Finally, the day of the New Year celebration has arrived. People: ordinary citizens, knights, mages, and even nobles gathered their families to celebrate the last day of the year and meet the first one together and make a wish, just like their ancestors did many centuries ago when an imperial banner flapped on the wind. That period left many customs and traditions which are still valued even now. Hence, the annual gathering, one of such traditions when nobles gathered around the emperor survived even to current days. It slightly changed, but the main goals were still there. This event was a platform, opportunity, and chance for making new deals, marriage proposals, secret alliances, war declarations, and, of course, a method ruler used to show his status. Of course, nobles and the influential ones couldn’t miss such an event.

Though it was a celebration, the mood here wasn’t festive. Smart ones who knew what will happen with a specific respected noble today just exchanged meaningful glances and whispered to each other.

“He isn’t here yet.”

“Let’s see what will happen.”

Others, who had no interest in the schemes, kept talking about the recent news from the whole kingdom.

“You heard about the massacre which happened in the north?” asked one lady.

“Yes, Duke Abraham once again defeated one of the royal armies. I heard corpses covered the whole forest,” said her friend.

“The new king will once again plead for help from the Trade Union. I wonder what his father would have told him if he was still alive,” said that woman with a wide smile on her lips.

“His corpse is rolling over in the tomb. I wonder how it was possible to weaken the strongest army which defeated the Last descendent of Griffons to such extent,” said her friend.

Another popular news was about another conflict in the kingdom, and it was fresh. Hence, more people talked about it.

“That’s true. After the last decree on the trade of the new king, Duke Lannister was furious. The next day, his people captured all official buildings in the whole region and appointed their people. Those helpless officials are no longer there. It’s clear proof of his intent. The Duke of south left absolutely no face to keep to the capital. Their conflict is now imminent.”

“That’s obvious. All households founded on trade were very unhappy with the king’s concessions to the Trade Union. How could he let Trade Union take his role as the biggest trade partner with Blazing Desert? Though that Duke isn’t interested in politics, he is the most greedy one, the capital tried to stab him there where he couldn’t ignore.”

In such a manner, the banquet went. Nobles talked and discussed different topics, new guests arrived with each new moment while heralds proclaimed about their arrival.

Standing beside his wife and close friend Brunne, Andrey kept throwing impatient glances in the entrance's direction. Just like other nobles, he took part in the discussions about Duke Abraham who he knew since his childhood thanks to the family ties. His father was his vassal. Hence, he had things to tell about what type of person the bloody Duke was who buried a hundred thousand troops in the ambush, killing everyone. But, though he was glad to appease his vanity, answering many questions from other nobles, he couldn’t stop from throwing impatient glances toward the entrances, listening for a certain announcement from heralds. He just couldn’t wait any longer for the moment before he will officially become the heir regardless of the opinion of that stupid old man. Finally, after so many years of suffering, he - Andrey Claus will take his rightful place, and become the one to give orders, not the one to follow them. Even the position of the baron in the distant branch family, which was less than in the main one, didn’t sadden him. It was just a start for his revenge. With this position and friends, it won’t be hard to revenge.

Hence, he, his wife, close friend, his father, and a few more people, taking part in the scheme, never stopped smiling as they glared at the entrance from time to time. They all knew what would happen today. The Baron, without an heir, will get one, regardless of his opinion. Of course, if he doesn’t want to anger the Duke and give casus belli for the open conflict. With his intentions to take part in the approaching war for the throne, he and his close allies won’t miss such a chance to destroy such an old noble household, which has secrets, unique resources, and manuals envied by others.

“Greetings, Baron Claus,” said the herald, whose voice resounded across the hall, informing everyone about that and making Count Melor and his people wide smile and glare at the entrance.

In fact, following that announcement, a tall, wide middle-aged man, dressed in the noble tail-coat with his household’s insignia, entered inside together with the youngest son of the Duke. That man quickly looked around before finding his opponent, Count Melor, and smiling at him before turning and looking back when herald’s voice resounded once again.

“Greetings, Nero Claus,” said the male voice as more nobles turned in the entrance direction, shocked by this piece of news. Almost immediately, smiles disappeared from Andrey’s and his wife’s faces while Count Melor and Brunne Melor furrowed their brows when a small figure of the boy in the noble tail-coat with Claus family insignia appeared in the public, following his grandfather.

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As soon as Nero appeared in the hall, the hidden currents already started moving. While Nero followed his grandfather, approaching the place where was Duke, more and more nobles threw curious, estimating, and other glances at him. While elders looked at certain things, his peers looked at different ones. Several adoring glances from women and girls were enough to make him an enemy for quite a portion of the young boys, who furrowed their brows when they looked at him.

Though many Baron's old friends wanted to greet him, nobody approached because it was a custom to greet the house’s owner first. Hence, their short journey towards the Duke’s place didn’t last long, and he was already waiting for them when Baron reached him.

“Greetings, Your Grace,” said Baron as he made a half-bow while Nero and Arthur followed his example.

As soon as Duke Gatsby heard him, he moved his indifferent glance at the Baron.

“General,” said Duke, nodding before moving his glance to his son. “Took you longer than expected.”

Though he looked at his son, those words were for the Baron.

“We met several groups of slave traffickers, attacking the village, and couldn’t leave without helping them,” said Arthur, looking right into his father’s eyes.

For a moment, a dense atmosphere appeared between these two before Duke put on a smile.

“I see. Then, it’s forgivable. Saving lives is so important, right, son?” asked Duke, but with clear sarcasm in his voice to which Arthur only smiled.

Following his short exchange with him, Duke looked at the third figure near to them, raising his brows in surprise.

“General, he is very similar to you, and your daughter when you first brought her here,” said Duke, returning his glance at the Baron.

“That’s right, Your Grace, he is my grandson, my daughter’s son,” said Baron with a clear and loud manner so that everyone nearby could hear him.

Of course, when such words left his mouth, many people exchanged glances while certain ones tightened their fists and glared in Nero’s direction, but only a few, the Duke including kept their indifferent expressions as they kept looking at the Baron.

“Interesting. I am glad your family finally got a male,” said Duke Gatsby before clapping his hands and putting on a smile. “Enjoy the feast, general, you are one of the few respected guests here.”

Following the short conversation with the Duke, Baron and Nero moved in a different direction, leaving Arthur behind with his father. It didn’t take long before many people came to Baron. Though only a few of them were his close comrades, allies, or old pals, he and Nero showed a courtesy offending no one.

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While Baron and Nero talked with Duke, many nobles changed their tactics and strategy right during the feast. Leonid Atreides was also one of them. Right now, he was solemnly looking at his beautiful daughter with a warning glance.

“I don’t care, Eris,” said Leonid. “That boy is the grandson of my old comrade. Hence, you will come with me and be courteous to him. This isn't what you can discuss.”

Eris could only tighten her fists, glare at her father with an angered glance before nodding.

“Fine, I will go talk with that weakling. But, father, don’t even think about the marriage proposal. Though I am technically in the right age, I will never marry someone like him,” said Eris with clear metal in her voice while Leonid just sighed and looked at his daughter with a non-understanding glance.

“Daughter, why are you so obsessed with Mark Avalone. Duke will never agree on that. His eldest son is like a treasure to him, and he is already engaged. Why don’t you look at other candidates?” asked Leonid, while a pissed expression appeared on her face.

“Father,” said Eris with clear anger in her voice, to which Leonid just sighed.

“Fine, Eris. I won’t talk about that. If you want to stay in your illusions, you can continue. But, now you will come with me and talk with that boy. Though he is weaker than you right now, nobody knows what will happen in the future. I know William, he is a great teacher. That boy will become the right man. Just don’t regret this moment when dozens of other girls will chase him in the future. Do, whatever you want, daughter,” said Leonid as he turned and moved toward Baron Claus and Nero while Eris bitted her lips before cursing to herself and following her father.

Though, her father’s words were so funny for her because she would never exchange her only love. But, she still knew that boy fought with him in the youth tournament. That boy lost miserably from her hands just like others, but unlike others, he was at least worthy of a bit of her respect. As the warrior, she knew how important it was to have good relations with talents. Hence, pushing her unwillingness, she followed her father.

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“William,” said the man as he approached and patted the Baron on his shoulders.

“Leonid,” said the Baron with a smile as he returned the favor.

“Long time no see, friend,” said Leonid with a smile on his lips.

“Since the tournament,” said the Baron, while his friend nodded and looked at Nero.

“And this?” asked Leonid with asking manner, urging him to introduce the small boy who was with the Baron.

“I am Nero Claus,” said Nero as he looked right into the eyes of the Leonid. while he made a certain expression as if he remembered something.

“Huh... I remember you, boy. You were the one fighting with my daughter on the first round of the youth tournament,” said Leonid as he approached Nero and started patting him. “That strike in the middle of the battle was a good one. A bit more, and you could end up victorious.”

“What are saying, father,” said the female voice behind his back, attracting Nero’s, Baron’s, and Leonid’s attention.

“Huh... You are here,” said Leonid, putting an understanding smile before looking at the Baron and winking at him. “Let’s let these two talk. I guess now already everyone knows about him.”

Baron kept looking at his friend for a moment before a similar understanding smile appeared on his lips.

“Fine, I don’t mind it,” said Baron before nodding to Nero and following Leonid, moving away from the boy and the girl. Such action made few people follow them, realizing that youngsters needed some time together.

“Lady Eris,” said Nero as he took her hand to kiss while fun flashed through her eyes when she looked at the shorter boy. She didn’t know why, but a strange feeling appeared inside her and she considered showing a bit more courtesy for him and nodded.

“You became slightly taller since our last encounter,” said Eris, while Nero nodded with respect.

“I had no chance to thank you, lady Eris. Our battle in the tournament was a big eye-opener for me. You helped me a lot in my training,” said Nero with clear sincerity in his tone while Eris just shrugged her shoulders.

“Don’t need to thank me. That’s me who should ask for forgiveness. I used too much force during that battle, and left many injuries on you,” said Eris with a bit of guild in her voice while Nero shook his head.

“No need for that. I was fine. A bit of beating was even useful not to make me arrogant,” said Nero while a slight smile appeared on her face as she kept looking and young and handsome Nero’s face.

“How old are you?” asked Eris, noticing that Nero’s face still had many childish traits which even his elderly behavior and manners couldn’t hide.

“Eight years old,” said Nero while Eris widened her eyes in surprise as she glared at him.

“For real?” asked Eris, while Nero nodded.

With such a small piece of information, the whole view of Nero in her head made a huge change. She, as the daughter of the famous battle household, knew how hard it was to make breakthroughs before twelve. She, herself, passed through many sufferings and hardship under constant training before she reached her fifth rank of a squire on her twelfth birthday. Hence, just meeting someone who was already on the third rank of squire four years before the official year when children practice martial arts forced her to look at Nero from the new light. He was no longer a weakling for her, but a talent with whom it could be beneficial to create friendship. In short, he passed her high standards to become a friend.

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While Nero and Eris kept talking with each other, there was a certain group that kept glaring at him with an unhappy expression on their faces. Both Count Melor and his son kept whispering something to each other while Andrey Claus and his wife were away from them.

“Father, that move was an unexpected one. Now, Duke Gatsby won’t officially take part in our scheme. Right now, many noble households are glaring at him, especially those which differ from others,” said Brunne, while his father released a bitter sigh.

“You are right. Nobody expected this turn of events. Another hidden variable appeared in this game. This boy, and his daughter,” said Count Melor as he tightly gripped his fists.

“What if he is just an impostor?” asked Brunne, while his father shook his head.

“No, that old man is too stubborn and righteous. He would never dirty the family tree. That boy is indeed his grandson, he resemble him too much when he was young,” said Count Melor before looking at the Andrey, whose veins were now twitching.

“By the way, our idiot and I met that boy during our visit to the Wingville,” said Brunne, attracting his father’s attention before he started telling him how Andrey slapped Nero, taking him for a servant.

“Hmm... We can use that,” said Count Melor, touching his chin. “It’s his first time. Their reputation, future career, and opportunities depend on the results of today.”

“Father, you want to,” said Brunne, understandingly to which Count nodded.

“That boy broke many plans, especially the least violent ones. Hence, I don’t think it will be hard to get someone to create problems for him. There are many scions here. That boy is handsome, noble, and attention-attracting. My recommendation will be enough to make few of the small noble families scions to humiliate both of them,” said Count Melor, as a sly smile appeared on his lips. The same smile also appeared on Brunne’s face.

“I know who to ask this favor,” said Brunne with a sly smile before he moved toward a few scions.