Episode 68. Banquet of Blood (1)
The westernmost room of the third floor of the Imperial Palace’s Great Chamber.
Arin had a very nervous look on her face and could hardly take her eyes off the mirror.
Silver hair swept down neatly.
Skin that has turned completely white due to being evenly coated with powder.
Around the mouth, there is even white rouge made with dried lily petals to brighten the natural color of the lips.
It was different from usual, and anyone could see that she had given strength to her beauty.
Thirteen years old.
A period of growth when secondary s*xual characteristics are in full swing.
It was a time of change when women began to become interested in beauty in earnest along with the development of their bodies.
Although I come to the banquet every year, I have never paid more attention to makeup than I did today.
As if trying to impress someone.
“How are you, Resimus? “Do I look okay?”
“you are pretty. Princess! I heard you’re the most beautiful princess I’ve ever seen. “You can stop watching!”
“no. “I’ll look into it a little more!”
If that’s the case, why did you ask the question?
The princess’s maids, including Resimus, sighed in regret as the same situation had been repeating itself for several hours.
Of course, this is the imperial palace where the emperor and other members of the imperial family reside.
Nevertheless, why is Resimus around?
It was simple.
Because Princess Arin wanted it.
The relationship between the two is a clear master-slave relationship.
Because of their relationship, Arin could take him wherever she wanted.
In fact, because of her status as a commoner, there were many people within the imperial castle who initially opposed her.
However, since ancient times, there is no father who does not listen to his youngest daughter’s earnest request.
As the emperor directly acknowledged and approved their relationship, Resimus was able to continue living in the imperial palace with the princess.
“If you take too much, it can actually be poisonous, right? “Sian, given your personality, I don’t think you like things that are that flashy.”
Princess Arin shouted in surprise.
“W-what are you talking about! “I’m not decorating it to impress Xian!”
“You have to make an excuse, princess! “They even sent the invitation directly.”
“Oh, no, that’s… … “I really didn’t think it would come!”
Her face was as red as a girl who had already felt the emotions of her first love.
“I just feel bad that Xian is at the academy even during vacation… … . I was wondering if anyone had any experience coming to a place like this, so I just… … .”
The excuse was good, but Resimus wasn’t one to believe it.
I had already noticed a long time ago that Arin liked Xian.
I just felt sorry for the princess fidgeting alone like this.
-smart
A knock was heard from the door.
Under the circumstances, they were the guardian knights in the hallway.
However, Arin paid no attention and continued to focus on the mirror.
So a maid went directly to the door and checked.
“Princess Arin. “Someone has arrived from Prince Ruinel!”
“hmm?”
It only took a moment for my head to turn.
His eyes were blinking in surprise, as if he thought he had heard wrong.
“Lu, Brother Ruinel?”
“yes! “I think I’m the prince’s maid in charge. What should I do?”
It was an unfamiliar situation that had never happened before.
The first prince, who usually didn’t even pay attention, sent someone out of nowhere.
Arin’s embarrassed eyes were shaking greatly.
“T-let me in… … !”
Since I couldn’t just send the prince’s maid away, I decided to let her in for now.
As soon as the maid entered the room and saw Arin, she smiled brightly and said,
“Oh my goodness, Princess Arin! You are so beautiful! “It’s like seeing the younger version of a goddess!”
Anyone with a bit of insight could tell right away that that was a lie.
It was the same for Arin.
“Yeah, yeah. Thank you for your kind words… … . But what happened!”
“I’m here to give you this!”
The maid held out a small jewelry box onto the table where the princess sat.
“Prince Ruinel asked me to tell you this! “I heard you would suit Princess Arin well!”
“Your brother sent you a gift?”
“yes! Just open it!”
Arin carefully opened the golden jewelry box.
Everyone who saw the gift inside the box could not help but be amazed.
“Wow, wow… … !”
It was a gorgeous pendant studded with small jewels.
In the center, a red gem, unknown whether it was ruby or garnet, was catching everyone’s attention.
“You’re so pretty… … . “Can I really take it?”
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“sure! It looks like this gem has found its owner? Try it on!”
Arin tried on the pendant as she said.
“Uh, what do you think?”
Everyone in the room heaped praise on him.
“It suits you really well. Princess! I’m sure Sian will appreciate it too!”
“Yeah, I guess so! If this is the case… … No wait! “I’m not trying to show you the draft!”
Arin’s face turned red again.
The gemstone of the pendant she wore was also sparkling red in the light.
* * *
The Grand Hall is the largest space in the imperial palace.
Numerous nobles gathered to enjoy the banquet under dozens of chandeliers.
For now, we decided to only identify the people in the hall.
The total number of attendees was approximately 60.
The number of guardian knights protecting them is about 120, twice that number.
Including the maids and other servants, there are about 300 people here.
Among them, there were about 10 infiltrated Mist members, including myself.
The rest will be waiting around the imperial palace.
I said I expected it, but it’s a place I really can’t get used to.
As the continent’s greatest figures gathered together, each person’s pretense was at its peak.
How can they hide themselves by wearing a mask of a haha hoho smile like that?
It was an incredible stealth technique that rivaled Mist’s secret technique.
[Your eyes look very busy? Is there anyone looking for it?]
“Rather than looking for something, there are more people to see.”
[Do you really care about what that doll said?]
I would be lying if I said I didn’t care.
Now, I don’t believe that Kellyn intentionally lied to me.
There must be some basis for saying that.
The assassination of Runab Rainreaver.
Are you going to get rid of her while all these people are watching?
Is the 1st Prince already preparing for war with the Garam Kingdom?
This is definitely something that has never happened in my past life.
There are still many questions as to whether the attempt was actually made but failed, or whether the flow changed and a new attempt was made in this life.
I guess I need to check more… … .
“You shouldn’t have such a cold expression at the banquet.”
I immediately turned my head when I heard a familiar voice from behind me.
Long waves with rich crimson red hair.
A blood-red silk dress that highlights a slim waist and voluptuous breasts.
It was a very alluring appearance that clearly showed the maturity of an adult.
“The dress suits you well. “Instructor Sirica?”
I smiled and complimented her appearance.
“Your eyes are very sinister. Handle eye contact well. Otherwise, you will be misunderstood.”
She skillfully turned the wine glass in her hand and naturally savored the taste.
[under… … !]
Kayram let out a laugh as if he was displeased with that sight.
The head of the family was smiling proudly, as if he could see Kayram like that.
Sirica Nigriti.
Academic instructor at the Royal Academy and head of the Mist family.
However, she has another title that has not been mentioned yet.
The eldest daughter of the Count Nigriti, a historic scholarly family in the empire.
Although it is a noble family with titles, most of its members are scholars devoted to knowledge research and are recognized as prestigious intellectuals on the continent.
In other words, she was actually also a noblewoman.
So, like me, you are here as a banquet attendee.
In fact, I was the most comfortable person in this position.
However, like other nobles, he doesn’t have time to wear a smiling mask and chat.
He turned his gaze elsewhere and quietly whispered to her.
‘I don’t have time, so I’ll just talk briefly about the main point.’
“… … ?”
‘This purification operation. ‘Please delay it a little bit.’
‘The reason is?’
Although it was a somewhat sudden telepathy, the head of the family responded without showing any signs.
‘The First Prince’s side is attempting to assassinate Lunab Rainreaver.’
“… … !?”
Her pupils twitched ever so slightly.
‘Are you sure?’
‘In terms of probability, it’s half and half. Since I also don’t have any solid evidence yet, I’m going to look into this from now on. Please postpone the cleanup work until then.’
The head of the family gave the answer without any hesitation.
‘good. But I can’t give you much. Just one hour from now. If you don’t give me an answer by then, I’ll be in trouble. ‘Is that possible?’
‘That’s enough.’
‘There’s no need to push yourself, Xian. If you feel anxious, you can put off the purification process itself.’
‘You can’t do that. Shouldn’t Drenian be killed today for the sake of the head of the family?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The engagement ceremony with Draennian Nephelis is just around the corner, right?’
Her eyebrows were visibly furrowed, as if to prove she was embarrassed.
“that… … “Where did you hear that?”
“Is it okay for a disciple to not know his teacher’s future?”
I shrugged my shoulders and smiled slyly.
“Then I’ll see you later. “Instructor Sirica.”
While I was speeding up a bit and leaving the place, I could feel the head’s fiery gaze.
I’ll hear something once this is over.
Well, that’s for later, so I’ll think about it later.
As I left the hall and headed into the hallway, I was greeted by Brian who was waiting.
“What about Nana?”
“It’s in the guest room. “He said with his own mouth that he wouldn’t take a single step, so I think it’ll probably be okay.”
Please keep those words.
“What does it look like when you see it?”
“There was nothing particularly suspicious. “First of all, I could not detect any movement or life outside the hall where I was waiting.”
Well, no matter how many eyes are gathered here, they won’t go around spreading murderous words, saying, ‘I’m going to kill someone.’
“Actually, I still can’t believe it. The imperial family is trying to assassinate the son they saw yesterday… … .”
“Lower your voice. “There are many ears to listen.”
Brian hurriedly covered his mouth.
“For now, I’m going to look back. If something happens, send it to me right away. “Be as inconspicuous as possible.”
“yes. Okay… … .”
-jump-jump-jump-jump-jump-jump-jump-jump-jump-bump
Unfamiliar footsteps were heard from the corner of the hallway.
So Brian and I immediately stopped talking.
Light steps, not heavy.
Judging by the lack of carefulness and roughness, it seemed like the steps of a busy maid, not a nobleman.
We waited quietly for the owner of the walk to pass by.
“… … !”
The moment she saw the noble’s daughter and guardian knight dressed up, the maid immediately lowered her head without even looking at her face.
Judging by the fact that it was not the imperial palace’s maid’s uniform, it appeared to be someone’s personal maid.
The moment I was quietly waiting for it to pass,
The maid suddenly took a step back and stopped in front of us again.
She and I stared at each other’s faces for about two seconds, as if we were drawn by a familiar energy.
Then, their eyes flashed at the same time, as if they had been squeezed.
“Do you, master?”
I feel like my already complicated head is becoming even more complicated.
Why is he in the imperial palace and not anywhere else?
My only exclusive maid, whose bold eyes are no different from two years ago.
It was Emily.
(Continued in the next part)
fantasy,
