Viola headed to the Marchioness of Hyril’s territory. It was located near the center of the Central Continent, along the Grandia, one of the continent’s five major rivers. The Grandia had long been a transportation hub where supplies and human resources were gathered.
“I will take you by carriage, Princess,” said Zenon.
After saying that, Ersa explained.
“There are well-maintained gateways that allow large carriages to travel to the Marchioness of Hyril’s. You will enjoy a comfortable journey without having to leave the carriage except for essential purposes. However, it is expected that it will take us about 3 days to reach the first travel gateway.”
Viola, Tundra, and Hera rode in the same carriage. Sebastian Marcos, who was supposed to accompany them, decided to meet the group at the Marchioness of Hyril’s.
Inside the carriage moving towards the Marchioness’ territory, Tundra had been patient and silent until now, but he couldn’t hold back his curiosity any longer.
“Master, can I ask you one question?”
“Okay.”
“Your escort to enter the banquet hall… Who will it be?”
There was a hint of anticipation in Tundra’s eyes.
“Zenon will do it.”
“Okay.”
Tundra’s eyes filled with disappointment but he did his best not to show it. The dog could ask for a walk but he couldn’t insist on being the escort. That was an act that crossed the line. At least Tundra thought so.
Tundra was left with an inevitable sense of regret, while on the other hand, Viola’s mind was in complicated chaos.
‘I do not understand.’
Jeremy and Celine had appeared out of nowhere. Jeremy was a character who frowned upon high society and Celine was a character who didn’t even appear at this Forget-Me-Not Banquet.
‘I guess it’s because of me, right?’
She wished that only Jeremy or only Celine would have appeared, but they ended up showing up together.
‘Prime Minister Celine is very, very famous for finding loyal and talented people to serve the empire. She scouts for talents and offers them a cause they can’t refuse.’
Celine spared no effort in investing and nurturing great talent. She was a great minister who fully supported the people, saying that ultimately it was the people that made the empire great.
‘It would be difficult for her to look at me like that…’
She shouldn’t have caught Celine’s attention and the moment she got caught in Celine’s net, her life would become tiring. Viola did not have a single ounce of patriotism toward the empire.
‘I’m for my prosperity and happiness…!’
The moment she was chosen by Celine, she would have to sacrifice her flesh, bones, and soul for the Empire. Such a future was absolutely not a possibility.
‘I have to be cautious at this Forget-Me-Not Banquet. Of course, this is all Jeremy’s fault.’
The reason Jeremy was appearing in high society was very clear. It was to strengthen his friendship with Viola.
‘That simple guy probably thinks it’s just an act to assist in becoming friends.’
But high society parties were not such simple gatherings. On the outside, people smiled and enjoyed themselves, while on the inside, they worked to build power through endless, cool-headed calculations. The people who interacted here and formed friendships later became colleagues in the imperial political arena. Forming social circles was the prelude to creating future colleagues. It was not for nothing that it was said, ‘Those who rule high society will eventually rule the world.’
‘The Palail family of Storm Fortress and the Bellato family of Winter Castle are far from their natural social circles.’
And if Jeremy and Viola appeared at the same time? Showing off their friendship?
‘Storm Fortress in the south and Winter Castle in the north met secretly, and the Storm Sword and the Iron-Blooded Duke made an undercover deal. That’s the rumor that will spread.’
Regardless of Jeremy’s intentions, everyone would think that way. And it would be very tiring for the central aristocrats, who had vested interests, if these two forces, who were originally uninterested in socialism and politics, joined forces. Besides, the Golden Road would be completed in a few years. A huge trade route connecting the northern, central, and southern areas of the continent, was created under Celine’s leadership. These aristocrats had intentionally excluded and isolated Bellato from politics. This was because they were afraid of Bellato’s powerful forces. In such a situation, showing an interaction between the Storm Fortress and the Winter Castle… The harm would be much greater than the benefit.
‘Jeremy will already be subjected to all sorts of checks in the fierce social and political world. But he won’t care about that at all, right?’
Her thoughts became even more complicated. She needed to show herself as a White Bellato but somehow things seemed to have gone overboard.
‘I even received a ring…’
Still, she decided to think of it as taking a step back to take a step forward. However, Hera, as she watched Viola lost in thought, thought differently.
‘This is a great opportunity to catch the eye of Celine. That’s why she must be so serious.’
They saw the situation the same way but their attitudes towards it were different.
‘I’m already curious. How will Viola lead the situation?’
* * *
A few days later, Viola and her party were able to arrive at the Marchioness of Hyril’s without any trouble. It was possible to feel the power and wealth of the Hyril family through the large travel gateway that was temporarily opened in four directions: north, south, east, and west.
‘Mobilizing a magic tower to temporarily operate a large travel gateway.’
It was a service provided for guests from all over the continent.
‘I don’t know how much but it must have cost an astronomical amount of money.’
To compare it to modern times, it was similar to creating a private airport and chartering flights for people attending a banquet. There were three hotels for banquet attendees and the Bellato group was assigned to the one called ‘Moon Shadow.’ It was crowded with boys and girls who came from all over the continent for the Forget-Me-Not Banquet and their attendants.
“We will go through the formalities.”
Zenon and Ersa headed towards the desk. Meanwhile, someone approached their way.
“Oh my, who is this? Aren’t you Princess Hera of Bellato, whom I am very close with?”
It was a young lady approximately fifteen years old, wearing a very flashy red dress and excessive amounts of sparkling jewelry. She had about seven rings on her fingers, and they all looked expensive. Viola laughed to herself.
‘It’s a talent to coordinate such expensive-looking items in such a not-so-pretty way.’
Hera answered with a gentle smile.
“Princess Senna, long time no see.”
The person who approached was Senna. She was the third princess of Mariantu, who had always ridiculed or ignored Hera. She was the lady that Viola had promised to take care of. She had already completed all her formalities and was wandering around the lobby alone.
“That’s right. Has it been 6 months? I was a little disappointed that you didn’t accept my invitation.”
“Sorry. I’ve been so busy with work lately that I haven’t been able to come to see you. I hope we can chat over warm tea next time.”
“Great. You must keep that promise.”
“Sure. That is a tea I would really like to experience with my own eyes, one in a highly civilized, mature society.”
“Princess Hera is always welcome.”
“By the way, who is this pretty lady next to you?”
“This is my younger sister, the 6th Princess, Viola.”
“Ah! The rumored 6th Princess! The lady who was the distinguished guest of the Louis Bartengan Family!”
Viola covered her chest with one of her hands and slightly bowed her waist.
“Nice to meet you, Princess Senna. I am Viola Bellato.”
“Oh my gosh, I’ve heard ugly rumors about Princess Viola all over the place but all those rumors were wrong. Those idiots were clearly slandering Princess Viola.”
“What kind of scary rumors did you hear?”
“That her blood is made of iron. Moreover, that her hands are cruel and barbaric.”
Among nobles, it was not polite to directly convey unfavorable rumors about oneself. It seemed like this young lady had no manners at all.
“Those are really strange rumors.”
“I know, right? They are unbelievable rumors. Also, how could such a delicate and pretty young lady be capable of such grandiose and wonderful things? You want to tell me it’s complete nonsense, right?”
“…Yes?”
“How could such a child subdue bandits, pre-purchase the land of the Golden Road, and accomplish such difficult tasks after being dispatched to the Storm Fortress and Viscounty of Seall? It’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Viola laughed lightly.
“‘I couldn’t because I’m cute’ is obvious what you’re thinking.”
Senna was slightly surprised but she soon smiled leisurely and continued to look at Viola.
“Princess Hera’s younger sister is good at telling jokes.”
She continued her words without hiding her growing smile.
“But I think it can only be considered a joke if the other person is having fun together. I think it would be a good idea for Princess Viola to use a speaking style more suited to high society and to show a little more respect and consideration towards her partner. To ensure our good relationship with each other.”
“If you know full well that it’s only a joke when both people are having fun together, why did you do that to my sister?”
On the outside, the atmosphere between the two was very friendly. Meanwhile, Ersa and Zenon completed the formalities and returned.
“Ah, you are Princess Senna. I’ll say hello. I am Zenon, Princess Viola’s butler.”
“I said hello to you last time. I am Princess Hera’s butler, Ersa.”
Senna ignored the two’s greetings, not accepting them. This was because the status of a butler and a princess was thought to be the difference between heaven and earth. She thought it was their great honor to even have this opportunity to greet her.
“Princess Hera. You came with your jokey little sister. From what I heard, she is also a White Bellato?”
Senna smiled intentionally, to the point where she clearly showed her inner feelings that White Bellatos were losers anyway.
“I hope you have a more enjoyable time at the banquet. See you next time. I have an appointment with Prince Jeremy, so I’ll be leaving.”
Viola seemed to be showing off her superiority by flaunting that she knew Prince Jeremy.
Hera, after being guided to her room, lay down on the bed and asked.
“What on earth are you thinking? That person is the 3rd Princess of Mariantu!”
“I said I would kill her step by step, starting from the heart. I don’t lie.”
“Really?”
Hera was a little surprised. She thought that if she was Viola, she would first create a good relationship with Senna.
‘What on earth is she thinking?’
As expected, Viola did not move as she thought. She was probably seeing a bigger picture than Hera could see herself.
‘I look forward to it. How will you be the star of this Forget-Me-Not Banquet?’
Yes, Hera was really looking forward to it. She felt like her heart was pounding, however, Viola’s true feelings were quite the opposite.
‘Let’s just throw this opportunity away.’
The next opportunity had to be postponed so she decided to act like a feisty child in front of Celine.
‘A young troublemaker who causes strife with the 3rd Princess of Mariantu at the first banquet she attends. It would be best to go with this disposition.’
Mariantu was a family whose fortunes had declined over the last 10 years. So it was okay even if there was a bit of a falling out between them.
‘The content has changed so much from the original. It’s full of variables.’
Viola figured there would be little to gain from this family as Senna appeared to be a somewhat lacking child.
‘So, I must get away from Celine’s eyes.’
That was Viola’s best decision at this time. And three days later, the Forget-Me-Not Banquet began.
Numerous children from all over the Central Continent gathered at Marchioness Hyril’s banquet hall.
The opening speech of the banquet began, “Thank you for attending the banquet I am hosting.”
It was the powerful Marchioness Hyril. As Celine spoke, everyone around her became quiet.
“Thanks to the distinguished guests attending the Forget-Me-Not Banquet, my family and I can shine even brighter.”
The speech started quickly and lasted about 5 minutes.
“…So, I hope that you will have a fun and happy time for 7 days and 7 nights.”
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause erupted. But the speech did not end there. As the applause died down, Celine spoke again.
“I would like to propose something to our distinguished guests.”
—————————————————————
Translator Note:
Hello there! This is RJR. I hope you liked it <3
If you like my work please support me with Ko-fi or Patreon. Next post will be released on January, 9.
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