"Baron Clavor Dmond, Lady Aurora Dmond, accompanied by their children, Lady Judite Dmond and Young Master Lukas Dmond!"

Hundreds of eyes turned toward them. Lukas nearly froze.

Clavor maintained an impeccable posture, broad shoulders, head held high, gaze fixed ahead.

Aurora walked with serene elegance, a small and polite smile upon her lips.

Judite seemed torn between excitement and nervousness, her wide eyes scanning the hall.

Lukas tried to imitate his parents’ calm expressions.

Even though, internally, he was freaking out because it was the first time in his life that so many people had been watching him at once.

The grand hall was magnificent.

Long tables occupied part of the space, arranged in parallel rows, covered with white tablecloths and adorned with floral arrangements, red roses, white lilies, and small blue flowers that Lukas did not recognize.

Servants moved about carrying trays of drinks, red wine, white wine, juices, lemon water, and small appetizers. Salmon canapés, cubed cheeses, and candied fruits.

At the center of the hall, there was enough space for dancing, a large circle of polished marble where a few couples were already twirling to the music.

At the opposite end from the entrance, an elevated platform displayed the main table, reserved for Count Hark, his family, and the most distinguished guests.

Musicians played discreetly in one corner, string instruments, violins, harps, and some wind instruments such as flutes and a small trumpet. The music was soft, elegant, a subtle accompaniment to the conversations.

Refined conversations filled the atmosphere, polite laughter, exchanged compliments, information being negotiated in hushed tones.

"Clavor!"

A male voice called out.

A robust man approached. He had graying brown hair and a perfectly trimmed short beard. He wore a dark green tunic with golden details and a wolf-shaped brooch on his chest.

"Lord Arven Holt." Lukas recognized him from Aurora’s teachings. A noble family from the northern region, known for their skills with warhorses.

"It has been a long time." Clavor greeted him, clasping the man’s forearm.

"These must be your children."

Clavor nodded.

"Judite. Lukas."

The children greeted him politely.

"It is a pleasure to meet you." Arven said.

"I’ve heard that young Lukas is a genius."

Lukas sensed Aurora smiling discreetly.

"I’m just curious." He replied modestly.

"Hmm. Curious." Arven raised an eyebrow.

"Quite a well-mannered curiosity, it seems."

After that came other introductions.

Clavor introduced them.

Master Helio Vance, owner of the largest caravan company in the south, a short and chubby man with bright eyes and hands full of rings. He wore red velvet clothes and laughed loudly whenever someone said something even slightly amusing.

Lady Sera Morwood, overseer of several magical crystal mines in the eastern mountains. She was a tall and slender woman with gray hair tied into a severe bun and an expression that showed no emotion. She wore blue crystal jewelry around her neck and wrists.

Master Kaelen Vance, a relative of the former and the master of the local artisans’ guild. He wore a leather apron over simple clothes, and his hands were stained with ink and resin.

"Not everyone here holds titles." Clavor explained quietly to Lukas.

"But they all possess a certain degree of influence."

Lukas observed attentively. Learning. Memorizing names. Faces. Coats of arms.

’It might be useful in the future.’

Shortly afterward, servants approached.

"Baron Dmond, your seats have already been prepared."

They were led to a table positioned in an excellent location.

Close enough to the main platform to demonstrate prestige. Yet distant enough to respect the noble hierarchy.

"Good seats." Clavor commented.

Aurora nodded discreetly.

Small plaques indicating each person’s place had been arranged on the table. Even Lukas had a reserved seat, a dark wooden chair with the Dmond crest engraved upon its backrest.

He sat down carefully.

Then new voices echoed throughout the hall.

"Count Roland Vester and family!"

A new family entered.

Green attire. A crest displaying a golden stag leaping over a river.

Count Roland was a tall man with wavy dark hair and brown eyes. His wife, a pale woman with red hair, wore a light green dress adorned with golden details. Behind them followed two teenage children.

The Vesters were known for their skill with bow and arrow. It was said that the Count never missed his target.

"Baroness Celia Morvain and family!"

Another family.

Light blue garments. A crest displaying a dolphin leaping over waves.

The Baroness was a short woman with silver hair and blue eyes who walked with a crystal cane. Her husband, a dark-haired man with a youthful face, carried their youngest child in his arms.

The Morvains were known for their merchant navy, controlling part of the kingdom’s maritime trade.

The hall gradually became fuller. More vibrant. More magnificent.

Lukas watched in fascination. Each announcement seemed to reveal new characters from this world.

Every family possessed its own identity. Its own symbols. Its own stories.

"Look." Aurora murmured.

Near the main platform, several servants were organizing boxes, sculptures, ornamental weapons, and jewelry upon a long table covered in blue velvet.

The gifts offered to young Lady Elara.

Clavor carefully handed over the box containing the ceremonial spear.

"A gift from House Dmond for Lady Elara." He informed the attendant.

The servant, a thin man with graying hair, wearing white gloves and a silver medallion upon his chest, bowed his head respectfully.

"It shall be properly presented."

Lukas observed other gifts being delivered.

A necklace of black pearls, rare and valuable, brought from the depths of the sea.

A cloak lined with white wolf fur, soft and gleaming, likely hunted in the northern mountains.

A small golden dragon, a detailed sculpture with ruby eyes, resting upon a marble base.

’Nobles.’ Lukas thought.

’Always trying to impress.’

A short while later...

The doors opened once again.

The herald’s voice became even more powerful.

"Count Albrecht Lark, representative of the Kingdom of Solaria!"

The hall fell silent. A tall man entered.

Golden hair, like strands of braided gold. Intense blue eyes, gleaming like ice beneath the light of the chandeliers.

He wore white garments adorned with golden threads, a long tunic, a short mantle draped over his shoulders, and white leather boots.

Behind him came his family, his wife, a pale woman with brown hair, and two teenage children with golden hair like their father’s.

The Lark family crest depicted a winged griffin upon a golden field.

"Another kingdom?" Lukas whispered.

"An allied kingdom." Clavor replied quietly.

"Solaria maintains important trade relations with Rhyne. They send minerals and timber. In return, they receive our textiles and food."

Many nobles rose to greet them.

Count Hark himself briefly appeared to receive them.