Imperial Banquet (1)
The festival we'd been enjoying day by day had now entered its fourth day. That meant just one day remained until it ended—which also meant today was the eve of the imperial banquet hosted by the royal family. So Rana and I had come to get fitted for tomorrow's outfits. I found it a bit of a hassle.
"Rana. Do we really need to go this far…?"
"No way! Showing up in just anything would be rude."
Rana, who usually sided with me, was adamant this time. But I wasn't out of arguments yet.
"Won't the palace lend us clothes? That should be plenty."
Students without the funds could rent from the palace, and since they were palace-made, the quality and designs were top-notch.
"Kyle, the imperial banquet draws all sorts of people from across the empire. Plenty of them will nitpick at the tiniest flaw."
"Can't argue with that…"
My circle was full of good folks, but you couldn't paint the empire with that brush. Corruption and evil lurked everywhere.
Rana pressed on. "And your father might show up. It's an imperial banquet, after all."
"Could be."
The Arden family wouldn't skip a national event. Though in truth, Father wouldn't attend this one—the territory was swamped with black mage trouble, leaving no spare time. Same for my brother Veil; he was helping with family duties and sitting this out.
"Not saying palace formals are bad, but doesn't picking your own show more heart?"
Rana's eyes sparkled as she gazed at me. I let out a short internal sigh. Splurging big on clothes instead of gear felt off, but those eyes? Unbeatable.
"Fine, let's get it over with."
"Yay!"
Led by Rana's hand, we arrived at a clothing shop. It wasn't some flashy street-famous place.
"Where's this?"
"Grandpa's go-to spot. Amazing skill, so I come for fittings now and then."
No signboard, weathered door—it screamed long-time local business.
Creak… Rana pushed the door open.
The inside matched the outside: worn by time.
As we entered, an elderly gentleman emerged from the back. He spotted us and bowed politely.
"Mr. Calligan! Here for fittings."
Instead of words, he signed.
"Yes! Both of us."
Calligan gestured us further in. We followed.
The workshop surprised me. Tools and setup were cutting-edge—unlike the exterior—but steeped in an old master's vibe.
Rana's voice pulled me back. "Kyle. Any colors or designs in mind?"
"Nothing too flashy for either."
Short and sweet; a craftsman like him would handle the rest.
After measurements, he signed it'd take about three hours. Rana and I killed time nearby.
Back in the workshop, a finished suit and a dress in final stages awaited.
"Kyle! Try it on quick."
With Calligan's nod, Rana urged me on, eyes full of anticipation. Off to the changing room.
"It suits you perfectly!"
Stepping out, Rana gushed—eyes sparkling.
I checked the mirror. Colors and design meshed with me seamlessly. No fashion critiques at the banquet, empire trends be damned.
By then, Rana's dress was done too: bright tones. It fit her like a glove.
I gave Calligan a thumbs-up. He smiled back.
Business wrapped, we left.
The streets buzzed with energy—and chaos. Festival ending tomorrow. Yesterday's fountain booze bash had amplified the mess.
Afternoon drunks overflowed the roads. Naturally, we'd joined the party. Continental liquors made it worthwhile. Tasty stuff, no mishaps. We drank to enjoy, not black out—maybe two or three glasses tops.
Anyway, enough of that.
"Tomorrow's gonna be fun. Princess coming, right?"
"Has to. Royalty."
Ariel Tianis would attend as nobility, not student.
"But other royals too. You okay?"
"Mm…"
Rana's face turned serious, deep in thought.
Ariel and the rest were good-hearted, inheriting Emperor Kiran Tianis's blood. But history birthed villains aplenty. Like the 2nd Prince—fellow fuckup in the playboy rankings.
"Hate seeing that guy…"
Rana sulked at the mere thought.
"But I wanna go to the banquet with you…"
Her desire to attend with me outweighed the dread.
I took her trembling hand. "I'll block him as best I can. We can dip early after."
"That'd just annoy you. He's relentless. Was last year too."
"No big deal."
Trivial compared to her pain. Plus, his natural predator existed—no need for me anyway.
"Sorry. Because of me…"
"I'm fine, don't sweat it. Hey, Rana."
"Yeah?"
"Can't head to the palace together tomorrow."
"Something come up?"
"Promised someone else first. If solo's tough, go with Evan."
Evan was attending too. He'd look after her.
I wanted to go with Rana, sure. But Cloi had kept her end—no sightings during the festival. Promises were sacred. My turn.
Rana met my eyes. "Cloi?"
"…Yeah. How'd you know?"
"Shows in your eyes when you think of her."
"That obvious?"
Instinctive; couldn't hide it.
"Anyway, got it. With Evan, as you said."
"Sorry."
"No apologies. I'm grateful—you stuck with me the whole festival."
She smiled genuinely.
We strolled, found a decent restaurant at sunset.
"Dinner before heading back?"
"Sounds good!"
Meal done, back to the academy.
And the next day arrived.
A starry night. A carriage bearing the imperial crest pulled up to the Student Council Hall.
First carriage door opened; a palace servant stepped out, bowed deeply to the waiting student, who boarded casually.
Next ones followed suit. Some rode solo, others in groups—company eased nerves for first-years, while upperclassmen went alone.
After a few rounds, Rana and Evan appeared, boarding together as I'd suggested.
"But where the hell is she…"
All invitees waited. Cloi was MIA.
"Maybe ditch and go solo…"
"You wouldn't ditch me, right, senpai?"
Voice from behind. Cloi.
I sighed inwardly. "Then show up early. Slacking off then late? Come on."
"Girls take time getting ready~"
Turned to face her. Blood-red dress. Flowing red hair amplified her allure; red eyes gleamed dark in the night.
Standing still drew every gaze. All eyes snapped our way.
I deadpanned. "Starting a war at the palace?"
"Why say it like that? All for impressing you, senpai~"
"Sure it is."
Even suppressed, her aura leaked. Dolled up? Pure chaos.
"For real~. Why tempt others? Only you interest me."
Who knows. Dropped it.
Our turn. I boarded first, offered hand.
"Thought you'd snub me."
"Not a promise-breaker."
She grinned, took it. Pulled her up as she stepped.
Seated and confirmed, the carriage sped toward the palace—smooth, no jolts.
Issue was… "Why next to me? Plenty of space opposite."
"No need to face you. This way, we're closer~"
No dice. Gave up.
"Senpai. Know what?"
"What."
She twisted, straddled my lap. "Palace carriages have the world's best soundproofing."
"So, tempt me like that?"
"Nah~ We said no cheap tricks. And I'm no easy girl. First time's for the one I love."
I scoffed. "Then what's this?"
"Strategy to hook you~"
"Spill it all, who falls for that."
"Who knows~"
She stayed put awhile.
"Down when."
"Me? Till we arrive."
"Heavy. Off."
"Lightweight magic on. Can't be."
"Fuck…"
Promise tied my hands. Should've let festival disrupt her.
Face-to-face endurance test ended as we passed the palace gates.
"Mm~ Think that's enough."
She dismounted. Legs fine, but her scent clung.
"What was the point."
"Simple skinship. Wanna bond with you. Proximity builds intimacy, right?"
"……"
Speechless. Method evolved, core unchanged.
Knock knock.
Fixed my look quick. Door opened.
"Inspection before entry."
Palace knight stood ready. Standard for royals attending.
Cloi? No interest. Instant mind magic. Knight's eyes glazed.
"We're inspected. Got it, knight?"
"Yes… inspection complete…"
He turned and left.
Headache hit. "What the hell in the palace."
"Too annoying. No need, right?"
"Haa…"
"Still risky."
"Pfft, not murder. No one'd notice him gone~"
"……Fine. No more next time."
"If you say so… got it!"
How long that'd last? At least no palace repeats.
I exited first, offered hand again.
Servant guided us.
"Welcome to the palace."
Entrance lined with bowing servants and maids.
Cloi, arm linked, chimed. "Wooow~ Palace banquet hall's amazing."
"…Yeah."
We entered together.