are not wearing armor, it may come off as a taunt to those who wish to cause mayhem. It’s the truth, however silly it may sound.”

I sucked air throught my teeth. “Well, what do you recommend?”

The man smiled ever so slightly. “Armor when Your Excellency makes her entrance, and the suit when the event calms down and everyone moves to the banquet. The message that Your Excellency is ready for anything will be conveyed this way, while allowing Your Excellency to relax and enjoy the festivities as Your Excellency sees fit.”

I nodded. “That sounds good. What about weapons?”

“On Your Excellency’s person during the entrance,” Louis resolutely replied.

“Alright,” I agreed. “Thanks for the advise.”

He smiled and nodded. “Not a problem, Your Excellency. Now, we move to etiquette.”

Fuck me blind, I groaned in my mind, then smacked my lips. “Sure…”

–

After 30 minutes of a crash-course on how to behave during a Royal event, the Tigeas left the room.

Shortly after, the Queen came to fetch us without much fanfare. She guided us to the gardens behind the palace and to a small gazebo next to a fountain, then left.

We had a pretty good view of the flower fields around us, including a large spot of grass a good distance away. It was big square of land around 100 meters wide and 200 long connected to the palace by a paved path.

The suns bathed the world in the late summer light, and a gentle breeze moved the greenery around us.

On the other side of the gardens, behind a low fence that I thought was there to stop children from roaming around due to its remarkably small size, a large group of people were gathered.

Is that the people? I wondered with a little frown, but chose to not mind it that much. Knowing the Changelings had shady goals made me think differently when it came to the segregation between Royalty and the populace, however unfortunate that was.

However it may sound, after the King was allegedly targeted, it made sense to draw a line. At least to me.

Alyssa nudged my shoulder, bringing me back to the moment, and pointed to the horizon. “Look, they’re arriving,” she commented.

I looked in the direction she was pointing and noticed a small spot in the sky. No way…

After a few minutes, the image of a massive bird could be clearly seen approaching the floating city. Right on cue, a voice boomed through the gardens.

“FROM THE MONARCHY OF TIDON, CLAUDIA TIDON CORONALTA II, ARRIVES TO PAARJO, CAPITAL OF LUMIN KINGDOM, ACCOMPANIED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PLAVI DE PIEDRAZUL, JOSE TOMAS DE MONTALBA, RICARDO FUENTES, AND ALEJANDRO PICHON. THE MONARCHY OF TIDON HAS, FOR A VERY LONG TIME, HAD A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH LUMIN KINGDOM, GOING BACK TO THE FOUNDING OF BOTH COUNTRIES, AND SHARE AN UNSHAKEABLE BOND THAT HAS PERSISTED THROUGH THE YEARS.”

The bird, which was honestly an oversized eagle, batted its wings and flew past the city walls and into the airspace above the palace. It came to a slow stop and descended on the empty field of grass, where it landed.

The air was pushed, and the sound reminded me of an helicopter, but much slower and quieter.

My eyes widened quite a bit at seeing the field fully occupied by the gargantuan animal. They’re going to fly in… I realized. They’re all insane!

“THIS TIME, JUST LIKE ANY PREVIOUS, THE RULER OF THE MONARCHY OF TIDON ARRIVES FIRST TO CONGRATULATE HIS MAJESTY KING GORDON IGNE LUMIN IV ON HIS RECOVERY, AND TO PRESENT HER GRATITUDE TO HER EXCELLENCY NATASHA NOVAK IN HER INVOLVEMENT OF SUCH A GIFT TO OUR COUNTRY!”

A loud cheering noise came from the masses on the other side of the gardens.

“PLEASE WELCOME QUEEN CLAUDIA TIDON CORONALTA II!”

The cheering grew louder.

The bird lowered its body, revealing a group of people sitting on its back.

Dwarves riding giant eagles to enter the floating city of cat people… I summarize. This is my reality now…

A short woman wearing a golden dress and a shining silver crown stood up on the animal’s back and waved both the people and the many individuals on our side of the gardens.

A man stop up shortly after and moved his hands.

A ramp of dirt and grass formed from the ground, connecting to the animal.

The monarch made her way down the ramp followed by a group of around twenty people, then walked towards the palace. When they reached a plaza-like spot, the stopped and turned around.

The bird stood up, beat its wings a few times, then jumped and took off, flying above the palace in wide circles.

“That’s a big bird…” I breathed out in amazement, looking up at it.

“You have no idea,” Pokora chuckled behind me.