After the main course, some who adhered to an ascetic lifestyle, such as the aged Monsignor of the Ecclesiarchy, saluted the Captain and prayed to the God Emperor, thanking Him for providing food to the world, then left the dining hall to preach in the bridge chapel.
The Military Prisons also returned to the bridge first to fulfill their supervisory duties.
After eating their fill, the Medical Officers, with the Captain's permission, took some food for the injured officers and seriously wounded, then hurried to the medical bay.
Almost only Naval Officers remained in the Captain's quarters.
For them, now was the climax of the entire banquet.
It meant that the entertainment time exclusive to the officers was about to begin.
After three rounds of drinks, the servants replaced the second layer of tablecloths and brought out a rich variety of exquisite and small desserts.
There were cream cakes, puddings of various flavors, slices of exotic fruits picked from hydroponic farms…
The Unyielding, this 'Hive City of the Void,' boasted abundant and diverse produce.
Having sailed for hundreds of years, the ship had collected seeds and cultivation techniques for various specialties from all corners of the Imperium of Man's vast territories.
It offered more delicacies than most Hive City nobles could enjoy.
"Would you like something sweet to cleanse your palate?"
"A slice of cream cake, I think that one looks good, *hic*~"
Farida, her cheeks slightly flushed, gently dabbed the corner of her lips with a handkerchief and smiled apologetically.
Having drunk quite a bit of sweet fruit wine with her meal, the alcohol had made her much more uninhibited in her words and actions than before.
Beneath the deeply ingrained noble lady's demeanor, Farida Hood became even more generous, dignified, and gracefully elegant.
It also added a mature sensuality and charm to her crimson face and soft, hazy eyes that seemed to drip with allure.
Horatio had also drunk a lot, and as the stimulating medication slowly wore off, he felt a pleasant, slightly tipsy sensation.
This feeling was very comfortable; the bitterness of battle, bloodshed, and death were cast aside, and his mood became much more cheerful and relieved.
This was also one of the important reasons why the Imperial Navy could not do without alcohol.
This was a world filled with war and death.
Officers could not be filled with negative emotions, otherwise, depression would quickly set in.
They had to learn to enjoy themselves, to relax and regulate their moods.
As long as they did not commit acts that could lead to corruption by malevolent forces, or cause rumors that would damage their reputation, the Imperial Navy hardly interfered with the private lives of its officers.
After all, voyages in the void were lonely.
And these mortal elites, who enjoyed abundant resources and considerable wealth, were frequent clients of rejuvenation alchemists, so time was not a precious commodity for them.
Thus, during long voyages and service to the Emperor,
cultivating elegant (or not-so-elegant) hobbies and interests was a necessary practice for every officer to pass the time, express emotions, and alleviate stress.
A melodious and lively tune began to play diagonally across from them.
Horatio and Farida looked towards the Lieutenants.
The tipsy officers, though still maintaining politeness and decorum, began their own entertainment.
Some officers asked servants to retrieve instruments from their lounges or bedrooms.
Others simply snatched instruments from the performing military band members.
The Naval Officers, each displaying their skills, effortlessly picked up instruments and blended into the melody.
Seeing the officers begin their entertainment, the military band tactfully changed the tune from military marches to light, popular upper-class music.
They played along with the officers.
Some held their wine glasses, singing along emotionally to the beat.
The atmosphere in the luxurious and spacious Captain's quarters suddenly became lively and vibrant.
To the accompaniment of music and song, some officers took their drinks to nearby booths and began playing cards.
Some officers invited members of the opposite sex to join them in dancing the proper dances of high society.
This was part of social interaction and entertainment.
Of course, it was not uncommon for young male and female officers to develop feelings for each other and use the opportunity to dance with their crushes.
As long as no scandalous incidents causing loss of face occurred, the Imperial Navy not only did not interfere with the Naval Officers' relationships and private lives, but Captains and Captains would even try to bring these excellent young people together to fall in love and have children.
For the Imperium of Man, His Majesty the God Emperor desperately needed high-quality gold.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs had even proposed to the Navy Department more than once to levy a personal 'tithe' on commissioned Naval Officers of exceptional quality – requiring them to produce a certain number of offspring each year.
However, this was always rejected by the High Navy Department.
The reason was simple: 'The pursuit of love and the birth of offspring are the rights of Naval Officers, and outsiders have no right to interfere with their free will.'
Naval Officers, burdened with heavy duties and pressures, should live as happily as they wished, and not be burdened with further 'obligations.'
The responsibilities and duties they bore and fulfilled for the Imperium were already more than enough.
"Mr. Horatio, would you like to dance?" Under the influence of alcohol, Farida extended a dance invitation to Horatio that would normally be impossible.
"Of course, if you wish."
Dancing was a perfectly normal social interaction in upper-class circles.
Therefore, Horatio didn't think much of it.
After draining the wine in his glass and finishing the sweet and delicious fruit slices on his plate, the servant standing behind him handed him a special napkin.
He gently wiped the sauce from his lips, stood up, and left his seat.
Two servants also took the opportunity to replace the two officers' silver plates, for them to enjoy fruit and dessert after their dance.
They both straightened their military uniforms.
"Please, Miss Hood." Horatio politely extended his hand to her.
As a top student from the Naval Academy, the etiquette lessons taught at the school were enough for him to easily handle any high society social interaction.
Since the lady had invited him to dance, as a gentleman, he must actively extend his hand in response to the invitation.
"Your Excellency, Mr. Horatio and Miss Hood seem to be getting quite close," Lieutenant Stirling said, holding his wine glass and leaning slightly towards the Captain on his left.
He knew that Horatio Cochrane was a talent Commodore Peru was keen to cultivate, but he didn't know if he intended to form a marriage alliance with him.
Commodore Peru, after all, had a beautiful daughter born late in life, Miss Tei Peru, who was in the prime of her youth.
"What does that matter?" Commodore Peru raised his glass in return, "Imperial law doesn't state that Imperial Navy officers can only marry one wife."
Lieutenant Stirling raised an eyebrow knowingly, understanding Commodore Peru's meaning.
He and Vice Admiral Alexander Hood were very close friends, so close that he wouldn't mind marrying off his daughters to a promising and excellent Naval Officer at the same time.
"May the Imperial Navy gain more talented generals!" Lieutenant Pringle Sterling, who himself had three wives, smiled as he raised his glass and said.
"The more the better!" The Commodore snorted with laughter and drank his glass dry with his first mate.