Chapter 35: Finally!
An immense level of preperation had been done on this significant occasion of the priests.The main purpose was to be revealed after the function.But most of the nobles had appeared for their own benefits too.They knew that this event going to be a medium for them to promote their businesses.
Most of them engaged themselves not only in being a middle man for kings but they also had multiple ways to prosper.Some were great traders in cloth textile, some were involved in fine wine and beer-selling ,some were intertwined with perfume business.These aristocrats were great economic helphand for their lords. In return, their respective emperors blindly gave them a big hand in administrative power and arm support.
Some lord of manor and even some emperors were involved in underground supplies of narcotized substances which were being imported and exported in large amount these days.This time too,they had found a satisfactory occasion for them to promote these illegal goods.
Everyone was gathered in hall of Murtakasa. The hall was decorated with high level of investment which showcased the richness of the priests.
"Oh! I didn't expect there would be such an extravagant place within these messengers of God.huh?" Dready mused as he entered the hall with Fredrick before Max and Merry to ensure the security.
"Oh my! Look who I am seeing.It's been such long time since I last saw you Dready." Lady Kaenal ,wife of king Harry of Soljovia kingdom.She and king Harry had just arrived in Montane Church.
"It's an honour to meet you lady Kaenal." Dready bowed with full respect.He used to be the personal knight of king Harry as he was born there. But after the war, he chose to assist Maximilian on his own will.
"That means... Lord Maximilian must be here too.Am I right?" Lady Kaenal asked.
"Yes lady Kaenal." Dready responded.
"That child...I heard he has married to my friend's daughter.." She added with a curious look.
"You are right Lady Kaenal." He replied while trying to read her face.
"How amusing!..But more interesting is that..... I was not invited to my own friend's daughter wedding nor your lord invited us." She said with a smirk.
"It was unintentional..Actually everything happened within few weeks after the last war so only those who were close could be called and many other important figures were uninvited." Dready tried to avoid the awkwardness when he recalled that Max told him himself not to invite any gossip queen.
"Then..Maybe! the bride might not be of the standard or ugly as rumours say..that's why he tried to avoid any kind of embarrassment. Ha Ha." She laughed with full of confidence as if she had some kind of inevitable charm.
"Sorry to say it Lady Kaenal , but our ladyship is a definition of beauty with brain." Dready affirmed with chilling look and same level of confidence as he was offended by her words.
"Not like your daughter.." Fredrick murmured carefully with irritated look.Then suddenly Dready gestured him to keep his voice low in front of such high class lady.
"Is that so? Quite surprising..I will see her with my own eyes huh.." She smiled back with unaffected ego.In reality, she was more pissed because of the reason that she had decided to offer her daughter's hand to Maximilian after the war end because of Max's wealth and popularity.
"Lord Simon and Lady Saflin have arrived!
"Lord Kenin is arriving!"
One by one many prestigious lords and ladies started to arrive.
And now was the time for the most awaited pair who had caused unexpected chaos after their first arrival. Many other guests had not arrived yet.But now, this time there going to be more gazing eyes on our couple.
"Lord Maximilian and Lady Merry are arriving!"
Max entered the hall holding Merry's hand.Max was wearing Black v-neck tunic with tapestry designed vest over it and a fur lined cloak with gold and silver chains and crosses along with his sword.Keeping his hair up which gave clear look of his cuts and sharpness of jawline.On the other hand, Merry was wearing a sparkle beading blue tiered dress, elegant tulle prom ball gown with a diamond chain.Her hair was left opened and decorated with silver and blue beaded tiara which added a cherry on the top.
Everyone's eyes were mesmerized by their appearance together.All men were looking towards Merry with spellbound .On the other side, women were hypnotized by Max's handsomeness.
"Who is she?" Lord Kenin( Son of Emperor of Qenn. ) asked Lord Noah ( Army commander of Montane Church) with a pleased look.
"Uh! It's...Lord Maximilian's wife." Lord Noah said with blush as he himself was lost in his thoughts when he looked at her.
"Wife? Now, Is the Tyrant tired of killing people that he got himself a bird to crave for ,huh?" Lord Kenin said while looking at Merry with a keen eyes.
"I guess..there is going to be a lot of commotion here..." He added.
"Don't forget Lord Kenin, there is not only you who are looking forward for a chance.." Noah suggested with a concerned look as grasped what he might be thinking of.
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Many approached them for conversation this time as soon as they got the chance.During yesterday's meeting,they avoided to approach them.But this time, they got lot of time to introduce themselves intentionally and specially to discuss about the alliance with Maximilian.
They shared greetings and a proper conversation initially .While their men were busy discussing matters about war and businesses , the ladies surrounded Merry for introduction which was quite surprising.
Merry grew nervous.
"I was very surprised last day when I saw lord Maximilian attending a social function and more to that was with his newly wed wife." A lady in complete dark brown dress covered with jewelry spoke looking at Merry with lot of interest.
"I did attend the wedding ceremony with my father you know, that's why I know lady Merry but I also didn't expect their arrival here.." Another lady named Darlin who was the daughter of Reginald who was a former king of Southern Jamel.
Merry listened to them with a respectful smile and manner but deep down she didn't understand why they were being so attentive to her today unlike yesterday.
"I'd not much seen lady Merry before, neither in gatherings nor in her own family functions.." Darlin spoke while some ladies were gossiping something strange about Merry which was clearly hearable to her.
"Uh..Ac-Actually I never." Merry started to say but then.
"How would she?! She started her education from home in the mid of her schooling years and after that I don't think there were any talk about her whereabouts.." A young lady named Charlotte spoke.She used to study in the same institute where Merry did.And she was one of the girl who had left no chance to talk rubbish about Merry.On her looks, stuttering and her illness.
Merry flinched when she looked in her direction and realised who was talking to her.She felt inexpressible painful memories and now she was looking at the same person with unchanged personality.
"Oh is that so? Why?was there any problem my lady?" Darlin asked with curiosity.
"It wasn't like t-that I just" Merry was about to reply.
"You didn't know ,she had been suffering from some health issue from young age so maybe that's the reason." Charlotte spoke bluntly while sounding like she was making fun of her about everything.She had already gotten into Merry's nerve.
"I also thought you died just like your mother." Charlotte added smirking while having her same old fun.
"Enough! I've had e-enough of your concerns lady Charlotte! Don't make me f-forget your position." That was it. Merry bursted out like while raising her voice high enough to reach those ladies ears.Some were expecting this from her to react this way on such blunt words.And some were surprised.Charlotte was shocked at her reaction.She didn't expect her to react this way.
"I think I offended my friend somehow.Mylady if I offended in any way unintentionally then I'm sorry." Charlotte spoke with unapologetic look.But she was certain that this time got no way to hide her rough attitude and when she realised other ladies were not in her favour she feared this might affect her status too.
"What happened Mylady? Is there any problem? " Dready appeared all of a sudden with puzzled look when he heard Merry.
"N-Nothing, sir Dready." Merry told with as much calmness as she could ,she tried to hide her irritation.Dready looked at other women's faces and held Merry's hand respectfully.
"Then..if you don't mind ,Lord Maximilian is asking for you.Shall we go?" Dready asked her Merry with care to avoid the situation.Merry nodded.
"It was really nice to meet you my grace." Darlin greeted to see off her with a respectful bow.Followed by her, other ladies also greeted with same energy.Merry got surprised by their mind gesture.She felt light and grateful by this.
"It was lovely to m-meet you all my ladies ." Merry too bowed with elegance.Dready escorted her to Max who was discussing about the some serious matters with other nobles.When Max noticed Merry, he stopped mid way and walked towards her.Those who he was talking with were puzzled.
"How can he leave without saying anything? this guy." one of the man said surprisedly.
"Look, who would not, when someone has such an angelic wife?" Other one spoke when he saw Max standing in front of Merry.
"Justifying enough." He smirked as they also noticed.
"Did something happen?" Max asked when he noticed Merry's sad eyes.
"N-Nothing! " Merry tried to hide whatever happened back there.Max looked Dready, but he himself knew nothing.
"Really?" Max emphasized.
"Yes!" Merry nodded.Max sighed as he felt that he have to ask her more properly to know it.
"Have you had eaten anything?" He asked.
"l-I had orange joice just now" Merry replied.
"You have to have medicine,so let's go and eat something." Max held her hand to initiate walking.
"I d-don't have any appetite...I w-will eat later." Merry spoke hesitantly.
"But.." Max was about to speak
"Please.." But then Merry requested with those beautiful puppy.ofcourse he melted.
"Fine.. Did you enjoy talking to others?" Max asked directly.
"Y-Yes" She answered awkwardly.
"I guess, we should go towards the balcony for some fresh air." Max asked as he got that something is off with her mood.
"Dready, tell the host if he asks that we will be back soon." Max ordered.
"Yes commander!" Dready looked at them with relaxed look.
'It's good that our commander is not strict with our ladyship as he seems with others.Im happy that he gives time to know her and tries to manage her sadness...why I am feeling like a father who gave his own daughter in those hands." Dready thought as he never had known his commander would be this soft towards anyone.
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