A voice cried loudly out across the hall. "Princess Celesteed Violine Vinchester has arrived!"
As the grand doors at the front of the room opened, the nobles in the area shifted to either side and paid their respects with low bows. Celesteed gestured for them to stand and approached Bianca right away, then proceeded to have a covert conversation disguised as casual chit-chat.
"Bia, update me on the matter Her Eminence ordered last night."
"It's being prepared without any issues."
The princess nodded, ending their cryptic discussion.
A moment later, other members of the royal family started to arrive as well.
"Prince Rigarez Ezentel Vinchester has arrived!"
"Prince Hardale Ruthven Vinchester has arrived!"
Both of the princes arrived in elaborately decorated uniforms and accessories.
"Queen Laviosa Angela Vinchester has arrived!"
The regent of the kingdom pleasantly walked in behind them. Queen Laviosa floated through the banquet hall and took her seat in a grand, golden chair encrusted with gems. Only when she gestured for everyone to continue enjoying the banquet did the music and the gentle murmur of the guests fill the hall once more.
As expected, a psychological battle between the potential successors of the Vinchester family was inevitable during the banquet. Only minutes after the two had arrived, Hardale made his way through the nobles and approached Rigarez. Instantly, the princes began provoking each other after a quick round of formal greetings.
"I heard a rumor going around the palace yesterday, Rigarez."
"A rumor?" the third prince asked.
"Yes. That you proposed to the Divine Emissary as per Her Majesty's wishes."
"I'm not sure why you'd call that a rumor," Rigarez said, tone flippant.
"I simply feel bad for you as your brother. Don't you think it's time you escaped your mother's shadow?"
"It's better than not having a mother at all, don't you think? What's the matter? Are you jealous?"
Hardale couldn't stop himself when he spat out, "You little sh*tâ"
"Yeah, yeah. Why did you come over here to bother me?"
As his younger half-brother was clearly making no effort to keep things civil, Hardale decided to return the favor. "To think that you could talk about the late queen with such utter disrespect... But perhaps it's a good thing."
"What nonsense do you speak of this time?" Rigarez asked.
"I believe a day will soon come when we can talk about Reminick with a smile on our faces. Wouldn't you agree?"
Rigarez's expression instantly darkened. "Shut up," he muttered.
"Pardon? You're the one who brought up dead family members. Why would you start us off on a trip down memory lane if you can't even take a joke like this?"
"I told you to shut up."
Splash!
In his rage, Rigarez had thrown the contents of his drink at Hardale, but the older brother had swiftly dodged the attack as if he'd been expecting it.
"Calm down, brother," he said as he looked around. Hardale smiled at the shocked nobles staring at them, keeping his expression gentle and even to settle the onlookers and present himself as a magnanimous leader.
Rigarez's anger and hostility hadn't subsided at this point, but the tension between the two instantly evaporated thanks to the servant's announcement of the most important figure's arrival.
"Ailette Rodeline, the Divine Emissary, and Master of the Holy Sword, Tesilid Argente, have arrived!"
The Divine Emissaryâwho wore a white ceremonial uniform with her pink hair in braidsâstepped in, escorted by a handsome man. Gasps erupted all over the banquet hall. The Divine Emissary glowed with a presence that separated her from regular humans as if to prove that she was blessed by God, so much so that the admiration for the beauty of a human had transcended to a sense of divine awe. The nobles felt their bodies vibrate at this unique experience as the Divine Emissary crossed the banquet hall and stepped before Queen Laviosa.
"My sincerest gratitude for hosting this banquet, Your Majesty."
"Please. There's no need for formalities, Divine Emissary. The royal family is indebted to you."
"It is an honor to have been of service."
"I've been advised that your church will be completed soon. We shall contribute to it as a sign of our gratitude."
"God has blessed me."
"This banquet was also to show our appreciation, but I do wonder if it's pleasing to you."
"To be honest, I am a little bit nervous as this is my first time attending such an event."
"Is that so?" said the queen, then waved her hand toward the servants who were next to her.
They readily approached, placing another throne-like chair next to the queen's seat. A few of the nobles quietly gasped at the implication of this gesture, as this seat was typically granted to the royal members only.
"Please take a seat next to me until you feel more at ease. It is also fine if you simply decide to spend the night observing instead of participating."
"Thank you for this kindness, Your Majesty."
Though unsure whether she knew what this gesture meant or not, The Divine Emissary wore an innocent smile and swiftly took a seat next to Queen Laviosa. This was followed by another round of murmurs at how the Divine Emissary accepted the seat of a member of the royal family.
With that, Queen Laviosa told the nobles, "Please continue to enjoy the banquet." It was another way to advise that she didn't want any more uncomfortable attention.
Meanwhile, the master of the holy sword backed away into a corner and tried to blend in with his surroundings, as if he were part of the decor at the banquet. He wanted to be an anonymous face in the crowd, but his exceptional features demanded attention from all people, two of which happened to be Hardale and Rigarez.
Hardale, who had seen Tesilid for the first time, frowned and asked his half-brother, "He's the master of the holy sword?"
"Are you interested? Do you want to make a move on him now that you lost the Divine Emissary to me?"
Hardale ignored Rigarez's taunting words and murmured, "Something about him bothers me."
"Really? Interesting. I must agree with you on this one."
"Isn't it true that holy knights are banned from drinking wine that's not provided by the religious order?" Hardale asked with a glint in his eye.
"Oh... Is that so?"
The half-brothers were on the same page for the first time in a while as they eyed a few of the attendants at their sides.
Having understood the message, the servants quickly approached Tesilid with friendly smiles, their hands full of wine glasses. Watching the holy knight desperately struggle to turn down the offers, Hardale and Rigarez both grinned devilishly.
â
«Wow, do you see that? Everyone started giving him a hard time as soon as you left. It's pretty disgusting.»
I agree, Agnes. Watching the servants push Tesilid to accept a drink made me feel sick, as if my own glass had been poisoned. I wanted to mix all of those drinks together and pour it down Hardale and Rigarez's throats right this instant, but I had no choice but to patiently sit next to Queen Laviosa right now.
â¬The Scale that Judges Souls is full of anticipation.â
â¬The Cliché Gourmet is full of anticipation.â
I had a feeling that the two gods were excited about different things.
I turned to Queen Laviosa without taking my eyes off Tesilid. "Your Majesty. With all due respect, I have a question to ask."
"Please go ahead, Divine Emissary."
"I believe you asked me to maintain a neutral position yesterday, so why was it that you had Prince Rigarez carry out that errand for you afterward?"
"I'm impressed that you realized it was an errand."
I believe Queen Laviosa had attempted to smile at this point, although the effort was cut short before she returned to her indifferent expression and plainly admitted the truth.
"I changed my mind."
"Your mind?"
"Although I have spent years chasing power, I do not wish my only son to become a tyrant," she explained, her words surprisingly candid. "That is why I thought you'd be the perfect person to help him suppress his hatred."
"What has made you see me in that light?" I asked.
"Because you're the saintess."
"Pardon?"
"A saintess is said to make an excellent wife because she is virtuous and compassionate."
I couldn't help but frown at that as I replied, "Apologies, but I am far from that kind of person. In fact, I'd say I'm the complete opposite."
"That in itself isn't entirely bad, either. It is reassuring to know that the daughter-in-law who will support my son is a strong and determined woman."
"It seems as though you've made up your mind on the matter."
The queen conceded the point with a dip of her head. "I suppose I have taken a liking to you."
â¬The Cliché Gourmet is disappointed at the lack of dramatic conflict between you and your future mother-in-law.â
â¬The Voice that Shapes the World barks that they would rather ban all marriage than allow you to suffer through such an awful match.â
â¬The Advocate of Confidentiality hurriedly blocks The Voice that Shapes the World's mouth.â
"Thank you for your kind consideration. I'd also like to express that I wish not to be in conflict with you."
"Then I guess there is only one option. I trust that you will choose wisely."
"And if I don't?" I prompted.
"Then..." Her cold hand gently grabbed mine as she said, "I will become your worst enemy, one that will follow you regardless of where you go or what you do." Having said her piece, she looked me over carefully as if searching for any reaction to her threat.
However, I simply replied, "Understood. I will keep that in mind."
She seemed disappointed by my neutral response.
"By the way," I added lightly, "your hand is very cold. I will concoct a potion that's good for blood circulation before I leave."
"Very well..." replied Queen Laviosa as she pulled her hand away and quietly sighed, although it could've been a chuckle.
"One more thing, Divine Emissary."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Your gaze is too easy to read. It is not advisable when in the palace."
Oops, was it that obvious? I was feeling a bit awkward as I turned away from memorizing the faces of every noble who was giving Tesilid a hard time, only to find a renewed coldness in the queen's eyes.
Hmm, this isn't good. Any member of the royal family taking notice of Tesilid would be bad news. I decided that now would be a good time to give the Prayer of Blessing for their family's peace so that I might distract the queen from her attention on Tesilid.
Unfortunately, my plan was ruined when a servant next to the queen offered an unexpected update.
"Your Majesty, some additional ambassadors from the Vatican are requesting a meeting with you."
What? Additional ambassadors?