Since Arthur spent the entire morning enthusiastically discussing natural science with Moscow's First Secretary Zubkov, it was already close to four in the afternoon when he appeared at the welcome party hosted specifically for him by Duke Golitsyn, the Governor of Moscow, in the Kremlin ballroom.
However, this was not considered a major faux pas, as per social etiquette, the main guest, Arthur, was entitled to be fashionably late.
In fact, if he had arrived too early, it would have seemed inappropriate.
The walls of the ballroom were adorned with heavy velvet curtains, and the windows, with their stained glass, cast a kaleidoscope of colors. The ceiling was filled with exquisite religious-themed murals, and the wide dance floor in the center of the hall was surrounded by rows of chairs for people to rest.
The lighting came from crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, casting soft yet bright light that illuminated the entire room.
