An Utterly Rotten Day
Somire, the protagonist of the atrocious, godforsaken game Rofanso. Despite being a commoner, she wielded holy magic with absolute mastery, making her the center of the world. In this game, they called her the Saintess.
And her rival, Franche Decartes. A villainess who dominated high society by wearing the mask of a madwoman to hide her own "weakness." Gifted in dark magic, she was branded a witch and served as the final boss in the endgame.
The Saintess and the Witch. Arch-nemeses destined to clash.
And now, those two stood face-to-face in front of the Imperial Palace Party Hall.
"Have you been keeping well?"
"...Saintess."
Franche's face contorted in an instant, looking exactly like someone who had run into the last person on Earth they wanted to see. And with good reason. I, too, still couldn't forget the words she had whispered to me back then.
Still, this is an opportunity.
A chance to find out if she was a player or just a crazy, insolent bitch. I hoped I could get at least a single clue.
Somire stood there with a beaming smile, waiting for Franche's greeting. Franche narrowed her eyes and spoke coldly.
"I do not believe our relationship is one where we exchange pleasantries."
"Oh my, it seems what I mentioned last time is still weighing on your mind."
What was wrong with this crazy bitch? I was genuinely curious about what was going on inside her head.
"I was truly sorry for my behavior back then. Please, find it in your heart to forgive me."
"If you were going to act like this, you should not have done something to apologize for in the first place."
At Franche's sharp, thorn-like response, the Crown Prince flared up.
"Lady Decartes! Have you no sense of decency?! Somire has graciously extended an olive branch first, yet you...!"
I think you're the one lacking decency. To think a guy like him would eventually become an A-rank Sword Master. The future of this Empire was pitch black.
"Your Highness, do you have any idea what this 'Saintess' of yours actually said to me?"
Franche stared at the Crown Prince with a sinister smile. She let out a soft chuckle and continued.
"Even you would be shocked, Your Highness, to hear the vile words that came out of this Saintess's mouth."
"...I care not what transpired between you two, but insult Somire no further. My patience has its limits."
"And what will you do if you lose your patience? Surely you do not intend to make an enemy of the Decartes Ducal family?"
The Crown Prince ground his teeth. His temple twitched, a clear sign that his hot-tempered trait was flaring up. I wasn't the only one who noticed this.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger. I am perfectly fine."
"Somire...! How can you be so endlessly kind!"
Ugh, what a pathetic show.
"I was indeed in the wrong regarding Lady Decartes. Whether she accepts my apology is entirely up to her."
The Crown Prince continued to fawn over her, muttering, "Ah, Somire...!" proving to everyone that he was a massive pushover in front of the woman he loved.
"Then, I wish you a pleasant evening at the party."
Greeting them with light imperial etiquette, Somire walked gracefully into the party hall. The Crown Prince followed, sticking close to her side.
No time to verify her identity.
Well, I could keep an eye on her inside, so there was still a chance.
"To run into that wench right from the start... My luck is utterly abysmal today."
"Indeed, My Lady. Crossing paths with those two right at the entrance bodes ill for the rest of the evening."
Franche let out a soft sigh and looked up at the sky.
"We still have some time, so let us get some fresh air before we head inside. If I enter now, I doubt I will be able to maintain my composure."
"As you wish. Shall we take a stroll through the gardens?"
"...Do you know the layout of the Imperial Palace?"
A sharp question out of nowhere.
"I have visited here before in my capacity as the First Prince."
Of course, that was a total lie. The only reason I knew this place was because I had spent hours wandering around the imperial gardens in the game, searching for hidden secrets.
"I see. Lead the way to the garden, then."
"This way, My Lady."
I guided Franche to the imperial gardens. This was the place I was most familiar with, second only to the Imperial Capital. I had spent a long time exploring it because of the many secrets hidden within the palace.
"...It is indeed beautiful, befitting an imperial garden."
"Is it not? I wanted to show you this place."
In the imperial gardens, various types of colorful flowers bloomed regardless of the season. From what I knew, a court mage had cast a spell to control the blooming and wilting of the flowers.
"I feel a bit more at ease now."
The mana infused within the petals sparkled under the moonlight. It was a sight not easily found anywhere else. Seeing it in reality was certainly different from looking at game graphics. I smiled faintly as I watched Franche gaze at the flowers from behind.
"My La—"
The moment I called out to her...
Zing!
A sudden, excruciating headache struck me. The pain was incomparable to anything before. It felt as though a power drill was boring a hole straight through my skull.
"Argh...!"
The world spun violently. Clutching my temples, I collapsed to my knees.
"What is wrong? What is happening?"
"Pant...! Huff!"
A scene flashed through my mind.
They were actually conversing. What on earth was this?
This time, there was no system voice announcing that the synchronization was deepening.
What was the scene that had just flashed by, and why did it trigger such a violent headache?
"Breathe!"
With a sharp gasp, air rushed back into my lungs. I had unconsciously stopped breathing.
"...I am fine now."
"Has your illness worsened?"
"It appears so."
Franche's face darkened. I felt bad because I had lied about having a terminal illness, and I didn't want to show her this weakness if I could help it.
"You need not worry so much, My Lady. Once we return, I will receive treatment from Kazar."
"Are you sure we do not need to head back immediately? You look terribly ill..."
I couldn't lose sight of our goal. The reason we attended the imperial party wasn't simply to enjoy ourselves.
"This is a pain I am accustomed to, so I am fine. I assure you, nothing of the sort will happen during the party."
"That is not the point...!"
"My Lady, do not lose sight of our goal. Do you intend to let everything we have built crumble in a single moment?"
I spoke harshly on purpose. Right now, Franche was too worried about me to make a proper judgment. We couldn't afford to ruin everything after coming this far.
"...Very well. If you insist..."
Fortunately, Franche composed herself and nodded. I brushed the dirt off my knees and stood up.
"I apologize for showing you such a pathetic display."
"It was hardly pathetic..."
"Now, let us enter the party hall."
I needed to change the subject to ease her mind.
"Very well. It is about time, so let us go."
As we left the imperial garden and prepared to enter the party hall...
"...Franche Decartes."
Someone called out to Franche again. Who was it this time? I frowned deeply and turned around.
The one who had called her was none other than Cassus Persia.
Ha. Today is truly, utterly, rottenly unlucky.
*
Cassus Persia. There were three ways to describe him.
He was the rival of Eden Descartes, representing one of the two great ducal families of the Empire. He was Franche Decartes's ex-fiancé. And his character trait was 'Sociopath.'
In female-oriented games, characters like him were apparently popular as scheming male leads.
"Young Duke Persia. I trust you have been well."
Cassus stared at Franche with narrowed eyes. Naturally, he ignored her greeting.
Why call her out if you're just going to ignore her greeting?
He was a truly incomprehensible bastard. Even when breaking off the engagement, he had spoken with a tongue like a blade.
"It has been a while," he finally replied after a long pause.
Something about his atmosphere felt different.
"Might I ask what business you have with me? I recall you stating previously that you wished for our paths never to cross again."
Exactly. The bastard couldn't even keep his own word.
"I have not forgotten the matter of the rumors."
He had approached her out of a desire for revenge. His voice was laced with murderous intent. It seemed the rumors about him being gay had caused him quite a bit of trouble.
"That is all I had to say. Farewell."
With that, Cassus walked into the party hall. Franche and I automatically exchanged looks.
"To think he would be so openly hostile. He must have suffered quite a bit."
"Naturally. We spread those rumors precisely to make his life miserable, after all."
"Do you think he will seek revenge?"
"Undoubtedly. But it matters not. Once our business succeeds, he will not be able to touch you so easily."
"Because my own power will have grown?"
I nodded. Overthrowing Frida, which had monopolized the empire's clothing industry, was a massive achievement. Even Cassus wouldn't be able to touch her lightly.
"Then I must work as hard as possible to ensure he cannot pull any foolish stunts. In fact, I shall triumph over him."
Yes, that was a good mindset. She hadn't forgotten what he did, and she hadn't even returned half of it yet.
"At any rate, that is in the past now. Let us go inside."
As we reached the entrance of the Imperial Palace Party Hall, a knight in golden armor saluted with perfect posture.
"I must verify your invitation."
Franche gracefully pulled out the invitation and showed it to him. The knight saluted once more and opened the doors.
"Have a wonderful evening."
With that, we entered the party hall. Unlike other social gatherings, they didn't announce the names of the guests as they entered.
"Now, what shall we do?"
"Tell me, how does the Imperial Palace party usually proceed?"
"...You claim to have been here as royalty, yet you do not even know the schedule?"
Another sharp question. I had to lie again.
"My visits were strictly political; I have never actually attended a social gathering here. Besides, I have never had much interest in parties."
Franche let out a soft hum and explained the schedule. The imperial party was a two-day event. On the first day, the nobles would network and enjoy themselves under the hosting of the Crown Prince. On the second day, the Emperor and Empress would attend in person.
"The princes and princesses will likely attend today as well."
"Then we must leak information about our clothing store today."
"Indeed. And tomorrow, when His Majesty the Emperor arrives, I shall wear the dress Andrea designed."
That way, we could showcase the dress to both the Duke and the Emperor simultaneously. The Empress would surely take a keen interest. If so, the advertising effect for Franche's Clothing Store would be a massive success.
Franche's dress will spread from the Empress to the rest of the nobility.
It would spark a brand new trend, completely different from any existing dress designs.
"Then today is of the utmost importance."
"Yes. We must build up their anticipation as much as possible."
Anticipation. In other words, we needed to talk a big game.
"Let us formulate a plan, then."
I explained to Franche how we would leak the information. We would spread rumors that a new brand was emerging to challenge Frida's monopoly, that it had received massive investment, and that even its building was extraordinary.
"...But will this truly be alright?"
"In what regard, My Lady?"
"We are hiding the fact that I am the creator of this brand."
"That will not be an issue."
"Why? Could it not cause complications later?"
In business, only the final product mattered. As long as the dresses and suits were top-tier, minor details wouldn't affect operations.
"Such trivial matters will not hinder the store's operations."
"How can you be so certain?"
"Because our clothing store's very first customer will be Her Majesty the Empress."
Every good advertisement needed a model. The first recipient of our dress would be the Empress, as a gift. No noble would dare insult a boutique patronized by the Empress herself.