Ancient Families Weigh Their Options: The Grey Family's Invitation and Stance

The study of Minister of Justice Duke Theodore Grey was vastly different from Duke Windsor's understated luxury; it exuded a sense of historical gravitas and legal solemnity. The four walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling dark wood bookshelves, packed with legal tomes bound in thick leather, compilations of Imperial law, and the case notes of past Grey Family ancestors.

The air was filled with the scent of aged parchment, fine ink, and a cool, crisp aroma reminiscent of ancient oak. There were no superfluous decorations, save for a large banner hanging on the wall behind the desk. Embroidered with gold thread, it bore the Grey Family crest—a golden scale and a vertical sword—on a deep blue background, symbolizing the "Justice" and "Judgment" the family had upheld for generations.

Duke Theodore Grey sat upright behind his expansive desk. Nearing seventy, his frame was lean and upright, like an ancient pine that had weathered countless storms without falling. His silver hair was meticulously combed, and deep nasolabial folds and tightly pressed thin lips revealed his rigorous and rigid nature. Wearing reading glasses, he was scrutinizing, word by word, the draft of an amendment to the Imperial Succession Law slated for review by the Senate. His brow was furrowed, and he occasionally made annotations with a crow quill, his handwriting sharp and strong.

A soft knock sounded at the study door. Upon receiving permission, his eldest son, Frederick Grey, the current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, entered. Frederick was around forty, perfectly inheriting his father's looks and demeanor, though with fewer of his father's worldly lines and a greater measure of a judge's cool, unquestionable authority. In his hand, he held an exquisitely decorated, gold-embossed invitation.

"Father," Frederick bowed, his voice steady and restrained, "Miss Alisa Windsor's formal invitation to her eighteenth Coming-of-Age Ceremony has arrived from the Windsor family."

Duke Theodore did not look up immediately. He finished annotating a paragraph before slowly setting down his crow quill, removing his reading glasses, and carefully polishing them with a soft cloth. His gaze, inherited from the family's signature cold, grey eyes, fell calmly upon the invitation in his eldest son's hand, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"Time?" he asked tersely.

"The fifteenth of next month, in the evening, at the Windsor family estate," Frederick replied, gently placing the invitation on his father's desk.

Duke Theodore's eyes swept over the Windsor family's scale-and-key crest and elegant gold lettering on the invitation. He did not reach for it, merely asking indifferently, "What do you think?"

This was not a simple inquiry, but a test of his heir's political acumen.

Frederick, clearly prepared, straightened his posture and analyzed in a clear tone, "On the surface, it's a routine noble Coming-of-Age Ceremony. However, Miss Alisa Windsor's status is special. She is not only the most outstanding daughter of the Windsor family of this generation but also the fiancée of Young Master Lyon of the Hohenzollern family. This ceremony is, in essence, a prelude and public announcement of the marriage alliance between the Hohenzollern and Windsor powers. Its political significance far outweighs its ceremonial meaning."

Duke Theodore nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

"The current situation in the Empire is delicate," Frederick continued, lowering his voice slightly. "His Majesty is aging, and the succession remains undecided. The First Prince (whose consort is his sister, Judith) and the Second Prince are increasingly locked in fierce rivalry. The Hohenzollern family is a staunch Royalist Faction, but their stance leans more towards maintaining Imperial stability and peace in the Northern Territory, and they have not explicitly sided with either Prince. As for the Windsor family, with the Eldest Princess involved, their movements are intriguing. They appear neutral, but could be waiting to see who offers the best terms."

He paused, looking at his father. "If this marriage alliance is successful, it will form a powerful union of military strength (Hohenzollern) and financial power (Windsor), with influence sufficient to sway the direction of court affairs. We, the Grey Family, as defenders of law and tradition, have always supported the legitimacy of primogeniture (i.e., supporting the First Prince). Attending this banquet means we must adopt a stance regarding this alliance and the political signals it may represent."

"Your recommendation?" Duke Theodore asked directly.

"The invitation must be accepted, and we must attend," Frederick answered without hesitation. "Officially, the Grey Family, along with the Windsors and Hohenzollerns, belongs to the Empire's top nobility. Surface courtesies cannot be neglected, lest we appear narrow-minded or actively antagonize these two powers. Privately, Judith (his sister, the First Prince's Consort) also needs us to understand the details of this alliance and the strength of the Windsor-Hohenzollern union. Attending is an opportunity to observe, to signal (maintaining outward harmony), and to gather information."

His analysis was calm and pragmatic, proceeding entirely from the perspective of family interests and political maneuvering, devoid of personal emotion.

Duke Theodore remained silent for a moment, his grey eyes like a frozen lake, unfathomably deep. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice low and imbued with an ancient authority. "You are correct, courtesies must be observed. The foundation upon which the Grey Family has stood for a thousand years is respect for rules and order, regardless of the undercurrents hidden beneath those rules."

He extended his hand, and with long, age-spotted fingers, gently picked up the invitation, as if weighing its implications.

"However, Frederick," his tone suddenly turned cold, with an undeniable severity, "you must remember, our attendance does not signify our approval. The alliance between the Hohenzollerns and the Windsors, from a purely legal and bloodline perspective, is a suitable match, unimpeachable. But that Lyon von Hohenzollern..."

Mentioning the name, Duke Theodore's brow furrowed tightly, a look of undisguised disgust crossing his face. "His character is flawed, his abilities are poor; he is truly an unsuitable match. This marriage, were it not for a prior alliance, would be a great regret. The pristine reputation of my Grey Family, which values virtue and talent, finds associating with such a person, even indirectly, to be like swallowing a fishbone."

He put down the invitation, his gaze sharp as he looked at his son. "When attending the banquet, etiquette must be impeccable, but our attitude must remain distant. Especially concerning your sister Judith, you must make it clear to her that the Grey Family's support is based on legal legitimacy, not on any form of interest exchange or compromise. We will not alter our fundamental stance on Imperial law and succession order simply because of the union of the Hohenzollerns and the Windsors."

"Yes, Father, I understand," Frederick replied respectfully. "I will personally prepare a gift befitting our status and instruct Judith to be cautious with her words at the banquet, focusing primarily on observation."

Just then, the study door was knocked upon again. Upon permission, Duke Theodore's third son, Albert Grey, the Imperial Inspector-General, strode in. Unlike his father and elder brother's cool composure, he was taller, with a sharp, imposing aura about him, like a drawn sword.

"Father, Eldest Brother." Albert's salute was as crisp as a soldier's. He saw the invitation on the desk and a cold, sharp curve formed on his lips. "Oh? A Windsor invitation? For Miss Alisa Windsor, who is about to leap into the fire pit?"

His tone was blunt, filled with contempt for Lyon and the entire affair.

"Albert, mind your words," Frederick warned, frowning.

Albert was unconcerned and looked at his father. "Father, I don't think we even need to attend such a farce. That good-for-nothing from the Hohenzollern family is not worthy of the attention of any dignified family. Attending will only inflate their egos and blur the principles the Grey Family upholds!"

Duke Theodore looked at his impetuous third son, a flicker of complexity in his eyes. He appreciated Albert's integrity and sharpness but often worried that his extremism would make enemies for the family.

"Albert," the Duke's voice remained steady, yet carried an irrefutable authority, "politics is not a game, nor is it a contest of pride. The Grey Family's principles must be upheld within the framework of the rules. Attendance is part of the rules. How we express our position is another matter."

He paused, looking meaningfully at his two sons. "Remember, in the coming storm, the Grey Family's role is not to be the first to charge into battle, but to ensure that no matter who ultimately wins, the bedrock of Imperial law remains unshaken. This is our true foundation and source of strength."

Frederick nodded thoughtfully. Although Albert still looked unconvinced, he did not argue further under his father's imposing presence.

"Reply to the Windsor family that the Grey Family will attend on time," Duke Theodore finally decided, pushing the invitation towards Frederick. "You decide on the gift; its value should be commensurate, but it need not be overly ostentatious. As for other matters... we will wait and see."

"Yes, Father." Frederick took the invitation and bowed as he withdrew. Albert also saluted and turned to leave, his back still carrying a hint of stubbornness.

Silence returned to the study. Duke Theodore put his reading glasses back on, but his gaze did not immediately return to the legal texts. He looked out at the ancient oak tree in the courtyard, said to be centuries old, his grey eyes gleaming with profound light.

Alisa Windsor's Coming-of-Age Ceremony was like a stone cast into a calm lake. The Grey Family, an ancient and sturdy vessel, was accustomed to storms. They would not be easily swayed by ripples, but they would closely watch whether true undercurrents lay hidden beneath them. Their attendance was a stance, and more importantly, a warning: no matter how the situation changed, the scales of justice would ultimately be held by the Grey Family. And that infamous Lyon Hohenzollern, in their eyes, was merely an insignificant, yet potentially chain-reacting, ugly pawn in this grand game.