Chapter 556: House Alden

The announcement of the Royal Family’s arrival brought an immediate change to the atmosphere within the magnificent banquet hall.

Conversations ceased as nobles, military commanders, merchants, and religious representatives turned toward the enormous doors at the far end of the chamber. Even the servants carrying refreshments withdrew toward the walls, allowing the ceremonial guards to take their positions along the central passage.

Sage watched with interest as the assembled guests arranged themselves according to their status. The highest-ranking nobles occupied positions closest to the royal entrance, while lesser nobles and other invited dignitaries remained farther back.

"Everyone certainly knows where they’re supposed to stand," Sage remarked quietly, noticing how naturally the guests organized themselves.

Lucan adjusted his sleeves before answering. "Royal ceremonies follow established traditions, Guildmaster. Certain families have occupied similar positions during important occasions for generations."

Gregor glanced toward the rows of elaborately dressed nobles. "And here I thought we were simply attending a birthday party."

Boren gave him an amused look. "Gregor, I suspect the King’s birthday involves considerably more protocol than yours."

Sage chuckled, although his attention quickly returned to the entrance.

A line of royal guards marched into the hall, their polished armor reflecting the light of the chandeliers. Behind them came several senior palace officials, followed by attendants carrying the ceremonial banners of House Alden.

Then the King appeared.

King Edmund III Alden was a tall, broad-shouldered man whose sixty years had done little to diminish his commanding presence. His dark hair had turned silver around the temples, and a neatly maintained beard framed a face marked by age and experience.

He wore magnificent royal garments embroidered with gold, although the jeweled crown resting upon his head was comparatively restrained.

What immediately caught Sage’s attention, however, was the King’s expression.

Edmund possessed the calm, observant demeanor of someone accustomed to making decisions that affected countless lives. His sharp eyes moved across the assembled guests, acknowledging their bows without appearing particularly impressed by the extravagance surrounding him.

"That’s His Majesty?" Sage asked quietly.

Lucan inclined his head respectfully. "King Edmund III Alden, Guildmaster. He’s ruled Westmark for more than three decades."

Sage studied the monarch with renewed interest.

Edmund’s reputation extended well beyond the Royal Capital. During his reign, the Kingdom had experienced periods of prosperity, territorial disputes, and several military conflicts, yet House Alden had maintained its authority over the fifteen regions.

Following the King was the First Prince.

Prince Richard Alden appeared to be in his mid-thirties, possessing his father’s dark hair and similarly sharp eyes. His formal attire was elegant without being excessively decorated, and his composed expression suggested someone thoroughly familiar with royal ceremonies.

Unlike several attendants accompanying the procession, Richard appeared entirely comfortable beneath the attention of the assembled nobility.

"That’s the Crown Prince, isn’t it?" Sage asked.

Lucan nodded. "His Royal Highness, Prince Richard Alden. He’s the King’s eldest son and the recognized heir to the throne."

Sage noticed that several senior nobles regarded Richard with particular respect.

Duke Roland Auremont inclined his head as the prince passed, while Lord Benedict exchanged a brief, familiar acknowledgment with one of Richard’s accompanying officials.

"The First Prince already handles important responsibilities," Lucan continued quietly. "He participates in royal administration and has represented His Majesty during negotiations with several influential families."

Sage nodded thoughtfully.

Richard certainly carried himself like someone accustomed to responsibility. He acknowledged the gathered dignitaries with measured courtesy, neither lingering unnecessarily nor ignoring those who approached him.

"He looks like someone who knows exactly what he’s doing," Sage observed.

Lucan smiled slightly. "That’s generally the impression he prefers to give, Guildmaster."

Behind Richard walked the Second Prince.

Prince Cedric Alden was younger than his elder brother, with carefully arranged blond hair inherited from his mother’s family and striking blue eyes. His clothing featured considerably more elaborate embroidery, and several expensive gemstones decorated his ceremonial accessories.

Cedric greeted the assembled nobles with confident smiles, occasionally pausing to exchange a few words with familiar faces.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Cedric," Lucan explained. "He’s particularly active among the younger generation of aristocrats and maintains relationships with several influential noble households."

Sage watched as a group of elegantly dressed nobles greeted Cedric with obvious enthusiasm.

"He’s popular."

"Among certain circles, certainly," Lucan replied. "Prince Cedric possesses considerable ambition, and he understands the importance of cultivating relationships."

Gregor leaned closer. "He looks like the sort of fellow who’d challenge someone to a competition just to prove he could win."

Lucan chuckled. "I wouldn’t recommend testing that theory during the banquet."

The Third Prince entered next.

Prince Adrian Alden possessed dark brown hair, thoughtful grey eyes, and a noticeably reserved demeanor. His clothing was formal but understated, and he appeared more interested in observing the gathered guests than attracting their attention.

Unlike Cedric, Adrian offered only brief acknowledgments as he followed the procession.

Sage noticed several officials associated with royal administration watching him with interest.

"Let me guess," Sage remarked. "That one’s the quiet, intelligent type."

Lucan looked amused. "Prince Adrian has a reputation for scholarship and administrative interests, Guildmaster. He spends considerable time studying law, history, and matters concerning the Kingdom’s institutions."

Boren immediately appeared interested.

"A prince who enjoys administration? That’s unusual."

Sage turned toward him with a grin. "Boren, please don’t tell me you’ve already found someone you want to recruit."

Boren chuckled. "I doubt His Royal Highness would appreciate being offered an administrative position, Guildmaster."

Lucan shook his head, suppressing his amusement.

Following Adrian came the youngest prince.

Prince Julian Alden appeared to be in his early twenties, with unruly dark hair and bright green eyes. He possessed an athletic build, and despite wearing formal royal clothing, he looked considerably less comfortable with the ceremony than his older brothers.

His attention wandered toward the military officers gathered near the front of the hall, and Sage noticed the young prince acknowledging several Knights with obvious familiarity.

"Prince Julian," Lucan explained. "He’s considerably more interested in martial training than court politics."

Gregor’s expression brightened.

"Now there’s someone I might actually get along with."

Lucan smiled. "He’s known for spending time with the Royal Knights and occasionally participating in supervised training exercises."

Sage chuckled. "I imagine that causes his tutors considerable frustration."

"From what I’ve heard, Guildmaster, you’re probably correct," Lucan replied.

The final member of the royal procession attracted a different kind of attention.

Princess Charlotte Alden entered wearing an elegant pale-blue gown decorated with delicate silver embroidery. Her long chestnut hair fell across her shoulders, and her lively amber eyes moved curiously around the enormous hall.

She appeared younger than her brothers, perhaps nineteen or twenty, and possessed an expression that contrasted sharply with the carefully maintained composure of the other royal heirs.

While the princes acknowledged nobles and officials, Charlotte seemed fascinated by the variety of guests attending the celebration.

Her gaze lingered upon foreign dignitaries, religious representatives, and several unusually dressed Warriors.

Then her attention shifted toward the Adventurer Guild’s delegation.

Sage noticed her examining Leon’s ceremonial armor before looking toward Valeria and Mina.

"That must be the Princess," Sage remarked.

Lucan nodded. "Princess Charlotte Alden. She’s known for being rather curious about matters outside the palace."

Mina watched the Princess with equal interest.

"Uncle Sage, she’s looking over here," Mina whispered excitedly. "Do you think she wants to talk to us?"

Sage smiled. "Maybe she’s wondering why you’re staring at her."

Mina immediately straightened her posture.

Valeria glanced toward the royal procession with her usual unreadable expression. "Guildmaster, the Princess appears more interested in the guests than the ceremony."

Lucan chuckled quietly. "That’s entirely consistent with her reputation."

As the Royal Family approached the elevated platform, the assembled nobles bowed in unison.

Sage followed Lucan’s earlier instructions, offering the appropriate respectful greeting alongside his companions.

The King ascended the central steps and approached the magnificent throne positioned beneath House Alden’s enormous royal banner.

His children took their designated places nearby, although the arrangement itself revealed something Sage found interesting.

Richard stood closest to his father, occupying a position that clearly emphasized his status as Crown Prince.

Cedric stood farther along the platform, exchanging occasional acknowledgments with familiar nobles. Adrian remained quietly observant, while Julian appeared to be examining the ceremonial guards.

Charlotte, meanwhile, continued studying the gathered guests whenever she believed nobody was watching.

Sage leaned slightly toward Lucan.

"Your royal family certainly has some interesting personalities."

Lucan smiled. "And you’ve only observed them for a few minutes, Guildmaster."

The King raised one hand, and the remaining murmurs throughout the hall gradually disappeared.

"My honored guests," Edmund began, his deep voice carrying effortlessly across the chamber. "It brings me great pleasure to welcome you to Kingsford for this occasion."

His words were met with respectful attention.

As the monarch continued his opening remarks, Sage quietly observed the nobles gathered around the platform.

He noticed that members of House Auremont stood near several officials associated with the First Prince. Representatives of House Lancaster occupied positions close to influential court administrators, while certain younger aristocrats appeared particularly attentive whenever Cedric glanced in their direction.

House Hohenberg’s delegation remained among prominent military figures, whereas representatives of House Valois conversed discreetly with wealthy merchants whenever the ceremony permitted.

The divisions weren’t absolute, but they were noticeable.

Sage finally understood what Duke Roland had meant when he warned that the banquet would become an opportunity to test political loyalties.

Even during a celebration, the nobles were positioning themselves according to their interests.

Gregor leaned closer and whispered, "Guildmaster, you’re looking awfully serious. Don’t tell me you’ve already started thinking about work."

Sage glanced toward him with an amused expression. "I’m beginning to think attending this banquet might be more exhausting than clearing a dungeon."

Gregor chuckled quietly. "Then perhaps we should ask Leon whether there are any monsters hiding beneath the palace."

Leon, standing nearby, heard the remark and shook his head with a restrained smile. "I’d recommend against suggesting that to the royal guards, Gregor."

Their conversation ended as the King concluded his opening address.

A wave of applause spread throughout the chamber, followed by the harmonious sound of ceremonial instruments.

Edmund acknowledged the assembled guests before allowing his gaze to travel across the banquet hall.

He examined the noble delegations, prominent military commanders, and distinguished religious representatives with the familiarity of someone who recognized many of them personally.

Then his attention reached the group standing beside Leon Drakar.

The King’s gaze lingered upon the Adventurer Guild’s insignia.

For a brief moment, Edmund studied Sage with unmistakable interest.

Lucan noticed immediately and straightened.

"Guildmaster," he murmured, keeping his voice low, "I believe His Majesty has recognized you."

Sage looked toward the elevated platform.

Across the magnificent banquet hall, King Edmund III Alden was looking directly at him.