From a melon carved in the shape of a castle, mango sorbet in a diamond-studded glass, to a roll cake decorated with snow-white whipped cream and edible gold leaves.
When the last dessert plate of the special dinner was brought to the table. Emperor Neuschwan was the first to get up from his seat as if he had waited and spoke politely.
“Tonight, the words of the Empress are this Emperor’s words, so I hope you have a good time. I’ll be watching through the video sphere.”
Does it mean that he will not interfere at all because it is an event organized by the Empress? Or is he determined not to intervene in the fierce battle but to only watch from behind?
On the outside, he was a kind Emperor, so Luciel was curious about his inside thoughts.
‘I don’t think the Emperor impartially favors any child…….’
Having said so, the Emperor disappeared from the hall.
Was it because the Emperor’s words were a signal? This time, the conversation of the wives, who would have been a real influence in the social circles, began.
“What surprises have you prepared this time, Countess Serian? Judging by your attire, are you going to perform a Kango dance this time too?”
Marquise Garsol, who looked more like the Marquis daughter because of a twenty-year age difference between the couple, smiled at Lariet. She was sarcastically pointing out she had prepared a frivolous dance only lowly dancers would do.
Lariet confessed to Soliaphe that Marquise Garsol often spoke ill of her.
“I think the Marquise also likes Kango seeing as you keep looking my way. By the way, I heard you went to an auction house that you don’t usually go to. Did you find anything good? Ah…… I’ve heard the Marquis is very frugal about spending.”
Her husband, Count Serian, who sat next to her, had been recently doing well in business, earning twice the income of the Garsol estate. As Lariet smiled broadly, the surroundings became even brighter.
Marquis Garsol turned red, and the Marquise couldn’t control her expression lowered her tail, shaking her hands.
“Well, I was there to see. Hm-mm. I’m looking forward to seeing what amazing things these two Dukes will show us.”
Garsol was a representative figure of the ministers on the side of Prince Reynold.
The fact that Garsol, who has never attended a literature salon or tried to look good to the Empress until now, was sneaking around here, could mean he was in a hurry……
Hearing the words of the Marquis, Soliaphe answered with a relaxed smile.
“Our family has only come to understand the deep meaning of Her Majesty, and to enjoy the romance of literature.”
“The level of culture in Bellstein is really high. I’m looking forward to it.”
At Reynold arrogant remarks, Louivid responded with ease.
“I thought it would be better for the Prince to manage his stamina. Didn’t you stay inside your quarters the whole time you were in Bellstein? It’s because you are so weak…… I was worried.”
The Empress and the rest of the nobles also paid attention to Prince Reynold.
“Prince, is that true? Oh, no. I need to call the doctor right now….”
“No, I’m not sick.”
“By the way, what classes are you taking these days? This mother didn’t even care.”
Empress Isabelle used honorifics to the Prince, because he was not a child born from her womb. Reynold’s answer to the Empress’s question was given while concealing his rage.
“…I’m taking a break from my lessons.”
Marquis Garsol coldly answered.
“The Crown Prince’s new teachers are being chosen from competent ones. Since the prince has been educated for a long time, including studying abroad, taking a short break will not ruin his skills. Don’t worry, Your Majesty.”
“Well, yes. I will wait for good results.”
Reynold’s expression grew colder because it meant that in the future she would later get involved in his schedules or classes.
‘If this happens, I will not be able to spend time freely.’
After listening to the pretentious conversation, Luciel took a big bite of the sorbet.
The air was gradually different from before. The relaxed atmosphere was pulled tight by the tension that slightly warped each other.
It was not a strange atmosphere for someone to start a fight right away……. The mother of the Empress who was silent until them and the godmother of the Hills family, who was the Empress Aunt, shared their candid feelings.
“I don’t want this gathering to be colored by different intentions. I just want to talk about literature.”
“I hope so too.”
The Empress answered with a smile, but it seemed that only her godmother’s intentions were like so. Because Empress Isabelle was already thinking of gathering Claudia’s backbone.
“I’ll see you at the meeting place after dinner.”
The Empress smiled generously and the dinner came to an end. Luciel watched Reynolds move in a hurry.
‘……What was the reason Reynold had been hunting and playing all this time? As if waiting for something.’
Anyway, it seemed that this was the real beginning, as the Duke had said. In the end, Baluk and Penelope did not arrive.
As Luciel left the dinner with her family and passed the corridor, someone secretly followed Luciel. It was Claudia.
“Princess, do you have a moment?”
“Let’s to the Bellstein family parlor and talk.”
Whispering, Luciel took Claudia’s hand. On the way, dozens of Imperial Guards were lined up in white uniforms.
‘Jewel Slave Girl……At least your face is pretty.’
The knights and mages under the direct control of the Prince would often rudely talk down to her. As the memories of the past ran through Luciel’s head again she had a negative mood and her steps wearing cute enamel shoes slowed down.
Claudia, who had a blushing face while looking at the side where the guards were, asked Luciel.
“……Luciel?”
“What’s the matter?”
With a refreshing look, Kizef also approached Luciel. The Duke and Soliaphe, who were at the forefront, also stopped walking.
Soon, a young man at the forefront of the Imperial Guards began to approach.
‘W-what’s going on?’
A red cloak, representing the Imperial Guard, flew over the shiny armor.
“I have been appointed as the Leader of the Imperial Guard’s escorting the Duke of Bellstein, I’m Euris von Lanbert. I’ll take care of you while you’re here.”
“……Euris?!”
When he took off his helmet, the young man’s neat features were revealed. His sharp blue eyes and dark purple hair gave a solid impression, he looked blunt without any distractions.
Putting aside a smirk that came out, Euris politely finished his greeting.
“Please, call me Sir Lanbert.”
“I’m surprised”
“Brother-in-law……Long time no see.”
“Yes.”
He lightly finished greeting the Duke and his wife. He was Soliaphe’s younger brother and the only member of Marquis Lanbert’s lineage to serve in the Imperial Household.
Surprised by the sudden approach of the guards, Luciel rubbed her small chest thinking it was a fortunate outcome.
“Why is the Princess here without an escort? ….I will dispatch an escort knight right away.”
“Come on, just pretend you don’t know. Sir Lanbert can escort me back after a while.”
“What’s the reason for so?”
“Oh, well, I’m here just to see a friend.”
‘Somehow, Princess Claudia, I don’t think she can make eye contact with Sir Lanbert…….’
While Luciel was smiling slightly, Euris’s eyes widened and he asked.
“Sister Soliaphe, did you have other children without me knowing?”
“……What?”
“……She is our child, but there is a slight misunderstanding.”
Louivid patted Luciel’s head in reply, and Kizef soon cleared up the misunderstanding.
“Luciel is my wife.”
“I heard the news, but I didn’t know she was this young.”
Euris’s gaze softened, and for a moment, he gently petted Luciel and nodded to greet her.
“Hello, my name is Luciel.”
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you.”
She seemed to no longer be afraid of the guards donning the Imperial Palace’s armor. As they were walking back after saying their greetings, Kizef looked at Luciel and said strange things.
“……Luciel, you know what? It is said that there is a thing called ‘imprinting’ among ancient spirit magic.……Shall we learn it?”
“Why?”
“People keep asking, don’t they? You have to answer them one by one, I also have to take care of other guys.”
“……Imprinting? What happens then?”
“We became each other’s eternal companion.”
“…….”
Kizef said it with a small smile, but for some reason, it didn’t sound like a joke. Luciel was silent, not knowing what to say.
Claudia was making fun of Luciel with her blushing face and said in a whispering voice that Prince Bellstein would become more fierce in the future.
* * *
Reynold, who had left the banquet hall, was also escorted by the knights and headed for the garden, where he often met Palos.
Palos held out what he wanted to say in front of Reynold, who was not in a good mood.
“I have good news for the Prince. It is said that some of the pharmacist test takers are developing a mana supplement.”
“A mana supplement? It really has to be effective. We don’t need scammers or fakes.”
In response to Reynold’s words, Palos moistened his dry lips with his tongue.
“They haven’t passed the final practical test yet, so I need to check more, but I think it’s certain information because it leaked from the internal inspector of the practical test. But he never revealed who it was.”
“Make sure that, however they were, developed a drug that is definitely effective, and bring it to me.”
“Yes, another piece of inside information says that the son of Viscount Lenkins, a famous pharmacist, also took the exam. There’s a 90 percent chance it’s him.”
Since he had not yet received the throne, he could not appoint the pharmacist in charge, but he was a talented person who he had to keep nearby.
To use that sword, which was said to consume as much mana as a mage would use while casting spells, there was a need for him to strengthen his weak mana.
There was also a way through training, but his body, which contains mana, was born with a particularly weak nature.
‘Damn it..….’
“About the matter of choosing teachers. Marquis Garsol is too meticulous in his work and that takes a long time. Uncle, please bring anyone. The Empress is now trying to become a mother. Do something.”
“……I will look for it, my lord.”
“I just want to rest, so tell them that I can’t go to the salon.”
“You look pale, so that would be excuse enough.”
It was then. As Palos felt the energy, a thick fog spread around him. An exotic red carriage stopped nearby and the door opened. A pretty girl with red hair in a green satin dress came down. The child boldly smiled at the prince and lit up her eyes.
Red lips protruded like a doll, not matching her youthful face.
“Greetings, to His Highness, the star of the empire.”
“Who are you?”
“My name is Penelope. Would you like to ride the carriage, Your Highness?”
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“……Is it a new servant?”
As Reynolds saw Penelope, he mumbled while getting into the carriage. It vanished in an instant, like a lie, inside the haze mist.
The prince’s aide, Palos, hurried past as if he had never seen anything and only Penelope sat on a rock for a moment, smiling.
“I’m finally here.”
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