Chapter 268: Side Story 8: Birthday Banquet

The hall was filled with pleasant chatter as the high society of the Empire gathered for Alfred’s birthday. Looking down on them, he thought the same thing he always did: ’Annoying.’ Despite that, he kept his thoughts to himself and pleasantly watched from atop the balcony, looking down at them with a small glass. Isra came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Smile more." Hearing her words, she laughed slightly and sipped his drink.

"It’s funny. Most of them hate me, yet they happily eat my food and wish me a long life."

"They must love you then." Isra teased, causing Alfred to roll his eyes. "Whilst I would love to stay and brood with you, I’m going to enjoy myself."

"Do what you want." Alfred lifted his glass and saw her off. Turning to face Alfred, she made a small gesture for Alfred to smile once again and gave her one. Looking back down on everyone, he sighed and leaned forward again, drowning himself in his drink.

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"You shouldn’t be so involved in his marriage, Elizabeth. Issac will soon get annoyed." Catherine said jokingly, causing the woman to chuckle.

"He never can hate me. Besides, I actually like his wife. She’s a nice girl." Hearing her words, Catherine smiled, but feeling a hand on her shoulder, it quickly vanished. Turning to face whoever was inappropriate she was met with Isra’s smiling face.

"Hello, Catherine." The older lady quickly smiled and politely bowed her head. Isra shook her head but didn’t stop her.

"How are we?" Grabbing her hand, she quietly asked. It was a question with a much deeper meaning, and Isra knew.

"A good as I can be. But I think I have found a way forward." She leaned in closer. "We need to talk." Whispering in Catherine’s ear, the older she nodded and looked at Elizabeth.

"Were are my manner. Your Majesty. This is Elizabeth Flanders." Quickly getting flustered, Elizabeth bowed towards Isra.

"I greet Her Majesty the Empress." Chuckling at her display, Isra held her hand out to help her rise.

"It’s fine. Your father has said a lot about you. Apparently, you want to work close to me." Like a c child who had seen her idol, Elizabeth’s eyes lit up as she happily nodded.

"Of course. It has become a mission for most of the ladies in the university. But I still top the classes." Raising her nose, she proudly boasted.

"Then I look forward to it. But could you give Catherine and me a minute?"

"Of course." Elizabeth quickly ran off to find her father, leaving the two alone.

"Where’s Sasha?" Looking around, she couldn’t see her.

"Once again, she managed to find an excuse not to come." Taking Isra’s arm, she slowly led her to a side exit. "She needs to start taking these things seriously. I fear she may isolate our house from high society when she takes over."

"You worry too much. She may be brutish, but she still has the elegance necessary to become Duchess." Catherine chuckled at the description of Sasha, wondering where Isra saw the elegance in her daughter. Opening the door, the deafening sound of the banquet vanished.

"So what is it?"

Isra looked around to see if they were truly alone. With only the odd guard walking around, she nodded in satisfaction. "I can’t stay idle any more, Catherine. Edward’s future is at risk. I had hoped to have another child with Alfred so they could take the throne if Edward unfortunately couldn’t have children, but I think that dream died."

"You want my family’s support." Catherine caught on quickly, and Isra nodded. "My friend. Of course."

"Like that?" Isra asked in confusion.

"I had helped you at your lowest look after that boy. I know your pain right now, and if I can help you in any way, I will." Hearing her words, Isra deeply hugged her. For a minute, they hugged in silence, Catherine pushing and breaking free first. "But you know this only stands whilst I’m alive. I’m old. Soon, my kids will take my place."

"I know." Isra sadly said as she looked to the roof. "But it buys me time. I don’t see you leaving me for a while now."

"You have time. The nobles are weak, but as His Majesty’s expansion continues, they will grow with power. He can carry out as many purges as he wants. It won’t be enough. The only way to deal with them is to destroy the system."

"I must secure enough for him before things get there, Catherine. Help me, please. We both know that despite my title, many will only give empty promises." Catherine sighed and took a sip of her drink.

"I can’t help you that much. You need William if you want that, and he won’t side with you. He is loyal to you and Alfred but has too much responsibility to the Empire. He can’t afford to pick favourites. Maybe if they were adults, he could, but not when they are babies."

"I know. I have been made aware of these things. I spoke to Horace. He agreed on the condition it would play out how he wanted."

"He did?" Catherine was baffled. "Strange. An Underwell shouldn’t act like that."

"I made an argument he liked."

"Be careful around him, " Catherine thought but couldn’t think of anyone to help Isra. "Don’t bother with the new church. That woman, Alice. She is terrifying, I won’t lie. I mean, I know loyalty exists, but to worship a man is something different."

"I didn’t even think of her. Alfred says how uncomfortable she makes him feel. She will only move if Alfred gives her an order. I try asking her something, and she will probably go on a tangent about the gods."

Catherine laughed at her words but shook her head. "You’re right. But she’s dangerous. Be careful." Walking past her, Catherine opened the door to the banquet for the two.

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Looking around, William ignored the rambling of the people around him, trying to find a reason to leave. Whilst he had only wanted to be polite, he found himself stuck in the endless competition of those around trying to win his favour. Business opportunities that would fail, fake flatter,y and boasting about their children as great soldiers.

Looking up at Alfred, he could see that he was equally bored but, unlike him, had the privilege of not being forced to interact with people. Looking around, he saw Charles approached by multiple noble ladies and found his reason. "Forgive me, Gentlemen." His smile vanished as soon as he walked past them, and going over to Charles, he saw the man light up with happiness at a reason to get away.

Leaving the woman, Charles sighed in relief and grabbed a drink as the two sat away from the guests. People would approach when alone, but the Duke and Marquess’s sitting away from people was a sign for no one to approach. "You seem popular."

William teased, causing Charles to groan as he downed his drink. "When His Majesty offered me to marry a foreign princess, I was sceptical, but now I wished it went through. I can’t count how many marriage proposals I’ve had this week. I end up burning half of them." William laughed and looked out. He saw his son at the centre of the room, conversing with tens of people at once.

"I’m getting old, Charles. I can’t deal with these things anymore. I just want to work or be with my wife."

"Maybe I am, too, then." Charles joked as he scratched his beard. "Any news about the Commonwealth?"

Making sure no one was close, William nodded. "There will be a civil war. We can swoop in once it starts."

"You sure?" Charles was shocked. He knew plans had been made to weaken the Kingdom, but he didn’t expect civil war.

"Dabrowski swore fealty to Alfred. Let them fight and weaken themselves. Will come in afterwards."

"This is good. I’ll make sure the Unyeilding are ready."

"Keep it at a minimum for now. We’re still on the two-year deadline." Charles nodded and looked up at Alfred.

"How is he? We spoke, but I’ve been busy."

"Keeping himself busy."

"Nothing changed then." Charles sighed. "I worry about him, but all we can do is help."

"I do wonder if Chris was still alive if he would be different. We’re the closest things he has to friends, but it’s not like what he had with Chris. Whilst it was a master-servant relationship, the man was allowed in."

"We can only hope Isra can help him then."

"She is," William said with certainty. "She’s the only reason he hasn’t completely crumbled yet."

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Alfred sighed. Looking down at his people, he could see that they had all reached a stage where they were drunk enough not to bother him anymore. Those who stupidly tried to worm their way up to him had all been stopped by his guards, and whilst they complained, the Royal Guard remained unflinching in the face of the spoilt nobles they had to keep turning away.

Seeing Issac, he wondered how the man could put up with the bullshit, but pushed the thought away, turned and walked off. He had already given his speech, and his leaving finally gave a chance for those who didn’t want to be there to leave aswell.

The palace was silent compared to the banquet hall, and Alfred walked with his two guards, enjoying the peace. It was calming. But a booming laughter in the distance broke that peace and squinted alfre followed the noise.

No one should have been allowed to be this deep in the palace. Turning the corner, they saw a young noble standing with a woman. The two were obviously drunk, but seeing them stand in front of the twin’s room, he had a bad feeling. He didn’t know what they wanted.

The man grabbed the door handle, threw it open and pulled the woman in with him. Closing the door behind him, it muffled Frida’s yell of fright. Running over, the guards grabbed the hilt of their swords and followed behind.

"Gettt off mee." The loud, angry voice of the man came from within. Walking in, Alfred saw Violette holding a small blade to the man’s neck, her icy eyes showing she wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. Looking at Alfred, she finally let go, and the man smugly smiled before bowing to Alfred.

"Your Majesty." Saying that, he peeked at Violette and rubbed his neck. "The serrvantt needs to bee punished."His words slurred once more, and Alfred groaned, grabbing his head. Pushing past the noble, he looked at his children and saw they were still asleep.

"How did you get here?" Alfred asked sternly, looking back at the two. The man shrugged as if it was obvious. Looking past him at the guards, they froze up in front of Alfred’s cold gaze. "The security is lacking."

Both didn’t know what to do and bowed. "Leave. Go home." Ordering the noble, he purposefully bumped into his shoulder as he walked past, annoying him. The woman he was with grabbed his arm and tried to take him away, but he threw her off.

She sobered up instantly after everything had played out and saw the children realise their grave mistake. But the man didn’t seem to and looked at Alfred angrily. "Your servant harmed me." Pointing at his neck, no one understood where his confidence came from.

Alfred smiled and turned. "So?" Walking back over to him, he stood in his face. Even Alfred didn’t understand why he was doing it, but he felt like toying with the man. The noble went red in anger. He had expected some form of apology. He would have even been happy if Alfred had simply said she would be fired.

Clenching his fist, he took a step closer. "As Emporer, you should care for my well-being." His words slowly became more coherent, and Violette watched with amazement that someone was acting like this. But seeing his age, it made a small bit of sense. He must not have been around for the infamous night, or he was a new Safrid noble who only heard rumours.

Even she had to admit they were far-fetched to anyone who heard them. A child committing a purge that even the most seasoned rulers would struggle to pull off. Alfred smirked and shook his head, turning to walk off.

The noble’s veins popped, and his fists clenched. But looking at Alfred’s back, he stopped himself from doing anything stupid and bit his lip. Walking off, Alfred felt a strange disappointment. He couldn’t understand why, but he hoped something would have happened. He wanted it. It was sickening, but it gave a weird sense of power.

Resting his hand on the door to his room, he heard the complaints of the distant noble followed by the woman continuous apologies echo in the hall until it was silent once again.