Handing each woman a te, I watched as they gracefully ate the offered food, Anput nodding slightly as she took a bite from the crisp tbread.


    "I have to admit, they made good decisions on the snacks at least. Now, what about the wine~?"


    Smirking, Anput turned to the table and lifted a ss, her obsidian eyes shining with desire as she stared at the deep purple liquid.


    Watching as she sipped her ss, Jahi nodded and took a ss of her own, while Leone simply shook her head in mock disappointment, eliciting smirks from the Jackalkin and Demoness.


    Moving to stand behind them, both so I could offer them whatever they needed while also being able to keep an eye on the entirety of the banquet hall, I took in the bustling of the Nobility.


    Many sat at tables, sipping on wine as they chatted, likely forming connections and deals between each other due to this opportunity.


    I saw a few ssmates as well; Duke Ulysses Gregori was present, as was Duchess Draka ki, both with partners.


    The Duke was currently standing beside a tall, thin woman, her dark chocte skin glistening in the light.


    Her expression was a serious one, and her yellow eyes flitted about the hall, only stopping when the Duke said something to her.


    As for Duchess Draka, she was currently giving a man a fake smile as they shook hands, all while Rialo stood behind her, the normally expressive Lamia giving the man a ck look.


    There were other ssmates here and there; Barons and Viscounts aplenty, all mingling with those above their ranks in hope of garnering some attention from an important person.


    Besides them, I was rather surprised to Greselda and Countess Aurim, the blonde woman who was always beside the adventurer in our ss.


    They were currently sitting together at a table in the corner, Greselda saying something with a smile that made Countess Aurim giggle, the beautiful blonde covering her cherry lips as she stared at Greselda with warmth.


    Not surprised by the pairing, just wondering why they''re here...


    That was all the notable guests that I knew; I could make inferences on other people based on their emzoned cloaks or suits, as I had familiarized myself with some of the families emblems.


    For instance, there was the Marquess of the Yuca Family, the short brte woman wearing a thin smile as she spoke in hushed tones to the Countess of the Lopaw Family, her wolf ears twitching as she grinned dangerously at the other woman.


    However, after another few moments I had to reign in my curiosity, as there were simply too many people and too many interactions happening for me to currently keep up with.


    Besides that, Jahi was speaking in a low tone, her lips barely moving as she observed Jillian and her older cousin Hawn, the two Elves still talking to that green haired Elf.


    "-Kameiel Family... Interesting. I thought they were still adamant about remaining neutral inside the Draeg Forest?"


    Leone nodded, taking a small bite of the buttered tbread, replying in an equally quiet tone as she said "They were. At least, as of a few months ago. The Sariel''s must have offered something quite substantial to break that adamant desire of theirs. But what?"


    Pursing her red lips, Leone narrowed her eyes before peeking back at Anput, who was draining her second ss.


    Sighing, she raised a brow and lifted the empty winess from the Jackalkin''s hands, giving her a stern "Anput, that''s enough."


    Anput rolled her eyes before nodding, and as she turned away Leone said "Kat, please watch her; I don''t want her to get drunk here."


    That made Anput pout at me, only to sigh as I gave her a stern look as well, understanding how bad that would look on not only her, but Jahi as well.


    Jahi and Leone fell back into their conversation, and Anput joined in when she could, deciding to stay serious for now.


    After another few minutes the Butler approached us, respectfully bowing before informing us "Thest guests have arrived; may I guide you to your seats?"


    Jahi nodded, and the Butler turned sharply and led us towards a table close to the center.


    Swiftly taking in the rest of the banquet hall, I noticed that some tables still had their personal servants beside them, kneeling on the ground, while others were standing by the back walls, out of the way.


    As soon as Jahi took her seat, I respectfully knelt beside her, smoothing out my maid dress before freezing myself, keeping myself motionless.


    Jahi clicked her tongue as she saw that, while Leone and Anput shot conflicted looks at me.


    However, they all quickly turned back to the center, where Jillian, Hawn, and the Kameiel woman stood.


    Raising her ss, Jillian struck the side of it with a metal spoon, quieting the hall in a few moments.


    Coughing slightly, she smiled at everyone and started her speech.


    "Thank you everyone, for attending my birthday banquet. It means a lot, seeing some of the faces here; I''m honored that those people have deigned me important enough to give me some of their time!


    Since I am reaching a decade of life, I had to make an important decision, one that would change not only my future, but the future of this Empire. For good, I hope!


    I am proud to announce that, not only have I been deemed qualified enough to try out for a position as an Elven Ranger, I have also managed to be the luckiest woman in the world!


    Standing beside me is A Kameiel, who would have been the future head of the Kameiel Family, but has blessed me by epting my proposal!


    We will be, for theing years, the Heads of the Sariel Family, and I am extremely happy to announce that the Sariel and Kameiel Families are joining together, not only as two historic Elven Houses, but as family and friends.


    Again, I thank you all for attending this banquet, and please, enjoy the food!"


    Jillian was grinning at the end of that, and she was staring straight at our table, a malicious glint in her eye.


    A stood beside her, smirking as she looked at Leone, an arrogant and pompous expression on her face as she leaned over and hooked her arm through Jillian''s.


    The banquet hall was silent for a moment before everyone pped.


    Some cheered, while others, like us, gave her reserved apuse.


    Bowing to the assembled crowd, Jillian led her fiancee towards arge table, Hawn following behind her.


    Jahi let out a quiet "Shit..." before watching as a slew of Butlers and Maids streamed into the hall, carrying dozens of trays and pitchers.


    Laying out the food, the servants then left, while those with pitchers remained.


    Seeing that, I gracefully stood up and nodded to the maid, gently taking the pitcher from her hands.


    Giving me a nod back, she left with the other servants, and I set about filling the cups on the table with a sweet smelling juice.


    Keeping a small smile on her lips, Jahi leaned back into her chair and started slicing into the thick b of venison on her te, saying "This isn''t good... They might not be the strongest, but the Kameiel''s wield plenty of influence among the Nobility."


    Leone nodded, gently dabbing at her lips to remove a slight stain of juice.


    "The enchantments they provide are among the best, and they haverge shares in the alchemical market. Meanwhile, the Sariel''s are among some of the most prolific archers in the Empire, and their tracking skills are unparalleled. They are in almost every high ranked Exploration Team that enters the Labyrinthian."


    Anput frowned, stabbing at her steak as she asked "How many people make up these families?"


    Pursing her lips, Jahi sighed as she said "The Sariel''s are a conglomerate of Elven families, but they all follow the same teachings. As for the Kameiel''s, they are few, but it''s quality over quantity there. They rank among the highest Enchanters and Alchemists in the Empire. This... this is a big deal."


    Both Anput and Leone frowned, briefly ncing at me as I asked "Who is allied with us?"


    Jahi sighed again, taking a bite from the venison as she said "Few. The Haniel Family; Mother''s family, are our primary allies. It''s simr to the Sariel''s, but just slightly worse. Then there''s the Wikath Family, who are incredible mages but... they''re reclusive and unworldly. Of course, we have a spattering of various Baronies and Counties, but they''re not... reliable."


    I gave a tiny nod, refilling Anput''s ss as she drained her cup.


    "Well, remember, you married Leone and I; the Empress might not give you arge amount of support, but the Sultanate can and will. You not only border us, but the Marquess is respected by my parents. If pushes to shove, the Sultanate will be our safe-haven."


    The Demoness gave Anput a smile, before she gazed at a smug looking Jillian, the Elf staring intently at us.


    "This is getting TOO interesting..."