Ch.7979. In the Shadow of the Banquet (1)

“Your skin is beautiful, Marianne.”

Daphne said as she placed her hand on Marianne’s shoulder. Over the past few months, the two had become quite close after experiencing many things together. Marianne flinched at the unfamiliar touch on her bare skin and turned her head. Daphne was helping Marianne get dressed. A light and soft fabric, completely different from a nun’s habit, wrapped around Marianne’s body.

“I’m not sure if it’s appropriate for me to wear something like this.”

Marianne murmured, clutching the hem of her dress. Sky blue, almost white. A sleeveless design that exposed her shoulders and arms. Marianne had never worn such clothes before. She was a religious person by status. She wasn’t even sure if it was right to attend such an event. Marianne couldn’t understand the impulse that had driven her.

“It’s a social gathering that might not happen many more times. Surely you can wear something like this just once.”

Daphne said cheerfully as she tied Marianne’s hair.

“Since you’ve already agreed to participate, you should make a proper effort.”

Marianne looked in the mirror. Someone different from the Marianne Prim she knew stood there. Marianne awkwardly clasped her hands in front of her. Behind the mirror, Daphne was smiling. She too was wearing a pink dress she had purchased for the social gathering.

“Should we add a necklace?”

Marianne shook her head. The more accessories she wore, the stronger her sense of discomfort grew. Daphne’s hand lifted from Marianne’s shoulder.

“Then how about a smile?”

Marianne’s cheek dimpled softly under Daphne’s prodding finger. Daphne’s index finger gently lifted the corner of Marianne’s mouth, but there was only an awkward grimace. Could it be called a smiling expression when only the corners of her mouth turned up while her eyes didn’t smile at all? Daphne pouted as if deflated and removed her hand. Marianne’s expression returned to normal.

“I guess smiling is out of the question.”

“…I don’t really know how to smile.”

Marianne said, rubbing the corner of her mouth. Smiling. Crying. Getting angry. Marianne had never experienced such emotional changes. When she was taken in by the church as a child, or when she worked as an inquisitor. For Marianne, emotions had always been this faint.

“They say if you smile first, you’ll become a different person.”

Daphne said with a bright smile. Her smile was very natural and beautiful. Daphne gazed at Marianne’s smile through the mirror.

“Who knows? If you try smiling first, you might discover how to smile.”

At Daphne’s words, Marianne tilted her head in front of the mirror. Right now, Marianne had no reason to smile. Why do people smile? She knew the reason, but for Marianne, smiling was nothing more or less than a reflex action.

“Smile.”

“Yes. Smile.”

At Daphne’s prompting, Marianne struggled to move her facial muscles and lift the corners of her mouth. The movement was too awkward to be called a smile. Marianne quickly reverted to her normal expression, and Daphne burst into laughter watching her.

“I think it would be better to practice without being conscious of the mirror.”

Daphne said, cupping Marianne’s chin. Marianne blinked and stood up.

“I’ll go with this.”

Marianne smoothed her dress and headed out of the changing room. Daphne followed her with her eyes and sighed. Marianne was the kind of child you couldn’t leave alone when you looked at her. No matter what strange direction she might go in.

At that moment, the image of Marianne looking at Ilroy flashed through Daphne’s mind.

“…Hmm.”

Daphne stared at the curtain Marianne had walked through, her cheeks slightly puffed.

==

My task for this harvest festival celebration was clear.

Greet the noble patrons gathered from all regions, and warn the nobles who were up to no good. The nobles’ schemes had intensified since I defeated the giant. Once might be coincidence, but twice is no coincidence.

“[These people who talk about calamity probably haven’t even faced a single monster.]”

The Holy Sword spoke in a contemptuous tone. I agree. Those who debate hundreds and thousands of lives from the safety of their mansions, surrounded by knight guards. They deserved contempt, and in exchange for having their lives guaranteed, they had to bear that contempt.

“[Make it clear to them this time. Let them know who is keeping them alive, and who has taken on the responsibility they should have shouldered.]”

I nodded. Those who mistakenly believe they understand this world better than anyone. I may protect their lives, but I am never on their side.

“[They can no longer treat you carelessly now.]”

I nodded. Just then, the door opened and George entered the room. I think it was the first time I’d seen him wearing something other than armor or shabby casual clothes. He was cleanly shaved with his hair slicked back, wearing formal attire similar to a suit. The clothes seemed to be screaming as they strained against his muscles.

“Are you ready?”

I nodded and turned. George looked at me and slightly furrowed his brow. I was wearing a black suit instead of my usual pure white outfit. Well, he wouldn’t tell me what to wear, and the problem was elsewhere.

“Wouldn’t it be better to leave the Holy Sword behind?”

George asked, looking at my left hip. I glanced down at my left hip and shook my head.

“No. This is my identity and status. I won’t leave it behind.”

“Even I’m leaving my sword behind.”

George said with a shrug.

“The ladies at the ball will approach you but turn away when they see that sword.”

“That might be what I’m counting on.”

I said with a smirk. I didn’t particularly want to dance with the noble ladies who would be there. For the record, the prejudice is accurate. There might be exceptions, but dancing with a noble lady is like walking straight into their noble politics.

“I don’t want to get involved with nobles. Don’t you feel the same?”

“…Ilroy. What you’re forgetting is that I am a noble from the start. I’m destined to be involved with the nobles you want to avoid.”

George said with a sigh. I knew from his personality that he found such things bothersome. That’s probably why he hasn’t married yet.

“…Your thoughts are written all over your face, Ilroy.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?”

I frowned and asked, and George cleared his throat.

“For your information, I have a fiancée. I’d like you to know that I lead a more normal life than you think.”

Wow, he has a fiancée? This knight who loves drinking and fighting and whose brain seems to be made of muscle? No, if that’s the case, why hasn’t he married yet?

“The engagement is recent. I was on leave. I originally had no intention of marrying, but I gave in to pressure to meet someone once, and well… that’s how it happened.”

Oh, is that so? Who are you trying to fool? With that grin on your face.

“Right. Congratulations.”

“Anyway, if you’re ready, let’s depart. The carriage is waiting downstairs.”

“…What about Daphne and Marianne?”

When I asked, George shrugged with a wry smile.

“They said they’d come separately. They seem to be preparing something. It might have been better to enter together.”

“[…They certainly have a lot to prepare, don’t they?]”

I heard the Holy Sword’s resentful voice. I let out a hollow laugh and followed George. Opening the door of the four-wheeled carriage, I sat opposite George. He sighed as he unbuttoned his constricting jacket.

“But this is your first social gathering, isn’t it? There’s no need to be so combative. Your expression is full of hostility.”

“What’s the point in enjoying it? There’s nothing to gain. Unless I can extract more money.”

“You never know, you might meet someone new.”

“Didn’t I say that’s why I deliberately wore the Holy Sword?”

“You never know what might happen, Ilroy.”

George chuckled. That guy, now that I heard he has a fiancée, his laughter somehow seemed annoying. George laughed even louder when he saw me frowning.

“Well, when you have two such beautiful women around you, I suppose ordinary noble ladies wouldn’t catch your eye. Is that it?”

“Don’t make me out to be some weirdo. I recruited both of them.”

George put his hand on my shoulder as if he understood everything. Who’s touching whose body now?

“I understand, Ilroy. For now.”

“…Forget it. I won’t say anything more.”

I closed my eyes and surrendered to the jolting of the carriage.

==

The central hall of the royal palace.

Since the weather was getting chilly, the garden wasn’t being used as a venue for social gatherings. The harvest festival is arguably more important than New Year’s or Christmas. It’s a day when local governors from each region gather to report the year’s harvest and incidents to the king, and new political connections are formed.

“…But there seem to be a lot of noble ladies today.”

I muttered, standing at the entrance to the hall. Beside me, George also wore an expression of disgust.

“This wasn’t an event where so many young people would show up.”

Noble ladies adorned with flowers and jewels. And young gentlemen who came to see these ladies. And nobles watching over their children. The royal hall isn’t a place just anyone can enter, but with such people gathered, it felt like the dignity of the place was diminished.

“Am I really that politically valuable?”

“[Winning people’s hearts is no easy task. In politics, that is. There are many who would do anything to recruit you and gain public support.]”

I sighed and entered the hall. And the moment I entered, the gazes of the noble ladies turned to me like a shower.

“Is that the hero?”

“It’s the hero.”

“This is the first time I’ve seen him up close.”

I could hear whispers about me. The young gentlemen and ladies were of no interest to me. Making eye contact would only lead to trouble. I held my head high and turned my gaze toward the nobles who were glaring at me.

“He’s just a commoner, isn’t he?”

“No. It’s only a matter of time before he receives a title.”

“But his origins won’t change.”

I walked with a transcendent expression. They were probably whispering loud enough for me to hear, but this hardly counted as provocation. The ones I needed to deal with weren’t youngsters who were merely heirs to their families, but the old men in the back rooms and the real powers positioned in the kingdom’s middle ranks.

“It seems Her Majesty hasn’t arrived yet.”

The queen had not yet made an appearance. I turned to George, and he was looking at me with a sympathetic expression.

“If I had known it would be like this, I might have been better off not coming, Ilroy.”

“I didn’t have any expectations to begin with. It’s actually boring because everything is going exactly as expected.”

With a look of lost interest, I approached a table, picked up a glass of alcohol, and clinked glasses with George. I thought that if I didn’t show interest, no one would approach me, but when has anything ever gone according to my expectations?

“I am Corelaine of the House of Wes.”

A noble lady with impressive blonde hair blocked my path and greeted me. I thought about ignoring her and walking past, turning my head toward George, but he was already caught by other nobles, being interrogated. Right now, I must look like a piece of bloody meat dropped in the middle of the jungle.

“Would you honor me by being my partner today, hero?”

She wasn’t much different in age from Daphne or Marianne, but her attitude was different. Her eyes clearly showed her intention to devour me. Even though I hadn’t shown any sign of acceptance, the lady was getting closer. As someone approached me first, others began to focus on me. Eyes that said, “If she gets rejected, I’m next.”

As I twisted my mouth and was about to wave her off, someone stepped between me and the noble lady.

“I’m sorry, but the hero will be quite busy today.”

I opened my eyes wide and looked at my saviors. Daphne and a very awkward-looking Marianne were positioned in front of me like bodyguards.

“Could you please find someone else?”