Thus, Shade, who had originally wanted to blend into the crowd, was granted a spot at the front of the platform. Though admission checks were still underway, nearly all the important figures who were meant to attend had already arrived.
Heads in hats clustered together as people craned their necks on the platform, looking toward the direction from which the tracks extended, hoping to be the first to see the train arrive.
Though Tobesk had not yet welcomed the First Snow of winter, the morning temperature was already quite low. Elderly gentlemen had put on fur-collared wool coats, and the ladies' dresses were no longer as thin as they had been in summer.
Though Priest Augustus was still dressed in clerical robes, Shade keenly noticed that this robe was a thicker winter version.
Though Bishop Owen had not come, Shade knew most of the clergy sent by the Dawn Church this time. After exchanging some pleasantries, Shade asked Priest Augustus:
"Good morning, Priest. You arrived this early?"
"Any later, and we would have been stuck outside."
The Old Priest lowered his voice and complained to Shade:
"Since I was young, I've never understood why this sort of formalistic welcoming ceremony can't be held indoors."
"Cough, cough."
Father Nicola beside them coughed twice, signaling Priest Augustus to keep his voice down.
"There should be a proper welcome banquet, shouldn't there?"
Shade asked again, and the Priest pursed his lips:
"Of course there is, but it will probably be in a few days. Today's banquet is a private reception by the Cavendish Royal Family.
"But don't worry about having nothing to do. Over the next few weeks, you will definitely receive plenty of invitations to parties. The last time Tobesk City was this lively was six years ago, when the Anjou Royal