A couple of days later, on Friday, 13th October 2538 CE, a grand feast was being held at the Hoffmann estate, in honour of Princess Aurelia and her royal guardian. Terissa Mercier, David McDonald, and the rest of the Defence Tower staff had also been invited to the joyous occasion.
On the expansive balcony overlooking the grand riverwall of Hasenwald, long rows of tables were elegantly arranged, adorned with a magnificent display of local delicacies — roasted boar, carrot salad, barbecue ribs, sausages, and more. Waiters and waitresses in crisp black and white uniforms glided gracefully through the crowd, serving food and beverages to the esteemed guests seated at ten circular tables.
At the heart of the venue stood over twenty round tables, each covered with white cloths intricately embroidered with silver thread, set with white plates and polished silverware. Soft, glowing flowers illuminated the centrepieces, casting a warm light as the evening wore on.
As the sun began to dip, painting the sky with shades of orange, the entire venue seemed to come alive with the vibrant atmosphere, regal and lavish, perfectly befitting the hospitality of the Princess of Solis Aeternum and her royal entourage.
Jack and Lupus made their way through the crowd, Lupus's gloved arm intertwined with his. Their presence was dignified and elegant. Lupus wore a dark red dress with long, flowing feathers adorning her helm, her plump chest exposed and decorated with sparkling arcanite sapphires. Jack, in a dark crimson suit carefully selected by Lupus to complement her outfit, wore silver cufflinks bearing the Hoffmann family sigil on his wrists. His shoulder pads accentuated his posture, giving him an imposing, model-like frame — tall, broad, and striking.
"Nervous?" Lupus asked, her hand resting on his tricep.
"Y-yes... I've never been to such a glamorous event before," Jack replied, his nervousness evident as beads of sweat began to form on his forehead, making his skin glisten.
"Just be yourself, smile, and wave, remember?" Lupus said with a reassuring smile as she demonstrated the simple gesture to an elderly couple. Jack followed her lead, and a small smile spread across his face. "Wow, it really is that easy," he thought.
Ahead of them, standing at the entrance to the venue, was Ludwig Hoffmann, the magistrate of Hasenwald. The tall wildren rabbit, dressed in a dark brown suit with his silver hair slicked back neatly, had been following Lupus's advice — smiling, waving, and exchanging the occasional handshake with arriving guests.
"Father!" Lupus greeted him with an elaborate bow, dipping gracefully at the knees.
"Magistrate Ludwig, good evening," Jack said, offering a small bow with a smile.
"Welcome, Lupus, and Mr. Squire," the magistrate announced with a warm, inviting tone. Read complete version only at n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
To Ludwig's left, a band of over ten musicians played a blend of organic and mechanical sounds, with their instruments a mix of wood, metal, and electronics. The main piece, a golden saxophone, reverberated through the air, its melodies flowing like liquid. The distinct music was raw and improvised, embodying the essence of classical jazz.
"Ah! Mr. Squire, you seem enchanted by jazz," Ludwig said with a knowing smile.
"Jazz? I've never heard of it, but there's something arcane about it..." Jack mused.
Ludwig chuckled, opening his arms theatrically. "What about this jazz resonates with you?"
Jack listened to the music, trying to pinpoint his emotions. "I think it's the sense of freedom," he said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
A satisfied smile appeared on Ludwig's face. "Exquisite taste! What else?"
"Father, let's not quiz my fiancé," Lupus interjected, crossing her arms with a playful scowl.
Jack, letting the music wash over him, continued, "Another feeling I sense is melancholy... and a touch of nostalgia."
"Excellence! You have an impeccable ear. Lupus couldn't have chosen better," Ludwig declared, giving Jack an approving tap on the shoulder. Jack realised that, despite being taller, Ludwig's rabbit ears made him appear the more imposing figure.
Ludwig smiled slyly, "...Though, keep in mind, my daughter tends to make mistakes from time to time. But I trust you're a forgiving man."
"Father!" Lupus blushed, her voice tinged with embarrassment.
"Magistrate, it's an honour to serve you and have your daughter by my side," Jack said, a little too formally, before adding, "Maybe in a past life?" He chuckled quietly to himself.
Soon, the couple in crimson made their way toward the table where the Defence Tower members were gathered — David, Triss, Aurelia, Friederich, two Novitcius mages, and three DebrisX crew members. Jack recognised the DebrisX team, all coordinators. Sitting beside David were Penny, Flickson, and Gust, while Frain was already at a neighbouring table, engaged in a food competition with the twins, Lumie and Lumus. Lunice cheered them on excitedly. Jack couldn't help but remark, None of them acted like adults.
"The Armatus drone self-destructed, and Jack barely escaped in time, flames licking his rear! And as Jackie said, 'My puny thing's small but tougher than Armatus knights!'" David delivered a cheeky joke using Jack's story, and the room erupted with laughter, especially from the princess.
"She really does love those jokes. How strange..." Jack mused as he helped Lupus with her seating.
"I don't remember saying such a thing," Jack whispered sheepishly to David after taking an empty seat next to him.
David grinned, still chuckling. "But people love a good joke, right?"
Across the table, Triss gave Jack a bemused, almost teasing look. "It isn't small, is it?" She whispered, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Jack, suddenly self-conscious, lost his confidence. He didn't respond but burst out laughing, soon joined by everyone else, including Lupus. Betrayed — Jack thought, feeling the sting.
The waiters and waitresses began to fill the tables with food and drinks. When they reached Jack, he gestured to the silver tray, pointing to the drink he'd like.
"A champagne, please?" He asked, and the waiter placed it on the table at his right-hand side. Jack nodded in appreciation.
"But seriously," Aurelia interjected, "I didn't know a debris collector was capable of such feats. Maybe you had knight training before joining DebrisX?"
Jack soon realised that Aurelia had been the one to steer the conversation in that direction.
"Ahem... Well, I've lost my memory," Jack said, his tone laced with mock amusement.
Laughter faded, and David stared at him, his eyes wide with disbelief. "But how? You remember us?" He asked, his voice full of incredulity.