Chapter 136
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Translator: Xrecker
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: After the Party
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We returned to the ballroom after our conversation with Countess Glorious.
Our purpose for attending the party was now complete.
We had made our appearance, and we could have left then and there, but I knew Ozma would be disappointed, so I decided to stay a little longer.
“It’s a pleasure to see you again, Chief Financial Officer, and Governor-General.”
The Royalist faction wasn’t the only one in attendance.
There were also a number of pro-demon nobles. Countess Glorious had invited all the influential figures, regardless of their political affiliations.
They approached us with fawning smiles, eager to curry favor with the heads of the Oz Governorate.
While it was a nuisance, I knew I had to play along to maintain our political standing.
I acted as a shield for Ozma, who was likely exhausted from a long week of work.
Ozma, who was uncomfortable in her dress, looked around and then sat down in an empty chair.
I, having dismissed the pro-demon nobles, quietly approached her.
“What’s wrong? Do your feet hurt?”
Ozma, embarrassed, scratched her cheek and nodded.
“A little.”
Having never worn high heels before, her feet were likely sore.
While we tried to be inconspicuous, all eyes were on us. We decided to step out onto the balcony for a moment.
The thick glass doors of the balcony blocked out the noise from the ballroom, and the sudden silence was a welcome relief.
Ozma, leaning against the balcony railing, said,
“To be honest, that was a bit… uncomfortable.”
I shrugged in agreement.
“Me too.”
We were both new to the world of politics.
While we were putting on a brave face, we couldn’t keep this up forever.
They say that the position makes the man, but that wasn’t always true.
We were clearly not cut out for this.
I crouched down at her feet.
“Take off your shoes.”
Ozma complied, and I gently took her feet.
Her toes, encased in white stockings, were swollen.
Poor circulation, most likely.
I gently massaged her toes and asked,
“How does that feel?”
Ozma, covering her mouth, said, “Mmm, a little harder.”
Her voice was surprisingly seductive. Anyone who overheard us would have gotten the wrong idea.
Anyway, I continued to massage her feet, and she, after a while, patted my shoulder and said that was enough.
I helped her put on her shoes and then stood up.
“It’s a little hot.”
“Really? Come here. There’s a nice breeze.”
I stood next to her by the railing, and a cool breeze washed over us.
It felt good against my skin, which was flushed from massaging her feet.
The moment felt suspended in time.
I looked up at the star-filled sky and asked,
“It’s been almost three years since we met, hasn’t it?”
“It has. I never thought we’d end up like this.”
We had first met shortly after I had defected to the Demon Lord’s army.
An arrogant demon who had turned out to be a woman in disguise. It was like something out of a comic book.
We had become friends, and then, at the martial arts tournament on Dragon Mountain, she had confessed her feelings for me, and we had slept together.
It had taken some time for me to open up to her, but a lot had happened in the past three years.
I looked at Ozma.
Her light makeup and wavy, purple hair made her look like a sophisticated princess.
She was the same Ozma I knew, just with a different appearance.
To be honest, I preferred her usual self.
While the contrast was nice, I would probably get tired of this look if I saw it every day.
When I told her this, she laughed.
“Pfft, you’re an idiot. What’s to like about a tomboy like me?”
“Isn’t that what a real fiancé does? Love you for who you are?”
I hadn't fallen for her just for her looks.
I had been drawn to her determination to overcome her insecurities and strive for greatness.
Well, it wasn’t something a man who was living with four women should be saying.
Ozma blushed and then stretched, her arms reaching for the sky.
“I’ve had enough fresh air. Let’s go back inside.”
“Alright. Since we’re here, we should at least have one dance.”
I extended my hand, and Ozma, grinning, took it.
“You’ll have to forgive me if I’m not a good dancer.”
“We’ll see.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Ozma playfully punched my shoulder, then leaned against me, a happy smile on her face.
“I know I say this a lot, but I’m so glad you’re my fiancé. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”
The party, which had been going on late into the night, finally ended around 10 PM.
The drunken guests began to leave, and couples, their eyes filled with desire, whispered sweet nothings as they headed home.
Countess Glorious, having successfully made her debut in high society, gave a final speech.
“I’d like to thank all of you for attending our party tonight. As the Countess Glorious, I will do my best to uphold the honor of my family. I wish you all a safe journey home.”
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
The nobles applauded, and so did Ozma and I.
While there had been a few unpleasant moments at the beginning, the rest of the party had been enjoyable.
And I had been able to see Ozma’s cute, flustered expressions.
We stood in a corner, watching the guests leave.
Vanessa and Camilla, who had been standing silently beside us, did the same.
When the ballroom was empty, except for the servants and maids, we approached the old butler.
“Has Countess Glorious already retired for the night?”
“Yes. May I ask why you’re asking?”
“I need to explain the situation.”
I pulled a piece of paper from my pocket.
“This is a list of nobles involved in treason and insulting the Governor-General. As you can see, many of the Royalist faction members who attended the party tonight are on this list. The mansion is already surrounded by the governorate’s police.”
“What is the meaning of this?”
“By now, all the nobles on this list have likely been arrested. Some may be able to prove their innocence and be released, while others will have their crimes exposed and their lives ruined.”
“…If you do this without any consultation, what will people say about our family?”
“They’ll think you’re pro-demon, even if you’re innocent. That’s why I’m asking for your understanding now.”
I said, my eyes cold.
“Tell your mistress that it would be wise to support the governorate. After tonight, most of the Royalist faction will be gone, so there’s no need to hesitate.”
The butler swallowed hard.
“Were you… leaving the Royalist faction alone on purpose?”
I shrugged.
“I don’t have to answer that, but… since you seem curious, I’ll tell you. Yes. We needed them.”
With the country in a state of chaos after the colonization, the Royalist faction had served as a check against the pro-demon faction, preventing them from gaining too much power.
But now, with the independence groups they were sponsoring becoming more radical, it was time to get rid of them.
“We’ve used them well for the past two years. Don’t you think it’s time we returned them to nature?”
To be honest, they had brought this upon themselves.
Their own actions had led to their downfall.
We bid farewell to Countess Glorious and were the last to leave the ballroom.
Outside, the flashing lights of the police carriages illuminated the night as the key figures of the Royalist faction were arrested.
I descended the stairs of the mansion, waving my hands like a conductor leading an orchestra.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I turned and asked,
“So, how was the party?”
Ozma smiled brightly.
“It was the best.”