Guards were sent to escort him as soon as he left his second floor of the Eastern Palace, no less than two always followed him around then several were posted throughout the building. Though it looked as if barely half as many were in his Majesty's Northern Palace, or the Western Palace.
Ashton was aware... typically, the Eastern Palace was for the Empress. The empress would raise the children until they turned twelve, when they received their own residences. While concubines were given a single building for combined sleeping quarters, but Lucian had seen fit to have the Empress share the Southern palace with the concubines and all the children. Upon crown prince Serafin's 15th birthday he would move into the Western palace to start taking on official roles in court.
Another baffling move as typically, the emperor would liv in the western palace... but Lucian's preferences were far from Ashton's concern.
Three days after Lucian's return to the capital they officially held morning court. The end of the year was less than a week away, so the New Years Banquet was being a little rushed. Everyone with a noble title and their official children would be invited for 5 days to celebrate, 1 day for each year of Lucian's reign.
Lucian sent a servant to invite Ashton to Smyrna's morning court on the fourth day of their return, Ashton agreed to attend, which surprised not only Lucian, but Aaron and Leonard.
Ashton was provided with over 50 different garments in just his first three days, they were premade but had to be tailored so the focus was on the party outfits and a few more casual outfits he could wear around the palace.
Ashton went with a formal green tunic as he slicked his hair back; he didn't wear any jewelry but did have a few blue enchanted quarts he'd personally made into cuffs and into a set of earrings. He then followed Lucian to attend court. The whole palace was a foggy mess... he would need something stronger for his visibility if he would be leaving his established territory regularly.
Lucian noticed none of the jewels they'd picked were being used, when he arrived everyone stood and bowed as he made his way to the head of the table. Ashton had been reserved a seat just lower than his three Dukes. Jaxon would sit to his left, Leonard further down on his right. There were 9 men ranging from Lucian's age to their late 60s. Only the tenth chair was empty.
Ashton had been giving a polite smile when he entered, then after a deliberate glance around he stood behind the empty chair raising a brow. Ashton waved the closest servant over, "Fetch a lounger and have it placed just off to the side. I'll just be observing for now." Ashton informed resting his elbows on the empty chair clearly meant for him.
Ashton glanced around the room, only nobles, servants, and guards. Not a single priest or holy artifact in the room. Clearly the tensions between the faithful were not exaggerated. This neglect was of course best for the empire, but more importantly, would allow Ashton a bit more freedom while in the palace.
Most on the right side of the table tensed while everyone on Lucian's left lowered their gaze to the table not looking at Lucian or Ashton. The servant hesitated then glanced at the emperor who was glowering at Ashton.
Ashton was resting his cheek in his hand as he turned dramatically to Lucian, "Your staff seem deaf your majesty, perhaps I should fetch my own?" He asked smiling again.
Lucian wasn't sure what Ashton was playing at, but he turned his glare to the servant, "Go." He ordered as he sat down.
The servant scurried away and only two minutes later an ornate lounger was rushed in by five servants, they laid it down then bowed and left. Ashton casually laid out on his left side and propped his head up with his left arm with a smile, "Please, continue." He added graciously.
Leonard was staring at Ashton like he'd never met the boy, who was this casually confident young man who dared order his majesty's men as if they were equals? He almost had a creak in his neck from turning to stare.
Lucian waved and two servants placed stacks of documents on either side of him, "Report." He ordered taking the first stack of documents regarding the winter freeze and their dead.
"Your majesty, may I be so bold as to inquire about...?" Jaxon asked letting the sentence trail off glancing at Ashton, after the accusation of assisting in the murder of crown prince Alphonse he'd been imagining meeting his possible son. He had to admit they did bear a striking resemblance but while Alphonse had hidden himself behind the courteously polite façade of the perfect crown prince, Ashton seemed more... indifferently polite.
Lucian turned his gaze to Jaxon, then leaned back with a cold smile as he folded his hands. Clearly indicating he would stay out of it.
Jaxon was genuinely surprised, then stood with a bow to Lucian then turned to face Ashton who didn't change his posture but only glanced up merely curious. "I am Duke Jaxon Darnell Darnings, please forgive my discourtesy but, I do not believe we have met?"
Ashton smiled using his right hand to wave the question away, "I was only recently titled Ashton Reece, no need to worry about my temporary intrusion. I'll only be making a few recommendations here and there. I believe his majesty will hold a more private meeting after to... clear up the misunderstanding." Ashton added with a glance over Leonard casually.
Lucian's eyes narrowed, everyone's gaze was jumping to the three of them, and a few even noticed Ashton's inuendo about Leonard. Someone had trained the boy, now to slowly pick out his secrets. "Now, report." He ordered again.
Jaxon turned and sat back down, so Ashton was aware of Leonard's assumption and accusation, had probably been aware for a few weeks but didn't say anything. If Ashton didn't want to create a wedge in their relationship... the alternatives weren't much better.
Jaxon led the reports while Lucian approved or disapproved motions to continue for further discussion or review. Ashton eventually ordered a plate of pastries and tea while the others continued to work. He didn't plan to influence noble politics for the most part, besides... no need to overplay his hand.
Court ended promptly at 1100 every morning four days a week, the other three were reserved for paperwork or social necessities. Lucian dismissed everyone except Ashton, Duke Jaxon, Duke Randal, Leonard, and Duke Sebastian.
Tea was served to the others while Ashton continued to lazily smile at them.
"Your majesty, this is highly unusual. Even for a Reece," Duke Sebastian Owen Carlos remarked watching the youth as they were served. Sebastian was already 52 years old and had served three monarchs, his greyed hair was neatly slicked back as he held his tiger cane. He typically wore the White tiger pelt he'd slain while saving Lucian's grandmother. His piercing grey eyes were not amused, especially since he'd only found out about this Reece taking up residence in the Empress palace the day after he moved in.
Ashton smiled with a nod, "Unfortunately, due to... unfounded suspicions his majesty wants to keep my identity mysterious," Ashton explained as he stretched and stood up, then went to the opposite side of the long table. He pulled a chair so he could sit in opposition to Lucian.
Jaxon raised a brow, "I'd say our suspicions are rather warranted. Especially after you claim to be able to bring to light Alphonse Siebel's murder, something not even two dozen level five mages, half a dozen of countries, and two assassin guilds could do."
Ashton smiled brightly, "Well, perhaps they saw all the clues but just couldn't put them together." Ashton informed nonchalantly.
"That's a bold assumption," Jaxon stated glaring as Ashton touched one of his cufflinks. While the quartz was clearly nice... it was still only quartz.
Ashton turned his smile to Lucian, "Let's try keeping things... civil, yes? Now, about the misunderstanding. Jaxon, nor any of Lucian's delegation had any willing or knowing participation. A few items were stolen to help with the framing but little else. Was there anything else?"
Sebastian turned his gaze to his emperor then back to the youth, "And we are possibly holding Alphonse's hidden child to find evidence of his murder?" Sebastian mused leaning back. For the youth to call the emperor and his closest duke by their first names... that would merit an investigation.
Ashton turned to Sebastian, "I am not Alphonse's son, nor do we have any blood relations in at least... 7 generations." Ashton added glancing over Leonard and Lucian.
Sebastian and Randal shared a look then turned back to Ashton in clear disbelief, "Then a resonance would mean nothing to you." Randal challenged as Sebastian raised a brow.
Ashton smiled, "I'll wait until after your ongoing investigation into his murder is done. No need for distractions." Ashton reminded standing up, "Well then, after a tracking charm is made, I'll take a look, since that's all, I'll be off." He added with a bow then left.
Ashton returned to the Eastern Palace, once again surrounded by guards until he walked into his room. While there were wards... they were far from perfect. Ashton started slightly adjusting them enough so he could start preparing for the future, this would also be noticeable to mages who'd worked on the wards. Fortunately, he'd been slowly introducing the idea of ward adjustment to Amin.