Chapter 42: Footfall
Nobles and those of importance were always announced before they stepped into the banquet hall. This was a sign of respect and tradition that had existed for generations.
However, only those from noble households were ever given this honor. Merchants were never announced, after all, all they had was money, and that was something every noble possessed in abundance.
As for individuals outside the noble hierarchy who were still deemed important enough to be announced, they were powerful figures, beings like Lily of the Abyss. After all, in this world, power stood above money, status, and bloodline.
Inside the grand banquet hall, conversations flowed freely as nobles mingled, formed connections, and strengthened alliances.
Every so often, a new name would echo through the hall, prompting some heads to turn in curiosity, while others didn’t even bother as they stood above the name that was announced.
And at that moment, the voices of the two butlers stationed at the entrance rang clearly across the vast chamber, cutting through all ambient noise.
"Asher Wargrave, Tenth Sun of the Ducal Wargrave Household has arrived!"
As their brains registered the name, every single voice in the hall fell silent. Not a whisper remained. A pin-drop silence reigned supreme, so heavy it felt like the very air had frozen in reverence, or perhaps shock.
Then a sound came.
It wasn’t loud. It was soft, subtle. But somehow, it rang louder than any shout at that moment. It was the sound of a footfall.
Then another.