Once again, the two men and women who stole everyone’s attention walked into the center of the banquet hall.
Broad shoulders, thick eyebrows and a likable face.
The man with playful eyes made women’s hearts flutter.
In particular, both black costumes and masks reminiscent of bats are impressive.
The woman who walked in was also wearing a revealing outfit that revealed her entire side and waist, in stark contrast to the other women who were reduced to a corset and then covered in a dress.
daring exposure. The ecstatic line focused the men.
“Smile, Isabella. Isn’t this an opportunity to flatten the noses of the central aristocrats who look down on them as periphery?”
“I think my nose is about to flatten.”
Isabella managed to calm the twitching muscles in her face.
This was the one I picked by visiting dressmakers and tailors in the capital. It was a costume that could not be easily digested, so the remaining clothes were remade and worn.
‘lie. They’re covering everything!’
They were persuaded that this was the average party attire in the capital city.
―These days, all the ladies in the center are exposed to this extent. If you try to cover it up too much, you will be ridiculed, saying that you are a villager from the outskirts.
Isabella glared at her brother who had come with her with resentful eyes.
Looking around the hall, I felt like I had been scammed.
Almost all the women were wearing dresses with long hems. It seems the trend is to tighten the body with a corset so that the waist and chest stand out.
On the other hand, Isabella’s dress has a short hem.
It’s not spread out, it’s more like a clinging skirt.
Thanks to the sunken part, it was originally a garment that could not be worn if the body was not in good shape.
If it hadn’t been for the masquerade, I would have died of embarrassment.
‘Has Her Highness not arrived yet?’
Isabella glanced around and looked around.
His unique hair color and eyes cannot be covered with clothing.
You can’t help but know it when you see it, but no matter how much you search, there’s not even anyone who gives you a similar feeling.
“By the way, all of them are beautiful. Seeing that it shines even when the face is covered, this is definitely different from the periphery.”
“Brother Izar. You shouldn’t buy it.”
Izar was Isabella’s older brother.
As the next heir to take charge of the family, he is competent in many ways and has a good relationship with the people of the province, but the only difference is that he likes women too much.
“Princess Carnell is also beautiful. good night. It would be a disgrace to the family to remain silent in a place like this.”
“Brother? no way?”
“Don’t go.”
As if Izar was excited, he flew to Princess Carnell like a bee attracted to a flower.
As if Princess Carnell didn’t hate it, the conversation quickly blossomed.
Left alone, Isabella felt dizzy for a moment.
I just hoped that Izar would not have an accident. No matter how crazy he was about women, he believed that he would be able to discern that much against the princess.
“Lady, you look lonely.”
“I want to share a sincere story over a drink…”
As soon as Izar moved away from the side, the men were twisted.
Isabella sighed.
Those who were invited by the princess were all people who were on the same page. However, the meaning of xie jiao did not change just because it was a place where status was guaranteed.
On the contrary, since their status was guaranteed, there were cases in which they were more active.
whether male or female.
“Thank you for the recommendation, but it’s okay. I want to be alone.”
It was wrapped in the best way possible.
Isabella continued to be pursued by men after that. In the midst of contemplating whether the clothes were wrong or whether I should change them right now.
Took.
The band’s song suddenly stopped.
The lights that brightened the banquet hall were flickering one by one.
“A sudden change of mood?”
“Oh oh!”
The nobility, who thought it was an event prepared in advance by the imperial family, shouted cheers.
Boo Woo.
One of the musicians blew a trumpet, and soon a magnificent song flowed out.
“A march at a social party, that’s different.”
“Who makes a song like this?”
Besides, he was a marcher.
marching at a party It’s an idea that you can’t do unless you want to kill the atmosphere.
The nobles praised it for being unusual and different, but Princess Carnell’s eyes trembled incessantly.
‘It’s not a song I prepared.’
It consists of only the songs you like.
There was no marching song like that. I swear to Heaven that I have never asked for such a spleen, song that could only be played on a battlefield.
There was no way the music troupe would dare to go against the princess’s request.
Free time until noon. Emperor Deus was also scheduled to take his place later.
So these changes were unusual.
Unless an existence higher than the princess and more terrifying did not intervene.
oh
For a moment, it felt like I had been hit in the head with a hammer.
‘Reinhardt…!’
Except for the emperor, there was only one.
Who should they fear more than themselves in the palace?
Crown Prince, Reinhardt.
However, only two men and women with invitations can enter.
So I thought I wouldn’t be able to attend for a while.
Even the songs and lights were illuminated in detail so that even if you attend, you will not be able to adapt to such a bright atmosphere.
just changed it
fit yourself.
I looked at the entrance of the banquet hall, praying that it wasn’t.
“What, what?”
“Your Highness Crown Prince Reinhardt?”
“What type of suit is that?”
“Dark elf…?!”
The gaze was focused.
It had to be.
Even so, Reinhardt’s appearance was bound to stand out.
Black hair and black eyes are colors never seen in the imperial family.
Moreover, its unique atmosphere was something that no one could imitate.
Even if she was wearing a mask, it would stand out just like her.
‘Because you’re such a crazy attention-seeker!’
It still stands out, but the appearance song wasn’t enough, so even the clothes stood out.
Clothing that was clearly differentiated from other nobles.
Most aristocratic men wore similar clothes.
Mostly, a cotton, wide-sleeved coat was worn over a doublet or shirt.
As for the bottom, it was common to wear boots with baggy trousers reminiscent of pumpkins.
On top of it, jeweled buttons were arranged to show off their wealth. Wearing a necklace laden with precious jewels was part of the display.
There were nobles in uniform, but the design was the same, just a difference in color.
However, the clothes worn by Crown Prince Reinhardt were different.
A black suit over a shirt. The chest of the suit was folded along the line, and it was long enough to reach the knees.
The bottoms were also long enough to reach the black tube’s ankles. It wasn’t flashy, but it held the knee line, so it had a simple yet clean look.
On top of that, he put on a black cloak again, and the black fur on his shoulders set the mood, as if he was alone in another world.
It was the first time even Princess Carnell had seen such style of clothing.
‘It’s cleaner than I thought…?’
There are no piles of jewels, no necklaces.
I didn’t add something more for show off, so I was noticed by people.
If anyone else had dressed like that, they would have laughed at me.
You must have clicked your tongue, asking what is so cool about clothes that are not as flashy as your fingernails.
However, the opponent was the crown prince. An existence that could never be laughed at appeared wearing clothes of a completely different style from that of ordinary aristocrats.
Is it only
‘A dark elf?’
A woman who appeared next to Reinhardt wearing a silver dress like a mermaid.
The pointy ears and skin were clearly Dark Elves.
The Dark Elf on the verge of extinction appeared wearing a dress that clung to the body with something like silver scales.
The already mysterious race wears a dress that exudes a more mysterious atmosphere, and it exudes magic that makes it impossible to take your eyes off it.
Princess Carnell gnashed her teeth.
It was because the moment he appeared, he realized that the main character had changed.
It was not his own coming-of-age ceremony, but it really became Reinhardt’s debut ceremony.
Even though he was wearing a normal mask, there was no one who didn’t know that he was Reinhardt.
In the end, Princess Carnell had no choice but to move on.
“You are definitely present, Your Highness Reinhardt.”
“It’s going to be a masquerade, shouldn’t I reveal my identity?”
The guy who even changed the song was shameless.
Princess Carnell turned her head.
“But who are you? I’ve never sent an invitation to a dark elf.”
Among the aristocratic families that received the invitation, none had a dark elf female.
Of course, I couldn’t help but be suspicious.
Even if there was, would he want to pair up with Reinhardt?
“Certainly, you didn’t bring a slave because you wanted to attend the banquet, right?”
So, if it exists, it will be a slave.
The law of the empire forbade slaves, but the nobles were unknowingly enslaving them.
If it is a Dark Elf, it is the highest class among them.
To the extent that aristocrats who wanted to live even for the price of a castle lined up.
In violation of the law, he brought slaves by transforming them into noble ladies.
He must have thought that no one would read a book about him, but Princess Carnell couldn’t stand it.
If true, the prince’s authority would fall to the bottom.
The crazy prince was going to be pointed with fingers for really going crazy.
“Why no answer? Did you hit the point?”
clap clap clap!
It was then.
Someone broke the silence and clapped their hands.
“hahahaha. Arell, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Hearing that voice, Princess Carnell stiffened.
‘Pe, Grand Duke Persephone?’
This distinctive tickling voice was clearly Archduke Persephone.
Of all nobles, the one she feared the most.
He wore a hat that covered his ears and a mask that covered his entire face, so he could not be recognized.
Eventually, Grand Duke Persephone took off his mask and introduced himself to the princess.
“The introduction is late. This is the child I adopted a long time ago, Princess.”
“…”
It was dizzy.
It seems that my eyes are spinning around.
What are you talking about?
I hadn’t heard that Prince Persephone had children.
So, is that a foster daughter?
Even if the adopted daughter was adopted by the grand duke, she was a noble.
However, since I made a fortune on ‘slave’…
‘ruined.’
Princess Carnell’s facial muscles began to tremble nonstop.
Archduke Persephone is also famous for using honorifics with any nobleman.
However, it is a big deal if you mistake it for ‘establishing authority’.
On the contrary, by showing respect, you do not reveal your feelings to the other person.
If you mistake it for your authority and be rude, tomorrow will be gone.
But when I thought about it, Archduke Persephone was also a Dark Elf.
What he said now was no different from saying ‘All Dark Elves are slaves’.
“The adopted daughter of Grand Duke Persephone?”
“Why did His Highness Reinhardt bring that adopted daughter?”
Even the nobles panicked.
Prince Reinhardt brought the adopted daughter of Archduke Persephone as a mate.
What does this mean?
‘Did the two hold hands?’
‘Is Grand Duke Persephone on the side of the crown prince?’
‘Wasn’t Archduke Persephone neutral?’
‘Then what will happen to the succession plan?’
The nobles’ heads started to get dizzy.
The giant who declared neutrality was now with Reinhardt.
The presence of the prince, whom everyone regarded as a discarded card, grew at once.
“I’m sorry, Archduke. It seems I was mistaken.”
In the end, Princess Carnell lowered her tail.
It was a coming of age ceremony and I realized that today could be the last day of my life.
Her remarks were enough to offend Grand Duke Persephone, and if he had a bad heart, the imperial family had no choice but to expel the princess.
‘I can never do that!’
I would rather be destined to be sold to a remote place to the point where I thought I was happy to marry the toad-like prince of Catullu Kingdom.
“No, Princess. More than that, I’m sorry I ruined the masquerade.”
The masquerade is based on the premise of secrecy.
But Archduke Persephone took off his mask.
“Fine. Don’t be okay.”
Princess Carnell was desperate.
But bowing down to him was not the end of the matter.
You have to go back to square one. To do that.
“… Your Highness Reinhardt, it looks like I’ve been blind for a while. Come to think of it, I think I sent out the right invitation.”
Reinhardt also had to bow his head.
To the young lady next door.
There was no humiliation like this.
In a place where they gathered to congratulate themselves on becoming an adult, they were praying for something wrong!
“If you have bad eyesight, wear glasses, princess.”
“Yes······.”
I never thought that the day would come when I would live and see Reinhardt’s notice.
Eventually, Reinhardt looked away.
“Grand Duke, would you like a drink?”
“Okay, Your Highness.”
Left alone in an instant, Princess Carnell only trembled.
*
It’s strange, but it reminded me of the time when I cursed at Malfiel.
It seems like it was only yesterday when people cursed at me for being a crazy interest-seeker, but now I’m standing there.
However, it doesn’t feel bad.
The seat is what you make it.
If you want someone to make it, you have no choice but to stay in place forever.
“I was surprised. I really thought you would bring Arel.”
Sharing a drink, Grand Duke Persephone said.
I gave it as a gift, but I never imagined that I would bring it in pairs.
I never thought that Arel, who had only worn armor all her life, would wear a dress.
‘How did you deal with the stubborn guy?’
Arel had a single-minded stubbornness.
Even given it as a gift, I didn’t think it would be easy to handle.
However, in just a few days, he made a guy who seemed like a rough horse compliant.
“A grand duke’s adopted daughter is more valuable than other noble ladies. What is there to be surprised about?”
“… isn’t it a dark elf?”
My mouth was dry while I was talking.
Dark elves are not human.
The humans who became the masters of the continent treated the Dark Elves like slaves.
The Dark Elves had no choice but to hide in more remote places in order to survive.
Archduke Persephone appeared in human society to change that perception.
However, even though 200 years have passed since the Grand Duke took power, the perception of human society has not changed much.
‘After the war, Grand Duke Persephone tried to become independent.’
Even now, the territory of the Grand Duke of Persephone is treated similarly to the principality, but being completely independent is a completely different story.
Raising the hidden Dark Elf Legion, Archduke Persephone admitted to the world that he had taken a completely different line from the Empire.
You asked for independence, and in return you offered me to get rid of Malfiel.
As a result, though that was the fundamental reason for his demise.
Thanks to that, my death was delayed for a long time, so from my point of view, it is like a benefactor.
One of the most intense exchanges with Malfiel was Prince Persephone.
‘I heard that he drove her to the point of being killed once.’
The archduke’s hidden power was great enough to put Malfiel in danger.
Of course, he was fully aware of the reason why he wanted to be independent.
“Even the same person has a different skin color and a different appearance. But the reason they are called ‘humans’ is because they can think and talk the same way. What’s different about being a dark elf?”
“It is a dangerous accident. If you have such thoughts, you will never be crowned emperor.”
Archduke Persephone advised.
Dark elves are also human.
Reinhardt was saying that.
No emperor in the thousand-year history of the Empire defined Dark Elves as human.
It was the same with the Empress 200 years ago.
It is because they are concerned about the repercussions that will occur in human society.
It was obvious that the majority of nobles would oppose it, and it was an obvious idea that everyone on the continent would point fingers at.
He could have been stripped of his position just for having such an idea.
“What good is an emperor if you can’t even think on your own? I have a lot of worries.”
I can definitely understand why he was called the mad prince.
The mindset itself is different.
However, even this could have been empty words in front of him.
Because you are a Dark Elf.
It must be a match. I have been through many such cases.
“Can I dance for a while?”
“Who are you talking to?”
“Of course it’s Arel. Since we’re here together, shouldn’t we dance at least?”
“…!”
It was a different level of weight to simply bring them into the hall and to dance together for the first time in a socialite debut.
Slowly, he reached out his hand toward Arel.
Arel’s eyes shook again as they held hands.
It’s a natural reaction since I’ve never danced before.
“You just have to surrender to me. Don’t worry, I won’t do a difficult dance.”
I slowly led Arel to the center of the banquet hall.
I danced until I got tired of it in the past. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the end of the dance that is seen at social events.
I led Arel to the sound of the music, stepping step by step.
“Focus on your breathing. It would be easy if you think of it as sword dance.”
Arell nodded.
One, two, nobles moved out of the way, creating a round circle.
‘Is the crown prince dancing?’
‘Isn’t that a waltz? But it doesn’t seem like an ordinary waltz…’
The nobles’ eyes widened.
After the heavy march, a bright song came out.
We are dancing a waltz to that song. A dance that is difficult even for experts to dance to the tune of the song. He was even leading his opponent by making slight variations.
At this point, I couldn’t help but wonder.
‘Didn’t the prince say he was crazy?’
‘Wherever you look at that, you’re a crazy prince.’
‘It’s cool.’
It was nice to see a man.
It is not easy to have the spirit of not being awkward with differences, but rather confidently going out.
It went well with the outfit, and it was like looking at a picture.
And it was the same with Isabella.
‘······ It suits you well.’
*
After the afterglow of the storm passed, the banquet hall regained its vigor.
Arel sat down, holding on to his trembling legs. If you are a beginner, this is great.
After giving a short compliment, I looked away.
From the moment I entered the banquet hall, there was one person who caught my attention.
Zero’s administrator authority was upgraded to level 4, and everyone’s scan became possible.
But the most helpful among them was the level.
By quantifying the degree of powerlessness, it was possible to distinguish between strength and weakness to some extent.
The same numbers floated above the heads of everyone gathered here at the banquet hall.
【Lv. 115]
and one of them.
Above the head of the person who was quietly tilting his glass, he saw a whopping three-digit number appearing.
At the same time, our eyes met.
He averted his eyes, but I read clear ‘hostility’ in his gaze at me.
‘Mercenary King Karbal.’
I recognized who he was at once.
Coincidentally, the mercenary king Karbal, whose name was similar to the princess’s, was the same person.
―There is no one in this world whom I cannot kill.
The strongest mercenary hired by Archduke Carlos.
He was a rare mercenary and assassin who insisted on being undefeated in a fight to the death and boasted a 99% success rate even in simple assassination missions.
I also saw him using a sword many times, so I had no doubts about his skill.
So I was curious.
Why did he show hostility to me?
He needed to find out how he had come to this place and whether he was still working under Archduke Carlos.
I slowly approached him.
Of course, the above reasons are not all.
Most importantly,
It was because he was the most likely candidate to assassinate the emperor in the past.
＜ The Princess’ Coming-of-age Ceremony (4) ＞ End