Yustia Banquet (12)
Serena said she'd arrive around when the ballroom music starts. I should head over first and check the atmosphere.
Rather than going together, Zeke had decided to make his entrance solo right as the music began—it would draw even more eyes. With that in mind, he headed to the Yustia Mansion alone.
Let's see who these stinking bastards are. Wonder if that Hella bitch is here too.
By the time Zeke arrived, the banquet was already underway, grand music swelling from within.
As he approached slowly, a familiar face caught his eye.
Hm...? That's Soy Spoon?
Last time, he'd seen her all dolled up by Serena and Iriel.
He'd half-expected she might show up here today.
The Soy from that day had truly lived up to her heroine status—stunningly beautiful.
"Which house's lady are you?"
Listening closely, the doorman seemed suspicious of her.
Soy stood there flustered, fumbling awkwardly.
It'd be tough for her to say she's from the lowly Spoon family. And Elise is a fake name too...
It was a situation ripe for drawing attention if she revealed her name.
Of course, the tight security made sense.
One of the empire's three ducal houses: Yustia.
Zeke was so used to seeing Yohayden, Yustia, and even royals that he sometimes forgot,
but they were all towering figures of the empire.
A banquet hosted by such a house naturally barred commoners.
Iriel, if you invited her, you should've handled this shit beforehand, damn it.
The doorman's face grew increasingly stern as he pressed Soy.
Honestly, the man's response wasn't unreasonable.
Inside were the empire's core talents.
Screening suspects was crucial.
What if someone stole an invite, hid their identity, and slipped in with bad intentions?
But if this drags on, she'll be humiliated or investigated. If they find out Elise is fake, it'll be even worse. Poor girl's got a brutal fate ahead as it is.
Zeke knew the harsh destiny laid out for her future.
A near-inevitable death, almost impossible to overcome.
Fortunately, it wasn't a full 100%.
That time, when he'd rushed to check on Soy,
the Judgment Eye had clocked it at 100%—but only on the surface.
In truth, it was a razor-close 99%, an uncertain fate.
Even so, she'll suffer like hell going forward.
She was the core of the novel he'd possessed into—the heroine.
Zeke resolved to help her as much as he could.
If he could assist with even trivial things like this, he would.
"What the hell are you doing."
Zeke stepped forward, shielding Soy.
Tch, feel a bit bad for the working stiff, but no choice.
To back Soy strongly, he'd name-dropped Iriel and thrown in some veiled threats to force their way in.
Without that, getting her past inspection would've been even harder.
"Th-thank you."
Soy bowed her head deeply, embarrassed.
"No big deal."
Hm.
Zeke eyed her steadily.
A bit rougher than that day? Suits her better, maybe.
She wore fine clothes and sparkling jewels now,
but unlike that fully noble-lady getup, today she felt more vibrant, alive.
This seemed more natural for her.
Still, amid all the nobles, she looked stiff, sweating bullets—kinda pitiful.
"Use this."
"Huh?"
Zeke pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and held it out.
Soy flailed in panic.
Good grief, get it together.
With a helpless sigh, Zeke dabbed the sweat from her forehead himself.
"!"
Soy flinched, then squeezed her eyes shut and accepted it.
Like a damn puppy.
Chuckling dryly, Zeke smoothed her stray hairs, folded the handkerchief, and tucked it away.
Hm. Her only acquaintances here are probably Iriel and Serena.
He had nothing to do until Serena arrived anyway.
Just scoping nobles and zoning out.
"Time to kill till Serena shows. No entourage? Stick with me till then."
Soy nodded slightly at Zeke's offer.
"Alright. Let's go."
They entered the banquet hall together.
Haaah...
Soy couldn't get her bearings.
It felt like she'd been abruptly dropped into an alien world.
She'd anticipated it, but the reality exceeded expectations.
Dazzling splendor everywhere—so bright and glittering, like another realm.
She hesitated to even step on the carpet, terrified of dirtying it and facing cleaning fees.
The noble world just didn't suit her.
But Instructor's sticking with me right now...
Zeke stood beside her in the corner, face blank as ever.
Without him, she couldn't imagine her current state.
Still, doesn't he want to enjoy the banquet...?
Soy glanced around.
Other nobles clustered in groups, chatting with easy smiles.
"Um, Instructor..."
"Hm? What."
"You don't have to stay here because of me."
"..."
His blank stare made her feel she needed to be clearer.
"I mean, you can leave me here and go mingle. Not like I can straight-up tell you to go..."
"You're misunderstanding. I hate these things."
"Huh? R-really? But there's all that tasty-looking food over there?"
"Yeah. No interest in their boring chatter either. Prefer eating in peace."
Zeke looked genuinely bored by it all.
Soy felt relieved deep down.
"Still, hanging with me can't be fun..."
"Better than them."
He said it without a hint of shame.
Thump.
Oh god, again.
Her face heated up.
This man kept misleading her.
Damn it, I don't wanna compete with Iriel or Serena!
She needed a topic change.
He said he hates banquets, right?
"...S-so, what do you like, Instructor!?"
"Hm... Uh... What I like...?"
Zeke furrowed his brow faintly, tilting his head.
After long thought, he spoke.
"Money...?"
"M-money?"
"Yeah."
He nodded firmly, owning it.
"Pfft!"
Laughter burst from Soy before she could stop it.
She clapped a hand over her mouth, but it was out.
His dead-serious face—like money meant nothing to him—didn't match at all.
"Right. Money's important."
"Exactly. Can't have too much."
This quirky chat with him beat the glamorous banquet.
"And?"
"And?"
"Yeah. I like bread."
"Hm. Balance your nutrients. Won't build muscle."
"Typical Instructor. Anyway, I said one, your turn."
"Gotta alternate?"
"That's conversation."
"Fair."
Zeke crossed his arms, tapping fingers thoughtfully.
"Hmm... Bed...?"
"Bed?"
"Yeah. Love lying there doing nothing."
"Ahaha!"
She tried holding it in this time—but failed.
Soy doubled over laughing.
She'd never guessed Zeke Clayman had this goofy side.
Always stone-faced, drilling training, misleading with words and actions—she'd assumed his likes were grand.
But money and bed, delivered so earnestly? He felt more approachable.
Soy wanted to know him better.
"...So, uh, any dating experience?"
"..."
Zeke paused. Soy winced inwardly.
Had she pried too casually into his past?
The empty space and his familiarity made her too comfortable.
She started to apologize.
"S-sorry..."
Zeke spoke.
"...None."
"Huh?"
"...No dating experience. Not once..."
He turned away, mumbling shyly.
Soy's lips curved up unwittingly.
Then, a blond boy and girl approached.
"Zeke Clayman."
Zeke turned at the voice, eyes widening.
1st Prince Ilouis Leonine and Yuri Gilbert.
He hadn't expected the 1st Prince.
Serena's plan assumed neither prince would accept a last-minute invite.
Damn, won't this guy complicate things again?
Zeke's face soured as he replied.
"1st Prince."
"Add the honorific. Zeke Clayman. This isn't the academy."
Yuri spoke up.
"Yuri Gilbert. First time seeing you talk so much."
"No, it's fine, Yuri. Anyway, Zeke Clayman. Been a while."
Zeke just nodded, ignoring the prince's words.
Like he'd die before using formal speech.
The rudeness irked Ilouis; a vein pulsed on his forehead.
Ilouis shook his head.
Sigh, let it go. Hm? Who's that lady?
His eyes landed on the uncomfortable woman beside Zeke.
The world seemed to slow.
A face he'd never seen.
Light brown hair, silver eyes.
Noble yet not—like a noble in disguise.
Expensive accessories, but tasteful.
Free-spirited nobility and beauty intertwined.
Who is she.
Which house's lady.
Connected to Zeke Clayman?
No, more than that.
"...Beautiful."
The words slipped out unbidden.
Zeke glared, eyes bulging.
This fucker? Eyeing my girl before she's even grown!?