Chapter 26 Invitation (1)
The Invitation (1)
"Thank you for attending the hunting festival until the very end."
At the Emperor's words from the podium, the crowd showed varied reactions.
Some feigned disinterest while others listened intently, committing every gesture of his to memory.
Whether aware of these reactions or not, the Emperor continued speaking slowly.
"It seems my efforts in preparing gifts for this hunting festival were worthwhile. I sincerely hope you enjoyed yourselves."
Beside the Emperor stood towering piles of various monster carcasses.
Each placard bore not only the name of the hunter who captured it but also the name of the young lady who received the trophy.
He glanced sideways at the stacked hunting prizes.
"This year brought particularly rare monster offerings."
As he spoke, the Emperor stopped before three piles noticeably larger than the others - so massive they seemed to belong to a different scale altogether. Even he couldn't help but exhale in admiration.
From griffons to Ganeshas and white lions, disaster-class monsters the size of houses proudly displayed their bulk.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as people tilted their heads back to glimpse the tops of the mountainous piles.
"I wished to determine superiority, but these three proved impossible to rank."
The placards read: Lev, Le-o von Shpenheim, and Abel von Hardenberg. Particularly, murmurs spread as eyes lingered on Abel's placard.
This reaction was only natural - the Duke who had never once displayed his martial prowess had finally revealed his strength at the hunting festival.
"However, Duke Hardenberg's display of power while subduing a disaster-class monster for his lady left the deepest impression on me."
He personally dragged a half-destroyed monster carcass and placed it beside Abel's pile.
The monster - once boasting castle-like proportions with massive horns - now lay humiliated with only its lower half remaining.
"Technically, this too was an offering made for a young lady."
After a deliberate pause, the Emperor continued:
"Therefore, the protagonists of this hunting festival shall be Abel von Hardenberg and Adel von Este."
No applause or cheers followed his declaration. Given Adel's infamous reputation before possession, this silence was perhaps expected.
Clap.
Just as I resigned myself to this understanding, a single pair of hands clapped from the crowd.
Turning, I saw Estelle smiling brightly as she applauded.
Following her lead, those around her gradually joined in. What began as sparse clapping soon swelled to thunderous levels.
Amidst this, Abel gently took my hand with a faint smile.
Steadying my trembling heart, I followed Abel up the podium where the Emperor approached us with his characteristic genial smile.
"This is the promised gift."
A box held by an attendant emanated strange mana waves. So this was the imperial family's heirloom artifact.
Abel bowed as he accepted the box. Mirroring his gesture, I curtsied respectfully.
"Well done. Your performance was most impressive."
"You honor me with your praise."
"Hahaha! I'm glad you think so."
Though merely polite formalities, the Emperor laughed heartily. With that final laughter, Abel and I descended the podium.
Even after receiving the Queen title, it still felt unreal. Like walking through a dream.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine such an outcome after facing nothing but countless deaths despite all efforts.
"I truly never thought this would happen."
"You'll be quite busy from now on. The Queen title becomes a focal point in social circles."
Queen of the Hunting Festival.
Abel claimed this title alone could eclipse my infamy, yet it still felt surreal.
After struggling so hard to escape, becoming society's center through a mere title left me somewhat hollow.
But soon, a question arose:
Why did Abel participate in the festival?
By all accounts, Abel had never once attended previous hunting festivals. I only knew this because Estelle had mentioned it in passing.
So why break that precedent now?
"...Could the reason he participated in the hunting festival also be—"
"Of course, it was for the contract."
"...I see."
Abel von Hardenberg shall serve as Adel von Este's fiancé for one year and provide all possible support.
Come to think of it, that was the contract. A faint sense of disappointment settled over me. It was a complicated, ambiguous feeling—something between regret and bitterness.
I grew confused by my own reaction.
What exactly had I been expecting from a purely contractual marriage to feel this let down?
Had I truly hoped he would act solely for my sake?
But no—I'd never felt anything resembling excitement around him. It was more like admiring a beautifully crafted doll.
So why this inexplicable, subtle ache?
Had he somehow read my emotions? Abel let out a quiet chuckle and asked,
"Disappointed?"
"Huh? Why would I be?"
Disappointed?
There was nothing to be disappointed about in the first place. If anything, I should be grateful—there was no reason for me to feel otherwise.
When I immediately denied it, his lips curled into a meaningful smile.
"Hmm... If you say so."
With that, silence fell between us for the rest of the ride back to the ducal estate. The strange, prolonged quiet was awkward—a first in a long while—but I didn't let it show.
After all, he had performed his role as my fiancé flawlessly.
§
Just as Abel had predicted, the following days became overwhelmingly busy.
Endless invitations poured in, forcing me to meticulously sort which to accept and which to decline.
It sounded simple, but the intricate web of clan interests meant I couldn't make those decisions lightly.
Had it not been for Allen's advice, I would've unknowingly caused countless diplomatic disasters.
His seasoned butler's guidance helped even someone as politically inexperienced as me navigate the delicate balance between noble houses.
I unfolded a newly arrived letter. Before I could even admire its elegant design and luxurious paper, the sender's name caught my eye.
...Estelle?
Come to think of it, she had mentioned sending me an invitation. This must be it. I skimmed the contents.
[To the Esteemed Lady Adel,
I hope this letter finds you well. Congratulations on claiming the title of Queen at the hunting festival! I'm writing to formally extend the invitation I mentioned previously.
My apologies—I've been rather occupied, hence the delay. I sincerely hope you'll forgive me.
I would be honored if you could grace my tea party with your presence and brighten the occasion.
As it is merely a social gathering, please don't feel pressured—come as you are.
—Your friend, Estelle von Louis.]
A straightforward letter, stating only the purpose of the invitation. A stark contrast to the florid, ostentatious wording of other nobles' missives.
What exactly was Estelle's intention in inviting me?
...I still can't tell.
Suspicious as it was, I currently had neither reason nor justification to refuse.
Rejecting an invitation from someone with as much social influence as Estelle could have consequences I couldn't even begin to predict.
Of course, given her position at the center of high society, I might also gain valuable information from her.
With her help, I could even gauge public opinion about Abel—
From his past to the kind of person he truly was. And what of those children Evan mentioned he had taken in?
"Allen? Would it be acceptable to accept this invitation?"
"Lady Adel."
His gently admonishing tone made me realize my mistake instantly.
"While I appreciate you seeking my counsel, the decisions you must make should ultimately be your own."
"...Understood."
How many times had he corrected me on this now? Yet despite knowing better, the habit refused to die.
After all the suffering and deaths I'd endured under the infamy of being the villainess, the memories buried deep in my mind still shackled me, making me hesitate to act decisively.
"Ah, another matter—Her Highness Princess Aria has also sent an invitation."
As if to confirm Allen wasn't lying, the imperial crest stood boldly embossed on the letter.
The golden emblem, bearing the insignia of the Imperial House, left no room for doubt—this was no forgery.
Aria von Shpenheim.
The Empire's sole princess—and the only member of the Imperial Family to renounce her succession rights.
Famous even among nobility for refusing to speak with anyone, she was known in society as the Unbreaking Flower.
...Why would someone like her invite me?*