Despite accepting the emperor’s request, it would be another three days before we departed, as we had to arrange carriages, food, and other supplies. The preparations proceeded smoothly, and it was now one day before we were scheduled to leave. Somehow, we found ourselves at a party.
I looked around at the vast room inside the imperial palace. People dressed in luxurious clothing filled the equally luxurious hall. As I had already suspected from its exterior, the imperial palace was not a castle designed to repel enemies.
“You don’t have to be so on edge. I won’t let anyone approach you all,” Fiona said next to me, taking a sip from the glass in her hand. “People trying to draw you into their own camp are troublesome enough, but it’s just as bad if others mistakenly believe you’ve already sided with another faction. That’s why I’d like you to stay with me for today.”
“People like us are bound to get looked down on at an upper-class party like this, so I appreciate that, but...” I looked up at the figure standing next to Fiona. “Is that your way of warding people off?”
The figure was an ogre. He was far larger than any human, and unusually for his race, his skin was an ashen gray. His poise gave him the air of a warrior. Even under my gaze, the ogre remained silent and still, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
“This is Vromd, one of my holy knights,” Fiona said with a smile. “Though he rarely speaks, he makes his surroundings fall silent simply by standing there, so he’s always of great assistance.”
Presumably because it was a party, the ogre named Vromd was dressed formally and wasn’t carrying any weapons on his person. Yet his lack of arms didn’t make him any less intimidating. His human clothing didn’t particularly suit him—if anything, it made him appear even more frightening. As a result, we were given a wide berth.
“I didn’t expect you to have demons in your holy knights.” The fact that she had brought him to an event like this was even more shocking. “I’m surprised it’s permitted,” I said, returning my gaze to Fiona.
Fiona giggled. “Have you forgotten my position?”
“Is it all right for the imperial princess to be keeping her distance from everyone else?”
“I’m careful about which parties I have Vromd accompany me to, of course. However, as there are few nobles among my supporters, the opportunities are rather frequent. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be anybody I particularly desire to speak with here today.”
“Then why did you come at all?”
“Everyone here is a guest of the emperor. It’s better for me to participate, so as not to shame His Majesty.”
The party was apparently being held by the imperial court itself, and they had even extended invitations to us. Although we were hesitant at first, Fiona had encouraged us to attend, so we did. However, the emperor wasn’t present, so I couldn’t help but feel like we shouldn’t have bothered.
“More importantly, Seika.” Fiona twirled, making the hem of her gorgeous dress float gently. “What do you think?”
The sight of Fiona in her dress was so dazzling that it was hard to find the right words. Her beauty was something bards across the land praised with all the rhetoric at their disposal, yet even piling it all together seemed insufficient. In fact, the men Vromd was warding off were still gazing at her longingly.
That said, I still wasn’t sure how to respond. “If you’re fishing for praise, try someone else. I’m sure you’ll find no shortage,” I said, an awkward expression on my face.
“My, but it’s your praise I want more than anyone else’s.”
“Unfortunately, my vocabulary lacks the proper words,” I said. Unable to bear it, I looked away.
It wasn’t exactly a commendable attitude in terms of social etiquette, but I had always found formally praising a woman’s appearance uncomfortable. I had never grown accustomed to it, neither during my time in Japan nor during my travels across the mainland. Feeling a little guilty, I glanced at Fiona, only to find her looking quite pleased for some reason.
“Come to think of it, you were always like that. This takes me back.”
“Huh? What does?”
“Just talking to myself. However, Seika.” Fiona pointed behind me with her gaze. Amyu, Yifa, and Mabel were standing there. Glasses in their hands, they were huddled together in a small group to avoid standing out, captivated by the party. Fiona leaned in to whisper to me. “You can be careless with me, but not with them. Chances like this don’t come around very often.”
The three of them had also dressed up for the party. Their dresses were more subdued compared to Fiona’s, but each was finely tailored and chosen to match the colors of their hair and eyes. Their hair was carefully arranged, and they seemed to be wearing a hint of makeup as well, making them look like the daughters of noble families. It was clear why their preparations had taken so long. When they noticed both me and the beaming Fiona looking at them, they suddenly turned cheerful.
“Well, Seika? Don’t you have something to say?” Amyu demanded.
“Uh... Do I?”
“We’re waiting.”
Forced into an awkward spot, an uncomfortable expression appeared on my face, but there was no escape. “Umm... You three look very pretty.” Looking away, I barely managed to squeeze out the words. The three of them let out a cheer, half teasing, half giddy. Fiona joined, and before long, they were all excitedly chatting about accessories and beauty. Watching them, I let out a deep sigh. “Give me a break.”
“Master Seika, I’m embarrassed for you.” Annoyed, I tried to brush her away from my ear, but I felt Yuki dart away up toward the top of my head, hiding in my hair.
Feeling a sudden wave of weariness, I turned my gaze back to the hall. While I didn’t recognize a single face, they no doubt all belonged to noble houses or the families of assembly members. In terms of my previous life, they were probably like court officials. At any rate, I could never grow used to gatherings like this.
“Fiona.” Just then, a slightly hoarse voice rang out nearby. I turned and saw a young man addressing Fiona. “I didn’t think you were here today. Even dressed up so beautifully, you still prefer to bloom quietly off in the corner, don’t you?” he said with a gentle smile.
He was a slender man. Even in this hall full of delicate-looking gentlemen, he stood out as especially lacking in vigor, to the extent that he even seemed frail. In reality, he must have been sickly. His blond hair was pale enough to make him seem unhealthy, and his skin was ghostly white. Despite his youth, he leaned on a cane with his right hand. The dark-tinted glasses that looked somewhat out of place were likely meant to shield his eyes from strong light.