Chapter 7: The Banquet Begins
On the day of the banquet, the mansion buzzed with activity.
As the hero’s party was the main attraction, they needed extra preparation, and dressing up took a long time.
“Go check on the mage.”
I was also attending the banquet, so I was getting ready while directing the maids. Doing both at once was exhausting, even for me.
“Move! Is the Saintess’s preparation still not done?”
“Just the accessories, and she’s ready!”
“Once the Saintess is done, go help Siana’s group.”
While buttoning my suit, I managed the situation and relayed their next steps, performing the duties of a perfect butler.
‘Done.’
After slicking my hair back with pomade, putting on my suit, and spritzing cologne, I was ready for the banquet.
Men didn’t take long to prepare for such events.
The hero’s party, however, took much longer. Compared to me, they spent an extra hour perfecting their looks, and it was worth it.
“You all look stunning.”
– Clap, clap, clap.
The maids who helped and watched them clapped. The party was already beautiful, but today they were on another level.
Normally bare-faced, they were often called pretty. Today, they’d be called breathtaking.
“It’s… embarrassing…”
Saintess Leisha, shedding her usual nun’s habit, wore a pale gold dress that complemented her blonde hair and hazel eyes. An emerald necklace adorned her neck.
Exaggerating a bit, Leisha looked more like a goddess than a saintess today.
“What… what are you staring at, human…!”
Unlike her usual free-spirited attire, Siana wore a restrained white dress. Her light green hair and green eyes paired well with it, making the understated look suit her.
“…”
Hero Eren stared at me silently. She wore a black dress matching her hair, with crimson accents that echoed her eyes, exuding an alluring aura.
‘Why’s the scent stronger today?’
The white rose fragrance was more intense, but Leni had no way of knowing why.
– Click, clack.
The sound of heels echoed from the staircase as the final person we awaited descended.
Her name was Sera Retinoa, the hero’s party mage and a key figure in the original story.
“Everyone’s waiting.”
She apologized for being late, but there was no trace of remorse. Yet no one was upset with her.
With light purple hair and violet eyes, Sera was someone who couldn’t feel emotions.
Or rather, she’d lost them. She’d lived as a research slave in the Magic Tower, stripped of her emotions.
Knowing her past, neither I nor the hero’s party could be angry at her for being late.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s head out.”
We’d ordered a larger carriage for today, so fitting five people was no issue.
Once everyone boarded, the carriage sped toward the palace.
“…”
I glanced at Siana, who was staring intently at Eren beside me, puzzled.
‘Did something happen?’
Siana’s eyes were full of suspicion. They didn’t seem to have fought, but she looked like she wanted to ask something.
“Look, the palace is in sight!”
Leisha’s cheerful voice broke the silence.
She pointed at the palace visible through the carriage window.
Its appearance meant we were almost there, and I needed to steel myself. No mistakes.
‘Aria.’
I had to assess her condition and prevent any incidents, requiring more focus than usual today.
The palace was full of “enemies” for me.
“The hero’s party and one guest are now entering!!”
The banquet had started before we arrived, and the hall was already packed. Even nobles rarely seen in high society were present, showing the hero’s party’s popularity.
“Oh my, aren’t those the heroes~?”
The moment we entered, people were waiting for a chance to talk to the party. A noblewoman seized the first opening.
“Uh… yes… hello…”
Leisha, unused to such situations, fumbled her response. Left like this, she’d be prey for the noblewomen.
“We just arrived and are tired, madam.”
I quickly led them to a room within the banquet hall to brief them on high society’s dangers.
“You all need to be careful today. The stars of the event face intense scrutiny.”
I explained what to do and avoid.
“Ignore noble chatter, don’t seem naive, don’t eat what’s offered, and don’t react sensitively.”
Remembering these four rules would ensure even social novices could survive.
Since I’d be acting separately, these were my words of caution.
We split up, and I moved cautiously toward my goal.
Some nobles recognized me as I passed, but I had no time to entertain them and moved quickly.
‘Found her.’
Princess Aria sat among the imperial family. Seeing her after so long, she looked thinner, her aura changed.
She seemed bored, lacking any vitality.
‘That’s Aria…?’
I’d confidently said I raised her well—until seeing her today. Her blue eyes had long lost their spark.
Leni felt a strangeness watching Aria gaze emptily at the banquet hall.
“Now that everyone’s here, let the banquet begin!”
The emperor’s voice rang out, signaling the start.
“The heroes grew through a grueling journey, ultimately defeating the demon king—a monumental achievement. Their deeds will be etched in history, and they’ll be a great asset to our empire. Enjoy today, heroes. I offer my heartfelt thanks.”
– Woooo!!
The nobles cheered as the emperor finished, and I, standing near the front to see Aria, was swept up in the crowd.
– Grab.
Someone took my hand in the chaos, leading me to a quieter spot, restoring my peace. I knew the owner of that hand better than anyone.
“It’s been a while, Princess Aria.”
“…Long time, Leni.”
Up close, I could tell. Her aura had changed, and not for the better.
We stood silently, not speaking. I considered asking how she was but didn’t. I already knew the answer without asking.
We’d spent so much time together that words weren’t needed.
‘Did my absence cause this?’
In the month since I’d left, she’d grown frail.
She felt like a hedgehog without its master, bristling with spines.
What would’ve happened if I’d escaped the empire and left her like this? I suspected the original story would’ve begun.
‘How did she go mad in the original?’
I don’t think it was ever explained. The story just started with her as the mad princess, her past never revealed.
“Leni, I worked hard while you were gone.”
“I read documents, worked, and scolded those who picked fights.”
Aria began recounting what she’d done. Overcoming sleep to work, forgiving a maid’s mistake—she shared various stories.
“Well done, Princess.”
I gave her what she wanted. Touching her silver-white hair for the first time in a while, it felt damaged.
“You worked hard.”
“…Mhm.”
Her response, as I patted her head, sounded teary. In that moment, the loneliness Aria had endured alone for a month was filled.
Her prickly heart found peace again, all because of one person—Leni.
‘I really can’t do without Leni.’
His words brought her joy and sadness. Leni didn’t know, but Aria’s world was entirely colored by him.
As she savored his touch, a familiar scent stung her nose.
‘This is Leni’s scent…’
But Leni was right in front of her, and the scent came from another direction.
‘Then who…?’
At that moment, Aria saw Hero Eren approaching.
Eren, carrying the familiar scent she knew.