Chapter 98

　　Kal stood at the bottom of a set of stone steps leading from the Imperial Palace to the decorated gardens. He could smell the scent of flowers and perfume in the air, and the party grounds were filled with the din of conversation and music.

　　On a stage, barely seen from where he stood, a troop of musicians played a medley of classical songs that blended into the background.

　　He had thought that his appearance may have elicited some response from those gathered, but the crowd was too busy engaging with each other to notice anything outside their own spheres of influence.

　　Staring at them all, he could occasionally spot a familiar face, someone he knew from his research on the Imperial Net or the news holos he tried to keep up to date on. There were Nobles, wealthy socialites and business owners. Even the corporations had sent representatives for the night`s festivities, each easily identifiable by the large corporate logos on their formal outfits.

　　Turning away from the throng, he focused on the Imperial Palace. An odd tension filled him. It wasn`t nervousness, more like&.anticipation. It was similar to how he felt when he was in a Mech, about to face a foe.

　　Was something wrong with him thinking that a pleasant evening spent amongst his peers was akin to a battle between Mobile Suits?

　　Kal laughed softly, running his hand through his hair ruefully. After his encounter with Mare`s parents, something would be wrong with him if he didn`t think of it that way. His musings were interrupted by an Imperial staff member dressed in black and gold appearing on the top of the stairs.

　　"Presenting Princes Amara and her husband, Prince Consort Magnus." The man shouted, his voice enhanced subtly by a broadcast system hidden in the decorations. The conversations ended as Mare`s parents appeared through the doorway.

　　In matching navy blue and gold outfits, they allowed the applause to wash over them for a moment before descending the steps. Amara`s hand rested lightly on Magnus` arm.

　　"Prince Myles." The staff member continued, and Mare`s brother Myles stepped through the doorway, not pausing or looking over the crowd before shuffling down the steps, eager to be out of the limelight.

　　"Presenting, Princess Marella." He finished, giving a deep bow and stepping backwards as Mare walked forward. She was beautiful, giving everyone a small smile and a graceful wave before strolling down the stairs. The crowd applauded, and Kal caught a chorus of shouted Happy Birthdays.`

　　Meeting him at the base of the steps, Kal offered her his arm, and she flashed him a wide smile before subduing it again.

　　"Hard parts over, now." Kal whispered, giving her a grin.

　　"I wish. Now we need to mingle until my grandparents arrive to give their blessing." Mare replied, her face becoming a stoic mask with a hint of a smile as they carefully approached her parents, who had gathered a group of Nobles around them.

　　The night moved in a blur to Kal. He met group after group while escorting Mare around the party. After, he couldn`t recall names or faces, the sound of the music or even the decorations. Greetings and inane conversations distorted it.

　　Blessedly, relief came when it was time for him and Mare to dance. He had expected them to be the center of attention for the inaugural dance of her birthday Ball. Still, most attendees were focused on other matters, gathered in silos and discussions.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

　　It was strange. Kal had thought that perhaps they were merely being polite, not mentioning his family name or staring at him for too long. But they treated Mare similarly, speaking pleasantries before moving off.

　　Even Mare`s parents were no longer near them. A quick glance revealed they had their own cluster of attendees hanging onto Amara`s every word.

　　Clasping Mare`s hands in his own, he waited for the music to start before leading her into a formal dance. He wasn`t surprised to find that Mare was a skilled dancer, matching his steps perfectly as they spun around the cleared dancefloor. Leaning closer to her, he whispered into her ear.

　　"Is it always like this?" Kal asked. Mare flushed slightly at his proximity, turning her head slightly towards him to reply.

　　"Like what?"

　　"This. No one is even paying attention to us. I thought we would draw more eyes. I was worried for nothing." Kal stated, looking around again. A few others joined them during the dance, but most were still having their own conversations, the noise of their voices nearly as loud as the musicians.

　　"I thought that perhaps it would be different, but&. Yes, it`s always the same anytime I`ve seen the Nobility gather. Everyone is scheming and plotting, looking to grab a portion more. Disgusting." Mare muttered, her eyes flickering to the crowd before finding Kal`s again.

　　"Why? I don`t understand. What`s there to gain from your birthday party?"

　　"Nothing, but look at who attracts the most attention here." Mare drew his attention to the group around them, and Kal sought out the most considerable sections of people.

　　A tall, white-haired man stood amongst a crowd of Noblity, wealthy civilians, high ranking Imperial Guard and corporate employees. Dressed in a black and golden uniform, he was clean-shaven and handsome. His face creased with wrinkles to show his age. Broad-shouldered, he had an air of military competence about him as he spoke to those assembled.

　　"The Crown Prince." Kal stated, recognizing the man. He had seen him numerous times on the Imperial Net news programs and at his own trial. His hair had been brown then, but he aged gracefully. Nearly eight hundred years meant that his rejuvenation procedures were becoming less effective.

　　"Uncle Argyle. Presumed Crown Prince, nothing has ever been officially declared by Grandfather." Mare explained.

　　"That can`t be right&." Kal trailed off, frowning in thought as his feet automatically kept pace with Mare`s gliding across the dancefloor.

　　"It is. It`s why everything has become so contentious. The Empire doesn`t have an heir, and Grandfather will not intervene."

　　"Perhaps he has a reason." Kal replied, giving the Emperor the benefit of the doubt. The man`s intelligence and forethought were unquestionable. He must have a reason for not giving Argyle the title of Heir.

　　"Or perhaps he doesn`t. You haven`t been around him as much as I. He`s distracted and disinterested, always looking to far off things instead of what`s happening here in his house. He doesn`t even govern the daily affairs of the Empire. He leaves it to Uncle Argyle and Augustus." Mare stated, shaking her head.

　　Kal followed the crowds to the second largest grouping around a shorter, brown-haired middle-aged man. Wearing a suit of fine, Terran wool with gold thread and diamond buttons. He seemed to be explaining something to the others, a group of men and women all nodding and following every word he said.

　　Augustus was born after Kal went to Stasis, and he didn`t know much about him besides his high position in the Imperial Bureaucracy. If Argyle was the leader of the Imperial Guard, then Augustus led the government, the pair keeping the gears of the Empire turning.

　　"Then the rumours are true. There is infighting amongst the Royal family?" Kal whispered, dropping his voice so low that Mare could barely hear him.

　　"Not yet, but it`s dry tinder waiting for the spark to ignite into a bonfire. Even my mother is canvasing the Nobility, not to rule but to determine who she should throw her support behind. With Grandfather`s unwillingness to declare an Heir, the only path to the throne is for a unanimous declaration from the eleven Ducal houses." Mare explained.

　　"Peace! If the Emperor dies, it will be a disaster. The Rebellion would be nothing but a historical footnote compared to what`s to come." Kal exclaimed.

　　"Not if but when. Grandfather is one of the oldest living humans in the galaxy, and Grandmother isn`t far behind him. I hope your right, and there`s a reason for his delay." Mare finished as the music ended.

　　Stepping back from each other, Kal and Mare clapped politely to the band, before bowing to the assembled crowd who half-heartedly applauded. With Mare`s revelation, the reaction of the assembled Nobility suddenly made much more sense to him.