Next came the banquet and the ball.
The banquet for the investiture of the Crown Prince was, naturally, a state banquet.
However, when Romon was led into the state banquet, he discovered an enormous hall, where a long dining table capable of seating over a hundred people had already been prepared.
The hall blazed with lights—magical lamps, entirely comparable to modern Earth lighting—making the silver tableware and crystal wineglasses upon the mahogany table gleam brilliantly beneath the illumination.
Romon estimated that the table was thirty-eight meters long and one point two meters wide. Its enormous mahogany surface gleamed anew, like a shining river running through the hall.
Royal attendants in elegant formal wear welcomed every arriving guest at the doors, while a steward at the entrance directed everything.
Upon entering, an attendant would inevitably step forward with utmost respect. During the banquet, every noble had a servant assigned exclusively to attend to them.
Everything followed its proper order. The king sat at the head, Prince Xiusenya sat to his right, and Duke Miller sat opposite him.
Below them came the three Marquis, followed only then by the other princes, princesses, and Counts.
Romon was assigned the last seat among the Counts.
This was Romon's first time witnessing such a grand occasion. Though he had occasionally attended high-society gatherings in Far-Sail Port and had specifically sent people to study the banquet etiquette appropriate for a Count—
Compared to this, those occasions had been nowhere near so lavish or solemn.
Table etiquette was exceedingly complicated. Every procedure had fixed rules: how the tablecloth was laid, how bread was cut, where plates were placed, the order in which dishes were served, how the lord and guests were attended during their meal—every detail was regulated and strictly enforced.
Nor were the diners' own rules