These clothes are really uncomfortable. I want to scratch myself. Am I going to sneeze? Such thoughts run through my head, after I have been dolled up in what would likely be considered effeminate clothes in my previous world, waiting to be allowed in.
This morning two guards had come to escort me one whole hour before the lunch hour, but Bosir had seen this coming and asked me to prepare two hours before. The downside of it, was of course my limited activity in this... mess. In addition, I had equipped various accessories, armbands, necklaces, rings suitable for the occasion. It is apparently improper to not have anything, in addition to having loose hair, so it was tied up in a short pony-tail. It was either that or a special hat, the nobles wear, where your hair is bunched up inside, but it gets really hot. My hair has gotten quite long, since I neglected to have it cut ever since Hannah last gave me one.
I was led through a part of the city, or rather, slightly outside the city proper, that was entirely different to what I knew. The quarter had guards posted outside as an additional checkpoint inside the city, and once inside, there were trees, green lawns and some ten villas. I have never been inside of a gated community, but I imagine it being pretty close. I also wonder who all the villas belong to. Relatives? Wealthy merchants, perhaps?
I was then shown to this... waiting room? A couple of chairs with fancy paintings. I had hoped to be given room to relax, but they left a damn guard in here with me, so I don't feel like I can scratch my nose or adjust my stockings, which just feels weird to wear. Maybe it is just a matter of getting used to it, but not two full days have passed since I first tried wearing it. I am feeling sweaty and itchy all over.
Suddenly a guard opens the door. "We are ready to escort you" is said, which I promptly rise at. Urgh, all this is making my stomach churn. In addition, I kind of lost my motivation since I was promised to be introduced to a more influential family later, so now all I have to do is to clean up Bosir's mess. I am going to hound him something fierce after this.
When we leave the room, the other guard rounds up behind me after closing the door. With one person on either side of me, I feel more like a prisoner being escorted to his execution than a guest. I am escorted through a few hallways, seeing many large paintings and sculptures on the way. I have never seen this kind of art in this world before. Peculiarly, they all seem to depict scenes of fighting, struggle and power. A scene of a man besting a dragon on that canvas, that sculpture of a muscular, almost naked man holding a spear and so on. I guess fighting is more intrinsic to this world than my old one.
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Finally, we appear before another set of massive door, which leads me to what I can only call a throne room. A man sits on the chair elegantly. He has his gold-brown hair tied in a ponytail. He is fairly slender, fairly old, maybe 40. He is wearing a long open coat, which shows off his incredibly fancy shirt, with yellow or perhaps even golden lines sewn in and on his legs he wears stocking like mine, but these have another pattern in that same yellow-gold line on them. His boots have a fair amount of padding underneath them, making them look like those plateau shoes, only with what looks like a stylish slipper on top.
As we step in, the guard in front me says "Announcing the arrival of the lord's guest, hunter Yos". I do as I practiced with Bosir. Go down on one knee, look to the ground, hold my left hand in front my heart and the right one behind my back while announcing.
"This one greets Lord Haiden and thanks the lordship deeply for the invitation" Pronouns are considered part of common speech in this world and you have to use combinations of other words.
"This one accepts the gratitude and bids you welcome to the residence. You may stand up and raise your head, young Yos" Such says the lord of the region, Count Erebyl Haiden. Last names are a little strange here. They are not simply names inherited, but is a public record of your allegiance to what house. If you work for the Haiden house, you will also have the Haiden name. Logically, the lord's allegiance is with his own house, but his daughters will have no last name if married to another noble's house, while retaining it and granting it to her husband, were she to marry a commoner.
He slowly rises and walks over to me, inspecting me. I want to ask what he is doing, but I am not allowed to speak my own mind, only answer his inquiries. He is a little intimidating, looking down on me like that. He has a long, crooked nose and piercing blue eyes.
"This one apologizes, merely wanting to ascertain the chances of a bet this one has made" He says, as he backs a little off.
"A bet, my lord?"
"Pay it no mind. Now, follow behind this one" I am starting to think I am going to hear "this one" so much that it loses all meaning.
The count then lets a guard walk slightly behind him, with me behind further than that and we leave the room I had just arrived in. When we reach another door, the guard steps up and opens it for him. Inside is a large dining room, with eight people already seated and the table decked. One guard then steps between him and me, and escorts me to the end of the table. The other end of the long table, with a taller, fancier chair is sat on by the count.
"This one fears these all long to hear the story, but I beg the young man to stay his tongue till the first recess" Recess? What is he talking about? Oh well, guess I will figure it out as we go.
"As the lord wishes" I say as I nod my head. Damn, it is irritating, I was just about to call him "you"