Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 3

Chapter 3

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 09:49

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Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 09:49

The spacious circular hall, in soft turquoise tones with blue velvet fabric inserts, was filled with the quiet, pervasive rustling that occurs when large numbers of people try not to make noise.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:12

The arriving nobles stood along the lines of a dark blue concentric pattern that covered the white, mirror-polished floor tiles, creating a giant spiral converging to the center of the hall, where instead of the expected throne, there was something like a rather large, round rostrum of the speaker, now empty. A huge white luminous crystal, playing the role of a chandelier, hung over the rostrum and over the first rows of noblemen who arrived at the Onstum, like a sword of Damocles. It was hanging by itself, motionless in the air, without any visible supporting devices.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:17

//"It's amazing, though. A huge number of people engaged in a tedious, tiresome, and, funnily enough, expensive business. All the time on their feet, in uncomfortable positions, all they can think about is how to scratch themselves without creating a political scandal..." Alex as a representative of one of the most ancient families, entered the hall among the first and for the fifteen minutes that it took to go to the others, had time to consider and "throne-tribune" and the part of the hall that was behind the throne. "And most importantly, it is not clear who needs all this! Who invented it? Whose profit? Why? I bet most of the participants of this "solemn arrival" would be happy to confine themselves to: "Hello, here we are!", omitting further formalities ... "

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:20

At last, the waiting ceased, and the staff of the Head Steward rattled against the polished floorboards:

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:21

"His Imperial Majesty!" A triumphant sound came from above, and the large double doors on the opposite side slowly swung open.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:22

The Emperor was exactly the same as in the many records that Alex had seen during the flight. He was a short, lean man in his fifties, in a snow-white navy uniform, with a slightly angular face and lively gray eyes. His short, military-looking dark hair accentuated his high forehead, which was encircled by a hoop of gray metal with a single blue stone in the center.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:24

Stopping in the doorway for a moment, the Emperor waved two fingers from his temple with a smile and moved toward the center of the hall. In the distant rows, a joyous, excited buzz swept through, which only the strict formality of the ceremony seemed to keep from degenerating into applause. As he approached the center, the reaction became more subdued but still positive.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:24

Despite the long blue cloak over his uniform, the Emperor walked briskly and quickly, with a precise and measured step, forcing the attendants, who were walking a little behind him, to hurry up: a tall, stately blond man wearing a pale green uniform, with a scarlet cloak on his shoulders, fastened with a massive, richly decorated chain of the Order. And a dark-haired middle-aged man with an elongated, tired face dressed in a black uniform without insignia.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:26

Exchanging smiles and salutatory nods with the arriving nobles, the Emperor walked to the "throne-tribune," and once again greeted the audience with a wave of his hand and took his seat.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:26

Alex had already thought that the "oath confirmation ceremony" was about to begin, but to his surprise, the staff struck the floor again:

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:27

"Her Majesty, Queen Hershebeth," announced the majordomo loudly, and the doors through which the Emperor entered slowly began to open again.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:27

The reaction of the hall to this announcement was an icy silence which, after a few moments, was replaced by the rustling of many whispers.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:29

The queen was tall, impassive, and moved with such perfect grace that it seemed as if she were hovering a few centimeters above the ground. Her pale blue dress, made as if of glittering blue ice, barely reaching the floor, only strengthened this effect, evoking associations with a fairy tale snow queen. Her long, straight hair was perfectly white and styled so evenly that it moved as if it were drawn, like a single flowing mass, tied in the middle with a wide metal ring. A platinum-colored hoop hovered above her head like a halo, and in the center of it was a shimmering blue crystal like a sharp four-sided spike.
https://youtu.be/xpXr1ZU3Ia8

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:33

With truly regal grace, the queen glided through the vacant part of the hall, and, accompanied by uncomfortable glances and whispers, she headed toward the center, echoing the emperor's path. Her perfectly shaped face, with its stern mouth and straight, slightly upturned nose, was filled with a cold, unapproachable beauty, and her piercing blue eyes glanced blankly through the rows of arriving nobles.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:35

Who she was and what caused such a cold reaction from those present, Alex was completely incomprehensible. In addition, although he was ready to swear that he saw the queen for the first time, he could not shake the feeling that she was familiar to him.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:35

Standing three meters away from the emperor, who was now watching the queen's approach with an absent smile, Alex was deprived of the opportunity to whisper with Artala, who should have known exactly what was going on. //Questions for now, we'll have to put aside.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:36

As Hershebeth passed by, Alex heard a woman whispering from somewhere behind him, loud enough to be heard by the queen and the emperor behind the podium, and even by his attendants:

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:49

"Great shadows, holo fabric with glow, how old-fashioned!" In the voice of the unknown connoisseur of beauty, one could hear a clear condemnation.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:49

"She should have worn shoulder pads, too." The other commented contemptuously, causing a faint grimace of weary irritation on the blond man in the scarlet cloak that accompanied the Emperor. "Some kind of hopeless lack of taste..."

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:50

The queen, with the same nonchalant look, passed by and took her seat next to the emperor on the "throne-tribune," giving the hall a completely icy look of a sophisticated customer who does not like the goods on offer.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:51

At that moment Alex realized who the queen reminded him of - his own attendant, Artala.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:51

//The same icy stare. Maybe they teach it at court somewhere especially?

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:52

The Emperor beckoned with a brief nod to someone on the sidelines, and the ceremony continued.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:52

"Her Serene Ladyship, Sovereign Princess of the Great House of Peltar, Lady Nadina Pell! Arrived with honor and for the honor!" The majordomo announced, and Lady Nadina, standing to the left of Alex, a little closer to the throne, left her guardsman behind and stepped forward.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:53

"Illustrious Princess of the House of Peltar!" The Emperor's voice was stern and solemn, but judging by his eyes, it was more of an act. "Do you swear, as an equal, by the word of your ancestors, to serve me faithfully, by honor and antiquity, from Starfall to Starfall?"

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:55

The pause clearly lasted a few seconds longer than the ceremonial prescribed, until finally Lady Nadina dropped to one knee:

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:55

"I, Nadina Pell, by right of equality, by my word and by the word of my ancestors. I swear..." Her words were entirely canonical and almost exactly like the ones Alex was about to utter, but the intonation... Nadine's tone had lost its omnipresent sarcasticness. It was unconcerned and lifeless. The arrest scene must have affected her even more than it had seemed at first. Or maybe the excitement had taken its toll. "...To serve you faithfully, from Starfall to Starfall, by honor and antiquity, demanding no other reward but honor and glory."

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:58

"Hail to the clan of Pell!" The Emperor proclaimed, raising his hands.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:58

"Hail!" The many assembled responded in chorus, and Nadina, who rose and took the guardsman under her arm again, made her way toward the exit at a leisurely pace.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 19:59

"His Serene Lordship, Illustrious and Sovereign Prince of the Great House Fyron, Lord Allesandro Cassard" The pounding of the beating heart almost completely absorbed the perfectly staged voice of the majordomo...

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:00

//"So calm down, it's only the Emperor of the Star Empire, a few thousand drunken Tallana rebels were clearly more dangerous..." Alex engaged in auto training trying to extinguish the inexplicably flared excitement. "And why in general, she told me about the record, chronicles, and other things. Maybe I wouldn't have panicked so much..."

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:02

He said the oath on automatic, coming to his senses only at the words, "Hail to Cassard," but still, his gait was somewhat "wooden" when he left the hall.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:04

"Finally..." Barely audible but greatly relieved, Artala said as the tall doors closed silently behind them.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:04

On the other side was a small "passing" hall, decorated with huge pictures of battlespace themes, and a group of servants, in livery the color of the night sky, with trays full of drinks in their hands and with a willingness to serve on their faces.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:05

Alex gratefully grabbed the glass from the servant and drained it in a gulp before he even knew what he was drinking.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:06

One of the servants bowed in a deep bow and asked to do him the honor of escorting "Your Lordship" to the lounge. Alex could only support such an arrangement.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:07

As it turned out, literally three steps away, in the next corridor, a small - even tiny, by local standards, round room was waiting for them, with only a corner couch and a table with snacks.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:08

The chief captain was visibly relieved to throw off her incredible robe, which was immediately picked up by the servants, and then they left at once, leaving Alex and Artala alone.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:08

"Forgive me for asking, but who is Queen Hershebeth?" Alex had already coped with the strange excitement, and now, he was understandably curious.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:09

"The Emperor's wife." The attendant replied, after an awkward pause with a strange look.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:09

"And what the Emperor is married?!" Alex was sincerely surprised.

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:10

During the flight to the capital, he had seen hundreds, if not thousands, of materials about the Emperor, and not a single word mentioned that he was married. He was a lonely, majestic figure with a golden halo of military genius. His wife did not really fit this image:

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:11

//Maybe he just got married a short time ago. And the "Court" has not yet accepted the new girl?

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:11

"By the way, I don't know if that would be convenient..." He unsuccessfully tried to give his curiosity a more decent shape. "But I thought you and the queen looked remarkably alike."

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:12

The captain froze, with a small canapé in her mouth, which she had taken from the table, and looked at Alex like a hopeless idiot:

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:12

"Maybe it's because she's my mother?" Artala sighed disappointedly, adding with participation, "You didn't take anything... like that?" She wiggled her fingers meaningfully. "Shall I send a servant for the neutralizer?"

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:13

"It's just that I've lost my memory, and I don't know a lot of even the most obvious and commonly known things..." Alex began to explain himself on the spot but froze in mid-sentence when he realized exactly what Artala had told him:

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:14

"What do you mean - mother?"

Camrad_RIP 10.05.23 в 20:15