The Centennial Convocation of Nobles
The Grand Convocation Hall had not been this full in over a century.
It was a massive, massive chamber with tier upon tier of elevated platform circling the chamber. Each bore a banner of a noble house, clear and displayed proudly. The platforms were numerous in the hundreds and they were all facing the same direction which had five larger platforms.
On each platform from the hundreds to three of the five were shadowy figures on seats, some were conversing with each other, others busy on pads and others just arriving and taking seats.
After a while a low murmur rippled through the chamber as the massive doors at the base level began to open. The sound alone commanded attention, conversations slowed and heads turned. Some nobles leaned forward slightly while others leaned back unimpressed.
This meant, one of the Original Nobles had arrived, three of the five had already arrived. From the three platforms of which two were darkened it meant the person to enter was from House Voss, it was one of the darkened.
Wein stepped into the chamber, he did not rush. His stride was measured, staff resting lightly in his hand. He was wearing a formal navy blue suit with his coat draped over his shoulders.
His hair was tied neatly and his shoes shiny polished and he walked forward. He was alone just like the rest of the nobles and could feel the thousands of eyes settled on him.
People were caught off guard because they could see him as he entered, there were monitors that showed him but they could not recognise him. Wein did not stop and continued walking towards the central platform designated for his house causing people further confusion.
He climbed the stairs to his platform and sat down, then his platform lit up to show someone was there. The banner above shimmered into existence while his face was hidden behind a shadow, he knew there were eyes on him.
Doubtless, monitors showed him cross-legged with his staff in hand.
Wein's seat was one of five, his was at the right end. In front he could see the hundreds of nobles all shadowy and talking while looking at him. It would be a lie to say he did not feel pressured.
Even holding his staff, he could feel his heart beating erratically, at least he was not shaking.
When all nobles had settled beside the Emperor, the hall's central system was activated as a low chime resonated across the chamber.
Above each noble a projection expanded displaying the name and title of its occupant. One by one, the names illuminated, even Wein.
The first people to notice this were the first to be puzzled, because House Voss was an Original and it was placed at the forefront, almost everyone soon was taken aback by this new discovery.
The name circulated through the chamber like a silent contagion.
Wein al Voss.
Not Neilson.
Wein.
It was a known fact that Neilson had lost his heir, everyone expected he would come, he had no other successor besides his son. Neilson was known as a man of integrity so, having a bastard unknown son was beyond the question yet there he was another man.
Across the tiers, conversations resumed but lower now, contained. The platforms were designed to limit sound. One could only converse with those within immediate proximity. No voice could dominate the hall without formal amplification.
Wein remained seated, posture composed. He did not look overwhelmed nor did he feel so. On his right, he could hear the conversations of the three others, they were talking about him.
Then there was silence. Every platform went dark and everyone stood on their feet. The Emperor entered without an announcement, his presence alone recalibrated the atmosphere.
He walked with unhurried authority towards the central seat of the five platforms. Just like before his robe hung open, exposing his chest, this time however he wore his crown.
His gaze went through the four Houses sharing the platform with him and then his eyes rested on House Voss. Despite the platforms all being darkened, his eyes found the House Voss seat. He knew Wein's silhouette even from that distance.
With the room watching he did not respond and went to his seat. Upon sitting, he saw the full scale of the nobles in attendance. Despite them being darkened, the sheer number of platforms was a testament to the number of nobles in the empire.
"Be seated" the command resonated through the hall and they obeyed.
"The Centennial Convocation of Nobles is hereby convened."
His voice was soft and measured.
"Throughout eons, the Centennial Convocation of Nobles has been held to cement nobility and governance of our empire in this galaxy. Being a noble serves as a shield and leader protecting the galaxy from darkness and chaos"
His voice did not rise.
"But first as an Original Noble, I present to you the new lord of House Voss".
A controlled silence followed. Then Wein's platform lit up, his face and form came into full view. Wein remained seated, legs crossed as the entire chamber began reacting.
Whispers began to circulate then a noble seated on a lower tier spoke up. His platform lit.
"Wein al Voss," he began. "There is no such name within the Voss registry."
His sentiment was reciprocated as other nobles became intrigued.
From one of the higher elevated platforms, a figure rose.
"Your Majesty," he began, inclining his head respectfully. "For the clarity of this Convocation, may we request a verification for the lineage of the new Lord of House Voss? As we know it, Lord Neilson had no successors named".
The chamber stilled, now it was no longer whispers but procedure and procedure demanded a response. For a brief moment, all eyes were on the emperor and Wein.
The emperor did not speak nor did he even move, leaving Wein to respond. He rose, posture straightened, remembering the etiquette he had learned, before inclined his head as he faced the inquiring noble.
"I greet you members of the Centennial Convocation" he said evenly.
His voice carried through the chamber unamplified. On every noble, they could hear and see him clearly as there was a projection of the speaker on the side at their platforms.
"House Voss acknowledges the inquiry. It is true, my name is not in the Voss lineage registry because I was not born into House Voss".
Wein's expression did not change, his voice still calm and confident.
"Lord Neilson declared me his successor through a formal request to the Emperor," he continued. "I was born a commoner and through the request was ratified as worthy to accept the mantle".
Declaring that, the nobles did not erupt. They shifted.
A thousand subtle recalculations unfolded at once, some leaned back slowly in their seats. Others exchanged brief glances with their neighbours.
"A common born." someone murmured quietly from the tiers. Then his image was plastered on the screen of their projections.
Duke Marcus Aurrelion.
.
"Unacceptable!"
His voice rang clearly, amplified through his platform. He did not shout wildly but his base voice was brutal and vicious.
A silence followed while Marcus stepped forward, bold and courageous like the military man he was.
"Your Majesty," he continued, inclining his head enough to remain within protocol. "House Aurrelion does not question Imperial authority."
A careful pause.
"But we question a dangerous precedent. Throughout the empire's history only those of noble bloodlines have been granted the authority to rule as nobles. For a common born who is not even a bastard to attain such a title as lord is unacceptable."
Several nobles straightened.
"The empire functions because of this tradition which has been passed for eons, we can't allow a common born to be a precedent much less for an Original House".
His eyes went to Wein and they met. Wein could tell that there was animosity between them but he remained silent and did not interrupt.
All eyes turned to the Emperor, he remained seated, calm and watching the duke.
"Duke Aurrelion" he began softly. "House Voss has named Lord Wein as its new head and the Imperial family has validated it. Understood?"
The chamber held its breath, Marcus did not immediately bow, his sight left Wein and focused on the Emperor.
"With all due respect Your Majesty," he said, his voice less sharp, "such an act will have consequences."
"If a common born can inherit an Original House, what will that place higher ranked nobles at."
"Duke Aurrelion" the Emperor replied. "House Voss did not elect its successor lightly, Lord Wein was elevated because of the contributions of House Voss".
A subtle emphasis, all eyes went back to Wein.
"Lord Wein is the rightful head of House Voss, so says your Emperor" the Emperor continued. "Now let the gathering proceed".
With that declaration silence fell through the chamber. Marcus sat down and so did Wein. No one dared to question the Emperor again, it was becoming very evident how Wein was elevated and what protesting meant.
Somewhere within the platforms alliances were forming. The Emperor had silenced the opposition but had not erased it. But everyone knew and understood it was not over.