The days had been a blurr for the young master. Dancing lessons, oratory, posture training, dining etiquette, all her lessons began to meld into each other, until the big day came. Tetra, Elaine and Armoire awaited their master at the gate of the manor, all dressed for the occasion, even Armoire had been peeled out of her ordinary clothes, though she had insisted on a suit. The door opened and Maria stepped through and into the warm glow of the afternoon sun.

Her dress fit her perfectly, frills and cut giving a look of youthful elegance while her mantle across her left shoulder covered her lacking arm, reminiscient of the knights of old. She felt the warm breeze across her uncovered face, the first day that she was allowed out during the day without the bandages. Sin was at her side, holding her hand to guide her down the steps, which took Maria a little longer in her heels, even after her training.

Their destination was not far, an hours drive out of the city proper, to one of Elizabeth's many estates. The complex was guarded heavily, with soldiers of the Merlayne's first retinue and Maria's own combing the area on patrol. The manor itself was a grand summer residence, with expansive gardens, a stable and smaller housing by the side for the staff, all surrounded high walls.

They were not the first arrivals, rather they seemed to be some of the last as the driveway was full of cars of all sizes, generations and models, venerable old timers stopping side by side next to state of the art sports models. One large gap right at the front had been held open for them, where they parked.

Sin stepped out first, followed by her beasts. First then did Maria's door get opened, and she got a good view of her surroundings. There were very few people around, a small group of impeccably dressed men and women stood near the entry to the manor itself, smoking and chatting, which stopped immediately once one of them laid eyes on her, on her family crest on her mantle.

When Maria passed them they lowered their heads in deference, speaking only in whispers even after they had passed through the gate into the main hall. Here they were greeted by the tunes of a classical orchestra, a scene of lavish extravagance, tables of food and drinks at the sides, leaving ample room for the guests to congregate.

And what guests they were. Here, behind layers of guards, shut off from the outside world, the nobles of the country showed their splendour.

The skin of some was covered in scales, others had massive wings, folded elegantly behind their backs or covering them like another set of clothes. Two, three or six eyed, towering above the crowd at three or barely sticking out at only one meter tall, Maria felt as if she had stumbled upon a convention of heroes. But there was no crass jokes, the people were appropriately dressed, the atmosphere was calm and the young master for once felt not an outsider, but truly a part of something.

Until the music stopped. And a voice ran through the hall. "Attention, my peers. Defer and welcome the guest of honour." Elizabeth was walking down the stairs from the back of the hall, an angel clothed in pure white.

All eyes went from her to Maria and her servants as Elizabeth´s voice filled the hall "Welcome Maria Len-Fey, heiress to one of the eldest names among us." The crowds parted around her as she walked through the hall towards them. "The slayer of heroes, lady of beasts. Inheritor of the Ancients, titles she has earned in a few mere weeks."

Maria's body froze as she watched her come closer, her mind emptying fast. She breathed in, counted to three, breathed out, counted to three. "And there are many more to come. Long have we feuded, my family and hers, and let the world and our noble light diminish. No longer, I say."

Elizabeth had reached them, and took Maria's hand into her own. For a moment their eyes met, and a smile flashed across the lips of the lady Merlayne, before she stepped to her side. "Tirelessly has the lady Len-Fey fought to restore the world, to rid it of the feverish degeneracy that plagues it. She has fought, bled and suffered more than anyone here in this room, of this I am certain. My peers of ancient lineage, I ask you to welcome the lady Len-Fey, future queen, and my wife to be."

The hall erupted into applause and a series of bows, with a line quickly forming as the guests individually welcomed Maria. In her painstaking lessons she had managed to memorise the greetings for the highest of ranks, which she handled herself, while letting Sin speak for her for anyone else.

Most faces appeared and left so quickly that the young master forgot them by the time the next person took their place. The line seemed endless, but she persevered, her eyes frequently shooting over to Elizabeth.

Two people in the endless lines of greetings she did reocgnise however. Lord Lavalier, further in the back, had come along with his wife, as well as someone else, a tall lady dressed in blue. "Madame Saphire?" The young master blinked twice, much to the amusement of the lady still towering above her. "Keeping an eye out for potential clients is a vital part of my work, your highness. With your new means I am sure that my services could be of use to your endeavours. Perhaps we can speak later."

As quick as she had come, she vanished into the crowd once more. Eventually all had been given the opportunity to greet her personally, the music picked up once again and the guests formed their own little groups, nobody audacious enough to linger around the two ladies of the evening and their companions.

Armoire tugged on Sin's arm, her face a dark red. "I'll, I'll go and see to security and everything alright?" Desperation was as clear in her tone as discomfort. She was let go, leaving Tetra and Elaine. Both were looking around, though Elaine's eyes darted around mainly at the people, possible entries, exits, and the guards that had blended in so well with the environment that Maria had not noticed them at all.

Tetra was without her hat, and was avoiding looking anyone into the eyes, her posture hunched forward as she stuck close to Elaine, who was standing as close to Maria as she could, given the circumstance. "I dearly hope that you will enjoy the festivities, darling." Elizabeth looked back at Maria with a gaze that made her knees weak. "The dance will begin shortly, if you wish to have a drink first then just ask for one."

Servants were walking across the hall with trays of glasses, and Elizabeth waved one towards her. She took two glasses and reached one out to Maria as she sipped on her own. "I fancy you more of a white than a red, no?" Maria shook her head, pressing her lips together. "I uhm, I don't really drink, sorry." Elizabeth rose an eyebrow and finished her glassed, putting it back on the servants tray.

Elizabeth then took the one for her 'darling' and downed it, sending the servant away. "If that is your preference, dear. And here I thought I would be the one guiding you to bed." With a chuckle she left Maria to walk to another small crowd nearby, who seemed near deathly shocked to suddenly be in her company, leaving Maria completely red in her face.

Sin shook her head and stared after the lady Merlayne. "If there is anything else you wish, please just speak your mind. I noticed a few cakes on the other side, similar to the ones you said you fancied. Shall I procure some?" Maria quickly nodded her head and Sin vanished into the crowds. It was then that she was approached by two young men who walked in unison.

Their suits were of a dark black with red undershirts, matching the crimson of their skin. It glistened under the light of the chandeliers, reflecting it. "Your highness, we wished to thank you more personally." They spoke at the same time, their voices smooth and soft. Maria's expression was clear, and the two bowed. "Dalian and Paris, your highness. Heirs of the Sanata family."

Maria nodded her head, trying her best to muster a smile. "Is there, anything you wished to speak to me about?" The twins nodded and each got down on one knee. "We wish to enter your knightly service, your highness."

She was taken aback, peering over to the table toward which Sin had vanished, wishing desperately that she'd come back. Her salvation came from the other side however. "Now now, have you two no understanding of protocol? Or do you merely wish to embarrass me into an early grave?"

A tall woman walked past and behind the two brothers, and pulled them back to their feet with two of her four arms. Like the two her skin was of a dark red and stood much taller than them.

She had six narrow slits for eyes, reminiscient of an insect more than a person. "Please forgive my sons, they get so overly eager at the thought of escaping the motherly clutches that nurtured them to what they are now." She ruffled their hair, both looking displeased, but bearing it. "Though I would not doubt for a moment that they would not perform to satisfaction."

Sin returned shortly after with a tray of small cakes, a grin forming on her lips as she saw the small group. "I hope you will enjoy, my master." Sin held the tray out for Maria, who was quickly absorbed by the assortment of sweets while Sin looked back at the tall woman. "Amalia, you are still around, and in one piece? I must say I am impressed."

The woman gave a polite laugh and waved it off. "A healthy diet, less meat and a good husband can go a long way. I would recommend it, but." Her eyes darted to Maria. "I am sure that you have your hands more than full." The beast shook her head and lowered her head. "My life belongs to my master, just like my sisters'."

The tall woman nodded her head and bowed to Maria. "You are truly blessed with wondrous staff, your highness. I pray that my sons can one day earn their place in your service. Adieu." She dragged the two back into the crowd, though she still stuck out among them very easily.

With Sin once more at her side the other guests seemed not inclined to come near her, wherever she walked the crowds parted. They did not stare, but froze whenever she was close. Conversations shifted to idle pleasantries and small talk, everyone stood stiff, and the few that noticed her gaze did their best to force a smile.

They had made it to the other end of the hall and it took Maria all her willpower to not hang her head. "They really don't like me." She muttered under her breath for only Sin to hear, who barely shook her head.

"They fear you, my master. Sanata, Lavalier, madame Saphire, I see a few of our old allies here beside them. Some are loyal to Merlayne, some sit between the sides, and some are too insignificant to matter much. All they know of you are your name, your deeds, and me."

The two locked eyes for a moment, and Sin gave a wink, barring her fangs. "And the fewest would dare to commit a faux pas knowing just a fraction of these things. Give them time, my master, nobility will always recognise royalty."

The last piece came to an end, the crowds dispersed and took their place near the wall. Sin, Tetra and Elaine followed suit, Maria stood alone. She knew what was coming, she had prepared for it for days now, but the anticipation still made her stomach flutter as Elizabeth approached her. The orchestra began anew, Elizabeth took her hand and laid her other on Maria's shoulder. "May I have the first dance, darling?"