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Chapter 5
Welcome, It’s Your First Imperial Banquet, Right?
When Himena thrust her clenched fist right up to his face, the Duke instinctively shielded his head with his arms.
“No matter if you’re my father, I won’t stand by quietly! Do you understand!?”
“…Wha–what are you saying?”
Glowering as though she might devour him whole, Himena withdrew her fist, huffed furiously, and stormed out, slamming the study door shut behind her.
“Th-that girl has gone mad! She’s truly lost her mind!”
From that day on, the Duke did everything he could to avoid running into her, sneaking about as if playing hide-and-seek.
To the servants, it looked like he was being considerate—avoiding provoking his mentally unstable daughter. In truth, the thought of facing her fierce glare and clenched fists again was terrifying.
What kind of head of house hides from his own daughter in his own mansion?
She wasn’t like a child at all—more like a vicious watchdog ready to bite at the slightest provocation.
Still, he gave strict orders to the butler: every detail of her movements was to be reported to him.
“And now, apparently…”
“What is it now?”
“At the upcoming birthday celebration, she intends to… make a public clarification about the staircase incident.”
“A public clarification? Of what sort?”
“She plans to state that the staircase incident had nothing to do with the Marquis of Thermos… and that it was entirely her own mistake…”
“W-what!? Oh heavens above!”
The Duke collapsed into his chair, clutching at his neck.
“That foolish girl intends to disgrace even her father! How am I supposed to show my face before the nobility if she makes a spectacle of herself!?”
“M-my apologies, Your Grace…”
“She’s completely lost her senses! Utterly deranged! What did the physician say about her condition?”
“T-the physician said… there is nothing wrong with her.”
“Nothing wrong? She’s rampaging about like a lunatic and he calls that normal!?”
“W-well, Your Grace… Forgive me for saying so, but… though her memory is imperfect, her mind seems sharper than before.”
Bang!
“What nonsense is this!? Sharper!? How can you say that after watching her carry on like some mad brute!?”
The furious Duke slammed his desk repeatedly as he shouted.
“I-it’s just, Your Grace… while her manners have grown rough, she has begun studying matters she never cared for before—geography and environment of the domain, serf conditions, tax issues… She requested materials herself and is learning with astonishing speed…”
“W-what? You’re telling me that child is voluntarily studying!?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“See there! Proof she’s mad! The girl who once spent every day dressing up and attending parties suddenly studying estate management? If that’s not insanity, what is!?”
“N-now that you put it that way… perhaps so…”
“This won’t do, butler! Do whatever it takes to keep Himena from attending that birthday celebration! I will not allow her to bring shame upon this house! I shall go alone this time—make the arrangements!”
“…Yes, Your Grace.”
However—
Splutch! Splutch! Spluttttch…
“Oooh, my stomach… oooh, my stomach…”
“Father, how many times have I told you not to overeat? At your age, with such a greedy appetite, really. Tsk tsk.”
Now quite used to calling him Father, Himena clicked her tongue and pinched her nose outside the bathroom door.
On the very morning of the Empress’s birthday banquet, a single pretty little mushroom she had slipped into the Duke’s soup had admirably completed its mission: chaining his footsteps to the lavatory.
“Y-you wicked girl! Don’t think I don’t know this is your doing—urk!”
Spluuutttch!
“Ugh, that smell. Well then, take care, Father. I’ll be off.”
“Y-you… you… you—”
“Yes, yes, I know. As the family’s sole heir, I must do my utmost to represent you at such an important event. So please, rest well.”
“B-butler! Stop her—urk!”
Splutch splutch spluuutch…
Clutching desperately at the doorknob, the Duke could not emerge for a very long time.
“Presenting Marquis Kylian Thermos of Acticos, Commander of the Crimson Moon Knights!”
In the grand banquet hall of the Kerdem Empire palace, the herald loudly announced each arrival of the high nobility.
As it was the first time Marquis Kylian had appeared publicly since the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, the already packed hall buzzed with whispers.
“My, isn’t he truly handsome? That ceremonial uniform with the crimson trim suits his red eyes perfectly.”
Some gossiped about the dashing looks that caught the eyes of ladies.
“Did you hear? They say mana stones are being mined again in harsh Acticos.”
“I know. His Majesty the Emperor apparently regrets bitterly having granted him that land.”
Others spoke with envy and jealousy over rumors about his fief.
“Hey, aren’t you taking the entrance exam for the Crimson Moon Knights? This is your chance to get noticed by the Marquis.”
“Nonsense! The Crimson Moon Knights recruit solely on skill—that’s what gives them their name. Try currying favor and you’ll only disgrace yourself before him.”
Yet more voices praised the honor of his order.
But the biggest topic of all was, of course, the dishonorable rumor: that he had pushed Himena down the palace stairs.
“Even if the young lady was obsessed, to push her down the stairs and then refuse to take responsibility… it shows his true character.”
“She hasn’t shown her face at any society events since. Must have been a terrible injury.”
“Heavens, imagine the shock. To be thrown down the stairs by the man you secretly loved. Tsk tsk…”
Even those who had once slandered Himena for her obsession now pitied her, while Kylian’s reputation plunged.
And the envious and resentful never miss such opportunities.
“Bah, some nobody of unknown birth defeats a few monsters and is suddenly granted land and title—no wonder he’s arrogant.”
“Exactly. To think he could match with the Duke of Silvestre’s daughter—far above his station—yet he struts around with one knight order as if he ruled the skies.”
As Kylian passed, derisive whispers stung the back of his head.
“Those bastards—!”
“Leave it.”
His aide, Whale, was about to lash out, but Kylian calmly stopped him.
“They’re fools with loose tongues. To confront them is only to give them more gossip to spread. Let them be.”
“…Yes, my lord.”
Just then—
“Presenting Lady Himena Silvestre, heiress of the Silvestre Ducal House.”
At once, the whispers died. Every gaze turned toward Himena.
Clad in a deep-blue knight’s uniform embroidered with golden thread, Himena strode into the hall with Royce at her side—and jaws dropped.
She too was startled by the hundreds of eyes upon her.
‘Wh-what the… why is everyone staring at me? Isn’t this a party? Shouldn’t they be drinking, dancing… minding their own business? Why are they goggling like that…’
“M-my lady…”
Royce, in the same uniform, was equally overwhelmed—it was his first imperial banquet too. He glanced nervously at her.
“Ha! Ha! Ha! Royce! Why so stiff and nervous? Don’t be such a bumpkin! Ha! Ha! Ha! Welcome! It’s your first imperial banquet, isn’t it?”
Himena smacked his shoulder heartily and strode boldly forward. Royce’s eyes bulged and his dry lips quivered.
“M-my lady, why so loud!? You’re embarrassing me!”
Indeed—this was her first time at such a grand affair, and with every eye fixed on her, she grew so tense she ended up shouting loudly enough to make the hall ring. Her awkward smile and stiff, puppet-like walk only added to the scene.
The nobles, stunned by such an entrance, dared not approach her.
“…You’ve come, Lady Silvestre.”
Except for one—Kylian.
“Ah, yes, Marquis.”
Meeting again after nearly a fortnight, they faced each other as if it were their first encounter since the staircase incident—stiff and awkward.
‘Haa… in a hall full of strangers, I’m actually glad to see at least one familiar face.’
As the eyes of the hall focused on their reunion, Himena offered her hand as she had been taught.
‘Ah, right—he doesn’t like kissing hands, does he?’
Just as Kylian leaned in to brush her hand with his lips—
Swish! Swish!
Himena, without thinking, grabbed and shook his hand instead.
‘Ugh!’
“Good to see you again, Marquis.”
She smiled awkwardly while his eyes widened in shock.
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor and Her Imperial Majesty the Empress!”
The imperial couple entered, drawing all eyes away from them—yet Kylian’s face flushed red as he glared at the hand that had just shaken hers.
The Emperor and Empress took their seats, and one by one the nobles were summoned forward to offer congratulations and gifts.
“We pay respects to Their Imperial Majesties.”
When her turn came, Himena hid her nerves and followed her lessons, presenting the prepared jewel through Royce.
“Lady Silvestre—your father, Duke Silvestre, is not present. What is the meaning of this?”
The Empress questioned sternly.
“Ah, yes, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, Father was struck with sudden stomach pains this morning and could not attend. It was impossible for him to come, and so I humbly ask Your Majesty’s understanding for this disloyalty. His illness is quite severe.”
“Hmm. If he is truly ill, then so be it. Tell him I wish him a swift recovery.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“And I heard you suffered an unfortunate accident at the Crown Prince’s birthday. Seeing you so healthy today is fortunate indeed.”
This time the Emperor regarded her with keen interest.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to your concern, I’ve fully recovered. I am grateful.”
“Still… your unusual attire is quite intriguing. Is the Silvestre house secretly forming a new knight order—the Blue Moon Knights, perhaps?”
“…Pardon?”
“Pfft!”
“Hohoho…”
“Khkhkh…”
Sudden laughter rippled through the hall.
“Answer me, Lady Silvestre. Are you creating a knight order in secret, without imperial sanction?”
The Emperor’s sharp gaze pinned her, and for a moment Himena froze.
“Ah, w-well, that is…”
Among the snickering crowd, Kylian’s brows furrowed deeply at the sight of the Emperor mocking her.
