Episode 09
(The Start Of The Banquet)
Knock* Knock*
"Enter."
Albert stepped into the room, halting just inside the threshold. He stood silently, his eyes slightly wide.
"…"
"…"
"Umm~ Albert…"
"…"
"Do you have something to say?"
"...."
"Albert?"
"My apologies for the intrusion, Your Highness. You look marvelous today."
"Ah… Thank you."
"..."
"So, what brings you here?"
"Oh, yes. His Imperial Majesty awaits you on the second floor. You are to join him in the banquet hall."
"I see. Lead the way."
"With pleasure, Princess."
Princess Isabella gracefully exited her chamber.
Gasp*
The three knights stationed outside her door were momentarily struck speechless, as though enchanted by her presence. They stared in awe until Albert's stern look snapped them back to attention.
"P-Pardon us. Greetings, Princess."
The knights bowed deeply and fell into step behind her, tasked with guarding her every move. Yet, despite their duty, they found it nearly impossible to avert their eyes from her captivating beauty.
It wasn't just the knights. As Princess Isabella walked down the hallway, every servant she passed gasped at her beauty. They could hardly believe their eyes, with even some maids blushing deeply at the sight of her.
"Is that really the First Princess?"
"Was she always this beautiful?"
"So stunning~"
"Princess Rubena is nothing compared to her."
"I know, right?!"
The servants whispered among themselves in hushed tones, utterly captivated by her enchanting presence.
After a few minutes, they reached the second floor. Emperor Mathias stood before the grand doors of the banquet hall, flanked by his escorts. He wore a regal red suit adorned with golden embroidery, a majestic royal cape, and the Imperial Crown. Upon seeing Isabella, his brow furrowed.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
The knights bowed and greeted Mathias. With a wave of his hand, Mathias dismissed them.
Isabella then bowed gracefully. "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"You'd better not cause any trouble and be useful for once."
"..."
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Albert stepped forward. "Please excuse me, Your Majesty. I must prepare for tomorrow's ceremony."
"Fine. You are excused."
Albert bowed and departed for his duties.
"Give me your hand."
Isabella placed her hand in Mathias's. At his signal, a servant announced their presence and opened the doors to the banquet hall.
*
*
*
Royal Banquets are reserved for the most significant occasions, where every noble of the Empire receives an invitation, sparking months of preparation.
Today, the banquet is to welcome the Crown Prince of Fellmirr and bid farewell to Princess Isabella. In truth, the banquet aims to flaunt the wealth of Loire to Fellmirr, using Isabella's departure as a mere pretext. As a result, the banquet is a spectacle of opulence, with an array of sumptuous foods, exquisite drinks, and renowned musicians.
Initially, the noble ladies of Loire had little desire to attend, disdainful of Fellmirr and wary of potential matches with its beastmen, whom they imagined to be repulsive and brutish. However, their sentiments shifted with the latest whispers: the beastmen of Fellmirr were said to be strikingly handsome and gallant.
By early evening, the aristocrats began to gather in the banquet hall. As twilight deepened, every noble family was in attendance, especially the ladies, eager to catch a glimpse of the fabled beastmen.
"Have you heard the rumor?" one lady inquired.
"The one about the beastmen?" another replied.
"Yes. It is said they are exceedingly charming and handsome."
"It is difficult to believe."
"Indeed. One must be cautious about trusting the word of commoners."
"How could a beast be a gentleman?"
"Precisely! Nevertheless, Lady Isabella and that beastman might make a fitting pair."
"Hahaha! You have spoken my thoughts exactly."
"Both wicked and appalling!"
POPOO~
With the resounding blast of a horn, the Grand Chamberlain heralded their arrival.
"Announcing the esteemed Crown Prince Leonus Albus Carados Fellmirr, pride of the Fellmirr Empire!"
"Presenting Lord Lorenzo Iydril, glory of the Iydril Duchy!"
"Introducing Sir Randall Erlshade, esteemed heir to the Erlshade Duchy!"
"And lastly, Sir Blaine Ainsworth, valiant knight of the Albus Order!"
Following in Leonus's wake, Randall, Lorenzo, and Blaine entered the banquet hall together. Leonus donned a regal black suit adorned with intricate gold embroidery, his hairstyle impeccably formal. Randall, Lorenzo, and Blaine were similarly attired in dignified dark suits.
Their presence instantly captivated the room; jaws dropped and whispers swept through the gathering.
Gasp*
"Wh-what!"
"Goodness!"
"Is this real?"
"By the heavens! They are the Beastmen!"
"Oh my, they are so remarkably handsome!"
"Unbelievable! Isabella is to marry such exquisite beauty, and she—"
"Shh! Lower your voices; they may overhear!"
Murmurs rippled through the banquet hall. The noble ladies blushed and fanned themselves at the sight of the newcomers.
After a while, several nobles approached them, eager to introduce themselves. Some ladies attempted to charm them, but none succeeded.
Numerous women vied for Leonus's attention, though his stern demeanor caused many to withdraw hastily. However, a few persisted, much to his irritation.
"I pity you, Your Highness."
"..."
"You were meant to be betrothed to the second princess."
Upon hearing this, Leonus flinched and frowned, his usual stoic expression momentarily faltering.
Pfft~
Simultaneously, Lorenzo, Randall, and Blaine nearly choked on their drinks.
Cough* Cough*
'Is she trying to provoke him?'
They all thought simultaneously.
"What do you mean by 'meant to'?"
Lorenzo interjected with an awkward smile, attempting to defuse the tension.
The lady smirked inwardly, thinking, 'He must have believed he'd wed the second princess. Pfft! Who would desire to marry someone like Isabella! Well, that works in my favor. I might just win him over.'
"Oh! You haven't heard? The bride has changed. It's now Princess Isabella."
Leonus's expression returned to its usual sternness.
"Princess Isabella's engagement has been terminated. You are now betrothed to her."
"She was betrothed before?"
Leonus's tone was curt as he addressed the lady, who responded with a smirk, "Yes, but don't concern yourself. Her former fiancé had little regard for her."
Implicitly, she implied that Isabella was so unattractive that her betrothed despised her.
"Hah!"
Leonus scoffed and without a word, moved toward a nearby servant holding drinks.
"Excuse us."
"Huh! Wait..."
Randall and the others exchanged knowing smiles and joined Leonus.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm perfectly fine."
Leonus replied curtly, taking a sip of his drink. Observing his grumpy demeanor, the three companions refrained from further inquiry.
Nevertheless, the persistent lady approached them once more.
"You could have just asked a servant for a drink instead of going to such trouble. I wonder when Lady Isabella will arrive. She's terribly late!"
'Ugh! She really wants to die, huh?'
"You-"
Randall began, but before he could continue—
POPOO~
A resounding horn blared. The massive doors on the second floor swung open with a thunderous noise.
"Announcing His Majesty, Emperor Mathias Von Goldrudder Loire, and the Jewel of the Loire Empire, Princess Isabella Von Hagen Loire!"
All eyes turned to the second floor as a hush fell over the banquet hall.
Gasp*
Silence enveloped the room as everyone's jaws dropped once more upon seeing Isabella. Her stunning appearance left the attendees breathless; they couldn't believe their eyes.
She glided down the stairs, her ethereal beauty captivating every man in the hall. It was as if an angel had descended among them. When she lifted her gaze, a collective blush spread through the assembled nobles.
"Welcome to tonight's banquet! We gather to honor our guests from the Fellmirr Empire and bid farewell to my beloved daughter. Let the festivities commence! Enjoy!"
Clap! Clap!
The spell broke, and the nobles regained their composure. The banquet hall buzzed once again with murmurs and applause.