Once some brief remarks are made after their swearing-in ceremony, Nathan bids goodbye to his brother.

“I'll see you back in Galahd, bro,” Charlie says, wrapping his brother in a quick hug.

“Leaving so soon?” Nathan asks, smoothing down his suit.

He frowns, “Yeah, King Regis said he needed me to get stuff ready for you.”

“Aww... well don't have too much fun without me.”

Giving his brother another hug, he smiles, “I would never think of doing that.”

----------------------------

Quickly boarding the gondola taking them to the palace, Nathan shouts, “Hurry up, Rhea! We’re going to be late!”

“I should have factored in your tardiness when announcing the time at which we would be leaving…” Domani thinks aloud, looking displeased as he checks his watch.

“Sorry guys! I was talking with Robert,” she replies, climbing into the gondola.

“Going to be a tight fit…” Vincent notes, taking a seat next to Domani.

“I assure you, it’ll only be for a few minutes, I’m sure we can all handle it,” the man sitting next to him responds.

“At least I get to sit next to His lovely Excellency,” Jordan teases, stroking his hand against Nathan’s arm.

He instinctively pulls back, “I… I’m going to sit over there,” Nathan says, pointing to a small space beside Rhea.

After taking his seat, the gondola finally starts moving. Another one swiftly replaces it. The gondolier, as expected, is a member of the Accordoan Royal Guard. One of the more experienced ones, Nathan reckons, observing him closely. In his peripheral, he sees Jordan sneaking glances at him which only adds to his confusion. Does he actually like me?

Now was not the time to be thinking about such unimportant things, he tells himself. He pulls out his phone to continue reading the coronation plans Domani sent earlier. It looks like it’s going to be a long day…

----------------------------

A few awkward minutes later, the group finally arrives at a side docking station near the palace. The sight of the palace surprisingly doesn’t faze Nathan as it did when he first saw it days earlier. There’s even a sense of… familiarity.

They are helped out by the gondolier (guard, Nathan corrects mentally) one by one. Once they are all on the dock’s solid ground, Domani leads the way by heading to the top of a hill beside the palace grounds (he had clearly already memorized its layout).

“Where we off to first?” Nathan asks, interrupting the silence that had continued even after they got off the gondola.

Domani turns around to face the group, “The Presentation Hall, we will be entering through the West Entrance,” he informs.

Once he begins walking up the stone steps again, the four of them follow, keeping quiet once again. The peacefulness doesn’t last long as a guard stands in front of the palace grounds’ entry point: a gondola elevator. “Entry passes and identification papers, please.”

“Of course, sir. Here you are,” Domani hands over his tablet and the group’s phones, anticipating that it would not take long for them to be let through.

“Apologies, Your Highness, Your Excellency. Security is of the utmost importance and we take this very seriously even for eminent guests such as yourselves.”

“Not a problem. Are we clear to pass?”

“Yes, of course.” the guard confirms, passing the devices back to their respective owners.

“I could get used to this royal treatment…” Rhea says, as the group boards another gondola. An audible gasp escapes Rhea’s mouth as the elevator takes them up to the same level as the palace. They take in the stunning views all around them. The cool wind blows across their faces, calming their senses. A few minutes pass before the gondola is aligned to two giant concrete doors: the West Entrance.

The doors close with a resonant sound, “Finally, let’s get down to business,” Domani says, breaking the unspoken rule. He turns around to face everyone, “First things first, here are your glasses, Your Excellency.” He passes a sleek case to Nathan.

“Thanks,” he replies, opening the case and putting them on.

“Moving on, I’m sure all of you have at least skimmed the document I shared?” Domani asks, staring into each of their eyes.

“Uh… yep, definitely.” Jordan offers, looking away from Domani’s intense gaze.

“At least you’re honest,” Domani says, “Would anyone else like to confess?”

Giving them a few moments to answer, Domani looks from face to face, judging each person’s honesty. “Well, it seems like Jordan’s the only one,” he concludes.

The gondola pulls up to the side of the underground canal, signaling their arrival. The gondolier immediately gets to work securing it before the group steps off, Domani leading the way.

He thanks the gondolier before asking him for directions in Accordoano. “I thought you knew your way around,” Nathan says, happy to see that even Domani isn’t fully prepared.

“The palace’s underground levels were not included in the map they sent out.” He explains, smoothing down his suit. “Now, shall we?”

Domani leads them through several doorways before climbing up a grand staircase — this place was definitely designed like a labyrinth on purpose. After ascending yet another flight of stairs, the group finally arrives on the ground level.

An immaculate window stands to their left, “Feels good to see the sun again,” Vincent remarks. Domani stops briefly to look out the window, “Yes… yes, I suppose it is.” They proceed through more hallways and passages before finally arriving outside the Presentation Hall.

The group takes a collective deep breath before Domani knocks on the adorned, wooden doors.

----------------------------

Having watched the doors intently for the last few minutes, Giorgio briefly turns toward Enrica, “When will they be arr-”

He is interrupted by the sound of the doors opening, echoing throughout the enormous room.

“Presenting His Excellency, the Right Honorable Nathaniel Ashwolf, Governor General of Galahd, His Highness, Prince Domani of Lorenzia, and pending members of the Galahdian Executive Council!” The room stands up in unison, polite nods are given and reserved applause fills the room as they make their way to their seats.

“Hmpfh, what a coincidence,” Giorgio comments, taking a sip of his Spritz Altiziano. Its familiar tangy and bitter taste calms him down, distracting him from his anger. He turns towards the table reserved for the Lucian delegation, impatient to get the coronation over with.

“This may seem a bit out of line, signore, but why do you dislike Mister Ashwolf?” Enrica asks, her nervousness evident by her uncomfortable posture.

“Not now, Enrica. Now, where are those damn Lucians?”

“They should be here any minute, sir.”

----------------------------

“Presenting His Majesty, King Regis the One Hundred and Thirteenth of Lucis, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum, and his entourage!”

Once again, the room rises at their arrival and more applause fills the room. They make their way to their reserved table, right next to Galahd’s.

After they are all seated, Giorgio stands up to address the room. He taps his glass with his own pen, gathering everyone’s attention. “Buongiorno and welcome to Il Palazzo Altemeria. We are very honored to have the delegations of Lucis and Niflheim here together and as such, we would like to recognize them.” He pauses to allow King Regis and Emperor Iedolas to stand, the two share a modest smile before sitting back down.

He continues, “We would also like to thank the delegations of Tenebrae and Galahd for joining us at this very important ceremony.” Nathan stands up composedly and looks at Giorgio before giving him a dignified nod. An imposing man wearing a white frock with black lining stands up from a table next to Niflheim’s. He gives a refined wave to Giorgio with a prosthetic arm that appears to be infused with Magitek.

“His Royal Highness Ravus Nox Fleuret, Prince of Tenebrae,” Domani explains, whispering into Nathan’s ear.

“And finally, thank you to the rest of you for attending this very special event. In half an hour, we will convene at the Main Courtyard where the festivities will take place. Please enjoy yourselves in here for the meantime.” After concluding his brief speech, Giorgio sits back down to enjoy another glass of Spritz.

----------------------------

“That arm though…” Jordan remarks. Nathan and his retinue are on their way to the Main Courtyard, Domani leading the way of course.

“No doubt a benefit of being part of the Empire. I wonder how they managed to embed Magitek into a metal arm...” Domani replies, keeping his eyes forward.

They step through yet another doorway, “He was definitely hot, that’s for sure,” Rhea comments.

“Of course that’s what you’re thinking…” Vincent says, increasing his pace as he notices that both of them are behind the rest of the group.

They continue their walk in relative silence before Domani observes something odd, “Anything to say, Your Excellency?”

Nathan sighs, “Just nervous, I guess.”

“That is completely understandable. You’re doing great so far.”

“You’re doing great, gurllll.” Vincent adds.

He cracks a smile, “Thanks, you guys.”

----------------------------

Turns out the Main Courtyard looks much grander than it does in pictures. “Are we going to uh… dance?” Nathan asks, hearing a slow waltz coming from outside.

They stop at the threshold between the foyer and the courtyard itself, “Ah… yes, yes we are. Apologies, it had completely escaped my mind.” Domani says, hiding a soft smile behind his hand.

“You knew about this, didn’t you?”

“I can neither deny nor confirm my knowledge about this dance prior to arriving here.”

“Well, I guess it’s good that a certain someone here knows how to dance,” Jordan interrupts, holding out his hand. “May I have this dance, Your Excellency?”

Nathan temporarily blushes as he considers the possible implications. He looks to Domani for guidance, “I don’t see why you two shouldn’t be able to enjoy yourselves. Run along now, we’ll be fine over here.” Nathan’s blush deepens as he turns back towards Jordan, “Yes you may, Mister Martenis.”

The pair cautiously move to the courtyard, hand-in-hand. Once they are out of earshot, Domani turns towards the rest of the group, “Now, I’m going to bet that they will officially be together by the time we return to Galahd. Anyone else care to place their bets?”

“I’m betting that by tonight, they’ll officially be together!” Rhea says, confidently taking out a 1000 Gil note.

“I think I know Nathan best and I’m pretty sure he won’t have the guts to say anything to Jordan. So I’m betting that Jordan will make things official at the first speech Nathan gives to our fellow Galahdians,” Vincent predicts, also taking out a 1000 Gil note.

Domani looks through his wallet and also takes out a similar note, “It’s settled then.”

The trio talks for a few minutes before a noble pulls Domani away. He excuses himself and the remaining duo find themselves alone.

Rhea sighs as she watches him walk away, “What’re we going to do now?” she asks.

“Excuse me, ma’am…” a pale-skinned, sandy brown-haired man interrupts. Rhea almost gasps as she looks him up and down. His body’s lean composition and irresistible face did not help things… she’s sure that she is definitely dreaming. “You look like you could use a drink. Care to join me?”

“I… uh… sure!” she replies, waving goodbye to Vincent. He gives her a thumbs-up before waving back.

“Glad to hear that,” the mysterious man says, gently taking her hand.

As they pass through the crowded courtyard, some guests turn their heads, catching Rhea’s attention, “So… what’s your name?” she asks, once they sit down at the bar.

“Not relevant, ma’am,” he says, handing her a martini.

“Oh… I'm not supposed to be drinking right now.”

“I understand, does sparkling water work?”

“Yeah, sure… thanks!”

The bartender arrives with two champagne glasses of sparkling water, topped with a lemon slice. She looks at the drink with mild interest, preferring to concentrate on the eccentric man beside her.

“Thanks,” he says to the bartender who nods curtly before serving another guest.

“I haven't seen you around, what brings you to the coronation?”

“Uh… I'm a future member of the Galahdian Executive Council.” Rhea replies, looking rather shy.

“Galahd? Your accent says otherwise. Let me guess… you're from Tenebrae aren't you?”

“Yes… yes, I am.”

“You certainly look better than any other Tenebraean I’ve ever seen before,” he says matter-of-factly, putting down his glass on the counter after sipping it.

Rhea blushes before coming up with a quick reply, “Thanks, no one’s ever said that before.”

He notices Rhea looking at the orchestra, not far from where they're sitting. “You ever play any instruments?”

“Oh! Sorry, I was looking at the cello that guy’s playing. It looks so pretty, much better than the one I have, heh.”

“Not as pretty as you though,” He says, taking another sip of his drink.

Rhea truly feels like she could die in peace at this precise moment... but it probably wouldn’t look very good for Nathan. She comes up with another quick reply, “Aww, thanks.”

“When you’re done doing whatever you need to do, you should dance with me.”

She laughs politely, “I don’t really do dancing and I’m technically ‘working’ right now.”

He responds with a laugh of his own, “Well… I might just take your hand without you noticing... I'm sure you can let the other members of the council work.”

“I might just take you up on that,” she says, somehow managing to control her internal screaming.

To be continued…