Case 26: To a banquet under the stars.

This sucked.

Who could have thought that walking with the correct noble-like posture on heels was so excruciatingly hard?

I never wore heels before, and I certainly didn't walk like a noble either. Was it a good thing that my waist was slim enough for me to skip the corset?

No, forget the corset. At this point, I just felt like tripping at any moment, so I kept looking down. Fortunately, Rachael and Lyra, whose hands I was gripping, helped me a lot with the balancing.

That helped, but the people's gazes didn't.

Just how embarrassing it would be if I fell in front of this many people... not to mention it would ruin the imperial family's important(?) strolling ceremony on the red carpet.

''...?''

Rachael and her envious height.

I looked up at her, feeling an increased pressure wrapped around my hand. With a faint smile, the princess glanced at me reassuringly, perhaps sensing my troubles.

In response, I brightly smiled at her, too.

I was sure the cameras were clicking like crazy, but I had already expected that before. After this day, there would no doubt be an explosion of news within the capital, at least.

What I didn't expect were the nobles. Seeing them behave just like modern Earthlings, pulling out their phones to take pictures or record, gave me a slight chill.

Were they allowed to do that while the emperor was still walking?

Eh, wasn't my business.

After the emperor had settled on the throne, all of us once again bowed to her.

''You may rise.''

Then, a short and concise sentence was uttered, ''Let the banquet begin.''

With that, the crowd began to disperse a bit. It was mainly the children who weren't interested in politics yet running away to play, while the adults and their teenage kids remained to greet the emperor, as per the etiquette. If they didn't want to wait in a long line, the other imperials and royals were the targets instead.

Making and deepening connections were important in this society.

While I was worried, seeing the mass of people who looked like they would charge at us for a chance to talk, Rachael tugged my hand a little.

''Cecilia.''

''Yes, Your Highness.''

''Let us greet Her Majesty first, and we can spend some quiet time elsewhere.''

''My, I was about to suggest that, too.''

I could feel an extremely hostile gaze as Rachael and I spoke in harmony, but I decided to ignore that. It was probably that typical villainess from the Duchy of... erm... Dreux? I wasn't entirely sure. I would have to pull up the notes I made.

''Do you want to follow us, Lyra? Or would you like to make new friends?''

''You.''

My little sister spared half a glance at the children of her age, who were racing around and giving their caretakers severe stomachache, and immediately decided to go with us.

Since that damned couple, Gloria and Lily, was already nowhere to be found, we opted to greet the crown by ourselves.

''We are honored and grateful to have received your blessing, Your Majesty.''

Rachael was the one speaking, pulling the attention of not only her dominant mother but the other imperials. With the exception of the third empress and her daughter, Rachael's sisters looked at her meaningfully, while the other empresses were visibly wary.

As for Beatrice herself...

''No need to thank me. You may go.''

''Thank you.''

Beatrice was a weird character in the game. She didn't talk much, didn't do anything outrageous, didn't do anything distasteful either. People got the impression that she was a potential heroine of a prequel game of sorts since her model was so polished, yet with the lack of her dialogues, none could be so sure.

Nevertheless, now that we were free to go anywhere, finding a suitable place to enjoy ourselves was essential. I didn't want to waste this chance either, seeing how busy Rachael was the past few months.

It seemed the princess was of the same mind as me. She was like an angry shark, glaring away most of the peeps who tried to approach us. Even those who dared to get past that intangible barrier got chased away quickly.

''Quiet place, quiet place... shall we go to the balcony?''

At my suggestion, both of my companions expressed their approval.

Unlike the slightly more old-school decorations inside the hall, here on the balcony, where the buildings' bright electric light superseded that of the faraway stars and where the night's breeze set our hair loose, I got to see a fresh, modern look of Syrus wholly.

With the set of a table and chairs brought out by an attendant, our time officially began.

''Are you cold, Cecilia?''

''I'm fine, Your Highness. I appreciate your consideration.''

Despite my words, Rachael insisted on creating a little heat bubble for me to hold—a miniature heater, if I had to describe it.

''Heheh... it looks like I'm holding an egg, isn't it? I must seem silly.''

Sliding a part of my bang that was sticking out behind my ear, Rachael softly mused, ''You're beautiful regardless.''

Her gentle touch, her absorbed smile, her sparkling eyes. Everything made my heart beat faster.

At this rate, I wouldn't need the orb for heating anymore.

''Um... thank you.''

Out of consideration for my little sister, who probably wouldn't want to watch these kinds of corny stuff, I kept the flirting adequate.

''...''

Indeed, she was staring blankly at us while chomping on a piece of steak. Those empty black eyes always scared me for some reason.

''It's a beautiful scenery out here. I'm just bummed out that we can't really see the stars very well.'' I said, changing the topic. ''I was hoping for a romantic banquet under the stars... well, we're still under them anyway.''

''If you want to stargaze, I know a nice location in the countryside that we can visit together,'' Rachael replied. ''I happened to visit the town nearby a while back for work.''

''That sounds wonderful, but can Your Highness afford to go...?''

''Maybe when summer comes around.''

''My, I'll look forward to that day, then.''

The harmonious mood continued for a while. Lyra ate like a hamster, while Rachael and I were so suited for each other that it was hard to believe. Obviously, I was merely being myself, but Rachael had bigger secrets. And when those secrets are revealed... I feared her infatuation with me might become an obsession.

'Feared' might be the wrong word. In my heart, it was closer to 'anticipate.'

Time passed like that, and eventually, I stood up, putting the heating orb on Lyra's lap.

''I need to visit the restroom. Please excuse me for a bit.''

Of course, that was an excuse. I barely ate or drank anything today in the first place.

It was to bring the other two crucial members into our little banquet—Penelope and Kiara. I couldn't openly call them when I was with Rachael since I didn't want a scandal to be brought up this early, and Rachael herself would be furious if I shamelessly did that anyway.

I had to make it sound like a coincidence.

Upon returning to the hall, I saw that the party was still going strong, with several couples even dancing in the middle stage. A quick glance around revealed the location of... Quasar?

That was definitely Quasar. That fluffy pink hair couldn't be mistaken.

I suppose she was invited, too. Unfortunately, 'Cecilia' didn't have anything to do with Quasar, so I couldn't talk to her now.

''Oh, there's one.''

Kiara spotted. Er... was she pretending to listen to music alone? What was that restless yet expectant expression? Did she expect someone to reach out to her...?

No, you silly, that would only make people more reluctant to approach you...!

As I set my step toward the pitiful girl in order to rescue her, several women suddenly got in my way.

''Greetings, fair lady. I believe this is the first time we have met?''

Great. The villainess Blaire and her followers were here. Since they had shown blatant hostility, I supposed I wouldn't need to hold back, either.

''Greetings, ladies. How may I help you?'' I replied, trying to be as cordial as possible, even knowing she would attack me immediately after.

''Not even an introduction?''

See?

I could go on to criticize her for not introducing herself first or whatnot, but I honestly couldn't care less. The house of Orleans wasn't to be taken lightly, even for duchies.

''Excuse me. We can talk later, but I have an urgent matter to attend to.''

''Stop.''

Blaire, with trained movements, quickly seized my wrist. Her palm filled with hard calluses was proof of her hard work, yet it was also hurting me.

''Please let me go, my lady.''

''What is your relationship with Her Highness Rachael?''

''It's none of your business.''

''Ignorant fool.''

With a squint of her eyes, I knew exactly what would happen next. Blaire was confident I was a nobody since she knew all the powerful ones already, and for someone so drowned in power like her, punishing me physically might be the quickest way for her to get what she wanted.

She was going to slap me.

I could have stopped it, sure. Soul Guardians weren't allowed in the banquet, but one could use it in case of an emergency. Lucy would wipe the floor with someone at the level of Blaire, even with a pathetic master like me.

But... why stop it if I was going to benefit from it?

Rachael, Penelope, and Kiara. Even Lyra. They would undoubtedly stand up for me, and that would solidify my position immensely.

''...''

My eyes detected her other arm rising.

It would only sting a little. Nothing compared to vomiting blood.

No, with her calluses, would it bleed a bit?

Would I need to buy oilment...

Hm...?

''...Huh?''

The slap I anticipated never came. In my vision, a clear shade of black was present.

''What do you think you are doing?''

''Ugh...''

Penelope stood there calmly, clutching Blaire's hand like she was about to crush it.