Cruel and Ruthless

“It suits you well!”

“Indeed, the clothes shine even more because the wearer is excellent.”

Various praises were heard regarding the dress falling from my shoulders.

“Wow, you look so stylish!”

“I think you’ve become even prettier than before!”

The owners of these voices were none other than the people who had chosen suitable clothes for me to wear in the photos for the previous article. Today, they were once again responsible for my attire.

They said they would gift me clothes to wear to the banquet.

Apparently, Erdoff himself had given the order to prepare this time. Considering it was a personal request from the Prime Minister, it was an incredible consideration.

An ordinary child might have shed tears of gratitude just for receiving such kindness from the Prime Minister of the Empire, especially the leader of the Labor Party they admired.

I’m not sure if I should like this.

But I’m not that kind of person, am I? Of course, it’s welcome to receive Erdoff’s attention, but even so…

“This isn’t right.”

“Pardon? Is there something uncomfortable?”

“…No, it’s fine.”

“Haha, I’m glad to hear that.”

Seeing the old gentleman laughing idly while comparing different dresses, a shallow sigh escaped me.

These clothes are nothing but uncomfortable.

What does it matter if the white lace on the outside reminds one of a beautiful swan? The texture is rough and uncomfortable, and the design of the outfit is just embarrassing.

For an ordinary Bern noble woman, this would be a popular outfit. No, it was an appearance that would likely invite envy from others.

“Haha, would you like to look in the mirror?”

However, for someone like me who diverges from the ordinary, it didn’t look good. Despite the old gentleman’s passion for the outfit, I’m afraid looking in the mirror would only create a wrinkle on my forehead.

“…It’s pretty.”

If I have any regret, it’s that I can’t fully express such inner thoughts.

“After all, Ms. Yena Freud is the protagonist of today’s banquet, so we put in extra effort. Despite your young age, you bravely spoke out and awakened the depressed national spirit, didn’t you?”

“I’m at a loss for words to receive such praise from the most talented designer in the Labor Party. It’s an honor.”

“Hahaha, you’re too kind.”

Considering that Erdoff had ‘specially’ arranged this schedule for me, the reality was that I couldn’t show any signs of dislike.

Moreover, I couldn’t attend the banquet in casual clothes, nor did I have any luxurious outfits of my own, so taking the dress provided here was the best option.

Still, this should be enough to avoid being criticized for my attire.

“You look incredibly beautiful, don’t you?”

“That’s right. Indeed, you look good in anything.”

I realized it immediately seeing the reactions of the old gentleman and the young man who seemed to be his successor. At least, if these two with their expertise in fashion are full of praise, it must be a good sign.

“I think this is sufficient.”

Starting with the white dress, to the slanted round hat adorned with a pink ribbon, to the pendant decorated with sapphires that glow softly blue.

It is pretty.

Besides these, there were many other decorations around my entire body that I can’t even mention, which certainly made me look uniquely elegant.

Is all the preparation done now?

“Is Ms. Yena Freud here?”

“I’m here.”

“I have orders to guide you to the banquet hall.”

The driver arrived with perfect timing, so I turned away from the mirror I had been staring at intently and turned towards the door.

“Thank you.”

“It is I who am honored to have assisted you, Ms. Yena.”

“Then, take care.”

“Haha, please take care of yourself.”

Click, click─!

With that, I slipped out into the corridor.

---

“We have arrived.”

“……”

The moment I got out of the car, I was overwhelmed by the truly merciless size.

The meeting place was none other than the Bern Palace, which had been used as the emperor’s residence during the monarchical era. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it the finest banquet hall in the country.

I suppose the Labor Party really is the dominant force.

For a mere political party, not even the government, to host a banquet of this scale – I was once again reminded of how great the power held by Erdoff and his members is.

“I will guide you.”

After taking sufficient time to look around the vast scenery, I carefully climbed the stairs leading to the palace, following the driver.

“Congressman… …you know, haha!”

“…is it?”

With each step, as I trod on the well-carved square marble, the magnificent grandeur of the palace became clearer. The surroundings, which had been enveloped in silence, gradually became bustling.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Ms. Yena Freud.”

Finally, when I reached the entrance of the palace, an officer in a splendid Storm Trooper uniform greeted me with a smile.

“You can go now.”

“Thank you for your hard work. Glory to Bern!”

“Glory to Bern.”

They even arranged a separate guide at the main entrance? This is truly an extravagant treatment.

“Your dress seems to have been imbued with holy power. It shines even more when worn by such a noble person.”

“Haha, you’re too kind.”

“My name is Rahirt Eridrich. I’ve been assigned to assist the lady inside the building. If you have any discomfort, please feel free to let me know at any time.”

“Thank you…”

As always, I was about to respond without much emotion, thinking it was just a greeting from one of the many party members passing by.

Rahirt Eridrich?

But soon, I raised an eyebrow at the familiar name I heard. And only then did I lift my head to check the appearance of the man I hadn’t particularly tried to look at.

“Ah.”

“Is there something uncomfortable?”

What finally entered my vision was the face of an unforgettable person.

How could I forget this face, with its significantly balding forehead and barely formed parting?

From the perspective of knowing the future, it would be remiss to forget the man who, after the outbreak of the Great War, would be appointed as the Governor-General of the Eastern Occupied Territories and gain notoriety as the most cruel and ruthless person in Bern.

Eridrich was the one who, more enthusiastic than anyone about Erdoff’s ‘racial management’ plan, massacred other races within his jurisdiction.

I still haven’t forgotten.

The cruel scene where he personally put a bullet in the back of the head of a child, showing no mercy even to young ones, just because they were the child of a dwarf, was vivid in my memory.

At that time, I thought it was just virtual and didn’t react much, but now that it has become reality, the feeling is quite different.

Is it a coincidence?

Or should I call it fate?

“…No, I just wanted to express my gratitude.”

“Haha, it’s my honor.”

Whatever the case, encountering someone who will make a name for himself in the near future in such a place, and in a relationship where I’m receiving help from him, made my fingers twitch involuntarily with interest.

An unexpected connection.

It might be too much to form a relationship with him, but what does it matter? I was satisfied just with the fact that I had directly encountered Eridrich.

“I was deeply moved by your speech. It was the first time my heart resonated with the words of someone so young.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Perhaps my heart raced more because of your beautiful appearance. Your pendant is truly beautiful. Haha.”

“…Haha.”

Until we reached the banquet hall located in the annex after passing through the palace’s common area, I engaged in light chatter with Eridrich.

“As I’ve said multiple times, it’s a great honor to be in charge of assisting you, Ms. Freud. I can’t express how happy I am.”

“I’m grateful that you say so.”

“Not at all. If I were in your place, Ms. Freud, no matter how patriotic I was, I couldn’t have jumped into a burning building. You deserve admiration.”

Thud, thud─!

The more he spoke, the more I noticed Eridrich’s innocent, youthful appearance.

“I don’t know how to react when you say such things. I simply acted because I couldn’t ignore the scene before my eyes.”

“Haha, you’re very modest.”

Despite his reputation for being merciless, prickly, and cruel, judging by his current attitude alone, he seemed like a kind and considerate type.

Is this how he is in front of Bern people?

I suppose it means he strictly distinguishes between other races and Bern citizens. If my ears were even slightly longer, I probably wouldn’t have elicited such a gentle response.

It might seem like I’m judging too harshly, but whether this is prejudice or rational inference will become clear later.

Whatever the case, the priority now was to participate in this brilliant festival.

“Many people are waiting for you. I hope you enjoy the banquet leisurely and have a day full of pleasure.”

“Thank you.”

“Then, shall we enter?”

And finally, the time had come. As soon as Eridrich bowed to see me off, I turned my waist, holding up my white dress.

Creak!

Without hesitation, I pulled the gold-decorated door handle.