Chapter 320 v4 - 21: first luncheon

Chapter 320: v4 Chapter 21: first luncheon

The reception gradually dispersed once the procession had entered the palace grounds.

The visiting delegation was divided according to rank and function, with the senior Milician officials and nobles being escorted toward the western wing of the palace.

The remaining members of the delegation were directed toward their designated quarters.

Guards were taken to their own accommodations.

Servants and attendants followed with luggage and equipment.

The horses were led away from the courtyard, while the ceremonial horses of the two sovereigns were returned to the Imperial stables.

Within a short time, the enormous delegation that had filled the avenue began to disappear into the palace itself.

The spectacle was over.

The formal business of hosting them had begun.

Marian remained at the top of the palace steps.

She watched as the last of the principal officials entered the palace.

Then she felt Adrian’s hand settle lightly at the small of her back.

"Come."

Marian turned toward him.

"Already?"

"We have a luncheon."

"Ah."

She glanced once more toward the courtyard.

Then she followed him inside.

The palace doors closed behind them.

–

They walked together through the entrance hall.

For a few moments, neither spoke.

Then Adrian glanced toward her.

"I did not expect you to be there."

Marian looked up at him.

"I couldn’t see you properly from the balcony."

Adrian’s mouth moved faintly.

"So you came down."

"I wanted a closer look."

She smiled.

"And I am the Empress."

"That you are."

"The visiting king is entering the Imperial household."

Marian lifted her chin slightly.

"Someone has to welcome him."

Adrian looked at her for a moment.

Then he smiled.

He drew her a little closer and pressed a brief kiss to her lips.

"You did well."

Marian’s expression softened.

"Thank you."

They continued walking.

There was no need to say more.

She had done what protocol required.

And Adrian knew exactly why she had done it.

–

By the time they returned to their private apartments, the morning had begun to settle into a quieter rhythm.

Adrian entered the dressing room, and Marian followed.

One of the attendants remained nearby, ready to take the heavier pieces of clothing as they were removed, but otherwise left them to themselves.

Marian reached for the fastening at Adrian’s collar.

"Hold still."

Adrian did.

She loosened the first clasp, then the next, carefully working her way through the formal riding coat she had chosen for him that morning.

The ivory fabric had remained remarkably clean despite the journey through the capital.

Marian looked at it with satisfaction.

"It still looks perfect."

"It was fortunate."

"I told you."

She smiled.

"Practical."

Adrian gave her a quiet look.

Marian ignored it.

She continued unfastening the coat.

Once it was free, the attendant stepped forward to take it from Adrian’s shoulders and carry it away.

Marian then helped remove the remaining formal pieces, handing each to the attendant rather than allowing the servant to interfere with the process itself.

When Adrian’s lighter coat was brought forward, Marian took it herself.

She held it open for him.

Adrian slipped his arms into the sleeves.

Marian moved behind him and settled the fabric properly across his shoulders.

Then she began fastening the front.

One button.

Then another.

Her fingers reached the collar.

She paused.

The trim was subtle.

Ivory fabric edged with the same gold detailing that appeared on her own dress.

Marian smiled.

"You see?"

Adrian glanced down.

"See what?"

"We match."

She adjusted it carefully.

Adrian looked at her through the mirror.

"You planned that."

"Of course I did."

There was quiet amusement in his eyes.

Marian finished the last fastening and smoothed the front of his coat.

"There."

She stepped back.

"Much better."

Adrian studied his reflection for a moment.

Then he looked at her.

"You seem pleased."

"I am."

She smiled.

An aide knocked at the outer door.

Adrian looked toward it.

"Come in."

The aide entered and bowed.

"Your Majesty, luncheon has been prepared. The King of Milicia and the senior members of his delegation have already been informed."

Adrian nodded.

"Very well."

The aide withdrew.

Adrian turned toward Marian.

"Are you joining us?"

Marian considered it.

She had not planned to spend the entire day preparing for the evening banquet.

There was still plenty of time before then.

And she was curious about the delegation.

She wanted to hear more about Milicia.

About the journey.

About what they had seen on the way.

And, perhaps more than she admitted, she wanted to observe the people who had traveled all the way from the kingdom.

It seemed only natural.

"Yes."

She smiled.

"I’ll join you."

Adrian nodded.

"Then we should go."

–

The luncheon was held in one of the smaller state dining rooms.

It was elegant without the elaborate grandeur reserved for the evening banquet.

The table had been arranged for the senior members of both delegations, with the seating deliberately mixed rather than divided strictly by kingdom.

Adrian and Marian occupied the central places on the Imperial side, with Lorenz seated directly across from them.

Marcus sat beside Lorenz, while several senior Milician officials occupied the remaining places nearby.

The Imperial ministers and advisers were seated among them.

When Adrian and Marian entered, the conversation quieted.

Lorenz rose.

The others followed.

Adrian inclined his head.

"Please."

Everyone resumed their seats.

Marian settled beside him, while Adrian took his place at the center of the table.

The arrangement was considerably less formal than the morning reception.

There were no ceremonial speeches.

No heralds.

No long introductions.

The spectacle had already taken place.

This was simply the first meal shared between the senior representatives of the two kingdoms.

The first few moments passed with the usual courtesies.

The journey was mentioned.

The weather.

The condition of the roads.

The capital.

Lorenz spoke in Imperial throughout.

Adrian noticed.

His own knowledge of Milician was sufficient for simple conversation, but there was no reason for him to use it.

Lorenz had chosen to speak the language of the Empire while standing on Imperial soil.

"You speak Imperial very well," Marian remarked.

Lorenz smiled.

"I have had reason to learn it."

"Then I imagine the negotiations will be easier."

"That is certainly the hope."

Marcus joined the conversation.

"Several of our senior officials speak it as well."

"Though not everyone," Lorenz added.

Adrian nodded.

The conversation moved naturally onward.

Lorenz spoke about the journey south.

One of the Imperial ministers asked about the condition of the roads near the Milician border.

Marcus answered.

Another official mentioned the trade routes.

The discussion remained general, but there was enough substance beneath it for both sides to begin understanding the other.

Marian listened more than she spoke.

She was interested in the visitors.

Not simply as political representatives, but as people who had traveled from a kingdom she had known mostly through reports.

She occasionally asked a question.

"How long did the journey take?"

Lorenz glanced toward her.

"Just under four weeks."

Marian’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

"That long?"

"We traveled at a deliberate pace."

"I suppose that was necessary with such a large delegation."

"It was."

He smiled faintly.

"Though I admit I was beginning to wonder whether we would ever reach the capital."

A small laugh escaped Marian.

"I imagine the final day felt particularly long."

"It did."

"And what did you think when you first saw the capital?"

Lorenz paused.

He glanced briefly toward Adrian.

Then back to her.

"That the reports had been rather modest."

Marian smiled.

"Were they?"

"I believe so."

Adrian’s expression remained composed, though Marian noticed the faintest change at the corner of his mouth.

Lorenz continued.

"It is considerably more impressive in person."

Marian glanced toward Adrian.

"I told you."

Adrian looked at her.

"You told me what?"

"That you would make an impression."

Lorenz smiled.

"I think the Empire has made that quite clear."

Marian laughed softly.

The conversation continued.

The senior representatives spoke.

The interpreters occasionally assisted when necessary.

The differences between the two kingdoms remained visible in their language, customs, and manner of dress.

But there was no hostility in the room.

For the first time in years, Milicia and the Empire were sharing a table without either side needing to wonder whether the other intended to reach for a weapon.

It was a small beginning.

But it was a beginning nonetheless.

–

Tbc

AN: yes I know we want to get to dinner already. I do too!!! But ughhhh