episode_0024

“It’s done!”

Eshutiel stretched comfortably. Serin sprang up like an arrow to check Eshutiel’s work.

Had they reached the point of mutual understanding? Serin’s expectations were vaguely guessed.

“It doesn’t matter… you said so…”

Surely Eshutiel wanted to see the true face I had depicted. But I didn’t stop Serin from checking. Because I could clearly see the future where Serin would soon let out an awkward laugh.

“Ha… Haha. Teel, what did you draw?”

“It’s me and oppa!”

“Uh, well, is that so?”

“Why? Did I draw it badly?”

“No, no way! Teel, you draw so well…!”

“Hehe, I know.”

Ah, puffing up with pride at the forced praise. Eshutiel, who had grown up filtering out Roderick’s teasing remarks from the roots, seemed to have taken his jokes as mere play. Even I, who usually affirm Eshutiel, didn’t leave any special comments on her drawings.

I belatedly stood up and admired Eshutiel’s work. It was indeed a picture that prominently displayed a preeminent sense of beauty. The canvas, boasting linear sketches and chaotic colors, expressed the concept of waste in a very beautiful way.

“How do you feel, oppa? Did I draw really hard?”

“Serin, it’s getting dark. Don’t you need to get ready?”

“Oppa, what do you think?”

“I believe it takes a long time to get ready.”

“Riheart oppa?”

“As the birthday companion of Mohu, we should pay attention.”

“Yikes…!”

“We also need to join the group.”

I urgently urged Serin, ignoring today’s daily painter. Meanwhile, Eshutiel was puffing up her cheeks like a squirrel with a mouthful of food.

Serin quickly caught on to my intention and nodded her head.

“Alright then! I shouldn’t be hearing such things, right?”

“If we hurry, we won’t be late.”

“Hmm, thank you. See you soon, Lian! And Teel too… definitely.”

“Hmph…”

Eshutiel pouted her inflated cheeks. Despite that, her determined bowing was quite cute. Since Serin also momentarily looked at Eshutiel in ecstasy, there was no disagreement.

With a regretful expression, Serin left, shedding her lingering feelings, and I reached out to Eshutiel.

“Let’s go too. Roderick is waiting for us.”

“Okay…”

“Piggyback ride?”

“Yup!”

Eshutiel’s cold face was a magical word that made her smile. And so, I carried Eshutiel on my shoulders and headed towards the area where the banquet was being held.

Sometimes, Eshutiel staggered, pulling my hair a bit painfully.

◇

Roderick was strolling near the garden, quite far from the area where the banquet was scheduled. Before I could call him, Roderick noticed us first. He then casually asked.

“Was it fun?”

“I’m not sure.”

“…”

The words “I’m not sure” were forbidden.

Pushed by the long-standing promise that came to mind belatedly, I opened my mouth again.

“It felt… strange.”

“I see. Well, if that’s how you feel, then let’s leave it at that.”

“Riheart oppa, don’t be difficult. Are you afraid of getting scolded by Serin unni?”

“Don’t make terrible jokes, kid. If you get scolded by that woman, it won’t end with just a cute incident like a broken finger.”

Roderick made a disgusted expression at Eshutiel’s threat.

“Anyway, I wonder when this kid will become friends with the princess…”

Grumbling as always, Roderick seemed to know something. Ashutiel, with her white spines, reminded one of a hedgehog. Anyone would find her cuteness endearing.

Roderick and I, having joined forces, slowly made our way to the location of the banquet.

It was a leisurely pace.

Only after the main guests had entered could we follow suit. Since we were not formally invited but were the personal guests of Princess Seriniel, it was only natural for us, not nobles or knights, to wait.

“But Roderick, why are you scrutinizing everything so closely?”

“Just this and that. It’s related to business plans.”

“Business?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

I simply followed Roderick.

He observed the surroundings of the banquet hall intently with sharp eyes. He circled around, carefully examining the outer walls and structures within a certain radius. It was as if he was dissecting the structure of a palace.

I didn’t ask for an explanation.

Roderick’s focus on business left no room for memories of past losses.

So, even though I didn’t know what business it was, I could only speculate that it would surely bring considerable profit.

And so, the moon mercilessly descended.

Ashutiel, riding a horse, yawned with a small mouth. Roderick’s investigation had finally concluded, and just as the last main guest entered, it was our turn to enter.

As we approached, a palace guard cleared his throat. At that moment, Roderick quickly intervened, producing a noble’s mask.

“There’s no need to shout. Would it bother you to acknowledge fellow commoners?”

“Oh, is that so.”

The guard’s puffed-up chest deflated. He then sent a friendly glance to Roderick. It seemed he was grateful for sparing him the effort of catching his breath.

“May you have an enjoyable banquet.”

“Thank you.”

Clang!

The doors of the banquet hall opened.

A paradise filled with dazzling light. The scenery of the palace banquet hall that my mother longed for endlessly unfolded before my eyes.

People, whom I couldn’t even remember, danced until dawn.

Servants tirelessly carried champagne and wine.

Everyone gazed around, enjoying a thrilling sense of admiration and envy.

And she had taught me that all of this should have been mine.

Thus, I was stunned. Even if I had to give up being human, I wanted to protect their paradise.

Crash.

It poured down.

The dazzling light of the chandeliers, the overpowering scent of perfume that spared no one, combined with brilliant power to overwhelm people.

Although we hadn’t received an official welcome from the guards, all eyes were on us.

They already knew who we were.

No one could be unaware that we were the personal guests of Princess Seriniel. The quick-witted nobles had known this fact for days.

Was this how the imprisoned golden fish felt?

A situation that subtly stimulated people’s discomfort, whether it was malicious or well-intentioned.

“Are those the mercenaries of the Windmill Brigade invited by the princess?”

“They always wear masks, so no one knows anything about them, but…”

“The leader is a strategist. They covered their faces during the last security contract.”

“Then is the girl following them Lady Eleanor, the Viscountess?”

“Oh my, I’ve never seen such a cute Lady before. I look forward to seeing her in ten years!”

Among us, the one who stood out positively was undoubtedly Ashutiel.

The noblewomen who had given birth swallowed their faint admiration behind their hand fans, while the older men maintained their dignity by tightening their facial muscles. And the young nobles, who were of similar age or only a few years apart, were openly captivated.

Among the peers, half showed favor and envy towards the nobles, while those who frowned sent jealous glances towards the noble who captivated the young nobles, as if they were envious of the expensive dress she wore.

“Even if the mercenary group makes money, how much will they actually spend…”

“It’s a work of Madame Charlotte, who is so wealthy that she can’t even dream of being frugal, right?”

Their conversation was tinged with defeat.

In truth, the dress that Esutiel wore was not something we had purchased. It was a gift from Marquis Laden as he entered into a new contract with us. Marquis Laden avoided extravagance, but if he wanted to spend money, he was quick to find things to spend it on.

And so, we endured the mixed emotions in the gazes around us and made our way towards the seat where the Emperor and Empress were seated.

“Hmm?”

“What…?”

Many people expressed their confusion.

No matter how commoner they were… no, rather, because they were commoners, in order to receive the honor of meeting the Empress, they needed to have a proper gift.

But we were empty-handed.

Strange looks were cast in all directions.

“We thank you for allowing us to participate on this meaningful day.”

Roderick offered his greetings with a formal gesture.

Although he became polite whenever he participated in official matters, I still hadn’t quite gotten used to Roderick’s formal way of speaking. And of course, Esutiel, who was watching him with a blank expression, was the same.

“You… it’s been quite a while.”

The Empress’s face turned blue the moment she received Roderick’s greeting. The nuance of his words seemed to imply that the Empress and Roderick were on familiar terms. But they were not surprised yet.

“The ‘Star of the Sea’ that you presented earlier was well received. The name was not in vain.”

“… ‘Star of the Sea’?”

Someone’s astonishment was the spark of chaos. Despite the Empress engaging in conversation, the surroundings became restless. Especially the elderly nobles who had endured the passage of time were so.

Star of the Sea.

In the dark night sea, the only thing you can rely on is the stars. That’s why a star rising above the sea is truly a symbol of praise.

The Star of the Sea was a gem that originated from such a metaphor. It had the characteristic of emitting mysterious starlight when darkness fell, and at the same time, it was a lost treasure of the royal family in the turmoil of the past.

“It feels inadequate to bless the Empress Mama’s birthday.”

“Isn’t the humility a bit excessive? She seemed very pleased.”

“That is an honor.”

“If you were to embrace her in the royal family, would you also consider it an honor?”

“Since she has two sons and a daughter, it might be burdensome to embrace her.”

“Haha, how witty.”

The Empress was teasing, but her drawn-in lips subtly hinted at kindness.

“If you find the royal family’s embrace too narrow even for a father with two sons and a daughter, then there’s nothing to be done. Please enjoy your time.”

“… Thank you.”

“Well then, you may step back now… Hm, Lord Richard?”

At the Empress’s call, I raised my head.

The hall buzzed with excitement at her next request.

“You, come up here.”

Her seemingly kind smile was as sharp as a knife.