Chapter 120: Preparing for the Banquet
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 120: Preparing for the Banquet
The conversation had strayed far from its initial purpose: recruiting Burnell into the Empire.
"I heard you acquired the Dandolo Merchant House. Is it the Hestia Merchant House now?"
"That is correct. How is the Empire reacting?"
"They’re in an uproar. The Pascal Trading Company and Dandolo—now Hestia, right?—those two have officially leaned toward the Far East."
It was exactly as Ferda had heard.
"In Hestia's case, they seem to be wrapping up their affairs to establish their headquarters in the Far East, so there shouldn't be much trouble. However, the Pascal Trading Company will likely be a major point of contention. The Empire might even issue a corrective order to restrict their trade with the Far East."
Stephan had already anticipated this and claimed he could handle it. Ferda casually floated Stephan’s strategy to gauge her opinion.
"What if the Pascal Trading Company takes charge of the external sales of Magitech goods?"
"Oh my, if they were to make such a move..."
Olivia’s expression turned serious as she processed the idea. Her blue eyes sparkled with more life than when she was merely offering polite smiles.
"Even the Empire wouldn't find it easy to touch them then. They would have to be mindful of the Far East. Was this Chairman Pascal’s idea?"
"It was the idea of the next chairman."
"I see." She gave a faint smile. "It’s a clever move, but you must be careful, Regent. Have you heard the recent rumors?"
"You mean the one about me 'stealing' refugees?"
"Yes. Those people are truly revolting." Olivia’s beautiful face contorted in disgust. "How can they say such things after you looked after those refugees throughout that long winter?"
"My thoughts exactly."
"Suppose those refugees were sent back. What would they even do? Naturally, the lords would just exploit them and bleed them dry again! They treat them like livestock—tossing them aside once the granaries are full in the autumn! There’s a limit to how much you can treat people like fools."
Despite it being someone else's problem, her reaction was passionate. She truly acted like someone determined to win the support of the commoners.
"My administrator informed me that we need someone within the Empire who can exert influence on our behalf."
"In that regard, I cannot offer direct help." Olivia looked apologetic. She pondered for a moment before asking Ferda, "Come to think of it, Hestia still lacks an elite class, doesn't it?"
The "elite class" referred not just to nobles, but to high-level professionals like scholars, merchants, artisans, and priests. While some "artisans" had migrated from various places, they were closer to laborers than true masters of their craft.
"On the merchant side, Stephan is in the process of forming a union. As for scholars, Bernard, the President of Escoleia, is recommending interested academics while linking them to the Far East exploration project."
"With scholars and merchants, it’s safe to say you’ve filled about seventy percent of the gap."
"The problem is the priests."
To begin with, Ferda, who possessed the qualities of a black mage, did not get along well with the clergy. Furthermore, he loathed the hypocrisy of the Alte Faith, which preached philanthropy and mercy while remaining ruthless toward heretics.
‘And yet, priests are necessary.’
Most of the people in this village were from the Empire, and most were followers of Alte. With the Far East—a place where monsters constantly poured out—right on their doorstep, they needed a spiritual pillar.
"I might be able to help with that. I’ll look into people from the Alte Order. Since this is a land where diverse people mingle, I'll look for those from the moderate faction."
"I would be most grateful if you could do that."
"Don't mention it. Isn't this all part of the path toward our common goal?" Olivia smiled brightly. "Since we're on the topic of the Alte Order, have you considered holding a banquet at Valdrova Castle?"
"A banquet... you say?"
Olivia rested her chin on her hands, propping her elbows on the table. Her smile was radiant.
"The followers of Alte will soon be preparing for the Start of Spring Festival. The nobles are the same. It’s the perfect time to announce the joy of spring with a gala."
"Is that so?"
"I think it would be wise to arrange a Start of Spring Festival for the youths of the Empire. It shouldn't be limited to just the Empire, either; it’s a good chance to get acquainted with those who will lead the South and the North. Don't you agree?"
"The intent and the potential effects seem good, but..." Ferda asked the question that weighed on his mind. "Do you think they will actually attend my banquet?"
Banquets were the most important events for nobles. Because they were so significant, everyone vied to host the Start of Spring Festival. Being the host meant possessing immense influence. In other words, it was a power struggle.
As of now, Ferda’s social network was disastrous at best.
"Why wouldn't they come?" Olivia’s eyes curved into a smile. "Because I will be there."
She had decided to become the bait herself. Declaring that the "Flower of the Empire"—a woman of impeccable lineage, conduct, and beauty—would participate was enough to catch the attention of young men from all over. If men of the ruling class gathered, women would naturally follow. Like a chain reaction, a crowd would inevitably form.
‘A banquet...’
Rather than excitement, Ferda felt a wave of annoyance. Was he supposed to mingle with these green youngsters at his age? But then he realized that his current body was also quite "green."
"I understand."
"You'll do it?" Olivia blinked. She looked like she hadn't expected him to agree so easily.
"Is there a problem?"
"I expected you to think it was a waste of time, so I was prepared to spend hours persuading you. I feel a bit deflated, I suppose."
You know me well. If Isabella hadn't warned him beforehand, he would have said exactly that.
"Since you've agreed, very well. You don't have a party planner, do you?"
"No."
"I’ll have the Empire dispatch some this time. You’ll be holding banquets frequently in the future, so it would be best to hire a dedicated team in advance."
"Thank you for the advice."
As someone who played the role of the premier lady of the house in the Empire, Olivia was knowledgeable and skillful.
‘If she were the 3rd Prince instead of a princess, she might have surpassed her older brothers.’
She, too, possessed a cruel fate, Ferda thought to himself.
"Do you know the dance that's currently popular in the Empire?"
Ferda’s body flinched.
"It’s called the 'Moonlight Step.'"
"I don't know it."
"It’ll be a problem if you don't. If the host of a banquet is behind the trends, they become a laughingstock. People will say the Regent of Valdrova has no interest in the world."
"...I'd like to just quit now."
"Oh my, there's no turning back." Olivia giggled. "Don't be like that; let's practice just a little. It’s derived from a light waltz. You’ll learn it quickly once you get the hang of it. You know the waltz, at least, right?"
"..."
"Oh, you don't know that either? I thought anyone from a noble family would have learned it..."
Should I just scrap the banquet?
Olivia pretended to think for a moment, then stood up and held out her hand to Ferda.
"Come."
"...What is this?"
"You have to stand up to dance, don't you? Hurry up and get up."
He knew he had to practice, but he didn't realize she meant right this second.
"Don't you want to share a wonderful dance with the Archduchess of Valdrova?"
Valdrova. The first banquet he would welcome with his fiancée. Imagining that scene, Ferda’s lips moved before his brain could object.
"I do."
"Right? Then every second is precious, isn't it? Wouldn't it be more perfect if someone who knows dance well—and a woman who knows women well—taught you?"
Ferda felt a strange sense of persuasion in those words. However, unable to just snap it up, he reflexively looked at Ruri. For some reason, she was quiet. Did she intend to turn a blind eye because she’d been bribed with food?
‘No matter how easy she is to tempt with food, she isn't the type to be that lax.’
She definitely had something up her sleeve. Ferda let out a sigh. Regardless, he couldn't avoid it any longer.
"Fine."
Setting the conversation aside, they began to practice.
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Her Grace's polymorphed form... what is her stature like? She is a woman, right?"
Stature. Ferda looked at Olivia. She was the only yardstick he could use right now.
"She is a bit shorter than you, Princess."
"Then there shouldn't be any problem teaching you."
Olivia’s fingers slid between Ferda’s. The already narrow distance between them closed even further.
"Now, hold my hand like this... imagine music is playing. Da-ra-ra-ran, da-ran. Yes, tap your foot lightly here and to the left..."
He learned the dance under her guidance. Ferda did his best to move according to her instructions, and as her humming came to an end, her evaluation was blunt.
"Hmm... your dancing is quite clumsy."
She was putting it nicely; he was essentially a lost cause when it came to physical coordination. Olivia couldn't hide her bewilderment. She had thought that his usual heavy, dignified presence meant he was hiding great dancing skills beneath the surface.
But dancing was a physical activity. And physical activity was what Ferda was worst at.
"You're awfully quiet."
"...What can I do? I was kicked out because of this pathetic body."
"Pathetic? But you look so dignified..." Her voice trailed off, laced with a hint of allure. "Let's just get the feel for a light waltz and the Moonlight Step. For now, let's just focus on the hold."
"Must we keep dancing?"
"Of course. I pride myself on being quite good at teaching others. You've wounded my pride, Regent. Do you have any idea how high the price is for wounding a woman's pride? You'll have to dance all day."
He didn't know, and he didn't want to know. To drag him into this and then be so headstrong...
"I'll help you master it in a single day, so just follow my lead."
"Does that mean you're staying until tomorrow?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"Before being a princess, you are an unmarried woman. Won't rumors spread if you stay at a strange man's house?"
"A strange man? You already have someone you belong to, Regent."
"There is a saying: do not even tie your shoelaces in a melon patch."
"You worry too much. I have a perfectly good excuse."
"What is it?"
"Hand Marquis Burnell over to me." Olivia made a sudden move.
"I cannot."
"Right. Then we'll have to have a very long discussion about this matter. The Princess will continue a marathon meeting. Since there will be nothing else to do during that time, you might as well learn to dance. For Lady Valdrova’s sake."
Could that really work? Though he was skeptical, Olivia didn't give him time to judge and kept moving. In the end, he found himself going along with her pace. Despite his complaints, Ferda also had a desire to dance well. To do that, he needed help from someone who knew the trends and the steps.
Olivia’s gaze was fixed on Ferda. She wore a smile the entire time she taught him. It was as if she was enjoying every single moment.
Olivia looked back on her life. When did she start this tedious acting? It seemed to have begun when she realized that even her nanny, whom she thought was her only ally, was the Emperor's dog. From then on, she spent hours every day sitting in front of a mirror, practicing how to smile. While others practiced to make their smiles brighter, Olivia did it to give her smiles meaning. Part of it was to manipulate men, but there was a more fundamental reason.
It was to prevent people from projecting their own unwanted meanings onto her.
She knew objectively how beautiful she was. There were more people than she could count who had mistaken a single glance or a smile for love and launched one-sided romantic offensives. Because of that, she couldn't even smile as she pleased.
In that sense, meeting Ferda was truly comfortable. He didn't mistake her smiles for something else like other men did. And even if she smiled with such an intention, he wouldn't be swayed. His heart was already elsewhere.
That was why she could make a request like this.
"Regent. Why don't you try smiling a little?"
"Smiling might be difficult."
"You have to practice smiling too. Try imagining something pleasant while we talk about trivial things."
Even as she said that, his lips only twitched before returning to their original state, as if smiling was a physical challenge. Olivia found even that quite satisfying. Because that smile was undoubtedly reserved for his fiancée.
‘How truly noble.’
A noble heart isn't simply about how much one believes in a god. It’s about constantly doubting and agonizing over oneself for the sake of one's convictions, suffering through it, yet shouldering the burden and moving forward anyway.
That nobility inspired Olivia. Her circles, which even Alte couldn't touch, moved smoothly. They became the wheels moving her toward her dream of becoming a Saintess.
Just a little more. She wanted to stay like this just a little longer.
Knock, knock, knock—.
A knock broke the atmosphere. At the sound, Ferda let go of Olivia’s hand. Olivia put her mask back on. Ferda watched her for a moment before commanding Ruri.
"Let them in."
The Knight Commander entered, gave a short bow, and spoke.
"Princess. You must depart now."
It was expected, but he was clearly intent on spoiling the mood.
"I don't think I can return today. We are in the middle of discussing the engineer—"
"It is the Emperor's command. I have a message saying you are to return immediately."
"Is there a need to depart as the day is ending? Let us at least return in the morning."
"You need not worry about that. An Imperial Mage has already been dispatched. Preparations for a return via teleportation are complete."
"..."
The atmosphere and mood that had been so pleasant scattered like a midsummer night's dream. She wanted to stay here a little longer...
Just as she felt she couldn't resist any further, Ferda stepped in.
"We are in the middle of a conversation."
"Are you planning to interrupt a serious dialogue being held here by a representative of the Imperial Family?"
"The Princess's visit here was for exchange with the Archduchy. It is unrelated to the recruitment matter."
"So, are you saying we should act as if the conversation we've had until now never happened? Do you wish to turn a formal negotiation into trash?"
"That is not what I meant."
Ferda was pushing back, speaking as if he were displeased. Olivia stared blankly at Ferda. For her, who had lived a life as someone's trophy, this was the first time she had been treated with such human consideration.
Why was he acting like this? Olivia knew the reason. Ferda was helping her because he figured there was a reason she didn't want to go back. He was assisting her as an ally with a common goal of bringing down the Empire.
And yet, even though she knew that... when he wore that expression and protected her...
‘I might really start to get the wrong idea.’
Olivia stood up.
"It seems I can't stay any longer. Regent, I shall take my leave now."
"Will you not speak further?"
"What can I do? If a grown woman stays at a strange man's house, strange rumors will spread. It’s better that I leave, isn't it?"
Olivia threw Ferda’s own words back at him. Ferda didn't try to hold her back any further.
"I hope you return safely."
"Yes. And since you said you're holding a Start of Spring Festival, I'm really looking forward to it. I will make sure to attend."
Leaving those words behind, Olivia walked out the door. Until the very moment the door closed, she looked back at Ferda and waved.
* * *
Valdrova’s Lair.
—A banquet in a month, you say?
Valdrova, having heard the whole story from Ruri, asked her. Within Valdrova’s fierce eyes, a pure light sparkled.
"Yes. He said he will hold a Start of Spring Festival in a month."
—I see.
To her, who longed for human banquets and wanted to attend one, it was an incredibly alluring prospect. A banquet was one of the places Valdrova absolutely wanted to experience at least once.