Chapter 21: Banquet
The lights in the Palace was all lit. Carriages enter and arriving at the palace. Different gentlemen and ladies coming from prestigious family and clans walking towards the Zenith Palace' Banquet Hall. Each person and family are briefly introduced by the doorman as they enter the Hall.
"Sir Herschel and Lady Resitaire from the Herschel clan."
An old man in dark violet outfit and black tall hat walked in with all seriousness as a young girl besides her assist her in walking in the hall. The young girl with a quiet demeanor and her black hair then blue eyes combination searched the area looking for a familiar face.
Then she found a person with striking red short hair in the crowd also looking around. As soon as they have entered the circle on the hall, Resitaire immediately excused herself and walked her way to the girl with red hair and gray eyes which is Joie.
"Joie!" Resitaire greeted and exchanges pleasantries when they hug. After the exchange, Resitaire was about to ask a question about where is Effreila, when the doorman again introduced a new guest.
"Doctor Nigel and Lady Effreila from the Green Clan!"
"There she is!" Joie remarked as Effreila walk with her Father in the circle. Resitaire and Joie waved at the walking Effreila. The green eyed young lady quickly saw the two and timidly left her father then joined the two.
"It's nice seeing you two again..." Effreila said and hugged the two. The three decided to find a spot at the side of the hall as they talked about what happened to each one of them as they returned. After the stories and catching up, Resitaire asked,
"Have you seen Reenste?"
Joie shook her head.
"Not yet and trust me, I know. Father and I was the first one to arrive so I heard all the announcing in the past hour or so. Haven't heard her entering." Joie answered.
"But, isn't it important that she is early as I was informed from by brother that this banquet was the start of the test for the consort selection." Resitaire said kind of worried, but mostly wondering where could she be.
"Look, all the ladies from different sides are here and Reenste aren't still here... Where could she be? She's got to be alright, right?" Effreila said to assure herself.
"Of course she is! If not... let's find my father. I want to know if Reen arrived. Maybe father can ask the Matron." Joie said to the two and they both move to find Joie's father, the Military Counselor (Rank below the Military Minister).
"Father." Joie approached a man in Violet outfit. The man seems to be in his mid 40s and has a streak of white hairs on his red medium length hair.
"Yes, my dear? And greetings to you ladies." Joie's father greeted the two. Despite his burly figure, the counselor shows gentle expression
"Greetings, Military Counselor." Effreila and Resitaire curtseyed to the Counselor. The Counselor just gave a nod after the bow then turned to his daughter.
"Father, do you know where Reenste is? Have you heard where courtyard she is? Is she alright?" Joie asked continuously. The Counselor put his hand on the Joie's shoulder to stop her from talking more.
" Father is also waiting for the lady who save you three and tried to gather some information. But as you know it, their lips are sealed as it is for Master Zuo to be announced.If she's alright, I guess she is. Although she is running late as Master Zuo gave an order to make the late lady sit at the farthest table from the Emperor as punishment for being late." The Counselor answered to the ladies. They nodded then looked at the ladies sitted looking so lavish yet elegant at the center. There are those who knows them at the side supporting and talking to others. Then they saw one woman standing and walking towards them. It was Alexandria who was walking thus many are wondering where she's going.
Alexandria then approached the three ladies.
"Greetings, Military Counselor." Alexandria Wahlberg greeted, the Counselor just nodded then turned to the ladies.
"I'll just be elsewhere, okay?"The counselor then left.
The crowd didn't bother to look much but still kept tab to what might happen.
"Hi, I'm Alexandria and I..uhmm." Alexandria was a bit flustered but then postured to calm down.
"What is it, Miss Wahlberg?" Resitaire asked smiled yet still keeping it formal. The three of them are from prominent clans even though they are all still teen, they have reputation and custom to uphold.
"I.. I was just going to ask if you met, Reenste. I, for quite know that you three are close to her before you left." The three ladies was quite shock but then nodded agreeing about being close to Reenste.
"We haven't seen her.." Effreila answered. Then Alexandria's expression of expectations turned sad.
"Anyways Alexandria. Why are you looking for her? Have you two became acquainted?" Joie inquired. Then visibly her expression turned happy.
"I became friends with her! I saw you three back then and how happy you are and how she's just so serene and elegant... I just like her right away.." Alexandria happily told them.
"The four ladies seems to be fairly acquainted with each other."
"I heard they're talking about a lady."
"Who's lady? Is it from the other families?"
"We don't know.. We haven't heard about it.
The crowd spectating to the four ladies was wondering about their conversation topic, but don't know who are they referring to.
To other side of the hall, there is Doctor Nigel and Sir Herschel interacting. Then later, Military Counselor, Abner Starke.
"I must thank Lady Effreila for the medicine she gave to my daughter. It was really effective, as expected to a family of medicine practitioner." The Counselor said his thanks. Doctor Nigel bowed and smiled.
"It is just. Effreila as a Doctor should always attend to the sick and wounded." Doctor Nigel said and there's a sense of pride in his eyes to her daughter.
"Have you seen that damned kid who hurt our daughters?" Sir Herschel said looking pissed. Despite being a scholar, Sir Herschel has an explosive personality especially when it comes to ther family.
"Well, I think the Trushen family have punished the young lady enough. Also, it wasn't about their family interest. Just some child bickering." Sir Starke said as he saw Cassidy Trushen looked then glared at her.
Cassidy felt the glare and unconsciously flinched causing for others to notice her. Then the families who have heard about what happened started talking about her.
"Even if they're children. What she did is a sin. She should be grateful the three ladies are saved. Which is by the way, have you seen that lady? Reenste Ermyntrude if I remembered correctly?" Doctor Nigel asked. Sir Herschel then nodded asking the sae thing in his mind then turned to Sir Starke.
"I haven't seen her. I been here the earliest and there was no sign of her. Besides the fact that she also seem to have made acquaintance to the Lady of Wahlberg." Sir Starke informed. Then astonishment are seen to the man's face.
"I am really wondering what kind of lady she is. My Daughter did adored her saying she was seem to be smarter than my second son." Sir Herschel said full of interest as he move his fan to open.
"Is she? My daughter said that her martial art is good too. She indeed fend off to four guys thus saving the three." Sir Starke said. Doctor Nigel was astonished to hear the traits of the lady.
"How curious. Our daughters seems to really like this woman." The three gentlemen turned to see a guy with short blonde hair and blue eyes also wearing a dark Violet outfit.
"Minister Wahlberg." The theee gentleman said and greeted the man.
"What brought you here, Minister?" Doctor Nigel asked the Minister of Foreign affairs.
"I figured to join you guys as my daughter seem to enjoy your daughters company. Plus I want to know more about that lady. She befriend my only daughter so I don't want any baf influence in her circle." Minister Wahlberg said and smiled. The three nodded in agreement.
"But hearing what you said, I think she's a great lady. Although I never really heard of her family." The Minister thought. The three men looked at each other.
"The kids said, that the lady has nowhere to turn back to because her relative in-law sacrificed her to be here for money. If she made it or not is not there care as long as she leave their household." Sir Starke said with a tone of slight sadness. The gentleman turned quiet.
"But if she didn't made it, I would be willing to foster her." Sir Herschel said and smiled. Sir Starke raised his head to Sir Herschel and smiled.
"I too, would be willing. For my daughter who almost overpower other young master to have praises for her, I would love to see her grow more in Martial Arts." Sir Starke said smiling, but the contents of his words cross Sir Herschels'.
"Well, I would be willing to give my support to the lady if she decided to pursue medicine." Doctor Nigel just said and sigh. The four just laughed which caught the attention of others. This, then was another topic conversation in the banquet.
"It seems the Wahlberg clan have the best support in this selection."
"It does came in suprise when the Minister of Foreign Affairs let her daughter join the Consort selection."
"I don't know if I'll pity Lady Alexandria if she was selected or congratulate if she became the Empress."
"Master Zuo and the High - Priest of Temple Aether!" The doorman announced. Everyone then turned their attention to the two person, one in blue robes, looking as stoic as ever. Then the other one, doesn't seem to be a man and a women if you look at him. He exudes pure and light presence which can calm your soul.
The High-Priest was then greeted by everyone who he passes through and same as to Master Zuo, but was then talked by Matron Esvele.
"Lady Reenste?" Master Zuo said as he was informed about her not being present in the banquet.
"Yes." Matron Esvele answered as confirmation.
"Was she informed?" Master Zuo asked. Which the Matron just nodded.
"Very well, let her be sitted at the back then. It's not like I have high hopes to her. " Master Zuo said.
"Anyways, prepare everything. His Highness would be here soon."
Matron Esvele nodded then excused herself to manage the kitchen and the servants and prepare.
While the High-Priest was busy talking to other families, Master Zuo then approached the four gentlemen earlier.
"Greetings, Master Zuo." The four greeted.
"Greetings, gentlemen." Master Zuo said to the four. They then exchange pleasantries before Sir Herschel asked.
"Master Zuo, as you are the one incharge of managing the selection. Do you know anything about a certain Lady name Reenste Ermyntrude? If it isn't too much to ask." Sir Herschel said with polite tone and manner. Master Zuo was caught a bit of guard but then nodded after remembering receiving information how three ladies from a prominent clan was close to the lady.
"Lady Ermyntrude is it? Well, I indeed read the files about her. Orphaned child. Was sold to the viscount in her area for 5 golds by her relatives. Serve as servant in their household. Nothing significant." Master Zuo said as if it isn't worth mentioning. Minister Wahlberg was a bit shock by Master Zuo's statement while the two Minister and Doctor Nigel couldn't help not to be slightly concerned to what and how it was told by the right hand man of the Emperor.
"Why ask for the Lady?" Master Zuo asked. When Master Zuo received the information about the ladies, it was an old information and what transpired during their transfer wasn't yet included to what information sent to him, thus he isn't to blame when he didn't know that Reenste save the three ladies of a prominent clan.
"Why of course, to thank the lady." Master Zuo turned to the High-Priest seeing his smiling face even beneath the fan covering his smile which made Master Zuo annoyed.
"Greetings, High-Priest." The four greeted which the Priest nodded in acknowledgement.
"Don't you know, that Lady Ermyntrude save the three younglings of their clans from an assassin. It was quite a story, I am suprised you haven't heard of it." The High Priest told Master Zuo. Which caught him by suprised and was a bit stiffened realising the words he uttered earlier. Yet he didn't let himself be put down by it
"I see. Well, she is running late and the Emperor is on his way. She may be sitted with you if you'd like to talk to her personally later." Master Zuo said as an offering to the three.
"We would be in your care, Master Zuo." Sir Starke replied. Mastee Zuo then just nodded before leaving to go to his seat.
The sun has set and everyone was on their sit talking to each other as they await for the Emperor's arrival.
Then there's Reenste...
"My lady! What happened?!" Rory shouted as she saw Reenste.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Xiaoryi
Xiaoryi Hey Everyone~! I'm sorry for the very late update. My mind went to vacation mode for a week and so I didn't have the strength to type my story. I made it longer so that it can somehow satisfy you all, although it was really meant to be this long.
Anyways we're into volume two! The Selection Process! Lmao. I saw how this went to 100k and was really suprised! Thank you for the continuous support in the comments and reviews! Enjoy reading and the next update is on Wednesday!
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