On the girls' side in the changing room, they had some revelations as to what happened to Renne and Sherryl up until the time the DG Cult Extermination took place. As a whole, it looks like the girls shared a special moment together while picking out what dresses they were going to wear to tonight's ball. They deepened their bonds during this, happily chatting away with each other, with their sense of friendship renewed.
Around the same time, a similar situation could be seen taking place in a room nearby. This room was the boy's changing room. Obviously, they won't be fitting into dresses since they're boys. But they still had to put on outfits for the dance. Tuxedos, most likely.
The group was smaller. It was, of course, me, Naoto von Auslese. Then you have Mueller Vander and Kurt Vander, after that was Prince Olivert and Prince Cedric. Unlike Princess Alfin's side, this room is composed mostly of royalty in some way or form. I haven't really hung out with guy friends before. At this point, even with Prince Cedric, everyone's Favorability has been unlocked. Both Mueller and Kurt are floating around 50%, while Prince Cedric is much lower. Prince Olivert, on the other hand, has already given me Olivert's Blessing. His Favorability is already maxed out!
While I see Prince Olivert as one of my best buds, if we're speaking of Prince Cedric, he's only an acquaintance at best right now.
Both Father and His Imperial Majesty were not with us in this dressing room. They had already moved on, likely where Esmelas Garden is, to greet all of the Nobles. I am not sure if Father has left his study by now. It wasn't just us five guys either, there were a couple maids on standby who would assist us changing our clothes.
I know I wear the Phoenix Robe a lot depending where I go, and at this point, it'd be considered boring, would it not? Should I change up my fit and put on a tuxedo for tonight's dance?
As we panned across the several lineup of clothes, I decided to open the conversation, and spoke out to the guys.
"I might be fine going to the dance with the outfit I have on already, but we are all gathered here to fit into something we normally don't wear. So I'm thinking of switching it up a little. What do you all think?", I asked.
"Aha, while it is common for Nobles like us to bear our family's crest, do you really want those Nobles to know such a thing, tonight? You have a choice to make. Think back on what Chancellor Osborne said, Naoto my boy. He addressed your status as Liberl's Crown Prince, contrary to the heritage your House holds, did he not?", Prince Olivert asked me.
"Is what you say true, Brother?", Prince Cedric asked. His eyes shot up in surprise. "I do know about the reformation Lord Father declared when he took the throne way back. It is no longer the Four Great Houses, but the Five Great Houses. Are you suggesting His Royal Highness here truly is part of the Great Houses?", Prince Cedric asked, his eyes serious. "I truly find it hard to believe."
"It makes sense for this to not be known to everyone, let alone the public. Where we currently stand, we have more information on the matter. If I recall correctly and with what little that has remained of what was written, they did not want their heritage passed down. They wanted to be wiped off the face of history, only told through hearsay. Because of that, it is not widely known as to what happened with House Phoenix.", Prince Olivert responded with a curious look in his eyes.
"Indeed. Even we Vanders, who serve as the bodyguards of the Arnor family, are privy to this piece of information. It would do you well to learn the history of what took place during the War of the Lions during your stay here in the capital as you continue your swordsmanship under Father's guidance, Kurt.", Mueller said, nodding his head in agreement. So even Mueller knows about House Phoenix, eh? Makes sense, since he's the active bodyguard of Prince Olivert. It's likely written down in the Imperial Family's Black Records, on top of those Black Records EX I possess. I should have a look through them when I have some time to do so, it may help when the Vermillion Trials arrive.
"So there really are Five Great Houses...", Kurt murmured, feeling shocked to hear this information. "And you are saying that most of the information was wiped off of our records? Then how do you know about it, Brother?", Kurt asked.
"That is because I am in active service of His Imperial Highness Olivert. I know I am presently on leave from the Imperial Army, but during our service, we gain access to information that is otherwise classified. So the words we are currently exchanging should not leave this room. Do I make myself clear on that?", Mueller asked,
It wasn't often you see Mueller this serious, but I know how sensitive a topic of my late ancestors are. That's the right word to use there, even though it sounds eastern. They're from over two-hundred years ago. They perished during the War of the Lions, and only one or two relatives lived in secrecy at most to continue their bloodline. And now, it has passed onto me, after my late Mother. It just makes me ever more curious as to how developed Mother was with her own Vermillion Eyes.
I'd love to peer into that, but I sadly can't with my own limitations. I'd have to go at least ten or twenty years backwards. If I go all out, I'd likely only be able to do ten to twelve years at most, and that'd take a lot out of me. I don't want to do that until I know I am safe and can recover from it.
We all nodded our heads at Mueller's words. Even Prince Olivert, who is often a jokester, nodded in agreement.
"It is as Mueller states. The Vanders have been in service to our family for a long, long time. They have certain benefits others do not.", Prince Olivert explained. "That role will eventually fall onto you, my dearest Brother. And in return, Kurt here will come to learn of what Mueller has learned of. All in due time."
'I am actually curious to see if this will come to pass, whether or not Prince Cedric does become Erebonia's Crown Prince as Olivert had just stated. He will abdicate his position as Crown Prince before long, and Prince Cedric isn't exactly affected by Erebonia's Curse. He might not have to suffer at the hand of Duke Cayenne. In return, this might cause Kurt to actually have a chance of serving Prince Cedric in official capacity. It would be nice to see if this can take place, but if it does, would that hinder his chances of joining New Class VII in the future?', I thought to myself. It sure was a point to ponder how things will play out from here on.
"Guess I will be finding more about this when I spend time going to and from Valflame Palace from the looks of it then. As long as we can talk about what is not presently classified. I am sure only that part is privy to you, Brother.", Kurt nodded. It is as Kurt says. Both he and I will be spending quite a bit of time at the Vander Dojo, and at Valflame Palace. If it's anything like his father, the Thunder God, he may even take us out of the capital to go on some ventures here and there. Just like how he did with New Class VII with Rean at the Eisengard Mountain Range.
"Haha.", Prince Olivert laughed. "'Tis will be a merry and a bundle of laughs indeed. But back to our point at hand, do you understand where I am going with this, Naoto? Put that robe away for the dance. Tell me, do you have a color you fancy? I will handpick one out to the best of my ability~", Prince Olivert said, returning to his playful demeanor. He did that grin of his where his cheeks even blushed. Oi, don't do that!
"I do.", I replied, nodding, and ignored Prince Olivert's joking remark. "As to what color I will wear tonight..."
Spending a moment, I combed through what was available. All sorts of colors were presented to suit one's tastes. My eyes soon landed on a vermillion-clad tuxedo, and went for it.
"The clothes I typically wear are usually either black, white, or violet, since they match how I look. What if I took a different spin, and went with a vermillion tux? Alfin will likely be clad in crimson tonight, and that would be matching colors with the Princess. What do you think Olivert?", I asked as I held onto a fancy-looking vermillion tuxedo in my hands. It felt very soft and nice to the touch. Definitely high quality material here.
As expected of the Imperial Family.
"You speak the truth, Naoto my boy. Very befitting of the royal duo, haha!", Prince Olivert laughed. "I can already feel the passion waiting to be held by a daring hand. Oh, if only I had my lute with me~"
And yet the moment that came out of Prince Olivert's mouth, a visible anger mark appeared on Mueller's forehead.
"Oh no, don't you dare wander away and go get that thing. The last thing I want you to do is to find some random pole and do a strip tease on it. I will make your life a personal Gehenna. We cannot get distracted with those incessant tunes of yours.", Mueller angrily responded.
...I could totally see Prince Olivert do that. Way to put that image in my head, Mueller.
"Haha.", Prince Cedric said, letting out a rare laugh. Was he more used to this bickering than me, considering he's around Valflame Palace a lot? Probably. "But I will say Brother is right on one thing. I heard Lord Father worked with the Chancellor to send out invitations to even the Imperial Chronicle and other foreign news services. I shouldn't have to spell out what that means, yes?"
As Prince Cedric asked that, he looked my way. I nodded my head at him.
"No need to tell me twice, Your Imperial Highness. No doubt will Chancellor Osborne play tonight's tune to a tee. I am just unsure whether he will publicly declare our engagement at the beginning, or where there is an opportune time to do so as the rest of the Nobles enjoy themselves tonight.", I said, wondering how it will go. I could see it in Father's eyes that he had some sort of plan formulating in that head of his.
Father has been busy with preparing the Non-Aggression Pact that Liberl, Erebonia, and even Calvard will join in to sign, ensuring a period of peace between the three nations. That is, until Operation Jormungandr happens where the entire continent is engulfed in war. One of these nations would have to breach the Non-Aggression Pact, but for the time being, it should serve as a form of peace between the three for at least the next few years.
Once that happens, Father will pay a personal visit to Grandmother. If possible, I do want to be present during the signing. This event was shown in one of the many Doors in Sky the 3rd. No doubt Prince Olivert will show me around Valflame Palace, even though I feel Princess Alfin will try to fight him over that right, haha! How nice would it be to return the favor and show Prince Olivert around Grancel Castle?
You can see where I'm going with this, right? It wouldn't serve well if I don my identity as the last member of House Phoenix. No, I'm now the emissary of Liberl. Naoto von Auslese, who will be Princess Alfin's first dance partner, even if it is just for practice. I bet that is the image Father is trying to display here.
"You're saying that the event tonight will go public, so His Royal Highness has a certain image to uphold? Is it because he's an emissary?", Kurt asked.
"You're spot on, Kurt. That is the most plausible outcome of tonight's dance. We will need you in tip-top shape, Your Royal Highness.", Prince Cedric said, smiling at me. "And if it would be alright, you can call me Cedric, just like what Olivert and Alfin do."
Would you look at that?
[Ding! Due to the many identities you possess, Prince Cedric's Favorability has increased to 25%.]
A sole Gamer Notification popped in, causing me to smile. Guess we're seeing some progress after all!
"Will do. In return, just call me Naoto. Olivert and Alfin already do. If you do that, we're all in the same boat.", I said, smiling at Prince Cedric.
"Then let us set our hearts aflutter and pick something out that will cause a wave of fervor for the Nobles in attendance tonight. We shall make it a dance that shan't be forgotten in the annals of time!", Prince Olivert exclaimed.
"Yeah, no. Good luck with that.", Mueller immediately retorted, shaking his head again.
Once Mueller said that, we shared a round of laughter. Even Prince Cedric was currently being himself, not influenced by Erebonia's Curse whatsoever. I'm really glad for him, and hopefully he'll improve from here on out.
After the laughs ended, Prince Olivert signaled the maids, quickly shaking their heads in agreement. They got to work, and began to take measurements so the clothes here would fit our sizes to a tee.
It didn't take long for us to get all into our luxurious tuxedos for tonight's dance!
By the time we left our changing room, we all had a glance and saw the girl's changing room wide open. It looks like the girls went ahead of us where our next destination was. During that, we thanked the maids, and they soon departed, leaving the five of us to our own devices.
Esmelas Garden awaits!