A Royal Courier arrived at seven in the morning.
A thin man in a powdered wig stood at the front door. He wore a miserable, humorless expression and held up a golden envelope sealed in red wax.
"For Team Soup," he said, acting very proper. "A formal invitation from the House of Oscar."
Holden took the envelope. The courier bowed stiffly and left without another word.
Inside the villa, everyone gathered around the table as Holden broke the seal.
"Tonight," he read aloud. "The Royal Family extends its warmest welcome to all visiting academy teams at a formal gala in the Grand Ballroom of the Crown Embassy. Formal attire required. Attendance is strongly encouraged."
He set the card down.
