Turns out, she had faulty memory (Not surprising, it took people at least twenty or more times repeating to her their names until it was finally imprinted into Riya’s mind). She remembered getting sick the last time because she ate something before going on the teleportation circle.

But that wasn’t it.

She actually got sick because she got travel sickness.

“BLEHA!” Riya gagged.

“Quick! Somebody get a [paper] bag!” Maria said panicky.

“A [paper] bag?!” One of her attendants said, “Apologies, My Lady, I have no recollection of what this [paper] is!”

“M behi’ schedule… ” Riya said, “No… ‘Aper… yet…”

“Somebody get a jar then!”

They brought a jar just in time.

“BLEH!” She would have felt better if she threw up her breakfast, however, she didn’t eat anything before coming here so the only thing she threw up was a whole lot of bile.

Which made her stomach feel worse. “BLEH!” She could feel her stomach basically collapsing in on itself, trying to get something out.

“What’s happening here?” Shuu said, “Riya, are you ok?”

“Trav’... Sick…” Riya said, clutching her stomach, “Have… Lo…gence?” Maybe a Vics? Strepsils? Riya wasn’t too picky, she just wanted to not feel like shit.

Someone handed her some vics. Riya grimaced at the flavour, it was mint. “Thanks…” She mumbled.

It took her a while to start feeling better again, while she was trying not to feel like her entire stomach was about to give out again, the rest of her friends and their entourage came through the transportation circle.

Once she was feeling good enough, they started to walk towards the ballroom or wherever the party was happening.

OOO

As the ornate double doors swung open, revealing the grandeur beyond, Riya took her first steps into the expansive hall that echoed with the hallowed whispers of the luxury and back-stabbing plots that were to come. The sheer vastness of the space was breathtaking, the hall extending far beyond what the eye could discern, adorned with opulence befitting of an esteemed lineage..

The marble floor, polished to a reflective sheen, bore the weight of the pain-staking hours Max had put in. Intricate patterns, reminiscent of a bygone era, sprawled across the expanse, each tile a testament to the craftsmanship that had gone into the construction of this regal passage. Soft echoes reverberated as the soles of her shoes made contact with the cool, smooth surface.

Above, a vaulted ceiling soared to remarkable heights, adorned with resplendent chandeliers that hung like crystalline constellations. The warm glow of countless candles flickered, casting a golden radiance that danced upon the walls adorned with tapestries depicting the storied history of the royal lineage. Portraits of monarchs, captured in moments of grace and dignity, lined the walls, their watchful eyes seeming to follow Riya's every move.

As she continued her journey through the hall, the air carried a subtle fragrance of aged wood and the delicate scent of polished silver. Massive pillars, intricately carved with motifs of heraldic significance, stood like sentinels along the sides, supporting archways that led to hidden alcoves and doorways leading to chambers of untold secrets.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

A procession of robot servants, dressed in livery that bore the royal insignia, glided seamlessly across the hall, acknowledging Riya's presence with deference. Their movements, like a carefully choreographed ballet, added to the choreography of grandeur that unfolded within the hall.

As Riya approached the far end of the atrium, she felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. She couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite blend of history and tradition that lingered within the hallowed halls of the royal residence. The journey across the grand hall was not merely a physical traverse but a pilgrimage through time, leaving an indelible imprint on Riya's senses and spirit alike.

At the culmination of the majestic hall, Riya found herself standing before towering double doors, adorned with gilded filigree and intricate carvings that mirrored the grandeur of the hall itself. These doors, undoubtedly concealing the entrance to the royal ballroom, bore the weight of anticipation as the crescendo of music hinted at the lively celebration beyond.

With a subtle nod from Riya, one of the robotic servants approached the imposing doors with an effortless synchronisation. As if choreographed by the unseen hand of tradition, they grasped the handles and, with an almost imperceptible flourish, swung the doors open.

The ballroom revealed itself like a hidden treasure trove of splendour.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Max said as he walked into the room, behind her.

Riya continued to look at everything, “Don’t look too bad, This will become a... Ballroom?”

Max nodded, “Something like that, they wanted me to go with a ‘fantasy Mediaeval castle’ kind of vibe.”

Really? “I thought we were going for a Greek-Roman sort of vibe for this planet.”

Max shrugged, “A mix and match.”

OOO

Riya felt a nudge on her shoulder. It was Maria, “Bow…” She whispered.

Riya bowed.

“You may rise.” The Zent said.

Riya looked up, trying to make sense of her surroundings, apparently she had been daydreaming a bit.

“Please, have a seat.”

She and her friends and co-workers and retainers took a seat, “So… WHat’s happening?” Riya asked.

Maria looked at her, “What do you mean what’s happening?!” She whispered out, “The Morning-Greeting is happening!”

“No like, from the beginning?” Riya said, “After I uh… Threw up in the jar, everything’s kinda hazy for me.” She must have been day-dreaming again, but what was it?

“Well,” Maria started, “We walked down the hall into the ballroom, there was an announcement announcing our presence, we were ushered into our seats here, and then once the royal family came we got up to greet the royal family.”

Oh.

Just then, Aureus came to greet them.

“Aubs of Harmonia.” An elderly man said, he did not bow to them.

“Aub Aureus.” Jayden greeted.

The conversation sounded tense.

“[Why did the Aub of Aureus come to say hi?]” She whispered to Maria.

“[It’s going rank-wise.]” Maria said, “[We’re rank one, so we only had to greet the Zent, Aureus is rank two, so he has to greet the king and us before he’s allowed to sit down.]”

“-Thank you.” Jayden said, “You may leave.” Jayden’s tone of voice seemed to bring in shocked gasps from a few people, it wasn’t even a rude dismissal, he said thank you!

“[That was very rude.]” Shuu said, “[But understandable, even then, Aureus is going to lose face and we’ll end up getting pay back some day.]”

“[Can someone please explained what happened?]” Riya asked, annoyed.

“[Well Aub Aureus was saying… Unsavoury things about us under euphemisms.]” Shuu explained, “[So Jayden told him to go away which was very rude because we were technically being rude to him in the first place?]”

“[...How?]”

“[You two were literally talking, right now.]” Shuu explained, “[While we were greeting a fellow Aub.]”

Oh… In that case riya would have to not talk for a while… “[how many more Prefectures do we have to meet-and-greet?]” She asked.

“[Thirteen more.]” Shuu said.

… Ya this was going to suck…