Chapter 7: A Noble Gathering

The grand hall of the King’s Summer Palace was a sight to behold. Crystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting a soft, warm light over the polished marble floors. Ornate tapestries adorned the walls, depicting scenes of the Commonwealth’s history—great battles, royal coronations, and legendary feats of magic. The air was filled with the murmur of conversation and the clinking of glasses, as nobles from every corner of the realm mingled and exchanged pleasantries.

Robert stood at the entrance, taking it all in. His hands were clasped behind his back, his expression calm, but his heart pounded furiously in his chest. He glanced around, noting the clusters of lords and ladies deep in discussion, their eyes flicking his way as they whispered among themselves.

“Just breathe,” Alexander murmured beside him, his voice low and steady. “You’ve faced worse than this.”

Robert gave a small nod, though he wasn’t entirely sure that was true. He felt the weight of every gaze, every sidelong glance, pressing down on him. He was the Heir of House Rest, but more than that, he was an enigma to these people. He was a reclusive youth, rarely seen in public.

‘And yet,’ Robert thought, steeling himself, ‘I’m here. That’s more than most of them expected.’

He took a deep breath and started forward, Alexander falling into step beside him. The murmur of voices grew louder as they moved through the hall, the scent of roses and lavender filling the air. Several nobles turned to greet him as he passed, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and politeness.

“Lord Robert,” a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard said, inclining his head. “It’s good to finally meet you in person. Lord Garth of House Tawn.”

“Lord Garth,” Robert replied with a polite smile, offering his hand. “The pleasure is mine. I’ve heard much about House Tawn’s influence in the north.”

“Influence, yes,” Garth said, his eyes glinting with amusement. “But not enough to match the reach of House Rest. I must say, I admire your family’s accomplishments—especially your uncle’s work with arrays. Those golems of yours are quite the marvel.”

“Thank you,” Robert said, keeping his tone measured. “We take pride in our contributions to the Commonwealth.”

“As you should,” Garth replied smoothly. “I look forward to seeing more of what House Rest has to offer in the days to come.”

With that, the man moved on, leaving Robert to contemplate the exchange.

“You handled that well,” Alexander murmured. “Don’t let them draw you in too deep. Keep your answers polite but vague.”

Robert nodded absently, his gaze drifting across the hall once more. He recognized several of the other heirs—young men standing beside their guardians, each one a carefully polished representation of their family’s power and prestige.

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His eyes caught on a familiar face, and he felt a small jolt of surprise. Lady Elena Belen stood at the far end of the hall, engaged in conversation with a group of lesser nobles. Her chestnut hair was swept back in an elegant style, and she wore a gown of emerald green that accentuated her sharp, discerning features.

For a moment, their eyes met across the room. Elena’s gaze was steady, almost assessing, and then she smiled—small and polite, but with a hint of something deeper. She nodded once in acknowledgment before turning back to her companions.

He returned the gesture before moving deeper into the hall. He exchanged a few more pleasantries with other nobles—brief, polite conversations that gave him a chance to gauge their attitudes. Most seemed friendly enough, though he could sense the underlying wariness in their eyes.

They reached a small alcove near the center of the hall, where several chairs were arranged in a loose circle. Robert took a seat, grateful for the opportunity to catch his breath. Alexander stood beside him, his posture casual but alert.

“I’d say you’ve made a good first impression,” Alexander observed, his gaze sweeping over the gathering. “Most of them are curious but not openly hostile. That’s a good start.”

Noticing his current lack of engagement, Elena excused herself from her group and made her way toward him. The crowd parted slightly as she approached, and Robert rose to his feet, offering her a polite nod.

“Lady Elena,” he greeted her, his voice steady. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Lord Robert,” Elena replied, bowing courtly. “I’m glad we finally have a chance to speak. I was hoping we might continue our conversation from earlier.”

“Of course,” Robert said, gesturing to a nearby seat. “Please, join me.”

Elena took the seat opposite him, folding her hands neatly in her lap. “You’ve made quite an entrance, arriving with those golems of yours. I must admit, I was impressed. House Rest’s mastery of arrays is well known, but seeing it in person is another matter entirely.”

“We take pride in our craft,” Robert said carefully. “But I’m sure you didn’t come here just to talk about golems.”

Elena’s smile widened slightly. “No, I didn’t. I wanted to get a sense of where you stand. House Rest has been… shall we say, quiet, in recent years. But now, with your presence here, I can’t help but wonder if that’s about to change.”

Robert met her gaze evenly. “We’re not looking to make waves, if that’s what you’re asking. But we’re also not content to sit back and watch from the sidelines.”

“Understandable,” Elena murmured. “But you know as well as I do that staying neutral isn’t always an option.”

Robert hesitated, weighing his response. He could feel the intensity of her gaze, the subtle pressure behind her words. She was probing, testing him, just as the others had.

“We’re here to ensure the stability of the Commonwealth,” Robert said finally. “Nothing more, nothing less.”

Elena inclined her head slightly, her smile never wavering. “A safe answer. But I suppose that’s to be expected. Still, I’ll be watching with interest to see what House Rest does next.”

“And I’ll be watching House Belen,” Robert replied smoothly. “I’m sure we can learn a great deal from each other.”

“Indeed,” Elena said softly. She rose gracefully to her feet, offering him another bow. “I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure there are others you need to speak with. But let’s talk again later. I have a feeling we’ll have much to discuss.”

Robert watched as she walked away, when Alexander interrupted him.

“Interesting conversation?” He asked quietly.

“Very,” Robert murmured. He glanced at his cousin, then back at the crowd. “She’s testing the waters. Trying to see where we fit in.”

“And what did you show her?” Alexander asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Not much,” Robert said with a faint smile. “But enough to keep her guessing.”

Alexander nodded approvingly. “Good. Keep that up, and you’ll do just fine.”

They spent the next hour mingling with various groups, Robert carefully navigating the web of conversations and subtle inquiries. He met several of the other heirs—Lord Mikhail Crima, with his intense gaze and barely concealed hostility; Lady Isabelle Moone, who seemed more interested in fashion than politics; and Lord Alistair Mighthaves, who greeted Robert with a smile that never quite reached his eyes.

By the end of it, Robert felt drained, but he knew he’d held his own. He’d given nothing away, but he’d also made sure they knew he wasn’t someone to be dismissed lightly.

As the gathering began to wind down, Robert found himself back at the alcove, exhaustion tugging at the edges of his mind. He glanced at Alexander, who offered him a reassuring nod.

“You did well,” Alexander said quietly. “Better than most expected, I think.”

Robert managed a small smile. “I suppose that’s something.”

“It’s more than something,” Alexander insisted. “You’ve shown them that House Rest is not to be overlooked. That’s the first step.”