Charlotte had anticipated that she might soon receive an invitation, but she hadn’t expected it to co so quickly.
Moreover, the invitation was from Duke Gaston, a representative of the kingdom’s neutral nobles.
The so-called neutral nobles, as the na suggests, are those who remain neutral in the struggle for the throne. They support neither the Second Prince nor the Third Prince, nor do they actively support the king’s efforts to strengthen central authority like the royalist nobles do.
This piqued Charlotte’s curiosity.
Representing Castell and the force that toppled the Third Prince, she had expected invitations from nobles supporting the Second Prince. Instead, she received one from a neutral party.
“Sebastian, why do you think the neutral nobles would invite to a banquet? Aren’t they supposed to stay out of the succession struggle?”
Charlotte asked thoughtfully, holding the invitation.
Sebastian frowned and shook his head after so thought.
“Master, I can’t figure it out either… Perhaps the Third Prince’s actions have crossed their bottom line, so they’ve chosen to take a stand?”
Charlotte’s heart stirred at Sebastian’s opinion.
It wasn’t impossible. But even if the neutral nobles supported the central council’s judgnt against the Third Prince, shouldn’t the Second Prince’s faction be leading the charge?
This thought deepened Charlotte’s confusion.
“Master, the banquet is tonight. Are you going to attend?”
Sebastian asked.
Charlotte glanced at the invitation and nodded slightly.
“Yes, why not? Regardless of the situation, I’ll find out by attending.”
One of the purposes of attending the central council was to make connections with nobles. Since there was an invitation, she should go.
As for choosing sides, Charlotte had no imdiate plans. Her initial intention was to remain neutral while successfully weakening the Third Prince.
However, after declining the church’s invitation, her stance had slightly shifted. Now, she wanted to see the situation before deciding.
…
The banquet at Duke Gaston’s residence was to be held in the evening at his estate in the capital.
As a grand noble of the kingdom, the Gaston estate was also located in the inner city, though a bit farther from the estate Charlotte rented, on the opposite side of the palace.
As evening approached, Charlotte changed into a black evening gown and boarded her carriage. Since it was a banquet, she didn’t bring many attendants, only her butler Sebastian, her personal maid, Sherry, Reina, and Eudoxia.
By the ti Charlotte arrived at the Gaston estate, many nobles had already arrived.
The Gaston estate was quite large, about four to five tis the size of the one Charlotte rented. The entrance was bustling with carriages, adorned luxuriously, and decorated with various crests, indicating the attending noble families.
Despite nightfall, the estate was brightly lit, with servants bustling about, receiving the guests.
Charlotte was surprised by the number of nobles attending, much more than she had anticipated. She recognized many crests, belonging to the Crescent Kingdom’s major nobles, including several ducal families.
As Charlotte observed the attending nobles, they also noticed the Castell family’s carriage.
Similar to before, many carriages made way for hers. This indicated her status, though she was only a countess, no noble below a duke would underestimate her.
Charlotte felt many eyes on her carriage. When she alighted with Sebastian, she beca the center of attention, with gazes doubling.
Most were curious and admiring, but there were also so scrutinizing and even hostile looks.
Hostile?
Charlotte’s senses tingled.
Bloodbornes have keen perceptions. Though faint, the hostility represented wariness and displeasure, which she sensed imdiately.
Following the gaze, she saw a middle-aged noble, about forty or fifty, alighting from a carriage. The estate’s butler and servants were respectfully attending to him.
As Charlotte looked over, the noble glanced at her, then quickly averted his gaze, entering the estate.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow, recognizing him through the family crest on his carriage—sword and griffin. In the Crescent Kingdom, only one family bore this crest: the Prutz family, one of the nine ducal families.
Despite the distance, Charlotte sensed the powerful extraordinary aura from the middle-aged noble—a Blazing Sun.
“Hmm? Duke Prutz? He’s here too? Isn’t he a staunch supporter of the Third Prince? Attending this banquet?”
Sebastian’s surprised voice caught Charlotte’s attention.
“Duke Prutz?”
Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
Interesting. Very interesting. A banquet hosted by neutral nobles, with even the Third Prince’s supporters attending, and a duke at that.
Moreover, the number of nobles was surprisingly large.
Looking at the endless stream of carriages and the many family crests, so seen only in books, Charlotte believed it if told the entire Crescent Kingdom’s notable families attended.
It seed tonight’s banquet wasn’t simple.
“Countess Castell, welco to tonight’s banquet. Please follow .”
The estate’s butler and servants greeted respectfully as Charlotte disembarked.
Charlotte nodded slightly, following the servants into the estate.
The Gaston estate was luxurious, more so than Charlotte’s Count’s estate. Entering the banquet hall, she found it lively.
Tall stone pillars surrounded the hall, with long tables covered in elegant cloths, set with gold and silver cutlery, fine porcelain, and exquisite glassware. A roaring fire in the fireplace added warmth and a faint fragrance.
Nobles, dressed in splendid attire, laughed and chatted in groups. Servants weaved through the crowd with trays and wine glasses, attentively pouring drinks, while musicians played lodious tunes.
The banquet hall was a scene of joy and festivity. However, the mont Charlotte entered, she paused slightly.
She slled a familiar scent—bloodbornes. And not just one.
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