As Xiao Xun opened his eyes again, sunlight filled his entire body.
He was lying under the covers, and as expected, the blanket was likely provided by Mu Jiahe.
He stretched lazily, arching his back and extending his limbs to loosen his muscles.
Leaning back against two soft pillows, he gazed at the scenery outside the window, feeling exceptionally content.
After an unknown period, the bedroom door slowly opened, and Mu Jiahe entered, holding a set of clothes.
"Little lazy pig, still not up?"
Hearing Mu Jiahe's voice, Xiao Xun replied lazily, "I woke up long ago, but I didn't have any clothes to wear, so I stayed in bed."
Mu Jiahe waved her hand, and the door automatically closed.
She walked to the bed and tossed the clothes in her hand onto Xiao Xun. "Hurry and change, and get ready to attend the investiture ceremony with me."
Xiao Xun looked at the oversized robe before him. "If you hadn't said it was clothes, I wouldn't have known what it was for."
Mu Jiahe sat on the bed. "You truly are audacious, sneaking into my bed and hugging me. Do you have enough heads to spare for me to chop off?"
Xiao Xun smiled sheepishly. "Only one, but Her Majesty would surely be unwilling to chop it off."
As he spoke, he shifted to the side. "Your Majesty, could you please turn around so I can change?"
"Now you're shy? Hurry and change! The ceremony is about to begin, and there's nothing about you I haven't seen."
With that, she continued to stare intently at Xiao Xun, whose face was turning red. If not for her status, anyone would have mistaken her for a 'hooligan.'
Xiao Xun had no choice but to turn his back to Mu Jiahe and quickly change.
He followed her out of the door and into the next level, where a guard of honor composed of ten soldiers was already waiting for them.
Our Empress, Empress Selepais, turned and entered a room on this level, leaving Xiao Xun to wait with the honor guard at the entrance. Kanshu Wu.Net
After nearly half an hour, Empress Selepais emerged from the door, supported by two maids. She was now not only dressed in a luxurious and resplendent ceremonial gown but also wore a pair of white velvet gloves.
A red velvet cloak, as large as her bedsheet, was draped over her shoulders, and her crown emitted a unique radiance.
The honor guard marched ahead, with Empress Selepais following behind. Xiao Xun, as the soon-to-be 'new noble' of this country, could only obediently follow, holding onto the back of the cloak.
They exited the castle and stepped onto a red carpet, boarding a carriage reminiscent of a fairy tale. Xiao Xun, as a commoner, could only follow behind the carriage.
The carriage moved slowly through the bustling streets of the city, surrounded by all sorts of people, some of whom did not even appear human, making Xiao Xun feel as if he had entered a game world.
They discussed Xiao Xun's identity in hushed tones, as the city had long been abuzz with the news of a man hidden in the Queen's chambers.
When the carriage arrived before a building resembling a church, the honor guards on both sides lined up, crossing their long spears to form an archway.
The carriage door opened, and Empress Selepais slowly stepped out, passing through the 'archway' and entering the grand structure.
Inside were all the most powerful people in the country, from the High Priest and various dukes and ministers, to the commanders of all legions and representatives of various noble houses, all bearing witness to Xiao Xun's glorious moment.
They all wanted to see who this man was, the one who had been hiding in Her Majesty the Empress's room.
When they saw Xiao Xun, they were disappointed. At first glance, he appeared frail, perhaps malnourished, and couldn't even fill out the smallest robe.
Moreover, Xiao Xun's appearance did not conform to the aesthetic standards of this world, nor would he be considered handsome in another world; he could only be described as an ordinary person who wasn't ugly.
Everyone questioned how this man had managed to capture Her Majesty the Empress's heart.
A large bell, cast from pure copper, swung back and forth, its resonant chime filling the air. At that moment, everyone placed their right hand over their left shoulder and lowered their heads, including the Empress.
Xiao Xun, following suit, learned their custom and lowered his head, waiting for the bell to finish tolling.
However, when the bell finished, and he raised his head, everyone else had already taken their seats and was looking at him as if he were an idiot.
Some wondered, "Wasn't he taught court etiquette by a master of ceremonies?"
In fact, according to protocol, Xiao Xun should have been placed with a master of ceremonies for three days of training, and only after mastering all the etiquette could he attend such a grand event.
However, Empress Selepais did not have the time, and she also wanted to tell the country's power holders: I call the shots here.
When the Empress stepped onto the platform, the High Priest, holding a golden scepter, stood to her left. Another knight, clad in heavy armor, holding a fiery sacred sword, stood to her right.
"Lucas, please step onto the stage to receive Her Majesty's blessing."
Xiao Xun looked up, his eyes filled with a confused gaze.
"Lucas? Are they talking about me?"
The Empress winked at him, and Xiao Xun hurried onto the stage, while the audience struggled to suppress their laughter.
Standing before the Empress, Xiao Xun asked in a low voice, "And then?"
The Empress first took the scepter from the white-robed High Priest, then picked up the fiery sacred sword.
The High Priest's deep voice commanded, "Kneel."
Xiao Xun, quite practically, knelt before the Empress with a thud.
The crowd could no longer hold back, and a few people finally burst into laughter.
Mu Jiahe, amused by Xiao Xun's demeanor, also found it hard not to laugh, but as the Empress, her dignity forbade any improper sounds, and she trembled with suppressed laughter.
The High Priest glared at Xiao Xun speechlessly. "Kneel on one knee."
Xiao Xun realized his mistake and quickly raised one leg, kneeling on one knee as he looked at Mu Jiahe.
The Empress placed the fiery sacred sword on Xiao Xun's left shoulder and declared, "In the name of the first Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, the Holy Duchy Dynasty, I grant you the title of Marquis of Svein, and may the glory of the Light Flame family illuminate your path forward."
With that, she raised her left hand, and a golden light descended from the heavens, falling upon Xiao Xun.
The ceremony was followed by a grand banquet. The nobles knew that the Marquis of Svein was merely an honorary title, not earned through military merit, and thus came with no territory, no slaves, and no wealth.
They had no objections to such an honorary investiture, but they felt that perhaps Marquis was too high a title for a favored courtier, a 'clown.'
They had heard rumors of what had transpired in the castle, and this Marquis was likely the biological father of the next king.
Everyone showed him great respect, looking at him as if he were the future 'Empress.'
Of course, Xiao Xun was unaware of this; he was merely displeased with Mu Jiahe naming him Lucas, as she hadn't consulted him, and he disliked the name.
There wasn't much food at the banquet; most people held wine glasses and mingled around the venue. Many greeted Xiao Xun cordially.
The Empress had disappeared somewhere. The main host of the entire banquet was Geroya, known as the 'Iron Prime Minister,' the bald old man with a Mediterranean appearance who Xiao Xun had encountered face-to-face that day.
Shortly after, a person dressed in a black robe, with a black mask covering half their face, approached.
This was an apostle of the High Priest. He ignored everyone and walked directly to Xiao Xun, crossing his hands over his chest. "Lord Lucas, His Majesty requests your presence in the temple."