🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 18
As the banquet atmosphere reached its peak, the Emperor raised his hand.
“My two daughters have prepared a special performance for everyone attending this banquet.”
The Emperor looked at Elisha.
“Elisha, I would like to hear your beautiful performance.”
“As you wish, Father.”
Elisha rose from her seat.
She walked toward the piano.
Lucy watched her with an unimpressed gaze.
Let’s see just how good you are.
When she had played this part in her previous life, it had only been briefly described in text, so Elisha’s skill hadn’t felt very real.
Elisha sat at the piano, took a short breath, and began to play.
Lucy almost spat the champagne in her mouth back into the glass.
What is this heavenly sound?
For a moment, Lucy thought she could see angels blowing trumpets before a radiant staircase leading to heaven.
No way.
Even someone who held a grudge against her might start seeing illusions—her performance was that extraordinary.
Some people were even wiping away tears.
…No wonder she was worthy of receiving that soft, chewy rice-cake puppy.
Lucy had to admit it.
At the same time, anxiety crept in.
Can my dancing really beat Elisha?
No one expected it—and even Lucy herself doubted it.
At last, Elisha’s deeply moving performance came to an end.
She stood up and bowed gracefully to the audience.
Even until the very end, she was perfectly elegant.
The Emperor smiled with great satisfaction and began to clap.
Thunderous applause followed.
“To my daughter Elisha, who has given such a splendid performance—”
The Emperor, mid-sentence, suddenly seemed to remember something and looked at Lucy.
Wait, were you about to reward Elisha without even watching my dance?
As if confirming Lucy’s suspicion, the Emperor stiffened when their eyes met and cleared his throat.
“Lucy. Step forward.”
His voice carried no expectation whatsoever—if anything, it sounded annoyed.
Lucy rose from her seat and gave a slight curtsy.
Lifting her gaze, she looked for Bartholomew.
As requested, Bartholomew was handing the prepared sheet music to the musicians.
The musicians tilted their heads in confusion, but since it was the princess’s request, they reluctantly nodded.
Bartholomew looked at Lucy.
They exchanged glances, and Lucy stepped down from the platform and moved to the center of the stage.
Bartholomew followed her.
“It seems Princess Lucy is about to dance.”
“Who is that partner?”
“I’m not sure.”
The guests whispered curiously about Bartholomew.
Elisha was no different.
Anyone allowed into this place would normally be from a notable family, yet she had never seen him before.
As everyone’s attention turned to her, Lucy naturally grew nervous.
Isn’t Bartholomew nervous?
She glanced at him.
His expression was as calm as ever.
His composure helped settle Lucy’s nerves.
The two held hands and prepared to dance as the musicians began to play.
Lucy and Bartholomew started dancing in time with the music.
The Emperor, holding a wine glass, trembled slightly.
What is this?
Elisha almost scoffed.
The piece they had requested was unfamiliar—and even at first listen, it seemed unimpressive.
As for their dancing—
It was barely at the level of basic steps.
It felt like watching a children’s recital.
As expected.
There was no way Lucy could accomplish anything remarkable.
The one who would capture the Emperor’s favor tonight was herself.
With that certainty, Elisha glanced at the Emperor—
—and her eyes widened.
The Emperor’s eyes were reddened.
W-What?
Even during Elisha’s performance, he had only smiled—he had never shown such deep emotion.
Elisha looked back and forth between the Emperor and Lucy, confused.
Soon, the music ended, and Lucy and Bartholomew stopped dancing.
A strange silence fell.
Then the Emperor rose from his seat.
As he began to clap, the guests hurriedly followed, confused.
Elisha stared in disbelief, while Lucy’s eyes slowly widened.
It worked!
Lucy smiled.
The music she had asked Bartholomew to deliver to the musicians was a folk song from the southern region.
When the Emperor was young, he had been raised for a time by his grandmother.
The place he stayed during that time was the southern region.
There, everyone danced to folk songs—and the young Emperor had done the same.
For the Emperor, who secretly longed for those days, hearing that melody again must have stirred deep nostalgia.
Lucy had learned this only after failing the palace banquet quest once.
At that time, the Emperor had rewarded Elisha with the soft rice-cake puppy and asked her to play that song next time.
Lucy signaled to Bartholomew and approached the Emperor.
“Thank you, Lucy,” the Emperor said.
Elisha’s eyes widened again.
“You have dedicated this dance to me.”
Lucy simply smiled in response.
“I wish to give you a special gift for your wonderful performance.”
The Emperor gestured to a servant.
Before long, the servant returned holding a small white puppy.
Lucy’s eyes sparkled.
“I bestow upon you my cherished pet, Cerberus.”
“Thank you,” Lucy said, her face filled with emotion.
The Emperor looked pleased with her reaction.
Lucy carefully received Cerberus from the servant.
Despite his grand name, Cerberus was adorable.
He was small enough to fit comfortably in her arms.
Warm, fluffy, and smelling like freshly baked bread.
The puppy looked up at Lucy with bright black eyes.
As if he liked her too, Cerberus licked her chin.
His soft, wet nose tickled her face.
This was the pet she had wanted so badly.
Now, her chances of avoiding the execution ending had increased.
Ding!
[Palace Banquet Quest: Great Success!]
[Congratulations. You have succeeded in the quest by earning the Emperor’s recognition.]
[You have obtained the special reward: ‘Soft Rice-Cake Puppy.’]
[Reputation +20]
[Reputation: -100 → -80]
It was the long-awaited moment of her first major quest success.
Even the system window, which had only shown negative notifications until now, celebrated with fanfare.
Holding Cerberus tightly in her arms, Lucy looked at Elisha.
Elisha struggled to hide her expression at this unfamiliar situation.
Her gaze lingered in disbelief on the puppy in Lucy’s arms.
Meanwhile, Lucy smiled brightly.
Only then did Elisha compose herself.
“Congratulations, Lucy.”
As if she had never been jealous, she smiled warmly.
Seeing his daughters getting along, the Emperor felt even more satisfied.
Especially since Lucy—who had always displeased him—had finally done something he liked.
“Lucy, join me for dinner tonight.”
In his good mood, he invited her for the first time.
“Father!”
Elisha exclaimed in shock.
The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly.
“What is it?”
His tone implied: Do you have a problem with that?
Elisha quickly shook her head.
“It’s nothing.”
Lucy also felt like shouting “Father!”—but from overwhelming joy.
“Bring along the young man who danced with you. I would like to know who he is.”
Bartholomew?
Would that be alright?
But she couldn’t refuse an imperial command.
Lucy reluctantly nodded.
