First Steps to the Emperor's Banquet
I experimented with mana in various ways. What I came up with was concentrating all of it on protection. I packed mana tightly inside my body to resist the pressure from the divine power squeezing my flesh. Only to counter the divine power. I had to give up all the beneficial effects like physical enhancement from mana, but it worked.
In the mansion's corridor, Ares, Arios, and Hames were gathered. I stood alone a bit away from them. Feeling their intensely watchful gazes, I took a deep breath. One step, one step. Slowly but surely, until I crossed the entire corridor.
"Se-Seres!"
Successfully walking the corridor without collapsing, Ares rushed over. She hugged me with a face like she was about to cry.
"You, you can walk now!"
Ares was so overcome with emotion she could barely speak. I wasn't quite at that level, but I felt proud too. How could I not be happy that I'd finally succeeded in walking safely with this body?
"Seres, congratulations."
Arios said, wiping her eyes.
"To see you walking around like this... I never imagined it when we first met."
"...Thanks to you."
I wasn't thrilled about it, but it was true she'd helped, so I admitted it straightforwardly.
"I never thought it would actually work."
Hames, who'd doubted my method, looked surprised.
"I have to admit it since it worked, but holy power didn't help much, right?"
"No. It did help."
Not as dramatically as mana, but it definitely contributed to healing my body.
"Can't run yet, but this is huge progress. Good job, both of you."
Anyway, I praised the two who'd helped. The mood was warm.
Except...
"Now that you can walk, no problem going tomorrow, right?"
It would've been better if I could walk faster, but the party was just a day away because it took so long. Mentioning this reality left Ares dazed.
"It's my fault. Seres, if only I had a bit more strength, I could've..."
Her reaction was like she was being dragged to the gallows instead of a party. With Seres's frail body going to meet that guy, it might be more dangerous than a death sentence.
"I'll handle the rest. You two can head back now."
Supporting Ares's trembling body, I said to Arios and Hames.
"See you tomorrow."
"...Call if you need help, anytime."
Arios surprisingly left without protest, and Hames seemed to hold back words as she departed.
And the next day.
"Seres, let's go."
"Yeah."
I rode in the carriage with Ares toward the capital.
A few hours later, we arrived at the capital. Our territory wasn't too far from the capital, so it was relatively quick. The capital I saw for the first time lived up to its luxurious setting—it was highly developed. As the capital of what they called an empire, it made sense.
We took another carriage inside the capital to the Imperial Palace.
"I've been waiting."
A woman greeted me upon arrival.
Her appearance was so different I didn't recognize her at first. It was Arios, with her blonde hair worn long and loose, dressed in a white gown.
"Surprised?"
"No."
In the original story, there's a scene where Seres arrives at the palace and meets Arios. As a high noble, Arios was naturally invited to the party. So I expected it, but Ares scowled the moment she saw her.
"Lady Arios, why don't you just leave us alone and attend on your own?"
"You sure that's okay?"
Arios smirked smugly.
"Without me as escort, women will keep approaching thinking Seres has no partner, and it'll be a hassle."
"Umm, that's something I could..."
"You're his mother. I'll block them definitively, so leave the partner role to me."
This was similar to the original but different. Male Arios had asked more politely, but female Arios came off as pushier. I'd thought it before, but gender differences subtly altered personalities.
"Mother, let's accept it."
If you can't shake her off, use her. The original described how Seres avoided annoyances thanks to it, so it was effective.
"Even if you pretend to be my partner, remember we're not actually like that."
"Hehe, so cute."
I laid down the law, but she brushed it off lightly and approached.
"No issues on the carriage ride?"
There were. The vibrations hurt my weak body faintly. Chatting with Arios, we entered the palace. The vast party hall already had many people gathered, all dressed extravagantly. There were women in pants, but no men in skirts. Good thing the reversed world didn't reverse fashion too.
Entering flanked by two beauties. In my original world, eyes would be on me, but here, all attention focused on me.
"My goodness."
"Is that him?"
"You know at first sight."
"They say you recognize the empire's top beauty instantly!"
Regardless of gender, they gawked and whispered at my looks. It'd been like this everywhere, and the palace was no different. I was getting used to it now. Nothing to do about Seres's appearance.
"Young Master Seres?"
"Pleased to meet you."
...This, I wasn't used to. Several women approached me right away—first time for that. Places I'd gone before were mostly commoners who wouldn't dare speak to me. Not the original male lead, and strange women swarming just on sight. A new experience. Not joyful, but novel. I never would've had this in my old life.
"I'm from the Earl of Sereor family..."
The women tried clinging like men from my original world, but Arios blocked them.
"Stop it. You've heard the rumors—Seres has a frail body."
"We just..."
"Didn't you hear me? I'm entering with him, so approaching is rude."
Arios's mouth smiled, but her eyes didn't. The women couldn't withstand her firm aura and backed off hesitantly.
Watching, I thought: Similar, but personalities differ.
In the original, male Arios had said, 'Everyone, sorry, but she's not well, so please don't bother her too much. I'm her official partner for now.' But this one outright said, this is mine, back off.
"Mother, see? Definitely helpful, right?"
"Why are you calling my mother 'Lady'?"
Calling Ares "mother" nonsense. She had a cheeky side male Arios lacked.
"Lady Arios seems really sharp today."
"Telling others not to flirt with her man."
"Rumors true? She visits Young Master Seres daily."
Arios's overreaction spread awkward rumors through the hall.
"Come on, Seres. Ah~."
Arios ignored the stares and kept flirting. She scooped party salad and held it to me. I stared for a moment.
"Ah~."
I ate as she wanted. Surprisingly, Arios looked shocked.
"You ate it?"
"You offered it."
I excused to her surprised reaction, like she hadn't expected this. Why did she look so pretty today? Different vibe—I swallowed unknowingly. Hair down? Outfit? Wait, this was what Seres wore in the original! Same design, different size. Right, Arios had custom-ordered it as a gift for Seres's party. Gender-swapped, she wore it herself. No wonder she looked prettier today.
"Here, try this too!"
"Sure."
Excited Arios fed me more; dressed like Seres, my resolve weakened. As I accepted...
"Everyone prepare. His Majesty the Emperor arrives!"
Good or bad, today's star arrived. The noisy hall fell silent. Even Arios flinched and stopped. We all turned, and a woman appeared. Mature, model-like figure. Long, ornate red hair in twintails, clad in a jet-black dress. The queenly, oppressive beauty surveyed the quiet hall.
"So quiet. Why'd everyone shut up?"
She glared, displeased.
"Clamming up the moment I arrive pisses me off. Order: everyone smile."
Reluctant smiles emerged at her command.
"Mocking me now? Laugh louder!"
Unable to refuse, they laughed loudly, and she laughed too.
"Hahaha, you actually laugh when told? No pride at all!"
She mocked after ordering it herself.
...No doubt. This was the original's mad tyrant, Viol.