Jake led the way toward a quiet table at a side of the grand hall.
As they walked, several high-society men in the surrounding area turned their heads, they glanced towards Madison. Her elegance and striking presence effortlessly drew attention in a room full of global elites.
The trio took their seats around the table.
Ethan quietly scanned the surrounding crowd, his trained eyes picking out subtle details. "Looking around? Observation, I suppose?" Madison asked softly, leaning in.
"Yeah," Ethan replied, keeping his voice low. "I'm actually spotting a few familiar faces."
"Who?"
"A few high-ranking military officers," Ethan said. "I met them back then, through a mutual contact."
Madison nodded quietly. Nearby, a group of young men in tailored suits continued to steal glances in her direction.
"Everyone in this room is a major player," Ethan noted, adjusting his collar slightly. "We should be mindful of how we handle ourselves here."
Madison nodded in agreement before shifting her attention to Jake. He sat with both arms draped casually over the armrests, his chin lowered, looking as if he were taking a quiet nap amidst the bustling crowd.
Suddenly, Jake opened his eyes, rising smoothly from his chair. "Stay here," he instructed before walking off into the crowd.
Ethan and Madison exchanged a glance.
A moment later, low voices drifted over from the table directly behind them.
"Father, you've been staring at that young man for a while now," a young woman said in a refined British accent. "Is he someone you know?"
An older man answered in a deep, distinguished British voice. "That boy... look at him. It feels as if I've seen that face before." He gestured subtly toward Ethan.
Ethan and Madison could hear every word clearly. From the corner of her eye, Madison saw the elderly gentleman discreetly pointing toward Ethan. Ethan caught the gesture in his peripheral vision as well.
"Father, you meet thousands of people," the daughter reasoned gently. "He might simply resemble a former acquaintance. We can't be certain."
"No... there is something remarkably familiar about him," the old man insisted.
"Father, His Majesty will be making his appearance shortly," she reminded him.
The old man nodded slowly, his eyes sharpening as he stared at Ethan's profile. "Hmm... yes. It really is him."
"You recognize him?" she asked, surprised.
"That's him... yes. He is almost identical to him," the old man murmured, conviction in his tone. "He is that man's son."
Ethan and Madison exchanged a quick, shocked look.
"Whose son, Father?" the daughter asked.
"Damian's," the old man stated softly. "He is Damian's son."
Ethan turned his head, directly at the speaker. The distinguished old gentleman offered a warm smile and made a gentle gesture, inviting Ethan over.
Ethan glanced at Madison, stood up, and walked across the short distance between their tables.
"You are his son, aren't you?" the old man asked gently as Ethan approached.
Ethan gave a respectful nod. "Yes, sir."
The elderly man stood up immediately and extended his hand. Ethan accepted it, sharing a firm handshake.
"How are you, kid?" the old man asked, his eyes searching Ethan's face with genuine warmth.
Ethan smiled politely. "I'm doing well, sir. How are you?"
The old man chuckled softly and patted Ethan's shoulder. "You smile just like him... exactly like him. By the way, my name is Frederick."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Frederick. My name is Ethan."
"Ethan... a fine name," Frederick said approvingly.
"Did you know my father?" Ethan asked, unable to hide his curiosity.
Frederick gave a slow, somber nod. "I did. Your father helped me, once, back then. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be standing in this room today."
After exchanging a few more warm words, Ethan excused himself and returned to his seat next to Madison.
"How did it go?" Madison asked softly.
"It was great," Ethan admitted, a genuine smile touching his lips. "Suddenly, I don't feel nervous at all. Just... glad."
Madison offered a gentle smile in response.
Suddenly, a booming voice echoed, cutting through the chatter in the grand hall:
"ARRIVING, HIS MAJESTY, KING EDGAR THE THIRD!"
Every conversation in the room ceased instantly as hundreds of heads turned toward the elevated balcony above the twin staircases.
Ethan and Madison looked up as a broad-shouldered man with a full, neatly trimmed beard and dark brown hair stepped out onto the velvet-draped platform. He raised a gloved hand, waving warmly to the gathered crowd below.
A wave of respectful murmurs and applause erupted throughout the hall.
"Long live the King!" several guests echoed.
Madison leaned toward Ethan. "So that's the King."
Ethan nodded, taking in the sight.
King Edgar raised his hand once more, and the room fell into absolute silence. A royal aide stepped forward, handing him a microphone.
The King cleared his throat, his deep voice carrying easily across the room.
"I extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who made time in their schedules to join us on such short notice. As many of you know, I am currently visiting Canada on diplomatic business, and I am deeply touched by the immense hospitality and warmth extended to my retinue. My sincere thanks to you all."
He offered a crisp, formal salute to the crowd below, drawing another round of enthusiastic applause.
"Wait, the King was already in Canada?" Ethan whispered.
"Even I didn't knew, that the King had arrived," Madison admitted quietly.
"Really?"
"I suppose I was completely buried in my training routines," she replied with a small shrug.
Ethan smiled and nodded.
Up on the balcony, King brought the microphone back to his lips, and the room silenced itself once again.
"On such a joyous occasion, I have an official announcement to share with you all," the King declared.
Quiet speculation rippled through the crowd as two figures stepped out from the shadowed archway behind the King.
"It brings me great joy to formally announce the engagement of my daughter, Princess Victoria, to Military Commander Adam!"
The grand hall erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
Ethan stared up at the balcony in surprise.
Adam? That's the same guy I met at the military base... Well, good for him. Ethan joined in the applause, and Madison followed him.
"That's the Third Princess, Victoria," Madison noted.
"And the groom is Adam," Ethan added.
"You actually know the groom?" Madison asked, turning to him in surprise.
Ethan nodded once. "Yeah, though I met him recently, so I don't know him all that well yet."
Above them, the King, Princess Victoria, and Commander Adam began making their way down the grand staircase into the main hall, where they were immediately swarmed by diplomats and high-society figures offering congratulations.
Right at that moment, Jake casually returned to the table, sliding back into his chair and resuming his relaxed, arms-draped posture as if he had never left.
He glanced at Ethan. "What are your thoughts so far?"
"It's my first time at an event like this," Ethan said, looking around the lively hall. "Things are going pretty well."
Before Jake could respond, Madison spoke up, her voice laced with sharp disbelief. "Ethan... look."
Ethan turned his head, and froze.
King Edgar had detached himself from his entourage of guards and nobles, walking directly toward their side table.
Silence spread like wildfire through the immediate area. Nearby billionaires, generals, and diplomats stood frozen in shock as the Monarch of the British Empire bypassed the crowd to approach their small corner.
Jake slowly opened his eyes. He stood up, turned to face the King. and calmly extended his hand.
"Congratulations..."