The next morning, the sky over Grey Tower was overcast, as if veiled by a gray shroud that could not be washed away.
Dongfang Jiang stood at the entrance of the Badan Family Mansion, yawning.
Last night, Duke Ignatius had talked until late, thoroughly dissecting the political landscape of the Kingdom of Aiselin until his head was buzzing.
“Tired?”
Pandana stood beside Dongfang Jiang, holding a steaming bread roll and taking a big bite.
“A bit. The Lord Duke talked too much.”
“Father is rarely this happy.”
Yisela walked out of the door, now wearing a pale golden dress with a deep blue ribbon at her waist.
Her blonde hair was coiled into an elegant bun, with a few loose strands falling by her ears.
She looked at Dongfang Jiang’s attire—the same formal robe he had worn yesterday—and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
“It fits you quite well.”
“It does, doesn’t it? Someone already said that yesterday.”
Dongfang Jiang scratched his head.
Yisela shot him a glare but didn’t reply.
A black carriage emerged from the stable beside the mansion, pulled by four white horses.
The Badan family crest was inlaid on its body.
“Get in.”
Duke Ignatius stepped out of the main gate, now wearing a deep blue military-style formal coat.
Several medals hung on his chest, and an ornate longsword was sheathed at his waist.
His expression was much more serious than yesterday, his eyes carrying the calm authority of one long accustomed to power.
“The royal palace is not like home. Once we arrive, speak less and observe more.”
“Understood.”
Dongfang Jiang nodded.
The carriage wound through the streets of Grey Tower City, heading south from the Noble District.
After crossing a stone bridge, they entered a more open area.
The buildings here were grander, the streets wider.
The trees on both sides were neatly trimmed, and magic streetlamps stood every few paces, emitting a faint glow even in daylight.
“This is the royal palace.”
Yisela whispered to Dongfang Jiang.
“Everyone who lives here is of the royal family. You must not offend them lightly.”
“Oh, I see. So where are we going?”
“The Royal Palace Council Hall. Today, His Majesty has summoned the high ministers for a meeting, and Father has been invited to observe.”
“Observe? Isn’t the Lord Duke one of the most powerful people in the kingdom?”
Pandana looked puzzled.
Yisela shook her head gently.
“One of the most powerful, yes, but Father is only a duke. Above him is His Majesty. And… in recent years, His Majesty’s attitude has been somewhat… delicate.”
“Delicate?”
“Mm.”
Yisela said no more.
She glanced at her father, who was resting with his eyes closed, his face revealing nothing.
The carriage stopped in front of a colossal palace.
It was larger than any palace Dongfang Jiang had ever seen in television dramas.
The gray-white stone walls were over ten meters high.
The main entrance had six marble pillars that would require two people to wrap their arms around, each capital carved with intricate patterns.
Two rows of guards stood on the steps in front, clad in silver-white armor and holding halberds, their eyes alert beneath their helmets.
Duke Ignatius alighted first and nodded to the guard captain at the gate.
“Lord Duke, please.”
The guard captain bowed, his gaze sweeping over the three people behind Dongfang Jiang.
He frowned slightly but said nothing.
Passing through the main gate, they entered a long corridor.
Tall windows lined both sides every few meters, and sunlight streamed through the stained glass, casting colorful patterns on the floor.
Dongfang Jiang looked around as he walked, thinking to himself, ‘This spectacle is even more extravagant than our school’s centennial celebration.’
At the end of the corridor stood a massive oak door, carved with the national emblem of the Kingdom of Aiselin.
Two attendants in black formal robes stood at the door.
Seeing Ignatius, they immediately pushed it open.
“Duke Badan has arrived!!!”
The attendant’s voice echoed inside.
Dongfang Jiang followed Ignatius through the door, and his eyes widened.
This was a huge council chamber—about half the size of a football field.
The ceiling was so high it seemed to have no top, covered with enormous murals depicting the glorious achievements of the successive kings of Aiselin.
Dongfang Jiang could not understand the first few murals; some law prevented him from comprehending their meaning.
In the center of the chamber was a massive round table, surrounded by over a dozen high-backed chairs, each carved with a different family crest.
By now, many people were already seated around the table.
The chair directly facing the door was empty, its back carved with a crown.
“That is His Majesty’s seat.”
Yisela said softly in Dongfang Jiang’s ear.
On either side of the round table sat eight people.
Dongfang Jiang quickly scanned them, committing their appearances to memory.
In the first seat to the left of the throne sat an elderly man with graying hair but a vigorous spirit, dressed in a black robe with a golden badge on his chest.
“Prime Minister Odrich.”
Yisela’s voice was very soft.
“He is the second most powerful person in the kingdom, His Majesty’s most trusted minister. He has been Prime Minister for twenty years, with deep roots.”
Odrich looked up, cast a glance at Ignatius, and gave a slight nod as a greeting.
Then his gaze fell on Dongfang Jiang, sizing him up from head to toe, and a flicker of barely concealed disdain passed through his eyes.
“Hmph.”
Odrich snorted softly, withdrew his gaze, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
In the first seat to the right of the throne sat a burly middle-aged man with a square face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes.
He wore a deep red military uniform covered in medals.
“Grand General Vard.”
Yisela lowered her voice even further.
“He commands all the kingdom’s armies and holds a considerable number of standing troops. He and Father do not get along.”
Vard saw Ignatius and grinned, his smile tinged with mockery.
“Hey, Badan, I heard you almost got wiped out yesterday? Still able to make it to the meeting—you’re in good shape.”
“Thanks to you, I’m still alive.”
Ignatius replied flatly, walking to his seat and sitting down.
Vard’s mansion was close to his, so clearly, this fellow had been enjoying the spectacle over the past few days.
Dongfang Jiang noticed that besides the Prime Minister and the Grand General, there were five other people in lavish robes, all around fifty to sixty years old.
Each wore a different family crest embroidered on their clothes.
“Duke Lester, Duke Molten, Duke Caster, Duke Wenster, Duke Eldridge.”
Yisela pointed them out one by one, introducing them to Dongfang Jiang.
He matched each name with what Duke Ignatius had told him yesterday.
“Plus Father, that makes the six dukes of the kingdom.”
“Wenster?”
Dongfang Jiang frowned at the surname.
“Is he related to Kaxiu Wenster?”
“Yes.”
Yisela’s expression turned serious.
“Kaxiu is a member of the Wenster family, though he’s a disowned branch member. Duke Wenster himself… has always been at odds with Father.”
Dongfang Jiang listened to Yisela’s explanation while mentally matching the people in the room with what Ignatius had said yesterday.
Duke Lester and Duke Eldridge had a decent relationship with Ignatius; Duke Molten and Duke Caster were neither friendly nor hostile; the remaining dukes opposed him for various reasons.
‘Most importantly… it’s the king’s attitude toward the duke.’
From yesterday’s meeting, Dongfang Jiang could clearly sense that Ignatius’s position in the kingdom was quite awkward.
Even in Ignatius’s view, having Dongfang Jiang take Yisela away from the kingdom was not a bad choice.