SLDS 77

The pristine white marble floor of the banquet hall sparkled dazzlingly.

The large paintings and tapestries decorating the walls enhanced the grand atmosphere of the hall, and dozens of chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling scattered brilliant light like starlight, adding a fantastical splendor.

Emperor Arnold looked to be in a very good mood on his birthday. Seated on the imperial throne carved with a golden lion, he was enjoying the banquet with a constant smile.

A red carpet stretched from the entrance all the way to the emperor’s feet. A long line of people formed on that carpet, and one by one, they came forward to offer their congratulations and gifts to the Emperor.

This was quite a rare spectacle, as a flood of rare and unusual gifts poured in, reminiscent of a competition. The gifts from Khazarjan, in particular, were enough to make everyone gasp in admiration.

“Your Majesty the Emperor, I congratulate you on your birth.”

When her turn came, Yuria Beatrice walked forward and presented a handkerchief she had embroidered herself. Her embroidery skills were so poor, even from a distance, that the Empress who saw it couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Becoming an object of ridicule in an instant, Yuria blushed and bowed her head. The gift she had prepared was not yet over.

“Your Majesty, it is a humble offering, but I would like to offer a prayer of blessing. Would you grant me permission?”

Emperor Arnold, who had been indifferent to the trivial gift, instantly brightened up. He had always been a man who couldn’t resist a saintess’s prayer.

“Of course! What are you doing? Hurry and place a cushion on the floor for her!”

As soon as the Emperor’s command was given, a large, flat cushion was placed in front of Yuria. In turn, people’s attention began to focus on her.

Yuria took a small, steadying breath and then knelt on the cushion. With her hands clasped together and her eyes closed, she looked quite pious.

Yuria’s lips began to move. As her heartfelt prayer continued, the mark on her shoulder blades began to emit a white light.

Wow!

Those who witnessed the holy sight all let out cries of astonishment. The reaction from the foreign guests was particularly enthusiastic.

Killian and Larisa were just as surprised. Larisa dropped her knife on the floor, and Killian, his jet-black eyes flashing, let out a small whistle.

“That woman is amazing. So the Crown Prince wasn’t doting on her for nothing, huh?”

Larisa did not reply, keeping her lips firmly sealed. Her fiercely glaring eyes turned back to Yuria, and soon she was able to spot the Crown Prince attentively looking after the Saintess.

How affectionate they looked. She was so jealous she could die. She couldn’t accept the fact that another woman, a mere saintess of humble birth at that, had snatched away the ideal man she had dreamed of for so long.

Larisa snapped her head to the side. As she clenched her teeth and her balled fists trembled, Killian, who had been sipping wine beside her, cast a sidelong glance.

“How unsightly, Lala. Your face is full of jealousy.”

“Don’t just watch, help me.”

“Help with what?”

“You know, the thing you’re good at!”

Killian shrugged as if he didn’t understand. This made Larisa even more furious.

“That saintess or whatever, try to seduce her! I’m telling you to create an opening for me to get in!”

“I don’t know. I’m not really feeling it.”

Killian answered dismissively. Sunk into a plush chair, he swirled his glass gently. The red wine inside rippled, and through the transparent glass, Crown Prince Alexis and the Saintess were reflected. A wide curve formed on Killian’s lips.

“You should do that sort of thing yourself.”

“Are you really going to be like this?”

“Larisa, have you forgotten the national motto of our Khazarjan?”

“Those who desire, shall conquer.”

As she was reminded of the national motto, Larisa’s expression became more determined than before. Killian nodded in satisfaction and toasted Larisa.

The main dinner banquet began. The tables lined up along the walls of the banquet hall were so long that their ends were not visible.

While the banquet continued, entertainment such as musical performances, short plays, and dances were taking place on the open stage in the center. The guests were preoccupied with enjoying the banquet and watching the shows.

The hundreds of guests were seated in their designated seats. The nobler one’s status, the closer they were seated to the Emperor, while those less fortunate sat at the very end.

Yuria was seated around the middle of a long table. Fortunately, the Knight Commander, Claude Vandel, was keeping watch by her side.

Yuria, who had been visibly tense just a moment ago, finally looked relaxed as she moved away from the head table. She smiled readily, conversed with Claude, and enjoyed the banquet.

From a distance, Alexis watched the pleasant scene of Yuria and Claude. Seeing the people he cared about enjoying themselves, a faint smile spread across his lips as well.

It would have been better to be with them, but he didn’t feel particularly disappointed. He was the Crown Prince, and he had to fulfill his duties accordingly.

Alexis wiped the smile from his face and returned to his usual stern demeanor. Nearby, nobles were in a frenzy, fawning over the Emperor and Empress.

His blue eyes scanned their faces closely, and then swept over the banquet tables. An occasion like this was a perfect opportunity to identify the factions currently following the Empress.

As he surveyed his surroundings, Alexis’s gaze suddenly fell on the man sitting closest to him. Come to think of it, there was one more person beside him who ought to be fulfilling his duties.

For the birthday celebration, Cecil Adrian was dressed more formally than usual. The newly tailored formal wear looked particularly stunning against his fair skin.

When he wasn’t smiling, he had a chilly appearance, so he looked strangely sharp right now as well. His posture, sitting without a single flaw, also exuded the authority of a royal. But what did that matter, when it was clear as day to Alexis’s eyes that Cecil was lost in other thoughts.

He lowered his gaze to check Cecil’s plate. Whatever he had been doing, he was still on the appetizer. Even then, the food on the plate showed almost no signs of having been touched.

“Why are you picking at your food like that?”

At those words, Cecil turned his head. As if he had come back to his senses, a clear light returned to his emerald eyes. He glanced at Alexis for a moment, then looked forward again and let out a long sigh, like an old man carrying all the worries of the world.

“I just don’t have much of an appetite.”

“That sensitive disposition of yours isn’t going anywhere.”

Alexis let out a small laugh. He knew that Cecil had been particularly concerned about the birthday celebration. Even today, he could clearly feel that he was more nervous than usual.

He said nonchalantly as he cut his food with a knife.

“I hear the menu was personally designed by the Empress. If you don’t even touch it, don’t you think there will be talk later?”

“Wouldn’t it be better than forcing myself to eat and getting sick?”

“You’re not unaware that all sorts of speculations follow our every action.”

“……”

“Eat at least a little. Don’t bother some poor attendant later, complaining that you’re hungry.”

The oyster dish covered in a rich sauce was pushed away, and in its place, lamb cut into bite-sized pieces now sat before him.

Cecil gazed down at the switched plates for a moment, then helplessly picked up his fork. He had no immunity to Alexis’s considerations, so it was not easy to refuse.

But once he put it in his mouth, it was quite edible. As he mechanically chewed the juicy meat, Cecil was once again lost in thought.

Today was the fateful birthday celebration. Perhaps thanks to the special care he had taken so far, Princess Larisa had been living without any major incidents. If today passed safely, the event Cecil had feared would not happen.

Cecil’s eyes habitually scanned the table across from him. The seats quite far away were designated for the Khazarjan royals. But in the brief moment he was lost in another thought, Larisa was nowhere to be seen.

Flustered, Cecil stared intently ahead to grasp the situation, but his eyes met with the last person he wanted, Killian. From a distance, he raised his wine glass and gave a dubious smile. Cecil’s expression hardened, and he immediately looked away.

About ten minutes or so had passed when an attendant approached Alexis and delivered a message in secret.

“Your Highness, the Princess of Khazarjan requests a meeting.”

As if he had expected it, there was not even a change in Alexis’s expression. He took a sip of wine before replying.

“Tell her it is inconvenient.”

“She said she will wait until you come.”

“My, my, she will be up all night then.”

“She also said that if Your Highness does not come, there will be a great disturbance.”

“……”

As a gaze as sharp as a blade flew and struck him, the attendant bowed his head repeatedly. Just relaying a threat to the Crown Prince seemed like a sacrilegious crime.

“…My apologies, Your Highness.”

Alexis stared silently at the man who was sweating profusely and at a loss, then swept back his bangs. The rough gesture slightly disheveled his neatly styled platinum blond hair.

“She’s so willful it’s not even angering.”

Alexis tossed his napkin down. As he pushed his chair back and stood up, a surprised Cecil abruptly grabbed the hem of Alexis’s clothes.

“Your Highness!”

Alexis, who was just about to take a step, stopped and said indifferently.

“Why do you look so surprised? Did you not predict that the princess would come on strong at least once?”

He was right. But Cecil could not easily shake his anxiety. His grip on the hem of the clothing tightened.

“…May I not accompany you?”