CHAPTER 206: HÚLI JĪNG.

"Your Imperial Majesty," Grim said, offering the deepest bow protocol required., "You honor House Ambrose with your presence."

"Lord Ambrose," Alexia replied with formal warmth. "Your family’s restoration brings honor to the Empire. We are pleased to celebrate this milestone with you."

Princess Liona’s greeting was more personal, though still appropriate for the public setting. "Lord Grim, congratulations on your eighteenth birthday. The capital has been buzzing with excitement about tonight’s celebration."

"Your Highness is too kind," Grim replied, noting how her presence immediately altered the social dynamics in the room. Other families were clearly recalculating their strategies based on the obvious imperial favor.

As the imperial party moved to their designated positions, the herald continued with announcements of increasing significance.

"Master Chen Wei of the Southern Merchant Consortium, Lady Chen Wei, and Miss Chen Lily!"

"Lord Commander Harrison of the Western Military District, Lady Harrison, and Miss Emily Harrison!"

Each arrival brought new political calculations and social adjustments. The room buzzed with conversations as families assessed their relative standings and adjusted their approaches accordingly.

Then the herald’s voice took on a note of uncertainty that immediately caught Grim’s attention.

"His Majesty... Húwáng, Fox King of the Eastern Territories, accompanied by the Lady Ruxi!"

The great hall fell silent as two figures entered who were clearly unlike any of the previous guests. Húwáng appeared as a tall, elegant man with silver-streaked black hair and eyes that seemed to change shape as he looked around the room.

His robes were magnificent, they were black with a deep orange color.

But it was his daughter who truly commanded attention. Ruxi was perhaps eighteen, with long black hair that held reddish highlights and eyes that were unmistakably inhuman—golden with vertical pupils that marked her supernatural heritage.

She moved with fluid grace that was both beautiful and slightly predatory, and there was an aura of barely contained power around her.

"Lord Ambrose," Húwáng said, his voice carrying subtle harmonics that suggested it wasn’t entirely human. "We thank you for extending an invitation to our people. Such recognition has not been offered by human nobility in quite some time."

"Your Majesty honors us with your presence," Grim replied, fascinated despite himself by these supernatural guests. "Lady Ruxi, welcome to our celebration."

Ruxi’s response was a graceful curtsy that somehow managed to be both respectful and subtly challenging. "Lord Ambrose, your reputation has reached even our distant territories. We are... curious to see if the reality matches the legend."

The conversation that followed was unlike any of the previous interactions. Húwáng spoke of alliance possibilities that went far beyond conventional politics, touching on supernatural threats and the changing balance of power between different realm inhabitants.

Ruxi demonstrated casual magical abilities that were clearly beyond human norms, creating small illusions and manipulating light in ways that drew fascinated stares from other guests.

"The possibilities for cooperation between our peoples are... extensive," Húwáng concluded. "Should appropriate alliances be formed."

As the fox spirits moved to mingle with other guests, Grim noted how their presence had fundamentally altered the room’s atmosphere. Conversations became more animated, with clear fascination and nervousness about these supernatural visitors.

"Duke Edmund Ravencrest and Lady Ravencrest!" the herald announced.

"Viscount Philip Ashford, accompanied by Miss Margaret Ashford!"

The arrivals continued, but Grim found his attention divided between immediate social obligations and the broader implications of the supernatural delegations. Each introduction brought new possibilities and complications, creating a web of potential alliances requiring careful consideration.

"Lord Julius Luminaris, accompanied by Miss Mira Luminaris!" the herald called.

Grim felt a slight tension as Julius and his daughter approached. Mira wore an elegant gown that emphasized her considerable beauty, and her smile carried the confidence of someone who believed herself the evening’s most desirable candidate.

"Lord Ambrose," Julius said with a bow that managed to be respectful while maintaining an edge of calculation. "House Luminaris is delighted to participate in this historic celebration."

"Miss Luminaris," Grim acknowledged with careful courtesy. "Thank you for attending."

Grim completely ignored Julius, focusing solely on Mira.

"The pleasure is entirely mine," Mira replied, her tone suggesting meanings beyond the conventional words. "I do hope we’ll have opportunities for more... private conversation during the evening."

"Maybe, we’ll see how the night goes on. Tell me how is your brother Max doing?"

"He’s recovering. He has most of his movement back in his sword arm. Any deeper and you would have disabled him for the rest of his life."

"I’m sorry about that. I’ll try a little harder next time to make sure the job is done." Grim said.

Mira laughed. "I’ll keep that in mind." Walking away with her father.

The exchange was brief but charged with undercurrents that other guests certainly noticed. Mira’s beauty and confidence were undeniable, but Grim found himself remembering Caius’s warnings about her motivations.

As the evening progressed, the pace of arrivals continued with representatives from various minor houses, military commanders, merchant princes, and diplomatic delegations. Each brought their own marriageable candidates, creating a complex social landscape that would require careful navigation.

"Lady Lianna Levenhart!" the herald announced, and Grim felt a genuine smile cross his face as his childhood friend entered the hall.

Lianna looked magnificent in formal court attire, her red hair elaborately arranged and her bearing showing the confidence that came from growing up among the Empire’s elite.

But there was something in her expression—a mixture of happiness and nervousness that suggested she was feeling the weight of the evening’s implications.

"Grim," she said as she approached, using the familiar form of address that indicated their long friendship. "This is quite the production. I’m impressed."

"Lianna," he replied warmly. "I’m glad you could make it. The evening wouldn’t have been complete without you."

Their interaction was notably more relaxed than his previous conversations, drawing attention from other guests who recognized the easy familiarity between them. It was clear that whatever decisions emerged from tonight’s celebration, Lianna would be a significant consideration.

As the formal arrival period neared its conclusion, the herald prepared for the final announcement of the evening. The hall was now filled with representatives of the Empire’s most powerful families, international delegations, supernatural entities, and ambitious individuals all united by their interest in House Ambrose’s future.

The conversations had become more animated as guests began to assess their competition and adjust their strategies.

Alliances were being formed, subtle negotiations were beginning, and the complex dance of noble courtship was reaching its full intensity.

Then the great hall’s main doors opened one final time, and the herald’s voice carried a note of surprise and recognition.

"Lord Rowan van Ambrose! Father to Grim van Ambrose."

The hall fell into stunned silence as a familiar figure entered with the confident bearing of someone entirely comfortable in such gatherings.

Rowan van Ambrose appeared exactly as the assembled nobility remembered him—distinguished and carrying himself with the authority that had once made House Ambrose one of the Empire’s most respected families.

But for those few who knew the truth, his presence represented something far more dangerous than a family patriarch returning to witness his son’s marriage negotiations.

Grim thought to himself, "Of course he’s here now. I wonder what he’s trying to do now."