As everyone entered the palace through its long, red doors, they were met by an elf man with a warm expression. He had long blond hair and brown eyes, and he wore a black hanfu with low yet noticeable red lines resembling waves.
He bowed respectfully for a moment and then said: "Greetings. I am going to lead all of you to the banquet room. Please follow me this way." He gestured for them to follow before turning away and walking.
Everyone followed him. Their footsteps echoed in the space around them, Cobra's armor clinking or clicking with each step she took.
The hallway was dimly lit by warm light from paper lanterns, with shadows dancing around—some in a normal way, and some in such a strange way... as if they were watching.
The decoration was in Chinese style. The way to the banquet room was long: red walls and pillars with deep orange lines across them, marble ceilings with different paintings in colors like red, blue, and purple, and marble floors with gold streaks running through them like cracks splitting in many different forms.
Dariush thought: It's beautiful... But I don't know what it means. I only know that in Chinese culture, every color has a meaning, and it seems like they have somewhat of a Chinese culture... even though they probably don't know it. In my world, there was a country called China. And I bet they don't know that. But I also bet that a Chinese person came to this world and brought their culture with them... and maybe I can do that too.
After a moment, the elf man said, turning his head slightly back to glance at Dariush with a small smile: "Before anything else happens, our emperor loves surprises." Then he turned his gaze ahead.
Dariush exchanged glances with the others. Eira looked amused, Kian looked skeptical, and Dariush seemed like he was already thinking ahead.
Cobra whispered: "Something isn't right..." Yet she sounded more amused than worried.
Just after that, they reached a big, double brown wood door. Low murmuring voices came from inside—clearly, the guests were already there.
The elf man knocked on the door five times. The murmuring stopped abruptly.
After a moment, the door opened, revealing the people inside. Some elves wore colorful hanfus—clearly from the Enoy Empire itself. There were also demons, humans, and dwarves wearing colorful coats and attires, clearly from the Nari Empire or other empires. Some looked like nobles or merchants.
In the banquet room, there were big red pillars with jade streaks running through them. The ceiling was deep marble, with a crowded and colorful painting so detailed that you'd have to focus to find anything in it. The floor was also marble, with gold and jade streaks and vein-like lines across it. The walls were made of rosewood.
The tables were somewhat large, and the chairs were also made of rosewood. Some people stood instead of sitting. On the tables was any food or drink you could imagine.
The air inside the room seemed slightly foggy, with copper humidifiers shaped like turtles hanging from the walls. Silk curtains and fabrics—red with golden and blue details and patterns—hung from the walls and windows.
The elf man stepped inside and announced: "The Duke of Autumn has arrived with his companions: his wife, Eira Farzad; his right hand, also second prince of Nari, Kian Mehrzad; and his knight, the lioness, Cobra Vermilion."
The banquet room suddenly filled with murmurs.
The elf man stepped aside and seemed to disappear into the crowd.
Dariush, Eira, Cobra, and Kian all stepped in. Finally, everyone saw them. As if reality itself bent to their presence, the room went silent for a moment before the murmurs grew louder and more furious.
None of them cared about the murmurs. They kept their composure as if the crowd were just flies making noise.
Kian kept his expression natural, his hands behind his back. Dariush and Eira wore calculated smiles, deliberately fake. Cobra's stance was ready yet seemed relaxed on the surface, her hands clasped behind her.
They walked closer, and it seemed like all eyes were on them as the crowd parted slightly.
But then a booming sound came, getting closer: "Wait what!? Dariush is here finally?!"
Dariush murmured to himself: "Oh fuck... not him."
Kian also murmured: "Oh no."
Cobra whispered to Eira: "Is that what I think it is?"
Eira giggled quietly and whispered: "That's right. That's him."
A person emerged from the crowd. A tall man, standing at 200cm tall. He had blue eyes and fiery red long hair tied back in a ponytail. His face was fierce yet handsome and attractive, and his body was slightly bulky, seemingly muscular. He wore a gold-red kingly attire.
He was the king of the Nari Empire: Alexander Mehrzad. His expression brightened as he saw Dariush, and he moved closer. He said with a friendly demeanor: "Dariush! My friend! What's up!?"
Dariush couldn't help but smirk and bowed slightly before saying: "Greetings, my king. It's nice to meet you again."
At the same time, he thought: I hate you. I want you dead. I want you to be ripped apart!
On the other hand, Alexander thought: Oh fuck, he looks absolutely sexy. So fucking sexy. I want him! Love you, love you, love you!
The others also bowed respectfully to Alexander.
Then he looked at his son and said with a playful expression: "What's up, kid? Don't tell me you're still lacking in swordsmanship."
Kian looked slightly annoyed but smiled deliberately: "Hello, father... and no, I've been training, like always."
Alexander nodded approvingly. Then he looked at Eira and said with a charming smile: "And you, Eira, my favorite vampire queen. You look absolutely beautiful tonight."
Eira giggled softly while thinking: Go die, you piece of trash! I don't need anyone's praise but my beautiful husband's!
Cobra removed her helmet. Alexander's eyes widened, and he said: "Cobra! I thought you were dead! It's really nice to see you again."
Cobra chuckled humbly and said: "If it weren't for my lord, Dariush, I would be dead by now."
The crowd seemed not to look at the interaction, but they clearly heard it as they continued murmuring lowly to each other.
A moment later, a woman dressed in queenly attire—blue and white, with ruby earrings—approached. She had long blond hair, a curvy body with big curves, and honey-yellow eyes. Her face was beautiful, and her skin was naturally pale.
She was the queen of Nari: Atusa Mehrzad. She stepped closer, and everyone bowed slightly.
Kian's expression softened as he saw his mother and said: "Mother... it's nice to meet you here."
Atusa stepped closer, cupped his face, and her expression softened too. She said: "Look at you... already grown up. I'm proud of you, my son."
Kian leaned into her touch and nodded with a soft expression.
Atusa withdrew her hands and turned to the others: "Dariush and Eira... my favorite couple."
Her expression turned adoring as she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around them for a moment. Dariush and Eira wrapped their free arms around her as well.
Atusa stepped back and said warmly: "It's nice to meet you two again, my dears."
Dariush and Eira's expressions softened. Dariush chuckled heartily, and Eira laughed softly. Then Dariush humbly said: "Likewise, dear queen. And you look absolutely beautiful tonight. No lie."
Atusa laughed softly and said: "I like how you're still charming. You look handsome tonight, dear Dariush. And you are so beautiful, my dear Eira."
Eira smiled warmly and said: "Thanks, my dear queen. I only look this good because we're best together."
Dariush smiled and nodded in agreement.
Atusa's gaze finally found Cobra, and she gasped softly: "Cobra... oh my dear, you're alive... and you're so beautiful again."
She stepped closer and added: "What happened to you?"
Cobra's expression softened, and she answered: "We have a lot of time. I'll explain everything, but in short, Sir Dariush saved me."
Atusa smirked, looked at Dariush, and said: "Seems like you're becoming a hero on your own, huh?"
Dariush chuckled slightly and said: "I can't help it, though."
After a moment, Kian asked: "So where is the emperor of Enoy?"
Alexander answered, pointing with his thumb behind himself: "He's over there, waiting for his son-in-law."
Dariush bowed slightly and said: "Then excuse us. We have to go."
Dariush thought: I hate wasting time, but this conversation was worth it to know that he and his wife are here too.
Alexander nodded with a smirk, and Atusa waved slightly with a smile on her lips.
After that, Dariush, Eira, Kian, and Cobra started moving. The crowd gradually parted as they went deeper into the banquet.