The Chamberlain of the Imperial Household is commanded by Her Imperial Majesty to request the presence of
His Excellency Tiberius Anar, Chancellor of the Empire, and Madam Anar
at a Grand Reception and Ball to Celebrate the Anniversary of Her Imperial Majesty's Birth
There had been a time, it seemed long ago, when Tiberius Anar had welcomed, even relished, attending such events. Then he had been a much younger man and the receptions and balls had been to honour senators and aristocrats. Then he had been on the rise and had seen each invitation as an affirmation of his growing stature.
Now he saw things rather differently. The Republic had fallen into indolence and, in its place had risen the Empire and, with it, Tiberius Anar. Now, he had risen and needed no petty affirmation of his status. Now, he saw such events as no more than a distraction from his work.
But sometimes a necessary one.
This thought had sustained him as his valet fussed about him draping and adjusting, tweaking and shifting, the uniform and robes mandated for this occasion. It sustainable him now as he made his way through the halls of the Imperial Palace to the grand salon where the first part of the festivities was to take place.
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