The sound of conversations filling the Grand Banquet Hall gradually died down.
Every noble present instinctively turned toward the grand staircase overlooking the enormous hall.
At the very top...
A pair of magnificent silver doors slowly slid open.
Whoosh.
Standing beyond them was a young man dressed in immaculate ceremonial attire.
His long black coat, embroidered with intricate silver-and-gold patterns, rested elegantly over layers of pristine white fabric. A crimson sash encircled his waist, while polished silver pauldrons bearing the Ashbourne crest reflected the warm glow of the crystal chandeliers above.
His black hair was neatly styled.
His sharp obsidian eyes calmly swept across the gathering below.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of nervousness upon his handsome face.
Only calm confidence.
Standing half a step behind him was Seraphina, serving as both his escort and guardian.
At the foot of the staircase...
Sebastian stepped forward.
He straightened his posture before raising his voice.
"May I present..."
"The Young Master of House Ashbourne..."
"...Arthur Von Ashbourne!"
His dignified announcement echoed throughout the banquet hall.
Silence followed.
Hundreds of pairs of eyes settled upon Arthur.
Young Lords.
Star Lords.
Merchants.
Every guest present looked toward the heir of House Ashbourne.
Arthur remained perfectly composed.
Without hesitation...
He began descending the staircase.
Step.
Step.
Step.
His movements were graceful and unhurried.
Each step carried the quiet confidence expected of the heir to one of the Empire’s oldest noble houses.
Several noble ladies couldn’t help but stare.
"..."
"...He’s even more handsome than the rumors said."
"...No wonder he’s ranked first among the Seven Princes."
Near the bottom of the staircase...
A maid elegantly approached, carrying a golden tray.
Resting upon it was a glass cup filled with sparkling champagne.
Arthur smiled politely.
"Thank you."
He accepted the glass.
The maid bowed before quietly stepping aside.
Arthur slowly raised the cup.
"My honored guests."
"I would first like to thank each and every one of you for attending my coming-of-age ceremony today."
His calm voice carried effortlessly throughout the hall.
"It truly means more to me than words can express."
He glanced across the crowd with a warm smile.
"I sincerely hope the food and drinks are to your liking."
"And, more importantly..."
"I hope every one of you enjoys a splendid evening."
He lifted the glass slightly higher.
"...Cheers."
He took a graceful sip.
Almost immediately...
The entire banquet hall responded in kind.
"...Cheers!"
Glasses rose throughout the hall.
The sound of countless delicate chimes echoed through the room as noble ladies and guests alike toasted alongside him before enjoying their drinks.
Arthur lowered his now half-empty glass.
The same maid gracefully stepped forward once more.
He placed the glass cup back upon her golden tray.
"Thank you."
"My pleasure, Young Master."
She bowed before quietly departing.
Arthur then stepped away from the staircase and entered the sea of distinguished guests.
Conversations slowly resumed around him.
With Seraphina following a respectful distance behind...
Arthur made his way through the banquet hall toward the front of the chamber.
There...
Standing together while conversing with the Star Lord guests...
Were the Master of House Ashbourne...
And his elder sister, Young Lord Florain.
Arthur smiled faintly as he approached them.
As he did, he noticed his older sister had her eyes on him, smiling mischievously.
The moment he got close, Seraphina bowed.
"Evening, Young Lord."
"Seraphina, I trust my brother hasn’t been giving you a hard time during training."
Raising her head, she responded,
"As always, the Young Master is immensely talented but pushes himself too much."
"Oh?"
Florain walked closer.
"Well, you can’t blame him."
"He is an Ashbourne, after all."
"It’s in his blood."
Seraphina nodded.
"I will keep that in mind."
Turning her gaze toward him again, Florain gave a small chuckle.
"My, my..."
"My little brother certainly knows how to make an entrance."
Arthur rolled his eyes.
"...Please don’t start."
Florain took another sip of her wine before grinning.
"So..."
"See anyone you like yet?"
Arthur glanced around the bustling banquet hall.
Hundreds of elegantly dressed young ladies filled the room, chatting amongst themselves.
He simply shrugged.
"I haven’t even spoken to anyone yet."
"It’s a little difficult to focus on one face in a crowd this large."
Florain laughed.
"Fair enough."
She stepped closer and casually draped an arm over Arthur’s shoulder.
"Then you can rely on your wonderful big sister to help you pick one."
Arthur gave her a skeptical look.
"...Not that I trust your taste."
"But..."
He sighed dramatically.
"...Go ahead."
Florain smiled triumphantly.
"I knew you’d come around."
She took another graceful sip from her wine before subtly pointing her glass toward a young woman across the banquet hall.
"What about her?"
Arthur followed her gaze.
A beautiful young woman with long crimson-red hair stood near one of the marble pillars, elegantly speaking with several nobles while dressed in a luxurious scarlet gown embroidered with golden phoenix motifs.
Florain smirked.
"She’s the Young Lord of House Vermillion."
"Beautiful."
"Talented."
"And her family’s military strength is among the best in the neighboring star systems."
She nudged Arthur lightly with her elbow.
"What do you think?"
Arthur studied the woman for a few seconds.
"...She looks nice."
He paused before scratching his cheek awkwardly.
"No offense, Florain..."
"...but I’d prefer someone with a little more meat on her bones, if you know what I mean."
Florain blinked.
Then a mischievous grin slowly spread across her face.
"Hmmm..."
"Alright."
"Alright."
"It’s your ceremony."
"You’re allowed to be picky."
She gave him a playful nudge.
"I just wanted to see if you had the same taste as our Father."
Arthur frowned.
"...What’s that supposed to mean?"
Without answering immediately, Florain subtly gestured across the hall.
Arthur followed her gaze.
Their mother, Elizabeth, was gracefully conversing with several Star Lords.
Arthur’s eyes instinctively drifted downward.
"..."
"...Oh."
His expression became slightly awkward.
Florain couldn’t hold back a laugh.
"I know, right?"
"It’s honestly a miracle we both managed to grow up all big and strong, Brother."
Arthur immediately looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.
"...Can we please change the subject?"
Florain burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Oh, you’re no fun."