Book 4: Chapter 3
“—Allow me to explain again.”
A few days had passed since their tea party with Lowellmina. The carriage swayed as it passed through the town. Ninym was addressing Falanya, who sat across from her.
“You will be attending the ceremony to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Mealtars uniting with the Empire.”
“Not for the summit of the Imperial family.”
Ninym nodded. “That is a gathering exclusive to them. Outsiders cannot participate or observe. Meaning there’s no real reason for everyone to be here. But the princes wished to gather the land’s most influential people in the same place. This ceremony serves as the pretext to summon everyone.”
Which the important guests knew. They had come for other reasons: to form ties with the Imperial princes, to appraise their competition, to satisfy their curiosity, et cetera.
“The ceremony consists of a simple greeting and congratulatory address. The main event is the dinner party for the guests of honor and invitees. There, we will try to greet the stars of the night: the eldest prince, Demetrio; the middle prince, Bardloche; and the youngest prince, Manfred. As for their appearance and expected ideals…”
“It’s all right. I remember what Wein told me,” Falanya said with a brave nod.
Her nerves were written all over her face.