As always Giliath demands your power stones!
*
Before Duke Dunan could lash out further, I heard a steady sound approach us from behind. These footsteps carried a certain weight to them. Once they got close enough, they spoke out. It was one of the three men making friendly conversation with one another just a moment ago.
"Are you sure you want to get rid of my daughter, Your Grace?", Cassius said, grinning at Duke Dunan. The moment Cassius arrived at our side and became visible, I saw Duke Dunan's body quake and his eyes pop out. Once he started talking back, he stuttered.
"C-C-Colonel Bright! I-I had no idea this girl was your child!", Duke Dunan said, stammering. His voice shrank the more he said those words. "I didn't think you'd make it back in time to send off His Highness the Crown Prince tomorrow...", Duke Dunan said, stuttering as he did.
Despite being the nephew of Her Majesty, I saw Cassius's eyes curve upward into two crescent moons. Even I was even surprised to see Cassius do this. It isn't often he turns super-serious mode.
"Even if you are Her Majesty's nephew Your Grace, you ought to choose your next words VERY carefully.", Cassius said to him, giving Duke Dunan the death stare.
"P-Phillip, let us take our leave. The other guests have managed to head inside the dining hall. Our turn should be next. G-Good day, Colonel.", Duke Dunan said before he quite literally tucked his tail between his legs and scurried off down the stairs. He vanished from sight as quickly as he arrived. The butler, Phillip, on the other hand, bowed at us. He dodged Cassius altogether.
"I'm terribly sorry for His Grace's behavior just now. He's been talking about this banquet nonstop, even though we're here to celebrate life. I hope you don't take it personal.", Phillip said with an apologetic look in his eyes.
"Hahaha! It's all swept under the rug. I know how quirky His Grace can act at times. You're fine aren't you, Estelle? I'm sorry if that man made you scared.", Cassius said, bending down to pick up Estelle. Estelle quickly shook her head.
"It hurts a little but I'm okay!", Estelle replied. She then glanced her eyes back toward me. "But it's Naoto's fault this time. He wouldn't hug me!", Estelle said, pouting.
"Haha, I'm sorry. You just had it coming, Estelle.", I replied, grinning. I felt sorry doing this, but it was pretty funny to watch. I even got Duke Dunan's classic response out of it. I could picture his voice in my head. "Anyway, who was that, Mister Cassius?", I asked. I very well knew he was, but if others saw me, they wouldn't know. I was just the curious kid who displayed interest to find out.
"That guy is Her Majesty's nephew, Duke Dunan. He unfortunately also bears the Auslese name. He can be quite...a handful at times. It'd be best to ignore his outbursts. He can't do much in the face of the Queen.", Cassius said. Sheesh, you're shooting where it hurts, just like that? Not that I can't relate. I've watched videos of several people playing these games, and no matter who it was, they've always hated Duke Dunan from the very beginning.
"PHILLIP! Do I need to remind you that it is ME that you're serving?", Duke Dunan's voice yelled across the castle floor, disregarding the ongoing atmosphere altogether.
"I'm terribly sorry Your Grace.", Phillip exclaimed back. He gave us another bow. "I wish we could discuss further, but I shall take my leave and return to His Grace's side.", Phillip continued to say.
Poor guy.
Butler Phillip always has his work cut out for him. Always made me wonder why he's serving such a person. Not many know, but this very same Butler once led the Royal Army to battle. He was their commander, holding a similar position to General Morgan. And now, it was Colonel Cassius who led most of the Royal Army as their primary tactician. General Morgan was the one who barked the orders, but it was none other than Cassius who devised them.
And what's more Phillip holds high skill in using the Rapier.
And guess what? A lot of members of the Auslese royalty tend to lean toward the Rapier. Princess Klaudia uses one while parading around as Kloe. She's also one of the party members. Julia Schwarz also uses a Rapier.
I know Giliath plans to teach me generalized combat techniques and tactics once my body is ready for it, but if I want to learn something more specialized...
Then Phillip definitely fits the bill. I even recall he had an alias during his military days.
Everyone called him the Demon Commander. How cool a name is that?
I know now isn't the time, but I may request Father to send in a combat instructor like Phillip. I know he's pretty old now, but his skills are still as sharp as ever. After all, you get to fight him in the latter half of Sky.
"Are you okay, Estelle?", Elie said, still worried. She could now be seen carried by Henry.
"Uh-huh! Everything's fine now! We should head on in daddy.", Estelle said, urging Cassius.
"Haha, we should be the last few to enter the dining hall. The banquet should begin shortly. Come here, Naoto.", Giliath said, calling for me.
"Okay!", I happily replied. I saw Giliath reach down, so I let him pick me up. Three fathers were now holding onto their kids. This was a pretty interesting sight.
"It's time we go. Elie, make sure you're on your best behavior during the banquet, alright?", Henry asked.
"I got it, Grandpa.", Elie said, and proceeded to wave my hand at me. "It was nice to see you again, Naoto!", Elie happily said.
The three of us, Elie included, were able to play around during the late afternoon. The time was short, but I still had fun. I'm sure Elie did too. The two bid us farewell. Henry took Elie and vanished into the banquet hall. I hope there will be more chances for us to play around. Father was interested in setting up playdates, so hopefully Henry will be able to make time and bring Elie over to Trista. She's much closer than Estelle is. I don't think the latter will happen, unfortunately.
As I thought that, I saw Cassius look at Estelle with a serious look.
"I expect you to behave the same, Estelle. This banquet is of utmost importance to Her Majesty the Queen. No roughhousing, okay?", Cassius said, warning Estelle.
"Okay, Daddy. Do you think the three of us can play again later?", Estelle asked.
"Haha, if you behave well during dinner, there might be some time later to do so.", Cassius answered with a laugh. Estelle became nervous hearing that, but she nodded her head anyways. As the two departed, Estelle waved her hand at me. I responded, and waved back. It wasn't long until Giliath and I were the only ones left on the first floor of the castle. The dining hall was just beyond the center of the room.
We saw no other people in the main hallway now. I've seen several influential members of the Royal Army enter, and other important guests both local and from afar. Grandmother invited quite a few people to tonight's banquet. I even saw the Dean of Jenis Royal Academy attend. He was called Dean Collins. Apart from Father, I did not see any Erebonians present. There weren't many Bracers for that matter either. Most Bracers I know are likely kids right now, or not even born yet. The only memorable Bracer that I know of should be a guy called Zin. Hell, even Cassius wasn't a Bracer. That won't happen until he retires from the military.
"Are you ready Naoto? Do recall Her Majesty's words. We are merely guests just like everyone else to enjoy the celebration of life. You might see me strike up some conversations with the other guests. It's a good way of networking, and this is a good skill to develop once you enter that circle of nobility. The more nobles you have on friendly terms, the better. And if you behave well, I might even let you play with those children again.", Giliath said to me with a playful smirk.
"I understand, Father.", I replied. But I was inwardly happy when he said that. It doesn't matter if this is another lesson for me. I had fun playing around with Estelle and Elie. If I get another chance to do so, I'll gladly take it.
Nothing else kept us busy, so we carried ourselves inside the dining hall. A bunch of people could now be seen seated. Maids were also bringing in dish after dish after dish. The table was insanely long, easily capable of seating tens of guests. I saw Her Majesty all the way at the other end of the table. We took toward the opposite end.
Close to her, I saw a raised seat with a little kid inside of it, similar to my age, and likewise similar to Estelle and Elie. She was wearing a fancy purple and white frilly dress. She was moving her eyes around a lot, observing the many people sitting at this elongated table. Once the two of us arrived, I saw her eyes land on us.
No doubt about it. This little girl was Princess Klaudia. A lot of people had mused looks in their eyes while some showed shock seeing Giliath enter the room. We avoided any suspicion, and took our seat near the other end. It wouldn't do well if I was suddenly placed beside Her Majesty. I saw Queen Alicia nod her head at our arrival too as a kind gesture.
I also spotted Cassius, Lena and Estelle seated in one area with Henry and Elie seated at another section of the table.
Yet to my surprise, I suddenly heard a notification sound off inside my head the moment my eyes landed on Estelle, Elie, and Princess Klaudia.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has successfully encountered three or more girls with strong fates attached to the Trailsverse. A new Title has been received.]
[Ding! Title: Harem Seeker is now available. Would you like to equip it?]
"Bruh.", I uttered to myself. My eyes turned wide, as I didn't expect to see this message appear inside my mind.
If there were any 'bruh' moments to be had, this was definitely one of them.