“Do I really have to do this?” Alaster complained once more.

“Yes! Now stop whining. It’ll be fun!” Lunaria berated him, helping him straighten his tie.

During Azemar’s lessons, he had shown Alaster pictures of traditional Noble Garb with all its ribbons, tails, and flowing cuffs. Alaster did not enjoy dressing up, but he was glad that the current custom was much more reasonable. Apparently, it was technically even older than the traditional clothing but had been lost. A tailor had come over the day before to tailor the suit to perfectly to his body.

He was currently dressed in a black three-piece suit with a white dress shirt and a blood red tie. He even had a matching red pocket square. Despite feeling more comfortable in his Pact Armor, that was quite literally molded for his body, Alaster had to admit that he looked quite handsome. Lunaria had even insisted that she cut his hair, which was now short, but long enough to be lightly combed over to the side.

As he sat in the carraiage across from Lunaria and Azemar, on their way to the City Lord’s castle, Alaster took another look at his companions.

Lunaria was dressed in a beautiful white gown that complemented her sun kissed skin without taking away from her silver hair. The dress was tight, showing off her body, while still remaining modest. Alaster had to pay attention not to stare. She was practically bouncing in her seat out of excitement for the party.

Azemar was calmly sitting next to his daughter, dressed similarly to Alaster, except tie and pocket square were both a rich purple. His hair was longer than Alaster’s but too short for any short of tie, instead it was combed and lightly greased back.

Despite the excited beautiful young woman, Alaster paid close attention to her father. Since the passing of his wife, he had been depressed as he was mourning, but he also seemed lighter. Alaster was not sure how to describe it in words. He just didn’t seem so weighed down.

Lunaria had also noticed the change, but she seemed content to simply remain quiet until someone decided to tell her. Something that her father appreciated as he had no idea how to even approach the subject. It was not as if he could simply say that her mother had been slowly dying in a Crystal buried deep under their home.

For now, both seemed content, so Alaster remained silent.

Instead, Alaster stared out the window of the carriage. It was a calm and cloudless night, allowing the moon to cast its gentle light onto the world below. A gentle snow was falling, coating the paved road white. Few people were still walking around this late, but those that were made sure to stop whatever they were doing and bow respectfully to the Elder’s Carriage.

“Now Alaster, I want you to treat this as a test for everything I have taught you over the last year. This is the first time and hopefully last time, they will see your face and know you are my apprentice. As such, they will all attempt to get in your good graces in hopes of it opening a path to me.

Do what you will, but as it is a test, try to blend in so well they assume you are a Noble from elsewhere.” Azemar instructed, closing the curtain over his window.

Lunaria leaned forward, incidentally giving Alaster a view she would have been mortified at. But she didn’t seem to notice.

“But make sure to have fun! It’s a party! Specifically for you! All sorts of Ladies will be throwing themselves at you. I’m sure a strong young man like you will enjoy that.” She rapidly blinked, attempting to feign innocence.

“Oh great,” Alaster said sarcastically, “A bunch of desperate women wanting me only for my relation to your father. This should be great fun!”

Lunaria slumped back in her seat, folding her arms and pouting, “You don’t have to be so mean about it.”

Alaster chuckled, and even Azemar couldn’t suppress a grin, “I’m sorry Luna, I did not mean for it to sound so rude. Its just that I really don’t like large crowds, especially those with people all going their own way and with their own goals. Its just irritating. I honestly don’t see how you enjoy it.”

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Lunaria smiled widely, her prior pouting completely forgotten, “How can you not? Its chaotic and beautiful! Everyone is dressed up, attempting to impress everyone else. You never know what sorts of business everyone is up to! Who is doing what, or even who.”

“Lunaria.” Her father chastized.

“Oh, please father, I’m a grown woman. Besides, despite all their attempts at secrecy, its pretty obvious when they both mysteriously vanish from the ball room, only to magically reappear a little while later, slightly less composed.”

“Still, as a young Lady, you should not associate with such people.”

Lunaria’s eyes took on an evil glint, “Coming from you, that is rich. Mother told me all the stories. All the mischief you would get up to when you were younger and dragging her along.”

Azemar coughed, his cheeks flushed, “If I remember correctly, it was usually your mother dragging me into her plots.”

Lunaria quickly switched seats, sitting next to Alaster. With his large size and the small carriage, her thigh was touching his. He tried to ignore the warmth and focus on the conversation, which was not helping.

“OH! She told me all about that, but she also said that you didn’t resist very much. But I’ve always wanted to know your perspective of the night of her twentieth birthday, when you bent the knee.”

Azemar’s embarrassed smile turned into a content grin, “That was a perfect night. Though I did not know it at the time. I had been planning it for almost two months prior. I had everything planned to perfection, and yet, when the night finally arrived, it seemed as if everything fell apart. But perhaps I will tell you that story when you are older.”

Lunaria was aghast, “Oh that is so mean! Come on, you can’t leave it at that! Alaster really wanted to know the story!”

Alaster turned to her with an accusatory stare. She simply beamed at him and turned back to her father. However, before she could continue her attempts at persuading her father, the carriage came to a stop.

“We have arrived Elder.” The driver respectfully said, opening the door.

Azemar nodded to the driver and got up, ducking under the ceiling as he smirked cruelly at his daughter. She quickly followed after him, with the intention of tackling him, but instantly composed herself at the sight of all the other people outside. She gracefully took her father’s offered hand as he helped her descend from the carriage.

Alaster followed behind them, the entire carriage sloping with his weight as he stepped off. The carriage, including all the other Nobles’, were stopped at the front gate, allowing their passengers to disembark before they were guided to the stables off to the side.

It was a short walk to the large double doors but Alaster felt the eyes of every Nobleman and Lady watching his every step as he followed right behind Azemar and Lunaria.

‘Oh this is going to be a painful night.’

‘At least try to enjoy yourself.’ Sedall said.

‘Hard to do when everyone has an ulterior motive.’

‘People always have an ulterior motive, just try to have fun, or you are right. This will be a painful night.’

‘I’d rather be training with Lezrem.’ Alaster groaned.

‘You and me both.’ Belgroth sympathized, ‘You Humans just have to complicate everything.’

‘Demons don’t have parties?’ Sedall questioned.

‘The Argalon had plenty of parties, but there weren’t so many rules or customs. Eat a lot, drink a lot, laugh a lot, and if you wished, and both parties agreed, mate a lot. We played music and enjoyed ourselves. But this? This seems more like a play than an actual party.’

‘Sounds pretty primitive.’

‘And this looks pretty pretentious.’

Alaster cracked a slight grin, ‘Alright you two, let me focus. Sedall, I will try to enjoy myself. Belgroth, I agree. But this is a Nobleman’s party. The parties and celebrations of commoners are very similar to what you are used to.’

‘We should go to those.’

‘I’ll make a note of it.’

By this time, Alaster entered the castle behind Azemar and Lunaria. There was a wide hallway separating the front door from the ballroom, whose doors stood open, where a short line had formed. Those at the head offered their names to the guard, who passed it to an older gentleman with a staff who would then announce it loudly. At that moment, those announced would descend the stairs and join the crowd.

The line moved slowly, but consistently.

Alaster occupied himself with looking at the hallway and what little he could see of the ballroom; however his attention was grabbed by Lunaria hurriedly whispered something in her father’s ear, followed by a sigh from him.

“Crap. Alaster, you need a surname to be announced. Do you have a preference?” Azemar asked, turning around and keeping his voice low so as to now be heard by the influential people around them.

Alaster thought for a moment before he answered. Azemar nodded, satisfied with the answer while Lunaria looked impressed. Eventually, the two gave their names.

This time, the gentleman pounded his heavy staff twice, as he did, a hush fell upon the crowd.

“Elder Azemar and his daughter Lunaria Roseheart!”

They gracefully walked down the dozen steps and were quickly immediately swarmed. Azemar by Noblemen, merchants, and diplomates. Lunaria by young Lords and Ladies.

Now at the head of the que, Alaster offered his name and waited.

“Alaster Ashborn, apprentice to Elder Azemar!”