After going through the long and arduous process of appealing to the masses.
Julius with a sore wrist from all the waving.
Assisted Serena with getting down from their carriage turned float.
The legion took up new positions as additional guardians of the carthaginian Royal palace, while the Praetorians dismounted from their horses and passed the reigns over to stableboys, before resuming their guard duty of their sovereign as the long climb up the enormous staircase to the actual palace began.
Having seen what they needed to the commoners below began to disperse and return to life in the city as normal.
So continued to hang around, while other brave lots approached the Legionaires who were now posted and began verbally throwing a near endless number of questions that if a modern person was around they’d think these people were investigative reporters for a big na newspaper.
Completing the climb Serena greeted the palace staff, who as one welcod the arriving couple.
"Welco Your Royal Majesties."
Maids, Butlers, and even guards all bowed their heads as one upon giving an as one greeting to the newly arrived.
Giving a simple nod of his head in acknowledgent, the palace staff like the commoner crowd dispersed and everyone returned to their jobs, all except for what Julius presud were the Head Butler and Head Maid.
Both of whom approached side by side before stopping short to bow once more.
"Your Royal Highness, if you would please join , it would be my great honor to lead you to your room."
"Your Highness, Queen Serena please let us retire to your room, we’ll need to get your changed in ti for the feast!"
Without getting the chance to even say goodbye Serena was practically kidnapped from the scene off to undergo the royal treatnt consisting of a bath, then dressing, makeup, etc etc etc.
Yeah all those dozens of minutes worth of preparations that noble ladies need to undergo in this type of society so as to no besmirch the royal reputation.
Julius on the other hand followed after the butler who walked with a ramrod straight spine as if he was incapable of bending forwards at all except to bow.
The room he was led to was a step above the one he’d been assigned the last ti he’d co to the palace in disguise, while pretending to be Haddin.
The butler being kept outside the room, with a pair of praetorians who stand guard at the door.
Julius himself quickly entered the bathroom and did a quick wash of his body to get rid of any slls and dust accumulated during the days travel since last he’d had the chance to cleanse himself properly back in Ramie’s capital.
Next he began to dress himself, not in the style of the Carthaginian nobility who would be dressing in Shenti which was almost like a super long scarft that was wrapped from their calves all the way up their body until it was slung crosswise over their shoulders with an under worn tunic top as well.
Julius on the other hand had decided to adorn his own nations Noble garnts.
As in the Toga.
Still wearing a simple tunic underneath before having the toga itself worn on top, then drapped on his shoulders was a near black woolen mantle that born the crest of the Romanus kingdom upon his back.
And most importantly was the adornnt of the color purple in the lining of his chosen toga.
Purple this was a color reserved in the past as one ant only for the very highest in society, specifically under the fallen empire only the Emperor, and the higest-ranking officials were allowed to garb themselves in the color as it was publicized to be the color adored by the gods and therefor only the gods chosen had the right to wear it.
Of course that was not true and the only real reason was that purple was a hard color to create when dyeing sothing.
But even thousands of years later, the stigma against the color still stood.
And while you would occasionally see soone wearing sothing with the color, if it was anything other than a gem others would typically warn you about it.
So it ca as quite a shock that when he was announced at the banquet hall and entered the room fully dressed, all eyes on him nearly popped out of their skulls.
Julius stood there wearing purple, wearing a toga, even wearing a golden Laurel Wreath upon his head looking very much like a man who’d appeared right out of the long distanced past.
As he regally strode forth into the hall and approached the seat of honor a place he’d been told by Serena during their journey would be his place.
Julius had to be quick since as a visiting king all in attendance save for Serene was required to show decorum and bow their heads to him.
Once seated he gave the command.
"Raise your heads."
But no one did, then the Queen seated next to him repeated the command.
"Please, Raise your heads."
At this they all did so.
This was not a slight to Julius but just a show to visiting Royals that while they might be royal the occupants of this palace were not their subjects to be ordered about.
Having gone through the required steps the banquet could finally begin and as the palace staff busily worked the floor to bring out tray after tray of foods fresh from the kitchen while others carried around pitchers, and bottles of wine.
Watching the orchestrated chaos that was happening the nobility and great persons in attendance all waited to dig in.
Once a good portion had been ’served’ to the tabled, Julius perford the next act.
Upon his standing the only slightly noisy hall was quieted in an instant as all eyes save the working staff turned to look at him.
His goblet full of wine raised into the air as his eyes surveyed the filled hall.
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