We are finally let through the mostly meaningless gate and towards the palace courtyard.

We've been here multiple times before, but always for tea parties, which are never held in the courtroom, so something like this is much more tense and formal. We are heading for the throne room itself, and if I am right, it will be quite a show. The throne room will likely be stuffed to the brink with curious onlookers... and I will have to stand there as 'Augustus'. I mustn't be found out as Lily, but, I cannot lie.

I... cannot lie. My honor won't allow it, as such I cannot even declare my own name.

Ugh.

I hate this.

I cannot stand this, but if I do not...

It will be worse than if I do not.

I promised I wouldn't bring shame to my new family. So, I have to swallow to pride and honor a bit. Ugh... Augustus... as I thought... I just can't say it.

I glance to Father and Eric. They look calm and collected. Surprisingly even Eric is calm, I hadn't expected that at all. To think that I am the only one feeling uncomfortable.

Well, I am the only one cross-dressing.

As you may have noticed Mother isn't here. My guess is that she wasn't brought along since this is a military affair, however, isn't it just a celebration of sorts? I do suppose she was feeling unwell the morning we left, but I don't think that would be enough to explain it.

The carriage finally stops in front of the steps to the palace doors, and I gaze up to estimate their height. I'd say the doors themselves are about two, maybe two and a half stories tall. I can only imagine the weight of the doors as four men move to open them, two on each side. They actually appear to be struggling. I bet the hinges of the doors need to be fixed once a year just from the unbalanced weight.

I suppose they do reek of grandeur. Though, they are purposeless other than that. It would be easy to chop or ram through them, as they've been made thinner than a usual gate door, to move them more easily.

Well... to sum it up, the palace is not built for war, but for court.

Considering the amount of war I assume our country has gone through, and the frequent attacks on our Eastern Border, I feel like this is a reckless action. To be this unguarded when every border is heavily fortified... I mean... it is an incredibly important place, so at least build a wall around the palace... preferably the city too.

...

I got distracted again.

Excuse me.

It is merely that these things irritate me. By the standards of my former life, anything without basic defense, couldn't be called a city. The capital has nothing. Not even a little.

Do bandits give up on raiding here?

---*---

Stepping through the front doors we arrive into the waiting room. What? You thought it would open right up to the throne room? No no no, that would be bad design for everything else than visits to the throne room, and you would have visitors standing outside in rain or snow.

The walls have multiple Corinthian pillars spaced about a couples meters from the walls of the room. Their second purpose, other than supporting the ceiling, is to support the balcony between the pillars and the wall.

Interestingly, to accent the shape of the pillar, they've used spiral fluting to accentuate the feeling of plant life. Because of the three story high ceiling, it looks as though climbing plants swirled around each other in an attempt to reach heaven. From the top of these plant like pillars the supporting arcs crawl over the inside of the ceiling, appearing like branches of these spiral like trees. Between the branches of the trees spreads countless of paintings of legends and fairy-tales, all based upon a gentle blue color like sky. My guess is that it's visual entertainment for the guests.

I casually spot Scorog on one of the murals together with the moon. Hundred of shining lights shine below Scorog, and one could think it was stars if one didn't look closely, or didn't think... but those were the shape of eyes. Fire reflecting in the eyes of wolves, to be more exact. To mark Scorog's many followers.

The many doors at the sides of the room lead to different parts of the castle. One to the dinner area, on to the tea area... well... I only know those two, but I suppose one of them would lead to the guest rooms. My guess is that is one of the doors on either of the two floors above us. Stairs on each side of the room lets you climb the floor up onto balconies that peer over the area, with small areas having extended out further to allow for seating areas that peer over the waiting area.

Honestly, the waiting area is big enough for most people to hold a party here. Of course, the king likely wants something even more fancy than this... I estimate that the waiting room easily holds seating area for a hundred people.

Considering the wealth of the capital, and the royal family, it may be because people bring a lot of entourages, or simply that so many want to talk to the king that they need this much seating area.

We head forward to the throne room, and honestly I am looking forward to what they'll show to outclass this.

---*---

Something else than the room makes me short of breath as we step inside...

There's... too many people...

More of the plant like pillars stand on each side of the direct path leading to the throne, and it is long. Excessively long. Above us sky turned windows make the floor flood with sunlight, and intensely so right at the path leading to the throne, which is bathed in pure sunlight. In fact, I'm certain that they've used mirrors to redirect even more light towards both the path and especially the throne. I just can't see them for the glittering ceiling... ah... right... the sparkles are the mirrors.

Because of the sunlight and the warm green colors used here along with countless of colorful paintings and banners, all with motives of flowers, it seems as if we're in the middle of a forest. There are even banners for each and every noble family in the kingdom, and that is a big reason for the bright mood of the room. Even though it should be intimidating just from how small it makes you seem... it seems as though the forest is prepared for a festival. Many flower garlands connecting the pillars really make the room shine.

However, I can't breathe.

Partly from the air being thick with pollen, however, also because of the massive amount of people. I am not scared, mind you, however I am not that fond of being in court.

I hear our names called out, and the mutters from the crowd around us as we step closer to the throne... no... walk... again, they've made it so grand you have to walk to the throne to be able to talk, since you probably cannot be heard from the other end of the throne room.

I glance to the sides as we walk and realize that some of the audience is a story up higher than us... no... some are two stories... I glance up. The ceiling here is at least 5 stories tall... at this point they're just bragging. Are you trying to impress the people that were already shocked at the three stories tall waiting room?

I shudder as we end in front of the throne... but he's still a flight of stairs up higher than we are. At this point I'm considering if the grandeur of the castle was caused by arrogance instead of overflow of capital.

We kneel down in front of the king with our fist to the heart side of our chest, eyes lowered to the floor.

"Marquess Adam Celeste, I assume this is your son?"

The king's voice booms through the room louder than I expected and draw the attention of the crowd. However, with but the light motion of the king's hand every bit of attention falls on me... and it truly feels like being pierced by hundreds of gazes.

"Yes, your Majesty" Father replies back... however his voice is faint in comparison with the king's... and not from not answering loud and clear. The king was cheating by having someone use wind magic.

The king stares at me, as if to ascertain my nature, however, I don't care about the king.

The king wouldn't know the difference anyway.

I discretely glance to the throne area for his Highness Alstair.

Ah... yes... there he is...

I lower my eyes again, but still feel his Majesty's eyes on me.

Just... please do not ask me any questions.

"Augustus Celeste!"

Ugh. His Majesty calls for my attention.

"Yes, your Majesty!"

I respond back, trying not to think about Alstair's reaction. As it is, I'm not supposed to look up at him.

"For your bravery in war, and for the defense of the Western Border I reward you the Semper Augustus Mansion."

So land?

This was indeed a very well thought out reward from the king.

Since 'Augustus' was the second son, then he would neither have the title nor any of the land. Well, sometimes the second son does get a bit of the land and wealth from his father... but usually they have to go prove themselves first.

Also, since 'Augustus' has been an unfavored son, it would not be odd for the king to assume that 'Augustus' would get nothing at all. 'Augustus' was never presented, ever, not even mentioned.

As such, getting land was like assuring 'Augustus' for a lifetime... or well... so I assume... however, I'm not entirely sure, since the audience let out a small collective gasp.

I glance to Father for his reaction. This mansion could prove to be more trouble than good. After all, didn't we want Augustus deleted from every record?

Father glances back to me and gives a slight nod for me to accept the present.

I glance to the side to grasp the expressions of the audience as I reply back with the standards of this world.

"It is an honor, your Majesty! I will never forget this generosity."

I glance to Father for approval. What in the world is he planning, accepting the mansion?

The audience still hasn't calmed down either, in fact, their gazes on me are even stronger than before.

Just what in the world is wrong with the Semper Augustus Mansion?

A man by the king's side speaks some fine words about the battle and how glorious it was before the king finally motions a hand to the side and ushers us to the dining room for a feast to celebrate the victory.

Well... I suppose Lord Tepet will let it slide that they don't get feasts like this every time they win. After all, it is the first thing House Celeste has won in decades.

I can finally glance up at Alstair.

Thankfully it appears his focus isn't on me, but Eric instead.

Sullen that Eric never told you of me?

I sigh internally. First half of my personal horror is now over. At least... I thought so...

"Your Majesty, I would like to request a private audience with you."

His Majesty who was getting up from the throne stopped. His brows were lightly furrowed.

"That will be fine, I have a matter I need to discuss with you as well, Lord Celeste."

Eh?

Why?

Aren't we done with this yet? Shouldn't we just eat and then leave?

The longer we stay, the larger probability that someone realize I'm not a boy, you know?