53. Royal Banquet (2)
The Empire, Freyon, was arrogant.
The emblem of the Freyon Imperial Family was a golden lion.
They arrogantly believed they would be eternal rulers, as if they were devoted to their role.
“They probably thought they could do without the Tower and the Verdin Duchy because they believed war couldn’t break out.”
The lion never thought other beasts would dare to bite it.
At most, they thought it would be a pack of wildcats.
However, they came to realize how arrogant that misconception was during the reign of the previous Emperor.
“Are you talking about the failed assassination incident?”
“Yes.”
During the time when the former Emperor was the Emperor and the current Emperor was the Crown Prince.
At one summer banquet, the current Emperor had drunk poison.
Although he narrowly escaped death, as the Crown Prince, he had faced several crises.
Perhaps this was also a reason why the Emperor was hesitant to involve his son, Richard, in conflicts.
Wherever the Crown Prince visited, incidents occurred.
“It was revealed that all of that was the work of foreign assassin guilds.”
There were a total of five countries on the continent.
Of these, the Empire was only Freyon, while the rest consisted of two kingdoms and two duchies.
The two duchies were countries led by the royal bloodline under the Empire.
“The Empire engaged in conquest wars 200 years ago, before the Saint hid her traces. By now, it was ripe for discord to erupt on the continent again, but it seems they didn’t realize that.”
Originally, there were many more countries on the continent.
Freyon had conquered about seven of the twelve countries and received surrender declarations from two kingdoms.
Furthermore, two small countries were renamed duchies and allowed to govern together with two of the royal descendants who had participated in the conquest wars.
All countries had bowed their heads in fear, but 200 years had passed.
Moreover, those who had been suppressed were naturally inclined to resist and revolt easily.
“Even the increase in the number of monsters residing in the north began around that time.”
Of course, these were unrelated matters.
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The rise in monsters was due to priests increasing in number to prepare for the awakening of a new Saint.
The increase in priests and clergy, as a kind of backlash against the upcoming Saint, led to an increase in the number of monsters.
“It seems they felt the need for precautions. In case the number of monsters increases further or a war breaks out, the Tower and the Verdin Duchy will be essential.”
The Imperial Knights, including the Temple’s Holy Knights and the knights of the noble families of the Empire, were all excellent.
However, Swordmaster Owen and the 9th class wizard Kyle were unmatched by anyone.
Even if Owen were to be excluded, the Berdine Duke’s family had long been known for producing numerous knights and soldiers since the founding of the Empire.
And naturally, the Matop was no different.
Excluding them, who made up 90% of the Empire’s wizards, was unreasonable.
“It’s a kind of warning. If the same thing happens again, the Empire won’t just sit idly by.”
“That’s right.”
The outbreak of war was unwelcome for both the Berdine Duke and the Matop.
Due to various intertwined interests, the Berdine Duke and the Matop willingly attended the hunting competition in the north and the summer palace banquet.
In return, the palace seemed to have somewhat reduced the animosity it had shown so far.
“Excuse me.”
When the two were engrossed in conversation.
With the sound of a knock, accompanied by the voice of the usher.
“The time has come for you to enter, to be escorted.”
As the door of the waiting room opened, Lucia and Owen, who were sitting on the sofa, immediately got up.
“Shall we?”
As Owen extended his arm, Lucia smiled and placed her hand on his arm.
Perhaps because the banquet hall was not far away, the two soon reached a large door.
“The Berdine Duke and Lady Edelt are entering.”
The usher, who seemed to be in charge of the banquet’s proceedings, announced their entrance loudly.
Thanks to the sound amplification magic stone, his guidance filled the banquet hall.
Following that, the heavy door opened with a sound.
Along with the dazzling light pouring from the banquet hall’s lighting, dozens of gazes also met theirs.
‘…There are more people than I thought.’
Owen was once again surprised by the enormous size of the banquet hall and the number of people filling the large tables.
Upon the entrance of the two, the previously quiet hall soon became noisy.
It seemed to be because of the thoughts that arose upon seeing Lucia and Owen entering together.
“They must be engaged, right?”
“It’s not marriage, is it?”
“Look at their clothes. They combined black and red, so clearly…”
Predictable words began to flow.
There was nothing particularly surprising.
“Owen.”
As he walked, ignoring the murmurs and the focused gazes, a familiar voice reached him.
“There’s no assigned seating, right? Come this way.”
It was Kyle.
Turning to Lucia at his words, Owen saw her nodding.
“It’s fine.”
With her nod of reassurance, he continued walking.
Thus, the two joined Kyle at the table where he was sitting alone.
“Nice to see you again.”
“Likewise.”
As Kyle awkwardly greeted, Lucia smiled and replied.
With a somewhat forced smile, Kyle turned to Owen and spoke again.
“Weren’t we supposed to enter according to our rank at the banquet?”
“Right.”
“But why did I come in right before you?”
“It must be the Emperor’s wish.”
Owen, who was about to simply say ‘Emperor,’ hastily added the honorific.
Even in a banquet hall filled with nobles, one could not afford to be rude and disregard etiquette.
“Is that so?”
“Most likely. Probably wanted to show respect.”
“…Probably just that. I’d do the same on any regular day.”
As Kyle muttered discontentedly, Owen let out a small laugh.
He too agreed with that sentiment.
“But, are you two engaged?”
After muttering to himself, Kyle brought up the question.
“Everyone’s talking about it now.”
In response to Kyle’s question, Owen glanced at Lucia.
Lucia lightly held Owen’s hand and answered.
“After the party ended. Did it feel too fast?”
In the noble world, things didn’t happen so quickly.
Instead, the prevalent thought in the noble world was that one should get engaged right after starting a relationship.
Because love marriages were rare among the nobles.
However, it was different for commoners.
For them, there was no concept of engagement, and they often dated for several years before getting married.
Unlike the nobles, divorce was quite easy for commoners.
Marriage was considered a significant matter, and commoners believed that it couldn’t be decided in a short time.
“From my perspective, that’s true…, but it’s not my business. There’s no reason for me to interfere in what the two have decided.”
“…Is that so?”
From Lucia’s perspective, it was a viewpoint she hadn’t heard before.
Nobles liked to meddle in others’ affairs.
For them, marrying for the benefit of the family was crucial.
Those people couldn’t marry without considering gains and losses, without thinking about the family.
In such an environment, the perspective of someone who only considered the opinions of the parties involved was unfamiliar and new.
“Yes. I just… had a feeling it would turn out this way. Owen seemed to like Lady Anne a lot.”
“Oh.”
Lucia sighed softly, and Owen, looking embarrassed, lowered his gaze to the table.
His ears were turning red.
“Look at that. He can’t keep his cool with just a few words.”
“Well, they say it’s first love. Maybe that’s why.”
“Is that so? Well, he did seem quite clumsy.”
As Kyle and Lucia teased him together, Owen couldn’t even retort.
He tried to say something, parted his lips to speak, but ended up just hesitating.
“Did you hear earlier? What he asked me for?”
“Kyle!”
Even as Owen seemed desperate to stop Kyle from mentioning the video incident, Kyle firmly held onto his wrist.
But Kyle seemed determined not to back down, flashing only a mischievous smile.
“Oh, look at this. He’s all embarrassed. He used to ask me for everything so smoothly.”
“That’s… well.”
“You have to tell her someday anyway. You can’t do things behind her back. It’s illegal except when submitting evidence in court.”
“I know.”
Lucia, watching the conversation between the two with interest, asked Kyle, “What did he ask for?”
“A video. He asked me to make one. He wants to capture Lady Anne on video. He said leaving it as a drawing wasn’t enough; he wanted to capture her actual appearance.”
Before Owen could stop him, Kyle blurted out the answer.
Having heard the whole answer, Lucia looked at Owen with surprised eyes.
“Did you think of that?”
“Yeah….”
His ears were even redder than before.
Seeing him answer so shyly, avoiding eye contact in embarrassment, Lucia let out a small chuckle.
“Shall I send a portrait drawing?”
She asked.
“Yeah.”
“Alright. Then send Owen’s too. No, maybe we should draw a new one together with you and me in it.”
“That sounds good.”
As the two continued their conversation, Kyle looked uneasy from across the table.
“Oh, Lady Anne…”
“Yes?”
“Nothing, it’s nothing. I thought both sides seemed quite determined.”
Though he was thinking of some sarcastic remarks in his head, Kyle didn’t voice them out.
Due to his lack of skill in turning words around, he ended up saying something similar.
“Aren’t you interested, Lord Topjoo?”
Lucia, after hearing Kyle’s words, lightly laughed and asked, “Love, not interested?”
“I don’t particularly have any thoughts on it, but…”
“Is that so? If you develop an interest, please feel free to contact me anytime. I know quite a few young ladies. If you don’t like nobility, I can introduce you to some maids or knights.”
“Yes….”
Kyle, who truly had no interest in love, merely rambled on without much substance.
As such, the conversation among the three continued until it seemed to have reached the end of the Duke of Edelt’s perspective.
The Duke of Edelt, the Duchess of Edelt, and even Louise were seated at one table.
“Ah… Isn’t she from the Lady’s family?”
“That’s right.”
Kyle asked, looking puzzled, but Lucia just casually replied.
Although Kyle had a questioning expression, she didn’t offer any further explanation.
And then…
“Her Ladyship is here to dine!”
A figure that could be considered the true protagonist of this banquet appeared.
As the door opened, once again, all eyes turned to one place.
A person in a pure white dress walked through the open door.
The elegantly crafted high heels and shimmering pearls scattered over the pristine white dress harmonized beautifully, reminiscent of Cinderella’s glass slipper.
Bella Taylor was truly the center of attention.
“Hello, everyone.”
Under the banquet hall’s lights, she smiled innocently and warmly.
“Lady Bella Taylor, at your service.”