What the emperor sent was an invitation. Specifically, a free pass allowing unrestricted access to the inner palace of the imperial palace!
What a windfall! This privilege was usually reserved for those at least at the level of the emperor’s aides.
“As the monster hunting competition is being held at the imperial palace, His Majesty must have something specific to discuss.”
Ah, the Belleng District. That reminded me there was unfinished business between the emperor and me. Plus, with Vallentin’s antidote and Bergman’s travel bag ready. It was a perfect opportunity for a triple kill with one shot.
“The preparations are going very well. According to Aeron, everyone is exceptionally skilled.”
“Yes. Now that it’s come to this, we must win at all costs.”
“Indeed.”
The duke laughed heartily, pleased with my response.
“Ah, but…”
Suddenly, I remembered a story I heard from Aeron.
“The old vassals will seize this as an opportunity. Amidst the noise about the skin disease caused by Princess’s ointment, they’ll protest about the knight’s group made of Norma. They’ll claim Princess is causing trouble again.”
“I heard the old vassals have become more opposed now.”
They already disapproved of me, and now I had appointed Norma as the personal knights representing Felicite… Certainly, this was enough to make the rotten waters churn.
From the skin disease to the knight’s squad. Just as Aeron said, they’ll be eagerly looking for faults to pick on.
“It doesn’t matter. Just ignore them.”
It was such a manly attitude. The problem was that it was too manly for someone in charge of the family’s internal affairs.
“No. Even if we overlook it for now, they will cling and make trouble every chance they get.”
One must remove a boil immediately; left untreated, it can rot beyond repair.
“They will shake up Father’s position. Furthermore, they will even try to decide the position of successor according to their will.”
Their support for Irik as the successor was for similar reasons. Weak in legitimacy, they could manipulate him as they wished.
“Siani, what are you thinking right now?” The duke, reading my serious expression, asked. He looked as if he feared me sometimes.
Well, anyway, only a week was left until the monster hunting competition. With all preparations complete…
“They say you must protect your family before a war, right?”
“You’re saying the same thing as the subordinate who followed me in the past.” The duke seemed puzzled at hearing such words from a nineteen-year-old lady.
“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll handle both the skin disease suspicion and the opposition to Norma.” I spoke with resolve.
“The regular council of nobles is coming up.”
“Ah, yes. They’re all coming up to the capital for it.”
The regular council of Felicite nobles. In three days, an event is held only twice a year, attended by all under the name of Felicite, from the Duke’s brothers to the families of lower nobles. The entire west building emptied to accommodate these guests for such a significant event.
“In return for solving all this turmoil,” I put down my teacup and looked at the duke, “I have a favor to ask of Father.”
“Yes? A favor?”
I thought of the west building where the nobles would stay. The humans would chatter nonstop with the dining hall lit 24/7 and endless top-notch food prepared.
“Please allow my children to enter and exit the west building on that day.”
“Your children… Are you talking about the Norma?”
When I nodded as if it was obvious, the duke asked. “Why?”
Why? Meanwhile, those who do nothing but party on Felicite’s budget eat fine meals.
“I want to feed them well.”
Seeing my fierce determination to care for my children, the duke’s expression twitched.
“The children representing Felicite in the competition have every right to eat well, right?”
Let’s start by feeding them well.
* * *
Then, after a while.
“Milady, I heard the vassals gather in the west building.”
Carriages continuously entered, making the front of the duchy noisy.
“From His Grace’s direct relatives to nobles and their families…” Daisy, counting on her fingers, eventually gave up and clenched her fist. “They’ll surely cling to the skin disease and the hunting competition to attack you. Shouldn’t we prepare some kind of countermeasure?”
“Countermeasure?”
Contrary to Daisy’s worry, I remained calm. “Is the food good?”
“Food? Of course! The main chefs are in charge…”
“Good. As long as the food is good.”
“Uh…?” Daisy seemed confused by my words.
“What about the Norma?”
“The others should be at the training ground, and Inein might be in the dining hall of the west building.” She added cautiously. “I heard from the servants stationed there that the nobles are blatantly ignoring the Norma, talking down to them…”
I expected as much, but still, our Inein. Enduring such treatment is no ordinary feat.
“Ignoring?”
I stood up. I’ve told them not to mess with mine. Why can’t they understand?
“Let’s head to the west building, Daisy.”
Everything was going according to my plan.
* * *
“I can’t understand what His Grace is thinking.”
“I can’t comprehend the princess more. What does she plan by associating with such vulgar things?”
Harsh stares fell upon a masked boy. Using the dining hall with the Norma, the male nobles clicked their tongues.
“…”
But Inein just bit into his bread, unaffected. His large stature and muscular build didn’t come for nothing.
“Oh my, even if he just left standing, he’d be the pride of Felicite.”
“Frankly, the princess’s eye for talent must be acknowledged. Traveling for over a week in a carriage was worth it. Hohoho.”
However, all the women smiled at Inein.
“Oh my, who’s that cute one over there…”
The dining hall buzzed again as Francis sat in front of Inein.
“Is it delicious?” Francis, sipping orange juice and jelly, asked.
“Even in this situation, they manage to eat. Shows their lowly blood. Hmph!”
The scowls grew harsher, but Francis seemed indifferent. Surviving on cliffs, escaping slave markets, and being expelled from the royal family, what’s this compared to…
“I’m worried that the princess is being criticized for no reason because of us,” Francis mumbled, chewing on jelly.
“That hair color! T-that b*stard!”
The third to enter the dining hall was Vallentin. His striking red hair drew more attention.
“Oh my.”
But the faces of the maids and female nobles brightened up.
Tall, fair, and even behind a mask, he radiated charm. Completely different from the usual round-bellied men.
“Inein, what conditions brought you here?” Francis asked, and Inein shrugged, seemingly without much thought. Then Francis turned to Valentin.
“Why did you accept the princess’s offer?”
“To escape from the underground castle,” Vallentin answered nonchalantly while popping chocolate in his mouth.
TL/N: Starting from this chapter ‘basement’ will be changed to ‘underground castle’.
“What will you do after escaping?”
“Go back.”
Francis watched him. Such a tough-looking man munching on chocolates.
“I want to stay here.”
At that, Inein smiled. His smile alone elicited gasps of admiration throughout the dining hall.
“Give it back! My mother made that for me!”
“Then it explains why it’s so shabby. Try to take it back.”
It was then.
“Hey! What’s this mess!”
A crash echoed as food and dishes hit the floor. It was because a boy who was running around the dining hall bumped into the table where the Norma were sitting.
“Who’s that? Wearing a mask indoors, oh, father! Are they the monsters who escaped from the underground castle?”
“Oh, Levin! What are you doing near them? What if you catch germs?”
The boy yelled towards someone, and a middle-aged man approached.
“Father, they are Norma, right? I heard all of them were picked up from the trash can.”
“…”
Francis’s eyes calmed at the boy’s words. He wanted to flip him over, but this was the duchy. Acting impulsively would only harm Siani.
“Father also said Princess spread the skin disease the mansion’s servants suffered had been spreading from them!” The boy giggled, pointing his finger.
“Come here, Levin.” The man pulled his son behind him and clicked his tongue. “Tsk, the princess has lost her mind, bringing such low and filthy creatures into the main house.”
“…”
The cold words pierced the dining hall.
“What are you glaring at? Beggars without parents!” The boy sneered from behind his father.
It was then.
“…What?”
Someone stepped down the stairs slowly.
“What you just said.”
Under the chandelier, a red dress spread out.
“Say it again, in front of me.”
Siani appeared.
Thank you Ella and SadAsian for the cakeヾ(´︶`♡)ﾉ.
