Day one would be the gathering of Lords and would be where Lords, governors, military commanders, and high-ranking officials from across the Imperial Union would arrive in procession, each greeted by heralds bearing their house colors. Despite how weak their current political power was in the Imperial Union; it was nice to give them some sort of illusion that they were all powerful to make them ignorant of their actual reality.
The first banquet would be an evening of introduction and informal discussion, allowing Westeros lords to mingle with their Essos counterparts and the old nobility of the Imperial heartlands.
Musicians from Qarth, acrobats from Volantis, and fire-dancers from Lys would perform, symbolizing the cultural diversity under the Imperial Union's rule. After this, Maximus would deliver a welcoming speech, highlighting the victory in YiTi, the pacification of Westeros, the great battle against the God R'hllor and his forces, and the unity that made such feats possible.
Day two involved the Honors of the Realm where awards and titles would be officially granted. Commanders from the battle of Yin would be recognized with golden laurel crowns and ceremonial swords.
The new Westerosi Viceroys would be publicly sworn in before the gathered nobility, making clear that loyalty to the Emperor was now the supreme bond. Following that would be the afternoon games which would consist of a tournament for the Knights, duels of honor between champions, and controlled exhibitions of magic by members of the Witch Tower and other magic academies in Heaven's Reach.
Following that there would be the evening feast which would take place in the Grand Hall where a massive table that stretched the length of the hall was located. On the table would be delicacies from every corner of the Empire, Dorn's spiced wines, the Imperial capital's roast phoenix bird, YiTi's duck, and Summer Island fruit wines. Entertainment would include bardic epics of recent victories, a theatrical reenactment of the battle of Yin, and a shadow play commissioned to tell the story of Westeros's "liberation."
Day three was called the Pact of the Union. In the morning would be a council behind closed doors where Maximus would meet with the new Viceroys and other nobles and generals to finalize trade agreements between the various territories, military commitments, and garrison deployments. Following this would be the public oath-taking where representatives of each realm would pledge allegiance in the face of the public, placing hands on the Imperial Standard before the population of Heaven's Reach.
Once midday rolled around, a parade consisting of the most decorated Imperial legions would march through the streets of Myr in full regalia, showing the combined military strength of the Imperial Union.
At night there would be the final event, a closing banquet with some entertainment such as a flight of wyverns over the palace at sunset, a display of fireworks, and more dances. The banquet would end with some final words from Maximus and then the Lords and Ladies would return to their castles and cities to resume their duties.
While the people of Myr would see only splendor and celebration, the feast's true purpose was different. It was to cement the political legitimacy of the Union's new order, publicly award loyalty and military valor, and quietly assess the ambitions, alliances, and potential threats among the lords now gathered in one place.
———
As the day arrived, the golden gates of Myr's Sapphire Palace opened wide, revealing a massive avenue dressed in banners, lanterns, and floating sigils of the Imperial Union. The air was filled with the chiming of bells and the music of flutes and drums. Each house and territory arrived in their most lavish clothing along the Avenue of the entrance.
From his viewing platform above the plaza, Maximus watched in silence, flanked by Merlin, Lyra, and a cadre of Imperial Guards dressed in ceremonial armor. Behind him, scribes quietly recorded each name and House as they entered.
Below, the lords began to arrive as the airships dropped them off at one of the designated landing zones.
First came Robb Stark, clad in his black furs despite the warm Myrish air. Beside him walked his wife, Jeyne Stark, and behind them, a retinue of Norther bannerman dressed in wolf-gray tabards. The crowd was filled with murmurs as they passed, not out of hostility, but wonder. The Wolf of the North, once King in the North, now a loyal vassal of the Imperial Union.
"Stark's face looks a little but older now," murmured Lyra. "Looks like he will fit into his new role well."
"He still has a long way to go and a lot of headaches to deal with, but I can see him becoming among one of the best Lords of Winterfell." Maximus replied. "But he will be tested with this new era of peace that has been ushered in."
Next came Doran Martell, walking in ceremonial Dornish clothing alongside his brother, Oberyn, and his wife Lady Mellario. Beside him, he was escorted in by his daughter Arianne, one of the Queens of the Imperial Union. She looked up at Maximus and gave him lustful smile as they continued their walk into the palace. Behind her rode a cadre of Imperial and Dornish Knights.
Merlin leaned in toward Maximus. "That sly devil. Her mind is probably on what will happen during the night."
"Of course she is," replied Maximus. While the feast and other entertainment would be nice, nothing would compare to what happened in the night when everybody retired to their rooms. For him it would be an eventful night, for others… he didn't know nor care.
Next, the Lord of the Vale, Lord Rodrick walked in accompanied by the Knights of the Vale. Behind him was the young boy, Lord Robin Arryn, now barely into manhood, followed closely by a guardian, a knight whose face remained hidden behind his visor. Maximus knew who this person was, as he was somebody that he personally sent to educate the young boy.
Stopping his horse, Rodrick looked up at Maximus standing on the balcony. "Your Excellency," he said aloud, "The Knights of the Vale stand ready."
Maximus nodded, "Then let the festivities commence." Cheers followed, and Rodrick passed into the inner courtyard.
After them came the Reach. Lord Mace Tyrell wore his regal Reach clothing, embroidered with green roses and golden sheaves. He waved to the crowd, while behind him walked his sons and daughter Margaery who was an unofficial fling for Maximus.
"They'll spend half the feast trying to outdrink the Dornish," Lyra said.
"And the other half trying to outwit the Imperials," added Merlin.
Maximus didn't answer them, instead his eyes were fixed on the next group: House Tully. Edmure Tully walked stiffly, not quite comfortable in his silver-and-blue ceremonial armor. His wife followed, and with them were two grown sons who had never fought in any battle but had the proud carriage of men who thought they'd earned everything simply by surviving.
Following them were the long lines of nobility from Norvos, Lys, Tyrosh, and Volantis — men with painted faces and women in veils made of coin-chains. Among them were also the up-and-coming nobles houses who were granted their status through their service to the Imperial Union.
Last came the Imperial Lords, veteran generals and bureaucrats from the core of the Imperial Union. They bowed their heads upon seeing Maximus. Their eyes did not linger long as they were servants of the established system, not men of ambition. Their current lives were relatively good, and they didn't want to ruin it by wanting more.
Once the last lord had arrived, Maximus stepped forward to the edge of the platform. The entire courtyard was now filled with hundreds of banners from numerous noble families and other officials of the Imperial Union.
Maximus raised one hand causing the crowd to become silent.
"Tonight begins not merely a celebration," he declared, "But the beginning of a new tradition — one that unites all within the Imperial Union. You have all come far — from the North, from the east, from the desert wastes and the storm-blasted coasts. And yet, here you stand together under one banner."
"There will be wine, and war stories. There will be songs and secrets. But remember — this is not the end of conquest. It is the beginning of an enduring peace, forged not by paper, but by blood, oaths, and fire."
He lowered his hand.
"Let the feast begin."
The horns sounded, the gates opened into the Sapphire Palace and the great lords filed in, their voices rising as hundreds of them entered the hall.