Time passed and the day of the party arrived. As usual, when there was an important event, Winfred was always helped by Nina to dress him up. This time he wore a cream suit with a long dark emerald cape, black shoes and striped trousers. In his right pocket was a sword emblem covered with a large dewdrop, signifying that he is a member of the Emerdine family.
After finishing getting dressed, Winfred then prepared to go to the main hall on the first floor of the central wing where the celebration party was being held. Before that, he observed Nina wearing makeup and a new maid uniform that looked more elegant and fashionable.
"You look good, Nina!"
"Thank you for your compliment, Young Master."
"It's unusual for me to see Nina wearing makeup, hehehe!"
"Hmm...please stop teasing me, Young Master."
Nina smiled slightly at her master's teasing. The two of them headed to the main hall at a normal pace.
Along the way, Winfred noticed that everyone seemed busy, especially the servants and knights. Servants carried food and drink trays back and forth to the main hall, and for the first time, he saw several knights wearing full armor.
It seemed that his father did not want anything bad to happen, so he allowed some of the knights to wear full armor.
"Don't spill any food! Not even a crumb, you hear me!? Hey, you! Watch your steps!"
At the end of the corridor, as they were about to descend the stairs, they both found someone shouting orders at the servants in a loud voice.
The man with short muted purple hair glared at several servants and ordered them to move quickly. Winfred greeted the man in his usual cheerful tone.
"Head Chef Arren! How are you doing?"
"Hm? Oh! Young Master Winfred! Pardon me for showing my outburst earlier. Do you need something?"
"No. Just curious since the servants seem busier than usual."
"Haha! Of course. Because today is a big celebration for Emerdine's two sons for their achievements! That's why I'm a little strict today."
His light yellow eyes scanned the servants descending the stairs sharply. Winfred laughed to himself, because this was indeed Arren's nature when it came to food, he prioritized quality, taste, and freshness when serving food.
"Well then, I'll be going now, Head Chef. Take it easy, will you?"
"I will, Young Master! As long as I am here, don't worry about the food and drinks!"
"I believe you, hehehe. Let's go, Nina."
"Enjoy the party! You too, Miss Nina!"
After saying goodbye to Head Chef Arren, the two of them continued on their way to the main hall on the first floor.
Since the main hall was near the central wing entrance, Winfred and Nina entered through one of the side doors that, according to the information he had received, was only for members of the Emerdine family or other important guests.
Nina opened the door for Winfred, and the first thing the boy saw was a grand and luxurious hall. Gold chandeliers hung from the ceiling, crystal lamps emitted bright white light, the aroma of warm and fresh food filled the air, and the tables and walls were neatly decorated.
Once he got closer, he saw several banners on the wall that he recognized, such as those of the Emerdine family and the Noggen Empire, with dragon and sword motifs just like in the game. In the corner of his eye, he saw two adult women standing near the main staircase.
"There you are! Wow, look at you, my son! You look handsome, hehehe! Oh, Nina looks even more beautiful too!"
"Thank you, Lady Olivyn."
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Mother! You both look beautiful tonight!"
"Oh my, my son is already good at sweet-talking, hehehe!"
"I am flattered, Young Master."
True to his words, Olivyn and Helina looked stunning and beautiful tonight. His mother wore a light mint dress with a long dark emerald coat that looked soft, while Helina wore her usual maid outfit, but it looked new and neat. His mother usually tied her hair in a ponytail, but now she let her long hair down.
They chatted for a few minutes, then Helina noticed that several servants were already standing in their respective positions. Some were standing near the entrance, the food table, and the windows. It seemed that the party was about to begin.
"Excuse me, My Lady. It seems the party is about to begin."
"Oh? You're right. But they haven't arrived yet…"
Just as Olivyn spoke, Winfred sensed the arrival of a crowd from upstairs thanks to his Ping. He encountered several people who were the stars of the party, such as Ardyn, Gerdan, Leni, Berthy, and Victor.
Not to mention their personal maids and butlers who followed behind them. Each of them wore various clothes and accessories, such as Gerdan who wore a red pendant necklace around his neck with a dark red shirt, and Ardyn who wore green earrings on both ears with a white fancy shirt.
It seems that Leni and Berthy also dressed to match their respective sons, but the most striking was Victor, who looked dashing in a gray shirt and black tie with red stripes, dark emerald coat draped over his shoulders with a.
It seems that the emerald coat is the dress code for this party because he sees all members of the Emerdine family, including Winfred and his mother Olivyn, wearing it.
The Emerdine family descended the stairs and saw Winfred and Olivyn standing on the landing near the stairs. Gerdan and Ardyn immediately greeted their youngest siblings.
"Little Brother! You're here! Lady Olivyn too!"
"Winfred, Lady Olivyn."
"Congratulations on your success in the Voggen Academy entrance exam, Brother Ardyn, Brother Gerdan."
Winfred and his group immediately greeted Gerdan and Ardyn upon their acceptance into the Academy. Meanwhile, Berthy and Leni showed only ordinary expressions, especially Leni. Berthy sarcastically remarked to Olivyn and her son in a flat tone.
"Hmph. Well, at least you two look presentable enough for tonight. Please mind your manners, okay?"
"Winfred, Miss Olivyn, come join us. The party is about to begin."
Victor quickly changed the subject by asking Winfred and Olivyn to get ready to welcome the guests together.
Not far from the stairs, there was an elevated platform large enough to accommodate the entire Emerdine family. Victor nodded to one of the knights standing guard at the main door, and the knight opened it.
And so began the party on this winter night.
***
Not long after, the invited guests entered the main hall one by one. The atmosphere, which had been quiet and filled only with servants, was now bustling with all kinds of people.
Victor seemed to have invited not only nobles, but also several guests who were commoners but held high positions, such as famous merchants, mages, and alchemists.
Not only that, but there were also several guests from the dwarf race who warmly congratulated Victor and his family.
Winfred saw several people he knew at the party. In accordance with etiquette, the invited guests first congratulated the Emerdine family, then they could enjoy the food and drinks provided. After a while, two people he knew quite well arrived at the platform.
A man with glasses and orange hair wearing a neat gray suit congratulates the Emerdine family.
"Lady Leni, Lady Berthy, I congratulate you on the acceptance of your two sons into Voggen Academy."
"Thank you, Sir Alcott."
"Thank you, Sir Alcott, for your kind words. It is only natural that my son would be accepted. Hoho!"
"Young Master Ardyn, happy birthday to you."
"I really appreciate it, Sir Alcott."
Berthy and Leni returned Alcott's congratulations, as did Ardyn. Gerdan just smiled stiffly, seemingly holding himself back throughout the party. Alcott then conveyed his congratulations to Victor, who was standing next to Leni.
"Lord Victor, congratulations on your sons' success."
"Hm. I told you to call me Senior like before."
"Haha...that's impossible for someone with your rank."
After greeting Victor and shaking his hand, Alcott then moved on to Winfred and Olivyn.
"Oh, Lady Olivyn, and also Young Master Winfred! You are here too."
"Yes, Sir Alcott! Occasions like this are rare, so I had to come!"
"Sir Alcott, thank you for your hard work teaching my son."
"It is my duty, Lady Olivyn. Young Master Winfred, make sure to always study, okay?"
"I understand!"
Alcott stepped down from the platform and joined the crowd in the hall. Winfred then heard loud laughter from beside him. It turned out that his father Victor was talking to his combat instructor Wayne.
The man with the eyepatch was wearing an elegant tuxedo and looked happy, laughing occasionally, but his father only smiled slightly as the two of them talked. Then Wayne looked at Winfred and smiled broadly.
"Hey, Young Bo- Ahem! Young Master Winfred! And also Lady Olivyn. What a nice party to see the whole Emerdine family together like this!"
"Hahaha...Yes, Sir Wayne. Thank you for coming to my older brothers' celebration party."
"Sir Wayne, thank you for your guidance as my son's instructor."
"Don't say that, Lady Olivyn! Young Master Winfred still has a lot to learn, of course I will guide him, right Young Master?"
"Hahaha..."
It felt strange when Winfred used formal language when speaking to his mentor. Winfred and Olivyn chatted for a while, then Wayne stepped down from the platform and took a drink offered by a butler.
Seeing that many invited guests had arrived, Victor then gave a speech to everyone present at the party that night.
"In the history of the Noggen Empire, the Emerdine family is relatively new compared to other noble families. However, we Emerdines continue to uphold the trust placed in us by the late Emperor by carrying out our duties and obligations as imperial nobles. One of these duties is to provide a high-quality education to the sons and daughters of Emerdine, the fruits of which will be used for the advancement and stability of our nation."
"Today, I am proud to announce that my two sons, Ardyn and Gerdan, have successfully passed the entrance exam for the most prestigious institute on this continent, Voggen Academy! I would also like to congratulate my son Ardyn, who has turned 15 years old. May he have a long and happy life ahead of him."
Victor looked around and continued his speech.
"Truly once again, I thank you all for your presence at this happy moment for the Emerdine family. May the Gods and Goddesses bless you with good fortune. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Noggen Empire!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Noggen Empire!"
After Victor delivered his speech, the invited guests indulged themselves at the party. The atmosphere became even more festive, accompanied by music from bards playing their instruments in the corner of the hall.
Victor was about to tell his family to come down from the platform and mingle with the guests, but he changed his mind when the main door opened and a group of people entered the hall.
Suddenly, the noise of laughter and chatter decreased dramatically and only whispers could be heard. Winfred, who was talking to his mother, wondered why the crowd had suddenly become quiet. He looked toward the entrance and was shocked beyond belief.
That group...he knew very well the people who were walking toward the platform where he was standing.
"Why? Not only the two heroines, but also the central characters in the main story... Why are they here!?"
In his vision, among the group were several important characters who played a major role in the main story of Reaneus Saga 3. It seemed that fate was playing with him because it had brought him to meet them.
"Oh no-"
After thinking that, a feeling of heat enveloped him. It seemed that tonight's party would be full of surprises, in Winfred's opinion.