Chapter 264- Making an appearance

Making an appearance

A series of broad steps led up from the worn cobbled roadway in the courtyard. At the top, a pair of massive wooden doors opened to allow entry into a house-sized chamber. Stone arches with carvings eroded by time steered the way into a massive sweeping hall.

The vaulted ceiling floated above them from the thick blocks of stone walls. High above, rectangular slits cut through the stone. Small enough to prevent enemies from entering but large enough to allow daylight to filter inside. The polished marble slabs on the floors locked together seamlessly as one entity. The natural lighting enhanced the majesty of the structure.

Mr. Thomas guided his family across the hall while keeping his face firmly fixed on the foot of the chair at the far end. Two levels existed on the raised dais which marked his destination. One for the large seat of the Emperor while below held two smaller chairs usually occupied by his aids. Today, the princess occupied one of these chairs as the others remained empty.

"The Thomas House greets the Royal Princess."

Mr. Thomas dropped on one knee and then bowed. Sahara had instructed them to use his name since it marked his status as achieving the rank of a Sersen. At his side, Mrs. Thomas held her dress and also did the same with the children behind them. On Brella's shoulder, the ruby tinted silver bird did the same.

"The Princess acknowledges the Thomas House. Stand and join our guests until the greetings are completed."

On hearing the voice of the aid standing below the steps, Mr. Thomas raised himself and followed the direction of the open hand. There he joined the congregation who arrived before the princess entered the city. Standing at the side, he stood facing the pathway he recently trod.

As the guards announced and ushered in the dignitaries who accompanied the Princess on entering the city, Mr. Thomas stood at attention. There, like all the nobles and guests of the city, he secretly snuck covert glances at his neighbors nearby or across the hall. What he never expected, however, was to see most of those eyes stuck on his insignificant group.

'It can't be helped... Not only were we the first of the escorts to be announced, but the attire of my wife and girls would only incite curiosity. Half of these lords are probably wondering about our relation to the princess considering her similar dress. Not to mention I strode in here with my entire family.'

Mr. Thomas sighed quietly while masking the rising pride within his mind. He never expected his girls to meet and befriend the princess of the empire at the academy.

Sure the boy wanted to prepare a suitable entry but the Blitzer raid ended up interfering with their plans.

"The ancient houses of Frost City will now pay respects to the princess of the Empire."

The crier announced. The words marked the end of the escorting welcomes and allowed the high ranking nobles of Frost City to confirm their allegiance. Since the time when the princess entered into the depths of the palace to greet the Empress, they waited patiently in the great hall.

After their greetings, the princess would then descend and mingle amongst them. No matter her status, a princess was also a young lady simply waiting to be wooed.

"The Ancient Clans and Noble Houses confirm their loyalty to the Emperor. They shall now come forward!"

The young usher shouted from the bottom of the steps. Mr. Thomas felt a hand of soft fingers seek out his calloused hand and squeezed tightly. Blinking while raising his head up high, he returned a comforting firm grip.

The time to face the instigators who hounded them from their home had arrived. They both accepted this expectation when Sahara roped them into helping her.

After years of living together, Mr. Thomas knew what his wife hid in her heart. His grip on her hand increased.

"House Windit pays its respect to the princess. This humble one is names Shep Windit..."

"House Yang pays its respects to the princess..."

Mr. Thomas nodded slightly. Both these Houses provided essential supplies to the Military might of Frost City. As a supplier of equipment and also major shipper of salt, the two occupied high positions within the Ancient Clans. The next announcement caused his shoulders to stiffen.

"Clan Wung pays its respects to the princess. This one is Wung Kang while the young one beside me is my grandson Wung Pigu."

"Wung Pigu pays respects to the princess."

The middle-aged man acknowledged in a firm tone as he kneeled beside the old man whose beard swept the floor. His suntanned handsome face bowed low but his eyes, however, kept staring to the left. Even when he rose and stepped obediently to the side, his eyes found themselves locking onto the woman standing on the opposite side.

Blue confident eyes, golden waves of hair, and a defiant pair of lips. All on a body and face which seemed to have ripened from the blooming flower into a magnificent heavenly fruit. No doubt, this lady was the one and the same. A prize which had eluded him for years.

Beth Willows...

Wung Pigu ravaged the woman standing in the hall within his mind. He had accompanied his grandfather while expecting his sworn brother to join him. In this ceremony and mingling, he planned to venture into the good graces of the princess. By doing so, he would be able to provide assistance to the main clan. If during the process he could also seduce one of the maids of the princess, then it would be considered a true bonus.

"Clan Flint pays respect to the princess..."

The words of the crier never reached his ears.

Since his brother in crime could not join him, Wung Pigu had simply stood at the rear of the crowd. His opportunity would come later when the princess descended from the throne. Imagine his shock when the woman who haunted his dreams for years suddenly made an appearance. Glancing at her side he felt the heavens had reversed time for him this day. An image, more radiant than the past captivated his soul.

The young lady had to be the daughter. When his eyes scanned across the woman again, he spotted the jade-like hands enclosed in the grip of a one-handed man. Fury devoured his previous lust as anger welled in his heart. This man stole his prize from him and also became the reason behind his stagnation within the Military.

"House Dirk pays respects..."

The Ancient Houses had nearly completed their greetings. The powerful houses and clans had gone first, and now the ones who bore the name only wrapped up the session. As with the cycle of nature, soon some of them would be gobbled up by emerging powerhouses due to a lack of competent descendants.

Wung Pigu narrowed his eyes while surveying his long lost prey. First, he needed to gather information as to why the one-armed man enjoyed such a position at this ceremony. Then he could choose whether to break apart and enjoy his feast by normal methods or by using underhanded means.

His lips curled upwards while the crier continued his task,

"House Willows pays its respects to the princess..."

***

Sahara rose from her chair when the assembled priests of the Churches Union completed their task of the coronation. In the eyes of the empire, she was now officially a young lady of marriageable age. Soon kings, princes, and nobles from outside and inside the empire would flock to the Capital to seek her hand. Fortunately, or unfortunately because of her situation, she gained a reprieve by ending up in Frost City.

"The princess thanks you for accepting our invitation. This special banquet will forever be remembered by us. Let the gathering and feast begin!"

Sahara said as she gracefully stepped down from the throne. Her exquisite dress matched the graceful figure which glided onto the polished floor. The pinned veil on her wavy tresses, the glittering tiara studded with original cut gems, glimmering sequins of polished precious stones, and the shining bracelets had her resembling a fairy.

Escorted by palace maids on either side and Governor Hails following, she smiled while greeting the gathering. The long sleeves of the frilly dress protected her reputation as a young lady. Sahara smirked inwardly while knowing this dress belonged to Miki. Her lips curled on thinking what her foul-mouthed friend would say when she found out.

She paused as another small group of guests approached.

"Greetings princess. This old one is Wung Kang. The humble elder next to me is Patriarch Gofart from a merchant House. We pay our respects again to the princess and wish her prosperity."

"Greetings Elders. We accept your good wishes."

Sahara was about to continue her walk when the younger man accompanying the two elders greeted her while dropping to one knee.

"It is an honor to meet the young princess of the empire. Not only do you match the fairies of the moon but your maids also have bloomed in your presence. I hope the flower of the empire would grant me the honor to accompany her during today's banquet."

Looking at the admiring face of the well-built man before her and also the agreeing elders nodding in satisfaction, Sahara smiled. Inwardly, however, she cast a repulsive shiver.

Maybe if she had been isolated in the palace, her heart might have fluttered. The charming smile, sweet words, and square jawline would have certainly made her think twice. Unfortunately, she had been corrupted by watching the owner of her very dress rip apart suitors with a poisonous tongue.

Instead of admiring the two elders, all Sahara noticed was the flabby skin and pot belly of Patriarch Gofart and the rapid hair loss from the beard of the Wung coot. Maybe it was the way their faces looked that tossed them in a different box from straightforward elders like Elder Shi or Grandmaster Bing. As for the middle-aged man, all she witnessed was lecherous eyes trying to worm his way into the hearts of herself and her maids.

"The Wung Clan has shown respect to this princess. Unfortunately, Governor Hails has already appointed himself as this lady's escort."

With a slight nod and a smooth sidestep, she greeted another group of welcomers. If she had been aware of the past relations between the man and the Thomas household she might have skipped away even faster.

Patriarch Gofart couldn't help but whisper when he finally realized the princess had fled before he could initiate a conversation. He turned to the spotted elder beside him and muttered,

"I thought the Wung Clan possessed more of a standing? Is it possible she doesn't know you are related to the Wu Clan?"

"Ah... I can't say. Normally, when young Pigu pours on the charm, he usually gets his way."

Elder Wung replied while thinking about what happened. The reply and unexpected movement of the princess muddled his mind. In gathering like these, even Governor hails would stop and chat with him for some time. Wung Pigu shifted himself from his kneeling position. His thoughts were slightly different.

Considering the princess was a young girl then maybe his words were too mature for her to grasp. In any event, he had a bigger deer to roast.

"Grandfather, Elder Gofart. See the woman standing beside the one-handed man while chatting with those nobles? She is the one who escaped my grasp all those years and led to the trouble with the Military."

"Ah... so the man standing next to her is the Sersen who lost his arm when you set your trap?"

The grandfather asked as he scanned the couple. The old men couldn't help but widen their eyes when surveying the women.

"Yes, but he managed to live while another of his friends gained the power of a Sersen. Because of that, the Military pressed their investigations."

"Your sworn brother has never forgotten this woman who escaped your clutches. I dare say he will jump at the opportunity to aid you."

Patriarch Gofart whispered while smacking his lips as his beady eyes roamed over the younger girl standing beside the mother. He then shrewdly stated his incentive.

"The eldest daughter will also do nicely for my son."

He said while watching the group. Stroking his flabby cheeks he continued,

"As for me, the freckled girl will do nicely."