(Year 228) Just like any family, the House of Saxor has their own routines and traditions to secure a good Winterfest. Their huge penthouse at 1 Torendi Tower in San Myshuno is larger than the average home (link to previous tour of the estate below), so they tend to focus on seasonal decor for the rooms they use the most, and where they intend to entertain their many Winterfest guests. Central in the planning are Butler, Severine Phlum, and Cook, Ms Anila Rossell.
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| Left to right: Butler Severine, Duke Victus and Duchess Gloria in Cordenza's drawingroom. |
The planning started several months ago. At the 3M (Monday Morning Meeting), attended by the household members who are on the House's pay roll, and assisted by the Butler occasionally. At these meetings all activity is planned, and in Fall the upcoming Winterfest will naturally take a certain bit of the agenda. In houses like this, a dukedom in fact, Head of House is in charge and also is the one communicating with the servants via the Butler, but Duchess Gloria (72) gets wholeheartedly involved with most affairs taking place within the home.
- We need to stay ahead of anything, or our complex schedule will collapse, she claims. - Winterfest includes decorations, food, tableware, musicians and more. The first thing we go through is the events and the guest lists, invitations need to be sent out in advance or everyone will get their books full. Planning that involve other nobility needs to follow a common time schedule, starting as early as a full year in advance. This is especially important to us now that there is currently no logical heir to our dukedom, we like to strengthen certain connections. Less formal gatherings might need less planning, depending on occasion of course.
Duke Victus (54) adds that they do normally limit the very formal events. - The annual Meadows District Order Gala Dinner takes place in Summer, and unless there are stately guests or specific anniversaries we try to keep Winterfest as a valuable time for the family.
The servants get busy nevertheless, because cleaning, polishing, cooking, baking and securing traditional supplies follow traditions regardless of the number of parties given.
- We have a great staff, Ms Anila is a great cook and our experienced Butler Sevvy knows exactly when to step in. Our daughter, Lady Corva (22), helps with the decorations. We are one splendid team!
Duchess Gloria has a seasonal favorite - the twin Winterfest trees.
- This is said to be an old tradition, I did not hear of it before I married into this House. We always have two trees decorated the same way. They are even both placed in the same room, one representing the past and the other the future. A nice gesture to all generations of all times, I think.
In the Grand Hall, where all dinners are served, the seasonal decor is nearly done. The table is decked for the first party, where all current members of House of Saxor will get together in a less formal setting.
The Duchess inspects the servants' work, and although she had planned for a little more table decorations and lights, it gets approved. The Duke witnesses it all from a safe distance, and back there by the lit fireplace even Lady Corva is paying attention. Although she will never inherit his place, she might have her own servants somewhere else in the future.
- Oh, my lady, I will polish that light bulb once more. My apologizes!
Also the Duke has one favorite item, the very old nutcracker, seen there on the table.
Guests are arriving shortly. This household must tend to the festivities, and we will leave for now.
Happy Winterfest!
Related:
Touring House of Saxor - 1 Torendi Tower Penthouse
House of Saxor
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