Chapter 47
"It's the last night of the Allied Nations Conference, but the atmosphere is
very tense. When I think about it, it was like this during the final meeting
today too, wasn't it?"
I think it's even worse than the first day of the conference.
Gabrielle commented while adjusting his clothes. Members of the First Knight
Squad around him started nodding one by one in agreement.
"They say the survivor we found has disappeared. Without a trace too."
"Isn't the medical wing protected by a barrier? There's no way he could have
fled alone, right?"
"They say there are no signs of assassination or abduction, which makes the
matter even stranger."
At Thompson's words, the squad members groaned in a single unison. To their
knowledge, the survivor was an ordinary person who could not use magic. No, even
if he could use magic, there was no reason for him to refuse Cardion's medical
treatment and flee. But he disappeared, and Dixion was angry at both incidents,
and Cardion was bearing the full brunt of their anger. For Cardion, the
situation could not have become more unfair. Neither incident had anything to do
with their intentions.
"Of all times..."
At that moment, someone's voice leaked from among the crowd. It was a simple
hum, without a subject or object, but every person present could easily guess
the rest of the sentence. Of all times, it had to happen during the Great Mage's
absence. Of course, the real Great Mage was in the Imperial Palace all along.
"It's because I was focusing too much on other things."
Elisha, who was listening to the conversation, blamed herself inwardly. With so
many matters to worry about lately, it was her fault for not being more
cautious. Of course, Dante Renard told her not to worry, saying: "Why would this
be your responsibility?"
How can I not worry about it? It was directly linked to Cardion's honor, and
Eric's. Elisha let out a small sigh and looked around. Although the Dixion envoy
had disappeared under Cardion's protection, the final banquet had to continue
without hindrance. Instead, security was tightened this time, with members of
the magic knight squad stationed throughout the banquet hall in addition to the
usual Royal Guard.
"To be in a situation where we can't even eat the delicious food before us..."
"You are well aware that we are not going there for fun, right, Richard?"
Gabrielle responded to Richard's grumbling with a bright smile. Instead of
answering, Richard simply laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his head.
Ignoring them, Elisha scanned her surroundings. At the garrison entrance, quite
a number of mages were waiting in addition to the First Knight Squad. Elisha's
eyes continued to dart.
Members of the magic knight squad, who can use defense magic, wear a more
comfortable and light uniform than the usual Royal Guard. But what they were
wearing today was not their squad uniform. They were wearing suits and dresses,
each tailored to fit the formality of the event. Due to the nature of their
escort duty, their clothes were relatively simple, but at least they wouldn't
stand out in the ballroom. Perhaps Eric was using this event as a pretext to
orchestrate something. Especially regarding the missing Dixion envoy...
"Lucy!"
At that moment, a familiar voice leaked into Elisha's ears. She immediately
turned her head toward the voice. There, of course, stood Dante Renard. Wearing
very elegant clothes.
"Captain, the clothes make the man!"
Gabrielle said with a wide smile. Dante ignored her completely and spoke to
Elisha, his eyebrows slightly furrowed as if something was bothering him.
"Let's go. His Majesty is waiting."
At the same time, the squad members around them, plus the mages who were
skillfully watching Dante Renard, exchanged looks. Only Gabrielle nodded as if
she expected that. Even if she was just an assistant to the magic knight squad
captain, she is still one of the people who assist His Imperial Majesty
directly. Of course he would summon her.
"Go, Lucy. See you in a bit!"
Gabrielle then pulled Elisha by her hand, placed her next to Dante, and waved
enthusiastically. Elisha blinked several times, then gave Gabrielle a slight nod
and started walking. Gabrielle's enthusiastic expression was nothing new and
very familiar, but she couldn't figure out the reason for Dante Renard's pouting
face.
Did he have a fight with Eric before coming here?
When I think about it, he and Eric haven't seemed to get along lately. But Eric
has no other friends than Dante Renard now. Unlike Renard, who enjoys surprising
popularity, Eric isn't exactly in a position to choose among his friends.
"Dante Renard."
After a while, having finished her thoughts, Elisha looked around and spoke
hesitantly. They had almost reached the main palace where Eric was.
"Be kind to Eric."
"What is all this suddenly?"
"Eric has no friends now if it isn't you."
Her tone was incredibly calm, as if she were stating an obvious fact. For a
moment, Dante was speechless and stared in a daze at Elisha. Why would she
suddenly say something like that out of nowhere? It's not like she was wrong, of
course.
"You've been pouting all this time."
Elisha added, tapping on her forehead. Only then did Dante let out a small gasp.
"No, that..."
It's because I don't like how Eric is drawing attention to you like this once
again. Even if I told her, she wouldn't understand.
"It's nothing."
"I am telling you to be kind to Eric."
While other pointless conversations flowed between them—such as "You aren't
Eric's mother, so stay out of his social life," "What if it spreads that the
Emperor of the Empire lacks social skills?" and "It's not like you have any
friends either"—they soon arrived before Eric's office. At the same time, as if
on cue, they both fell silent and stared straight ahead. It was time to stop
talking about whether Eric had friends or not.
"I have been waiting for you both."
Mullin Cassus, who was standing before them, smiled gently. Elisha once again
gave a slight nod and looked behind the door. The man's attire, seen in the dim
moonlight seeping through, was more magnificent than usual. It was different
from the attire he wore as Crown Prince, and different from that he wore at his
coronation. Perhaps the reason people were already clamoring for the vacant
Empress seat wasn't just his status or the political advantages. Elisha blinked
several times, looking at Eric standing before her. In turn, Eric fixed his gaze
on Elisha.
"Lucy Forte."
The corners of his eyes curved into a gentle smile. Dante immediately narrowed
his eyes and shuddered. To behave like that toward someone who spoke to him so
harshly... he really is crazy about talented people.
"I have been waiting for you."
Eric then took a step closer to Elisha and spoke. Attending a party with Elisha
was something that happened several times a year, but it was the first time he
would stay from beginning to end. As such, he had hoped to be with her in her
real form, and as her official partner.
Let's not be greedy.
Regardless of anything, Elisha was by his side, and he would not let her go
again, no matter what. So, let's not ask for too much from the start.
"Let's set off."
For now, I must be grateful for just walking this path with her.
On the final night of the conference, a banquet in the style of a ball was held,
as was the custom. It was a custom that began when the Allied Nations Conference
was first founded. In principle, everyone enjoyed equal status at the Allied
Nations Conference, so not even the king of the host state could leave his seat
without cause. That was why Eric, who usually only appears before disappearing,
had no choice but to remain present.
"Honestly, I think we should get extra pay for this."
Amidst the gentle melody of string instruments, Dante, who was hovering around
Eric on guard duty, spoke. Elisha, standing beside him, cast a glance at Dante.
"Honestly, you know I don't usually attend this kind of event, right?"
"I don't know."
"Impossible, impossible you don't know. After Eric became the Crown Prince, we
three were sneaking out all the time." Dante couldn't say that out loud and
protested with his eyes instead. Of course, such a trick didn't work with
Elisha. Instead, she moved her gaze away from Dante and looked around.
Several hours had already passed since the start of the banquet. The atmosphere
had already ripened, and the music was slowly changing to a Polonaise melody.
The ball was about to begin in earnest.
"Ah, when I think about it."
While the melody shifted into a triple meter, Dante blinked, looked around, and
opened his mouth.
"His Majesty is supposed to open the ball."
"......"
"Has Eri—, no, has His Majesty ever danced before?"
The moment he finished speaking, Elisha also narrowed her eyes. There was no way
Eric, who was on the path to becoming an Emperor since birth, wouldn't know how
to dance. The problem, however, was that he had never danced in a "real"
setting. Furthermore, there was a bigger problem...
"Does he even have a partner in the first place?"
Dante finally muttered under his breath. He didn't mention anything to me about
a partner for the ball. And given Eric's personality, it's unlikely he'd partner
with someone from another country. Don't tell me he's waiting for Elisha to drop
her disguise and appear? He isn't crazy enough to ask "Lucy Forte" to dance, is
he? While Dante, annoyed at the mere thought, raised his head to look at the
grand staircase of the central hall—
"Ah."
At that moment, Dante realized his fears were completely groundless. Eric was
descending the stairs with Primavera.
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