Arthur stepped back into the Grand Banquet Hall.
The lively chatter of countless nobles once again filled the air.
Before Arthur had taken more than a few steps...
A familiar voice called out.
"Oh my..."
Florain approached with a teasing smile already spreading across her face.
Her eyes shifted between Arthur and Lyra.
"A Young Master and a Young Lord..."
"...alone together on a balcony..."
She dramatically placed a hand over her chest.
"...at night, no less."
She shook her head with exaggerated disappointment.
"What will people think?"
"...!"
Lyra immediately panicked.
"I-It wasn’t like that!"
"Nothing happened!"
Florain’s smile only widened.
"Oh?"
"You’re getting defensive already."
Arthur sighed.
"Lyra..."
"You can relax."
He gestured toward Florain.
"This is my sister."
"She enjoys making other people’s lives difficult."
Florain gasped dramatically.
"I prefer the term entertaining."
Lyra blinked before quickly bowing her head.
"My apologies."
"My name is Lyra Von Evergreen."
"I’m the Young Lord of House Evergreen."
"It’s a pleasure to meet you."
Florain’s playful expression faded for just a moment.
She slowly looked Lyra up and down.
From her emerald hair...
To the white cape resting over one shoulder...
Then back to her face.
"...Hmm."
She glanced sideways at Arthur.
Without saying a word...
She subtly gave him a discreet thumbs up.
Arthur immediately shot her an unamused look.
...I don’t need your approval.
...And stop being a pain.
Florain merely grinned even wider.
Lyra looked back and forth between the siblings.
"...?"
She had absolutely no idea what silent conversation had just taken place.
Florain finally smiled warmly before stepping toward Lyra.
"My name’s Florain Von Ashbourne."
She casually draped an arm over Lyra’s shoulders.
Then, with a completely straight face, she said,
"Take good care of my little brother."
Arthur’s eyelid twitched.
"...Florain."
"Stop it."
She burst into laughter.
"Alright, alright."
She raised both hands in surrender.
"I’ll stop teasing."
Her smile gradually became more composed.
"The gift presentation is about to begin."
"So let’s all get our heads straight."
Arthur nodded.
"...Right."
The three of them turned toward the grand staircase overlooking the banquet hall.
At its summit...
Lady Elizabeth Ashbourne stood gracefully before the enormous silver doors through which Arthur had entered earlier that evening.
The conversations throughout the hall gradually died down as every guest turned their attention toward her.
Standing beside her was Sebastian.
The elderly butler stepped forward with elegance.
He lightly tapped a small device fastened around his neck.
A soft blue holographic interface expanded before him.
Moments later...
His calm voice echoed clearly throughout the entire Grand Banquet Hall.
"Your attention, everyone."
"The Lady of House Ashbourne would now like to address our honored guests."
Silence immediately fell.
Elizabeth smiled gracefully as she looked over the assembled nobles.
"First..."
"I would like to sincerely thank every one of you for attending my son’s coming-of-age ceremony."
"It brings me great joy to see so many distinguished guests gathered here tonight."
Lady Elizabeth smiled gracefully as her gaze swept across the magnificent banquet hall.
"Before we proceed..."
"I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every Young Lord who honored my son’s coming-of-age ceremony with their gifts this evening."
Her smile became warmer.
"Each of your gifts represents not only your generosity..."
"...but also the friendship and respect shared between our noble houses."
"For that..."
"House Ashbourne is sincerely grateful."
"We will now begin the gift presentation."
With a gentle motion of her hand...
A translucent blue datapad materialized above her palm.
Its holographic display expanded into a long floating list of names and crests.
Elizabeth glanced over it before clearing her throat.
At the same time...
The grand doors at the rear of the banquet hall slowly opened.
One after another...
Maids and butlers entered in neat rows, each carefully pushing ornate carts or carrying beautifully wrapped gift cases.
Some gifts were housed in crystal display boxes.
Others rested inside polished wooden chests engraved with family crests.
Several larger items hovered behind attendants on anti-gravity platforms.
The murmuring throughout the banquet hall gradually died down.
Every guest turned their attention toward the procession.
Elizabeth nodded elegantly.
"Now then..."
"Allow me to begin."
Her eyes drifted toward the first name upon the holographic list.
"...From House Nova."
A butler immediately stepped forward, presenting a sleek silver case bearing the crest of House Nova.
Elizabeth smiled.
"Young Lord Iris Von Nova has graciously presented House Ashbourne with a state-of-the-art Stellar Media Projection Array..."
"...along with lifetime premium broadcasting rights across the Nova Galactic Network exclusively for Young Master Arthur."
A ripple of impressed whispers spread throughout the hall.
Elizabeth gave a courteous nod.
"House Ashbourne gladly accepts this generous gift."
She lowered her gaze to the next name.
"...From House Arclight."
Another attendant wheeled forward an elegant crystal container filled with glowing golden documents.
"Young Lord Selene Von Arclight has presented Young Master Arthur with exclusive investment privileges and priority access to House Arclight’s interstellar trade consortium for the next twenty standard years."
Several merchants present couldn’t help but exchange surprised glances.
That was no ordinary gift.
It represented immense economic value.
Elizabeth smiled appreciatively.
"A thoughtful contribution."
"Our thanks to House Arclight."
Her finger slid down the floating list.
"...From House Voss."
A pair of attendants stepped forward, carefully carrying a sleek black case reinforced with silver alloy. As it was opened, a series of metallic components neatly arranged inside immediately caught the attention of the guests.
Elizabeth smiled as she read from the datapad.
"Young Lord Aurelia Von Voss has presented Young Master Arthur with the latest VX-9 Adaptive Combat Drone Suite."
At once, one of the attendants activated the case.
With a soft mechanical hum...
Three palm-sized drones rose gracefully into the air.
They circled one another before projecting shimmering blue holographic shields, tactical maps, and simulated combat formations.
A ripple of impressed murmurs spread throughout the banquet hall.
Elizabeth continued.
"Each drone is capable of reconnaissance, target analysis, emergency shield deployment, and limited battlefield support."
"They can also synchronize with most military-grade neural interfaces and personal combat systems."
She smiled toward Arthur.
"I’m certain this will serve you well during your time at the Imperial Academy."
Several of the younger guests looked on with unconcealed envy.
Even a few veteran officers nodded in approval.
It was an exceptionally practical gift.
Elizabeth inclined her head politely.
"Thank you, Young Lord Aurelia Von Voss."
"Young Master Arthur gratefully accepts your thoughtful gift."