>>6225547You had over your invitation; you are allowed in. At present, the party has only just started, with guests slowly trickling in, aside from the garden. The soft music playing from the gazebo creates a sophisticated atmosphere, and you can already see the waitstaff circulating with trays of hors d'oeuvres.
The first thing you do is formally greet your father and sister.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Karoline, my beloved sister, it is a pleasure to see you here; I trust you are well.'' </span>
<span class="mu-i"> ''Indeed I am, Max. I find it a great delight to be here, especially in light of recent events." </span>She pulls out her fan to stave off some of the evening heat, though the sun won't set until half past eleven.
<span class="mu-i"> ''How's Ludwig von Winneburg? Is he here tonight?'' </span> Your sister's current suitor, though you might as well say boyfriend.
<span class="mu-i"> ''Oh, by Luther, he would come here, but his new boss is making him work to the bone; he has been buried with legal papers and what have you. No, he'll be slaving away for the rest of the month.'' </span>
With matters with your sister settled, you turn to Father.
<span class="mu-i"> ''And why did you decide to come? You aren't typically fond of these sorts of events."
"I figured I should at least try to help you in case someone here tries to embarrass you. It may not seem like it now, but there will be a lot of hands to shake in the future. And I want to see how many lickspittles will still come to me for one.'' </span>
He then trails off, back to the palace, leaving you alone in the midst of the party. Effectively giving you free rein to move about.
> I should look for men in the armed forces, like-minded people.>I should at least pay respects to the birthday boy, the duke.>Hmm, those three men are on the board of the biggest steel conglomerate in the country.>It is time, time to make some friends, but first, I need a man on the inside; hopefully there is an acquaintance of mine here.>I have not given much thought to it until now, but perhaps surveying what the local ladies have to offer might be worth considering. 