“Neither overdoing things in preparation nor failing to do enough are good things. Like with most other things in life, the correct way is to find just the right amount to do.” - Saying from Yu Zi, a pre-historic Huan philosopher.

After the hearty meal, which Cal learned from Xain to be just a part of a formal “welcome” of sorts for the delegation from Paradise, the whole group - including Arquivaldo and his crew who had clearly struck a fast friendship with many of the navy Captains and Admiral present over a shared love of the oceans - adjourned and were invited to the Imperial Palace for some rest.

Other than those who had been to the Imperial Palace before, namely Cal, her students, and her nieces and nephews, the others who had never visited the palace before could not help but proclaim some awe at the sight of the place. Then Xain had some servants lead them to the guest rooms, where they were free to remain for the duration of their stay.

From there, the group dispersed to each do their own thing since they had nearly a month of time before the wedding ceremony. Cal herself kept her promise and brought Arquivaldo and his crew around to various places she knew of, since Xain had extended an invitation to the good captain as well, one that he accepted heartily.

At other times, Cal would visit Xain and Layla, often found with Ying Xiao as well, in their private chambers deep within the Imperial Palace, where she’d spend time just indulging in their company and often reminiscing about the past. Naturally, she also spent a good bit of her time there playing with and otherwise entertaining the young Imperial Couple’s three children. Much like how Farah reacted, neither of Xain and Layla’s younger children were afraid of Cal and quickly warmed up to her presence as well.

Her students and nieces often visited Ying Xiao instead, during times when the latter was not together with the Imperial Couple, to catch up on the days they’ve been apart. They had all built some friendship between them during Ying Xiao’s stay in Paradise, so naturally they wished to catch up with their old friend after several years.

Vark was worried about troubling the Emperor with his daughters’ animal companions, but Xain had given them free use of the stables attached to the palace, which were easily capable of housing animals even twice or more Lumi’s size. As such, Leila and Ilena could spend their time without worry, while their companions were cared for by the best stablehands in the Empire.

An amusing case actually happened around a couple weeks after their arrival in the Imperial City, when Elaina and Sidonie happened to be walking around the city just to catch their own mother out on a date with Lakhsman. Other than some good-natured teasing that left Layla’s twin brother red as a beet though, the experience was one that they recalled quite fondly, as both girls had been a bit worried if their widowed mother would be lonely on her own with how often they’ve been away.

Tal was utterly ecstatic when Xain offered him an opportunity to tour the Empire’s natural preserves, where the young scholar absolutely gushed over the variety of flora and fauna, many of which he had only ever read about in books at best. His attention was almost entirely drawn to his passion to the point that when he was informed that his cousin and uncle, that was, Igor and his father, the Erstgertsog of Verozgrad, would be arriving for the ceremony in a week as part of the Elmaiyan delegation he took nearly a minute before he turned around as the news finally registered in his mind.

Others in the group who had no real ties to the various delegations that were about to visit the Imperial City to attend the Emperor’s wedding ceremony like Dan and Ashani had a relaxed time, as they freely flitted about and explored the city to their heart’s content. Naturally, they had been extended invitations themselves - everyone in the group received one - so they were staying while they waited for the date of the wedding.

Kino naturally spent most of her time with the rest of Paradise’s delegation, and Cal even noticed her help out from time to time when it comes to things like music and other entertainment. She had been posing as a traveling bard and effectively lived as one for centuries after all, so her knowledge about such things were rarely rivaled.

As the date approached, delegations from all over the world began to arrive in the Imperial City. Other than the delegation from the City-States, who had been close enough geographically that it was quite convenient for them to just take a trip by ship to the Empire, the rest arrived via teleportation gate for reasons of practicality, expediency, and comfort.

Amongst those delegates, Cal spotted people she had met during her travels as well. Lady Governor Horst from Horststadt was amongst the delegation from the City-States, while Bogdan of the Beastfangs and his family led the delegation from the northern plains, along with the old matriarch Helga of the Bronzemanes. Some of their goblin neighbors from the east also joined their delegation as well.

From Knallzog, the King himself attended, together with his wife and his youngest children, leaving the nation in the hands of their oldest child and heir for the time being. Coming along with them as their escort of sorts was Aelfried the Undying and his adopted daughter Roslin, both of whom greeted Cal cheerfully when they met.

Over a dozen leaders from the Union came, with Dean Wainwrought of the Institute amongst them. Cal was less familiar with most of that group, but found a face she recognized regardless, as Azar'ēl was amongst them and greeted her as well.

From the Elven forests, several elders attended, led by High Elder Nydia herself, who gave Cal a respectful nod when they passed each other. Their dwarven counterpart from the south-east was led by the King himself, with over a dozen of his children in tow, including the seventh princess Cal was acquainted with. Orloff was also part of the Kingdom Down Under’s delegation, as he apparently had prepared several brews in person as gifts.

As for the southern continent, Cal had not recognized most of the delegates, be they from the Jarldoms, the Caliphate, or the Empire. The only person she recognized out of the Imperial delegation was Igor, who was next to a man who could only be his father, since the familial resemblance was particularly strong in that family.

On the other hand, she recognized just about everyone who came from the Lichdom. That particular delegation had caused the most unrest amongst the ministers and officials when they learned that the venerable Bone Lord himself was leading the delegation. Amongst them, Cal saw her aunt Mimia, together with her wife and grandfather, as well as a few other officials she had seen when she visited but not necessarily acquainted herself with.

Finally, when all the delegates and attendees had arrived, and another couple of days passed, the date for the wedding itself came.