Ace in the Hole

XIV

The premiere was starstudded. Many prominent figures in high society and the empire's government attended the event. Various journalists from newspaper companies and magazines lined up on the red carpet anticipating their arrival.

Kickstarting the premiere and entertaining the guests, journalists, and reporters were the masters of ceremony, the famous comedian in Vreqiseon Cluster Appleroot, and the rising actor Altair Tapas.

Cluster excitedly and warmly welcomed the premiere attendees.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to an unforgettable evening here at Starlit Pavilion where together we will witness the first-ever performance of the musical adapted from the timeless poem telling an epic love story that was written in the dawn of our empire. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Cluster Appleroot, and together with this fine young man beside me, Altair Tapas, I will be your compère this evening."

Cluster continued, "We are already starting our busy night. Our red carpet is filled with many familiar faces! Journalists, artists, and reporters may have a hard time deciding on who to focus on tonight! Many more guests are arriving as we speak! Coming onto the scene none other than Chef Gene Baker, the esteemed owner of the Mea'ai restaurant chain, along with his son and heir, the ever-dashing young master Huckleberry Baker."

Altair then chimed in, "The Mea'ai is one of the sponsors for the production of the musical and not only that, they are catering tonight's event!"

Cluster let out a laugh.

"Oh sweet child, there you go again talking about food! Though it's quite understandable as the dishes served by Mea'ai are indeed scrumptious but for now, let's talk less about dinner and more about the people arriving next after the chef and his son!"

Another carriage pulled up on the red carpet, the young actor announced, "Arriving together, hand in hand, and lovingly looking into each other's eyes are the lovebirds that govern the Bouvier viscounty, they are the mustelids of the west, their dauntlesiances, viscount and viscountess Fortsterling!"

As the viscountal couple posed for the artists, Cluster spotted another carriage that will arrive shortly with the crest of the House of Niege.

"Ladies and gentlemen direct your attention to the carriage arriving for one of the top five powerful families in the empire who will be making their entrance! It's the ducal family of the Serebro duchy, the House of Niege!"

"Altair!" Cluster called, "Shall we guess as to who among the Niege's has decided to grace the premiere with their presence?"

Altair was caught off guard, there was no mention of the House of Niege being one of the guests for the premiere yet he knew that they had to improvise on the spot.

He smiled and said, "Why don't we ask one of tonight's sponsors? The Bakers!"

Approaching the chef and his son, Altair greeted them, "A pleasant evening to you Chef Gene and young master Huckleberry! It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person!"

Chef Baker replied, "It's nice to meet you as well, Altair! My daughter is a fan of your work! I hope you don't mind giving me an autograph for her!"

"That warms my heart! I thank the young miss for supporting my work. Of course, I will give you an autograph, chef! I'd be happy too!"

"Haha! I heard that you like our restaurant! Come by the restaurant sometime, we'll treat you on the house!"

Altair's eyes lit up but he gained his composure and tried to remain professional, "I'll take you up on that offer, chef! Now, your restaurant is one of tonight's sponsors and I can see that you are quite satisfied that many have taken an interest in the musical, including prominent figures in Vreqiseon's society."

"That's right," Chef Gene replied, "My late wife, Thyme, was quite fond of the poem 'Floarian and Laurel', my current wife cherishes it as well because it reminds her of her best friend whom she often says she loves more than me!"

"It's quite amusing that your current wife's affection for your late wife is far greater than her affection for you, chef!" Cluster teased.

"That's true and though she can be blunt, I love that part of my wife."

"Wow," said Cluster, "Hearing that public display of affection makes me feel like it sucks to be single right now."

Altair cut in, "Anyway! Chef, who do you think from the House of Niege is attending tonight's premiere?"

"I'm actually quite surprised that they will be attending tonight. I've invited the duke personally months before however due to unforeseen circumstances in their territory he is unable to attend tonight's premiere and I've heard that they've been busy tackling something important here at the capital so I'm quite curious as to who is attending. Perhaps it's the duchess, as I know she is fond of theater. What are your guesses?"

Cluster then said, "I think it's the young What do you think, dear sponsor?"

"I think that it's the young miss attending the show with her friends as I've heard its common for young ladies to hang out with their friends in events like this. I'm speaking from experience as my daughter would rather attend tonight's premiere with her friends rather than her old man..." said Cluster.

Altair patted Cluster on the back and said his guess, "Maybe it's the first young master and his wife! They've recently returned from their honeymoon, maybe they chose to attend tonight's premiere to make their first appearance as a couple!"

"Let's find out who among us had the right answer!" Cluster said excitedly.

As the carriage of the House of Niege opened, many eyes widened in shock as they saw the two people who came to the premiere hand in hand, wearing what seemed like matching couple's clothes.

As the carriage of the House of Niege opened, many eyes widened in shock as they saw the two people who came out of it, hand in hand, wearing what seemed like matching couple's clothes.

Gasps filled the air as no one in the event expected what they were seeing.

Cluster was caught off guard, so Altair took over hosting the event. "A-And young master Huckleberry's guess was right! It is indeed the second young master of Niege who has come to tonight's premiere with none other than t-the second young miss of Oryx!"

Cluster was caught off guard so Altair took over hosting the event.

"A-Arriving is a pair we didn't expect to see together! Ladies and gentlemen, it's the second young master of Niege and the second young miss of Oryx!"

Whispering, Huckleberry said, "That's one heck of a way to get high society talking, chief."