The Imperial Capital.
The capital of the Empire, the most important heart of the Empire.
From the first generation of the Empire's establishment hundreds of years ago, the royal family holding the highest power chose this beautiful planet with four distinct seasons as a long-term residence, and the unique status of the Imperial Capital Star defined its important position as the military and administrative center of the Empire.
As the grandest stage of the vast empire, the Imperial Capital is uniquely equipped to carry the greatest honor and the most lavishly poured out.
Queen Marianne Leigh Square, in front of the gates of the Royal Palace, is an essential stop for all those traveling to the Imperial Capital. The square is paved with expensive silver stone flooring, a super fountain with a jet height of 300 meters, a group of artistic statues around the square by a generation of master craftsmen Creevy himself, the magnificent corner tower, and all kinds of amazing things that make Queen Marianne's Square win the reputation of the Empire's most gorgeous square.
But visitors to Queen Mary's Square today will be disappointed.
Because early in the morning, the square is under martial law.
Soldiers with loaded guns were guarding the perimeter of the square, and those who tried to approach would be harshly reprimanded and driven away, but of course, if those who rushed to the square could pull out a certificate with the seal of the Royal Commission, then he would be given permission to enter the security line after the sergeant-major had carried out a rigorous identity check according to the regulations. Then, under the envious gazes of those around him, he would walk into the square with his head held high, and stand with the well-dressed dignitaries who had arrived long ago, waiting for His Royal Highness's return.
In the empire where the king's power is supreme, His Highness Rodan, who has the status of the heir to the empire, is not overly honored no matter how. Being qualified to appear at the welcoming ceremony was seen as an important form of affirmation of one's identity in the center of power, and even more of an honor.
The people who greeted him were divided into distinct classes according to their rank or status, and even by the position in which they stood, they could be seen at a glance to be in different categories.
For example, the governors, who usually shook the mountains when they sneezed, but were now more honest than schoolchildren, stood at the very periphery of the room with respectful and cautious faces.
While their power was immense on the planets they supervised, in the political center of the empire, in front of the imperial capital officials who were in charge of the operation of the entire empire, and in front of the palace insiders who had long maintained close relations with the royal family, it was completely insignificant.
Thus, the governors could only serve as a backdrop in this grand welcoming ceremony, making salutations as instructed when His Royal Highness appeared, and taking a look at the great heir to the empire from afar. As for making His Royal Highness see them, or even memorize their faces, there was no hope.
But to be able to stand here for the ceremony was already a victory worth bragging about to someone.
With ten million planets in the Empire, there were ten million foreign governors, and not everyone had the luck to meet His Highness on his return to the Imperial Capital to report on his duties, and even if you did, you had to have the connections and the money to get a permit from the Council of Princes to allow you to participate in the welcoming ceremony.
Not everyone, even senior officials who are permanently stationed in the Imperial Capital, are eligible to participate in such a ceremony to meet His Royal Highness!
Standing in front of the governors were the imperial officials who were qualified to participate in the welcoming ceremony, and their years of official career made the expressions on their faces always show the reserve and seriousness of the higher-ups.
In front of the piece where the entire imperial officials stood, the most scenic and conspicuous position, was the mainstay of the empire - Lord Chancellor Nader, and his beautiful daughter, Miss Selene, whom the empire was famous for.
But Lord Chancellor Nader and Miss Selene were not the ones closest to the prince. In fact, the ones who stood calmly and steadily in the most favorable positions with their impeccably trained stances were the two special groups known to be the closest to the royal family - the royal attendants and the ladies of the court.
All the greeters in the powerful square were consciously divided into four sections, each according to their status and honoring their own distinctions.
All this shows the strict hierarchy and rules of the Imperial Capital.
Yes.
The centuries-old hierarchy, and the deep-rooted rules, were the laws that anyone had to follow in order to survive in the Imperial Capital.
Therefore, one can imagine the shock and disbelief of everyone when the royal family's luxurious short-range carrier airship finally arrived at Empress Marianne Lie's Square, and in the midst of thousands of reverent and enthusiastic gazes, that long, straight figure dared to risk universal condemnation and follow closely, even by only half a step, accompanying His Royal Highness as he stepped out of the airship.
It was like a heavy bomb was suddenly dropped on the calm water.
"Jesus!"
"Am I blind?"
"That's a ...... royal squire? He's actually walking in front of the Major Generals?"
"How dare you make such an unauthorized move ...... during such a ceremony?"
Witnessing this completely illegitimate thing, the officials almost forgot to pay homage to the honored prince's highness, and heard the prime minister let out a louder-than-usual cough, only then did they remember their duty and hastily bent over and bowed.
Even the female officers of the court, who had received the most thoughtful training, had developed the fine quality of keeping their colors unchanged in front of a mountain, however, someone still could not help but let out a soft cry, "Lady Officer Yuu-Ann, His Highness's side......"
"Whispering is not permitted during the ceremony to greet His Highness." The matronly officer disgruntledly whispered a rebuke to her subordinates behind her, and watched with a submissive brow as the prince calmly stepped off the airship.
As Prince Rodan's elegant feet stepped onto one end of the long red carpet, the head female officer of the Yu'an led a group of female officers, kneeling down with graceful postures, to salute the prince.
At the same time, the royal attendants on the other side of the carpet closed both feet, the heels of their military boots making a neat and consistent clatter, and raised their hands in salute to His Highness as he passed in front of them.
Only, unlike the female officers who were immersed in the royal palace for many years, the attendants, as the outstanding representatives of the young men of the empire, would not stay in the royal palace for too long, and most of them, after a year and a half at the side of His Royal Highness, would be dispatched to various corners of the empire to serve the country, so these young men, who were fresh and vigorous in their hearts, were full of a sense of superiority and a sense of competition that could not be challenged.
Looking at a certain fellow officer following the prince, shamelessly accepting their salute together with the prince, the eyes of the attendants erupted with rage filled with humiliation.
What gives this arrogant fellow who came out of nowhere the right to follow His Highness so closely that he even takes the place of the Major Generals?
Not knowing how to advance or retreat!
It's simply a disgrace to the royal retainers!
"See, cousin's pets are on the verge of revolt." Karl, who was one of the Major Generals, had his white cloak fluttering handsomely in the wind. His eyes swept over the group of young, handsome, but visibly dark-faced squires by the red carpet, and his tone dripped with obvious gloating.
"Major General Karl, please watch your language. Every single one of the royal retainers chosen by His Royal Highness is an excellent soldier, not a pet out of your mouth." Simon, who walked beside him, also wore a white cloak representing the status of a Major General.
As the frontline commander of the empire, he looked refreshed, though a hint of apprehension leaked out as his eyes landed on Colin's back in front of him.
Traveling with them was Nick, who had a grim expression.
As a rule, when appearing in public, only royals like Karl and Nick, or important ministers like Simon, who had been favored by the royal family for generations, were qualified to follow the prince as he stepped out of the airship and stood behind him, receiving homage together.
But today, at Rodan's whim, the rules were broken.
He had ordered Colin, a valet with the rank of second lieutenant, to take Nick's place at the head of the line. In the eyes of outsiders, such a move against rank and status was akin to plucking the jewel from the crown and replacing it with a stone-like eyesore.
Anyways, the three major generals, who are extremely honorable in status, were reduced to following the prince and Colin's asses this time, as if they were left out in the cold.
"Did you really not see the jealous eyes of those squires? Simon. Poor Colin, somehow offending an entire group of squires just because his cousin did it on a whim. I'll bet you my life's blood that these brats will go after Colin behind cousin's back afterward. I really didn't expect cousin to have irrational moments, actually saying in front of us that he wanted Colin to wait on his bed tonight. The thought of Colin stripping naked and lying on his cousin's big bed ......"
"Can't you shut up?" Simon interrupted in a hushed voice.
Carl turned his head and swept him a look, his face was odd, "You're in a bad mood because Colin's going to be bedding down, aren't you? It's rare that I actually feel the same way you do, it's like a once in a lifetime thing."
"Cal." At that moment, Nick, who had remained silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up.
"What's wrong? Nick."
"Shut the fuck up." A tone that dripped with serious warning.
Cal rubbed his nose and finally shut up.
Like Carl and Simon, Nick was in a bad mood, even worse than Carl.
Before arriving, the scene before him was expected.
In the empire, nothing is trivial as long as it concerns the royal family, not to mention that this is a public appearance of the heir to the empire back in the imperial capital. This kind of fateful occasion, whoever gets a little bit closer to His Royal Highness, whoever has the honor to say a word to His Royal Highness will receive special attention and trigger all kinds of speculations.
?