Chapter 255 Noble Identity
Just as Sebastianus said, the princess agreed to set off in just one afternoon. She looked energetic and did not look like she was suffering from any illness. There was even a blush on her face, and a faint smile on her lips. I have never seen a princess so happy.
On the other hand, Lu Jia was a little "exhausted" by the "counseling" this afternoon. His face was pale and he looked exhausted. Although he looked neatly dressed when he went out, his legs trembled when he walked. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell what was going on, but there was nothing they could do. General Lu Jia was invited, not on his own initiative or secretly.
Of course, General Areobinders was watching, and no one dared to leak the secret, even though they knew it well.
Two legions, with more than 10,000 people and carrying weapons several times their number, such a huge team marched to the city of Ravenna, but they did not expect to be rejected.
Although the army was escorting the princess, Lady Augusta Placidia of the Western Empire refused the army's request to enter the city on the grounds that so many troops would not cause a big disturbance. However, officers like Luca and Areobinders had the right to enter and leave the city at will, of course, to attend the wedding of Augustus Valentinian III of the Western Empire and Princess Licinia.
Of course, Augusta was naturally eagerly waiting for this long-delayed wedding in the Western Empire. As soon as the princess's carriage entered the city, the wedding banquet was held immediately.
Of course, as a hero who escorted the princess and a member of the Purple Chamber, Luca was naturally eligible to be invited to the banquet. Of course, he could only bring a few people into the city, so he chose Andrew and a few guards. Of course, he also brought Tenaia with him, so that she could get familiar with the life of the nobility early.
When Tenea heard that she was going to attend Augustus' wedding, she was both nervous and excited. She put on the dress that Luca had bought for her and put on heavy makeup.
"Tenaia, it's time for us to set off!" Perhaps because they had been waiting outside for too long, Luga became a little impatient. He hastily opened the door curtain and walked in. The movement made Tenaia turn around suddenly, and their eyes met.
It was an unconscious eye contact, but it made Luga stand there in a daze. The moment he saw Tenaia, his heart stopped for a second.
Stunning is no exaggeration to describe Tenaia. Usually, Tenaia looks beautiful without any rough makeup. Now she is wearing heavy makeup and has a stunning beauty. There is no better word to describe Tenaia in Luga's eyes at this moment.
"Hey, what are you doing standing there like an idiot?" Perhaps it was too much time to waste in the silence of staring at each other, Tenaia interrupted the silence with a smile, pointing at the laurel wreath in Luga's hand and asked, "Is this for me?"
"Oh, yes, yes!"
Luca, who had slowly come to his senses, did not dare to neglect it. He stepped forward quickly, held the laurel wreath in his hands with both hands, and carefully placed it on Tenaia's head. The icing on the cake is the best way to describe Tenaia wearing a laurel wreath on her head, which made Luca marvel.
"Let's go!" Luga stretched out his hand to Tenaia.
Looking at the right hand that Luka stretched out to her, Tenaia's face was full of surprise and joy. Without a moment's hesitation, she stood up and tightly grasped Luka's right hand. A smile filled her face, and her face was filled with happiness. Holding their hands tightly, Luka felt the warmth of each other's palms, and suddenly, all the unhappiness in his heart disappeared. Looking at Tenaia with a faint smile on her face, Luka somehow felt a little bitter in his heart. He thought of the charming look of Likinia lying under him a few days ago, and it seemed that all this was so unreal.
Pushing open the half-closed door, the noise outside had already broken through the house's defenses and entered Luca's ears, especially when the door was opened. There were already crowds of people outside the palace, the dignitaries of Ravenna, the dignitaries who came from afar, and the big figures everywhere, who came to witness this major historical event. The princess of the Eastern Empire and Augustus of the Western Empire, their wedding meant that the relationship between the Eastern and Western Empires would become closer, so what would it mean to the Western Empire in its troubled times? This was what these nobles were most concerned about. Because being able to obtain the protection of the Eastern Empire's legions could maximize their interests in the remaining territories of Rome, they placed their hopes on Valentinian III, but they didn't know that this didn't mean much.
The garden in front of the palace was filled with laughter and joy. In order to fill the face of the Purple Room, Placidia spent lavishly. She invited all kinds of performers with special skills from across the empire. They gathered in front of the palace to perform their special skills to please the nobles coming and going, just to win their laughter.
Luga held Tenaya's hand and they walked and stopped along the way, because Tenaya's attention was completely attracted by the acrobats, which ordinary people could not see, but now she could see them in the palace. For Tenaya, who had not seen much of the world, it was a great fortune.
It's better this way. After all, I've never had such patient companionship before. There are no trivial things to disturb my mind. Why not indulge in sensual pleasures and enjoy this hard-earned splendor.
Walking slowly and steadily, Tenaia stretched out her hand to the inside of Luka's arm and clenched it, fearing that an irresistible external force would separate them. This was a tacit understanding that had been cultivated since who knows when, step by step, walking in unison with an inexplicable rhythm. Handsome men and beautiful women, with decent clothes, would naturally attract the attention of young noble men and women passing by. There were wooden tables everywhere on the roadside, filled with all kinds of cakes and wine glasses, and the nobles passing by could take them at will. Tenaia, who had never seen so many delicacies, could not restrain the pursuit of delicacies as a girl. Along the way, she had a piece of cake on this table and a glass of wine on that table. She ate so much that her mouth was bulging like a ball, completely disregarding her image. But she also knew that Luka didn't mind, because in Luka's eyes, she was still so beautiful even in this way.
As they got closer to the palace, the laughter and music became more deafening.
"Respected Mr. Flavius Luca!"
As they were exchanging glances, a sudden honorific made Luga come back to his senses. It turned out that this was the place in front of the inner courtyard of the imperial palace where only members of the royal family were allowed to appear.
The waiter at the door was very respectful, but Luca was surprised to be recognized by a waiter he had never met before.
Since he recognized the adopted son of Theodosius II, he should naturally make way for Luca to enter. However, although the waiter was respectful, he had no intention of making way.
"Why won't you let me in?" Luca asked puzzledly.
"I'm sorry, sir." The waiter said slowly, "I just want to confirm the identity of the woman next to you."
"Oh, she is my mistress." Luca pointed at Tenaia and introduced her to the waiter.
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"Excuse me, are you a noble?" The waiter still asked respectfully, but the question was a bit sharp.
This question made Tenaia's joy fade away, replaced by disappointment. Luka saw it and understood that because of her not being a noble, Luka could enter, but Tenaia was doomed to be rejected. Moreover, being rejected was not enough. How could a commoner appear at such an occasion at the Purple Room wedding? If Tenaia was here, how would they treat her? This was what Luka was most worried about.
Just when Luca was at a loss, the door suddenly opened and a woman walked out. Luca looked closely and found that it was the scheming little maid who had locked him in the room that day!
The maid glanced at Lu Jia, bowed quickly, and said to Lu Jia: "Your Excellency has come at the right time. The princess has been waiting inside for a long time!"
When Princess Liginia was mentioned, Luga's mind went blank. This was a past event that he could not bear to recall. Now, these girls might have made a deeper impression on him. It really made Luga feel very uncomfortable for a while.
"Princess?" Tenaia asked puzzledly behind Luga.
"Oh, that's it..." Luca quickly explained to her, "The daughter of His Majesty Augustus of the Eastern Empire, Liginia, you will meet her then!" At this point, Luca looked around, wondering where Andrew died at this time? It was really embarrassing for Luca that he didn't come out at such a critical moment. Luca couldn't let such a weak woman be left alone no matter what.
(End of this chapter)