"Your Majesty, Grand Duke Adri, and Lady Young have arrived."
Renvillon lifted his head as soon as he heard Gideon announce the arrival of his guests. He stopped himself from smiling widely. Now that they were here, his curiosity about the lady will soon be satisfied.
"Let them in."
The door opened. As soon as it revealed the two figures behind the door, his eyes were already focused on the person standing beside the Grand Duke. Ignoring the latter's open glares at him, he kept staring at the woman who wore the familiar face of his late subject.
Her blue dress was covered with white transparent cloth that made the dress glisten whenever it was hit by the lights, looking so elegant on her; paired with her long black hair flowing freely at her back, highlighting her slim yet defined shoulders.
"We greet His Majesty, the light of the Semarian Empire." The lady curtsied and bowed elegantly. "My name is Mona Adriana Young. It is an honor to stand before the emperor."
Her speech was clear, devoid of any nervousness yet refined and confident. When she lifted her head and met his eyes, Renvillon was reminded of a particular look she had when they first met; the part where she introduced herself as the deceased lady. Full of vigor and vitality.
"Enough with the staring, Your Majesty." The low voice of the Grand Duke snapped him from his reverie.
His lips broke to a smirk, thinking how his most loyal servant was now rebuking him. He wanted to tease him, but in the end, he just shrugged his shoulders and gestured for the seat.
"Take a seat." He ordered.
The two walked closer and settled themselves in the lounge in front of his table. He stood and sat on a single-seater sofa with them.
"Tea won't be served any longer since we're all going to the banquet soon anyway."
"That is fine, Your Majesty." Grand Duke Adri answered. Staring at him with guarded eyes as if he intends to pounce or grill his partner.
Looking at him, his suit completely matches the lady's dress, even when on his shoulders hung a shawl that probably belonged to his lady.
Ignoring that furry piece of cloth, he turned his head in the lady's direction. "I suppose the Grand Duke already told you of what to do?"
"He only told me to come and show off my divine powers. That's all, Your Majesty." Lady Young replied politely.
It took Renvillon aback. She was giving off the aura of a real noble lady, unlike back then. But of course, the Grand Duke probably had made her take lessons to adapt properly to high society. His brows twitched when he realized her words. Shifting his head to Grand Duke Adri, he threw him a questioning look.
"We were…occupied about other things on the way. That's why I still haven't explained it to her."
"I wonder what those things are." He replied with a playful grin, "If that is so, let me explain then, Lady Young."
"I will be grateful if you do so, Your Majesty."
'She looks so much like a noble lady now' Renvillon thought. "But first, tell me why your family name is Young. Is it really like that or it has another meaning?" He asked her seriously, ignoring the cough he heard from behind him. "I was just curious. Don't be offended."
The Grand Duke stifled a laugh while also waiting for an answer. Renvillon noticed her hand pinched the side of the Grand Duke, before giving him a response.
"It is my real family name, Your Majesty." She answered.
"Oh, that's interesting. Is there also a family name 'old' existing in your world?" He can't help but ask again.
"Pfft." The man beside her snorted, which gained a glare from her. To Renvillon, the two clearly have a comfortable relationship. Being able to see them that way somehow put him at ease, for whatever reason. Or perhaps it was the first time that he saw his childhood friend act that way towards someone.
Lady Young didn't look annoyed at all and still answered him, "I've never heard of it. But there are still many interesting names, like 'Summers', 'Snow', 'Hawk', 'Kidd', 'Newman', and many more, your Majesty."
"Your world seems interesting. I want to hear more about it." He sincerely replied. His curiosity about the phenomenon of other worlds still hasn't disappeared.
"Your Majesty, pardon me, but you said you will explain." Grand Duke Adri interrupted his thoughts once again.
"Ah, yes." Renvillon leaned on his seat and crossed his legs. "This banquet will mark a welcome celebration for the foundation of this empire. As such, a divine greeting or blessing is necessary to start the party. In that regard, the Great Saintess is benevolent enough to perform the blessing at a designated time."
He paused and focused on the lady who was listening to him intently, "I heard that you used to serve as the Saintess' helper, as per her words. Grand Duke Adri and I shared the plan with her by the way, and she willingly agrees to cooperate."
Lady Young nodded, "So, I have to aid the Saintess in the rite as well while flaunting my divine powers…?"
"Exactly." She wasn't able to address him since he answered quickly, but it surprisingly didn't bother him at all.
'I don't have a king. I live in a republic country.' Those words flashed back in his mind. The words she said back then. A world without a king and a country that is a republic. He did not understand what a republic meant, but he was certain it was a system that determined the state of a country.
There are plenty of questions he wanted to ask her, but firing them all at once will take so much time.
"I thought that the ceremony would be held in the temple, during the day."
"That is the ritual for blessing the citizens, while the one to be held later was for the blessing directed to the imperial family of Semaria. Before the banquet starts, the Saintess has to give the blessing. If someone recognizes you, a commotion may arise but since they were already in the presence of the Great Saintess, I believe they will, at least, behave. Take that opportunity to show them you've changed."
She was silent for a while and only nodded. A glimmer of nervousness flashed in her eyes, but when Grand Duke Adri took her hand and squeezed it, it disappeared instantly.
"The Saintess will help you." The Grand Duke said in a gentle tone. One that Renvillon did not even know he was capable of.
The tension he felt from the lady vanished in thin air. And he was amazed at how just a simple contact and words can put someone's heart at ease. For that, towards the Grand Duke, he felt…a bit envious. To have someone regards his words as comfort and support, and treats them like a blessing.
He pursed his lips and erased those unpleasant feelings, before finally deciding to end the conversation. "We shall leave now; the banquet shall start soon. Prepare a separate carriage for the Grand Duke and Lady Young."
"Yes, your Majesty," Gideon answered and followed him.
The other two followed behind as well, whispering something within themselves. Making him think of a similar scenario where he is the one with someone. However, being affectionate will be difficult for him, especially if the woman is someone he just needs to marry for political reasons or other convenience.
Finding someone he can love like that, is like finding gems in a junkyard.
Recalling his other duty to find a suitable empress for him; as well as the constant nagging of the queen mother, exhaust him more. Maybe he can find a suitable lady among the guests, it would have been better if she is someone who interests him.