Chapter 25. Taking care of the snowflakes to bloom. (7)
An imperial palace banquet hall filled with nobles.
Jang!
The sound of glasses clinking here and there,
“Hahaha, it seems like it’s been a long time since we’ve had such a grand victory ceremony.”
“It’s been quiet since the war of conquest. “I don’t think a place like this is bad.”
The sound of people talking about various things spread.
People formed groups centered on families that participated in the punitive expedition.
“I’ve often heard stories about the monsters that live in the north, but seeing them in person felt quite different.”
“The fur and leather are thicker than ordinary monsters. So it was difficult to deal with.”
The representatives who led the knights of each family told stories of their bravery with lively faces.
“But it was a really rewarding time. “I learned how we were able to enjoy peace during this time.”
“It was a time to think again about the knights who fight diligently on each border.”
Naturally, families that did not participate in the punitive force were marginalized. They tried hard to hide their envious expressions and tried to join the mainstream group.
It was a natural future that the families that participated in this subjugation war would have the upper hand in the power struggle between nobles.
And, at the center of the vortex of power struggle, there was a girl standing.
“Yum.”
It was Leah, wearing a dress and taking up the entire table.
Leah wore a dress that was blue at the bottom but became silver as it went up the upper body. It’s reminiscent of a mountain covered in white snow.
Wearing a dress has always been awkward. However, this one reminded me of where I used to live, and on rare occasions, I was able to wear it willingly.
“How do you know my body measurements?”
Leah muttered curiously, squeezing and unfolding the hem of her skirt.
The dress that Abel received from his father fit surprisingly well.
If you had even hugged her once, you would have known, but there was no way she could have knitted the clothes so accurately just by looking at her.
“Hmm, well. “Your father must have told you.”
Leah skimmed through it and turned her eyes to the rest of the plate.
“There’s nothing to eat.”
I was fooled by its fancy appearance and put various things in my mouth, but they were all bad. It was bland to Leah’s taste, who was accustomed to northern cuisine.
In the end, Leah couldn’t eat much and put down her plate. And he glanced sideways at his father over there, surrounded by people.
“Hmph, you think I’ll take it easy?”
I deliberately left my father behind and took refuge at the table pretending to eat. It was obvious that he would present himself to all kinds of nobles and look for a son-in-law.
“Hey, Miss Leah. I am… … .”
“Excuse me, if you don’t mind…” … .”
Some young young people tried to approach Leah, but
“What’s going on?”
As Leah held the fork and her eyes glowed coldly, she ran away.
It was not easy to deal with her, who was naturally expressionless and had become intimidating due to Aria’s influence.
Mikel glanced at Leah, but did not call her and just watched quietly.
‘What’s going on father? He could have called me a long time ago.’
Although Leah was puzzled, she enjoyed her free time alone.
It was then.
“I came, I came.”
“This is Prince Abel Kindreal… … .”
The sound of people whispering softly caught my ear. At the same time, I felt that the atmosphere in the banquet hall was a bit tense.
Leah looked for a place where people’s eyes were focused.
Tap, tap.
Point-toed shoes emitting a smooth shine were slowly coming down the stairs.
The legs stretched out above him were so long that even if I looked up for a long time, I couldn’t see the end of them.
Clothes that are tailored to fit the body are made of luxurious fabric that costs several gold pieces per piece.
There was nothing wasted about the accessories, such as the jewel cuffs at the end of the sleeves or the scarf neatly wrapped around the neck.
‘Abel… … ?’
The most dazzling thing, more than anything else on his body, were his eyes.
Eyes of rare color seemed to be relaxed and languid, but at the same time they captured the inside of the banquet hall with an unusual anticipation.
At this moment, Abel Kindreal had a more powerful presence than anyone else in the banquet hall.
“… … .”
Without the slightest exaggeration, the banquet hall became quiet for a moment. As if time stopped for an instant.
People stopped their conversations, lifted their glasses to their lips, and stared at Abel who had appeared.
“… … .”
Even at this moment when everyone’s attention was focused, Abel had a faint smile on his face like he always did.
Leah thought for a moment, wondering if she could see the smile disappear from his mouth.
Tap, tap.
The moment Abel started walking again, people started talking again as if they had been released from a spell.
And of course, most topics are:
“The new Prince Abel I haven’t seen has become even more handsome.”
“It’s very different from the rumors I’ve heard so far, isn’t it?”
“In this subjugation battle, the Knights of Ovest killed half of the monsters, and most of that was said to be the work of Prince Abel.”
It was about Abel who appeared here.
“… … .”
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Leah swallowed the drink she had in her mouth.
I felt a little strange.
Just a few days ago, she crossed swords with her and was the person they were bickering with. Just like a friend of the same age.
He seemed so distant now. A presence like the main character in a book.
Tap, tap.
Every time Abel took a step, the people parted like the ebb and flow to create a path.
Abel was walking leisurely as if he were taking a walk.
However, his steps were extremely restrained, like the movements of a wild beast, so people would stiffen without realizing it when he passed by.
The first place Abel walked was in front of Leah. Leah got a little nervous without realizing it,
“Do you have anything to eat?”
I relaxed again when I heard Abel’s usual voice.
“not really. There is nothing delicious. “The chefs in the imperial palace are not very skilled.”
“Don’t you think you have picky tastes?”
Abel chuckled, picked up a plate and handed it to Leah.
“Try this once.”
Leah hesitated for a moment, but soon put the tart that Abel held out to her mouth.
“… … “It’s worth eating.”
Certainly, I never lost anything by listening to Abel. Whether it’s food, clothing, or swordsmanship.
Leah ate her food a little faster. Abel, who was looking at Leah blankly, opened her mouth.
“Why did you say that earlier?”
“What story?”
“The story of the Black Knight before His Majesty the Emperor.”
“iced coffee.”
Leah swallowed the food she was eating and spoke.
“Because I want to meet you again.”
“… … .”
“When I meet you, I will first say thank you. and… … .”
Leah gently touched the hair tie neatly tied on her head.
“I want to ask in detail what this is.”
“If that’s not a hair tie, what is?”
“I think a little differently.”
Leah brought up a bit of the reasoning she had made.
“This is no ordinary hair tie. So, he must have left a message saying that he should definitely do it.”
“… … .”
“That black knight must know something. “And I also want to know his identity.”
Leah put the remaining piece of cake into her mouth.
“Your Majesty the Emperor has spoken, so you will hear news soon. “Maybe he is in the capital.”
At that moment, the corner of Abel’s mouth went up, but Leah, who was deep in thought while moving her chin, did not notice.
“… … Yes, I hope you find it.”
“I will find it, I’m sure.”
While the two were talking like that,
“Prince Abel.”
Derek Graham approached. With his father, Logan Graham, who looks just like him.
“hello.”
When Abel greeted him politely,
“Nice to meet you.”
Logan Graham held out his hand. Abel grabbed the hand without the slightest hesitation.
“I heard a lot from Derek. “My son owes me a lot, right?”
“… … father.”
Derek called him out as if he was embarrassed, but Logan didn’t care and just chuckled.
“Derek, this guy doesn’t really talk about other people, but he talked about Prince Abel so much that it felt like he was getting scabs on his ears.”
“I see.”
Abel responded with a faint smile. There was a clear fondness in Logan’s eyes as he looked at him.
“The Graham family never forgets to be gracious. “I also like to pay back double or triple.”
“What are you going to do if I order five times as much?”
Despite Abel’s provocative remarks, Logan only burst into laughter.
“Oh my, did I bring this up for no reason? “Am I going to get my marrow sucked out like this?”
“It was a joke. “I didn’t do this hoping for something in return.”
“I brought this up because I knew you would be like that.”
Logan tapped Abel on the shoulder a couple of times. And whispered in his ear.
“Whatever path you choose, the Graham family will follow.”
Abel rolled his eyes and grinned.
“I’ll remember it.”
In this way, other people came to Abel repeatedly.
“I want to hear the details of this subjugation battle. Wouldn’t the story that came out of Prince Abel’s mouth be different?”
“How have you been at Obest Territory? “I heard it was quite difficult.”
The nobles were very friendly to Abel and showed a lot of interest.
“If you are Prince Abel, don’t you get a lot of marriage talk?”
“The story is already going around among noble ladies. I know that nothing went into Lord Diego… … .”
Some noble ladies wanted to give him a favor or establish a relationship with him.
“Is there anything special? “I just did what I always did at the estate.”
Abel’s answer could have sounded arrogant, but it was not because of the cool attitude of the person who spoke it.
In particular, he has already proven his skills on his own. Therefore, his remarks were seen as grounded confidence, not bravado.
“As for self-talk, I don’t know. “I am not very kind to young ladies.”
Even with such sassy answers, the ladies burst out laughing, wondering what was so funny.
“With a face like that, there’s no need to be kind.”
“Women tend to be more irritated by that kind of attitude.”
Leah, who was watching, was just amazed.
This is a situation where no matter what Abel says, it is received favorably. And Abel is not embarrassed by any questions and responds leisurely.
He answered complex issues such as commerce and economy without hesitation, and had no doubts about combat or swordsmanship.
As the conversation progressed, Abel was suddenly taking the lead.
‘that’s interesting.’
Like Mikel, he is not even the lord of a territory, so how can he be that skilled?
Leah, who was watching the situation like that, realized that the banquet hall had been divided into two invisible groups.
It was a group of Mikel and Abel, and a group of Cain and Carlo over there.
‘I heard that Cain’s family is the most powerful in the empire… … .’
Surprisingly, the sizes of the two groups were evenly matched.
There were just as many people flocking to Mikel and Abel as there were to Cain and Carlo.
And in such a close confrontation, the balance was bound to be broken by someone’s intervention.
“Are you all having a good time?”
Just like this.
As the somewhat high-pitched voice descended in an overbearing tone,
“Meet Princess Violette.”
People took a step back and bowed their heads.
‘The first princess Violet.’
Before attending this event, I simply memorized the genealogy chart of the royal family and nobles.
Leah looked at where Princess Violet was with interest. The moment I met the princess’s beautiful purple eyes,
“… … .”
Princess Violet’s eyes narrowed. Her eyes were filled with Leah and Abel standing next to her.
fantasy,
