🌹💘🌹
THE night before we set out for Mayga Cieux, a grand party was held in the castle’s great hall. It functioned as a combined rally and farewell celebration. I wore an evening dress and heels again for the first time in a while. Naturally, Richard was over-effusive with the praise.
“Miss Monica, you are absolutely ravishing! I appreciate you wearing the new outfit! It looks fantastic on you!”
“You know there was no need to custom-order a new dress,” I replied.
“I simply wanted you to wear something I chose, Miss Monica.”
“O-Oh…I see.” Before my cheeks flushed, I slid my gaze from his and fidgeted restlessly.
Today’s creamy white dress, similar in color to my normal saintly garb, exposed a great deal of decolletage. My hair was tied up in an elegant knot, with lacework and beaded accessories wound throughout it. The skirt of the dress created a lovely, slim silhouette, but was surprisingly easy to move in.
Richard stepped on to the stage and addressed the crowd of attendees when the party started. “You’ve all worked incredibly hard in our many battles thus far. Thanks to your efforts, Kophe and the Empire can now stand in solidarity like this wishing for the purification of Mayga Cieux.”
His elegant upswept hairstyle and gorgeous full dress uniform looked especially good on him tonight. He skillfully spun his words, passionately conveying the tragedies and sights he’d witnessed across the country and the resilience of the citizens of Kophe. I could hear people sniffling with emotion as they listened to him.
“To tell you the truth, it was hard seeing the true state of affairs when I first stepped into the Kingdom. But its citizens’ fortitude and dependable natures opened my eyes. My chest burned with feeling, and I felt a powerful desire to lend them a helping hand. Your thoughts moved the king as well. I have no doubt this is the result of each and every one of Kophe’s citizens doing what they can for their country.”
Richard made eye contact with each person in attendance as his eyes moved over the crowd during his earnest appeal.
“I’m sure that just hearing the name ‘Mayga Cieux’ makes this country’s people afraid. But we’ll be fine because we overcame a great deal thus far. I believe in all of you. Let’s bring peace to Kophe together.”
A storm of cheers and applause followed in the wake of his speech. I was a bit teary myself, even knowing how talented he was at this kind of showmanship.
Once he finished, the party went into full swing. A ball was held in the dance hall for knights and young ladies to mingle, while those who wanted to enjoy a quiet chat with others savored spirits in the luxurious lounge. The garden, illuminated magically, created a romantic backdrop in the night. The scent of various perfumes mixed with the tantalizing aromas coming from the light repast. Each and every person was in their best finery, creating an atmosphere akin to a museum. You could have all the eyes in the world, and it still wouldn’t be enough to admire it all.
And as for me…
“Esteemed Arousing Priestess, about the cultivation in my territory—”
“Arousing Priestess, I’d like to hear your thoughts on our medical system.”
“Lady Priestess, are you interested in establishing a new religion?”
“Hahaha…”
…there I was surrounded by a crush of old men in this dazzling environment, hounded by questions about work. Not an iota of splendor in this little pocket of the hall. Although I actually appreciated it since I wasn’t very good at balls or parties.
“Hooo, I finally managed to escape…”
A lull in the conversation with the old gentleman gave me the opportunity I needed to make myself a plate of refreshments. Just when a champagne glass filled with a scrumptious gelatin dessert caught my eye, another old man approached me. This time, it was a mustachioed aristocrat.
“Saint Monica, may I have a few moments of your time?”
“Is something the matter?”
He drew even closer to me, ambition glittering in his gaze. “I heard you and Prince Richard have a very close relationship. So…” When he glanced meaningfully at a young lady attended by her mother, she blushed and they both walked over to us. I realized they were his daughter and wife. “So would you arrange for His Highness to make my daughter’s acquaintance?”
“O-Oh, um…”
I looked around the hall, searching for Richard. He sat on a sofa chatting with young noblemen. It didn’t seem like an atmosphere where I could just bring a young lady to introduce to him.
“Well…I’ll let him know.”
“Thank you very much! I really appreciate it!”
The mustachioed man’s daughter bowed her head, cheeks still flushed and expression overcome with emotion. When the trio walked away, another pair of an older man and younger woman approached me.
“Arousing Priestess, might you mediate a meeting with His Highness…”
“Would you tell us anything you know about His Highness’s love life and the type of women he prefers?”
“Do you know where His Highness’s bedroom is?”
“Would you slip this love potion to His Highness? I bought it in secret from a merchant.”
Wait, wait, wait. That last request was most definitely a crime!
I deflected every single one of them with vague responses and harmless information about him, such as he was very good at cracking crab legs. Except for the last person. I reported her to the guards on duty then escaped to find a deserted spot.
I finally found it on the second floor. The location allowed me a view into the atrium doubling as a dance hall below.
“I’m exhausted…”
I lowered myself into a dainty chair and sipped on the juice in my champagne glass while rubbing my aching toes. Below, men and women twirled around the room in pairs, their dances matching the rhythm of the jovial music. They were all clearly enjoying themselves. Richard was dancing with a young lady wearing a neat dress.
“He says he’s not good at it, but he still dances more beautifully than everyone…”
Watching him from up here made his athleticism and strong sense of rhythm obvious. He danced with the young ladies, one after another. He showed no hints of fatigue as he matched his steps to his partner’s ability and led them. The women who waited their turn to dance with him all had the same fighting spirit in their eyes the knights did during monster hunts.
I recalled children lining up for stuffed animals and hugs. The memory made me chuckle softly.
“Oh-ho, what do we have here? Not a wallflower but a celestial star.”
“Eeek!”
Startled by the sudden voice, I whipped around to see who it was and found Xenu behind me, an indulgent smile on his face.
“Y-You’re much too close, Xenu,” I said.
“Here you go. You haven’t eaten much yet, right?”
“Mpf.”
I tried to move away from him, but he gently stuffed a bird-shaped steamed confection in my mouth. When I automatically accepted the snack, he chuckled and sat down next to me.
His long black hair fell in lustrous waves down his back. He too wore formal attire. It closely resembled his usual high-collared long tunic except for the luxurious fabric, silk with black and red hues. A closer inspection revealed various designs—dragons, flowers, birds, and more—embroidered in the material using thread in similar colors. It was fancier than a minor noblewoman’s. His dangling earrings and necklace complemented his exotic outfit, very clearly not in the style of Kophe or the Empire, very well too.
When I bit into the bird-shaped steamed pastry, the sweet flavor of red bean filling spread in my mouth. Delicious.
“I’ve…never had this until now. Scrumptious indeed,” I said.
“It’s a dish from my homeland. I invited chefs from there to make it for you, Madam Monica.”
“J-Just for me?”
“Yes.”
Xenu grinned cheerfully. “If what I do for you becomes a memory for you, then I’ll gladly spend however much it costs. Speaking of, I have more treats for you.”
A steamer rested on top of the plate in his hands. Inside was a variety of steamed buns—pinched and folded, round, and bite-size in addition to the bird-shaped one. He gave me a bamboo pick and I gratefully dove in.
“Thank you… I don’t even remember the last time we talked, Xenu,” I said.
“Agreed, which is why I’m here now. I wouldn’t want you to forget me.” He looked down at the ball below. “Well, will you look at that? Those young ladies have eyes only for His Highness. At this rate, the knights won’t ever get hitched.”
“Hm…fair point.”
Xenu stared at my face. “You look sad, Madam Monica? Are you jealous?”
“J-Jealous! As if!” I chewed determinedly on the bun in my mouth. It felt like he hit me right where it hurts.
“You’re right. That was rude of me. After all, you and His Highness don’t have that kind of relationship, huh?”
I had a hard time swallowing, so I kept chewing, stalling to reply. I chose to remain by Richard’s side even knowing we didn’t have that sort of bond. But hearing it from another person, I felt both crushed and miserable.
I gazed down at Richard. His red hair sparkled beautifully, awash in the light cast by the chandelier. He looked dignified in the military uniform that covered his toned body. Perfect to the tips of his fingers.