The Royal Soiree
A magnificent sight unfolded before their eyes. A long procession of automatic carriages lined up, entering the royal palace one after another. The usually quiet palace had grown lively with the arrival of so many visitors. Nobles stepped out of their carriages—heads of lesser-known houses in neatly tailored, luxurious suits, and noblewomen draped in elegant dresses. Behind them followed children around Arina’s age, walking with quiet dignity as if accompanying their parents. Palace attendants greeted them with polished courtesy and guided them inside.
"Wow."
From the window of Marily’s room, Arina gazed down at the garden scene and let out an involuntary gasp of admiration. It felt as though a scene from a fairy tale or something she had only imagined was unfolding right before her.
"That lady still cakes her face with makeup, I see. And that old geezer—how old is he now? Somehow he’s still alive and showing up again."
In contrast to Arina’s romantic impression, Marily stared down at the nobles with the same look one might give filthy insects. Her eyes were filled with nothing but disdain for the aristocrats entering her home.
"I’ll say it again—once we’re inside, just look around and don’t say a single word. Never give them an opening to catch you in a slip of the tongue."
Not every noble was rotten, but as she had mentioned before, some wore their greed so openly it was written across their faces. They would do anything for their own gain. Getting entangled with them even once could lead to endless headaches.
"Be wary of anyone who tries to get close without reason. They’re obviously hoping to use you to get to me."
"Okay, I understand."
This was already the fifth time Arina had heard that warning. Though anyone else might have grown annoyed at the repeated nagging, she simply smiled and nodded, knowing it came from genuine concern. Perhaps that very meekness only made Marily worry more, yet she swallowed the rest of her lecture.
At least most of today’s guests are central nobles. That’s something.
The central nobles might be more cunning, but they at least understood their place. They were far better at hiding their true intentions than the provincial nobles who lacked any sense of propriety and poked around without discretion. With Marily beside her, no one would dare approach Arina openly. At the academy Marily behaved relatively well because she was with Arina, but in noble society she was infamous as a prodigious young lady.
If anyone tries to harass Arina, I’ll tear into them without mercy.
Marily Raymond, the sole princess of the Ellemental Kingdom that divided the continent into four. One of the most exalted figures on the continent, she was prepared to become a rabid dog for her friend’s sake today.
The Ellemental Kingdom’s royal palace contained two banquet halls. The First Banquet Hall was reserved for grand occasions such as the king’s birthday or major national festivals. The Second Banquet Hall was used for smaller events with fewer guests. The hall opened to the nobles today was the Second Banquet Hall. Given Marily’s status, the two of them arrived later than the others.
"Under normal circumstances I would enter with Father, but that would be far too much pressure for you, wouldn’t it?"
"Ahaha."
Arina gave an awkward laugh at Marily’s teasing remark. It was true. Simply meeting the king face-to-face made her heart lurch; entering together was something her timid courage could never imagine.
"That’s why I begged Father to let me bring you. Don’t take it the wrong way, Sir Philodain."
"It is an honor beyond my station."
At Marily’s words, the man standing beside them—a royal mage with mysterious silver hair that gave off a faint blue glow—bowed his head with his usual impassive expression.
"Please take good care of escorting the two of us today."
"I will do my utmost to serve you."
On her right stood the kingdom’s princess. On her left stood a seven-star royal mage. Arina, a mere commoner, could not deny that either companion was far too grand for her.
She told herself it was better than entering with the king and settled for the lesser of two evils.
"……"
Yet that discomfort lasted only a moment. As they neared the banquet hall, she saw nobles chatting leisurely in the corridor. Everyone harbored some romantic notion of the upper-class life they could never easily experience. Though she could not hear what they discussed, the sight of them conversing with relaxed smiles on their lips matched exactly the image of nobles Arina had always pictured.
"How about it, Count? The woman I recently took as a concubine—her looks are rather fine, don’t you think?"
"Oh? Not bad. Where did you acquire her?"
"From Alphado. Among slave traders, they’re the best."
"You chose well. If it’s all right, might I borrow her this evening?"
"Of course. In exchange, regarding that business matter you mentioned last time……"
"Very well. I’ll make sure your name is included."
"Thank you, Count."
The conversation was utterly base and vulgar. There was always a reason nobles conducted such shady talks in the corridor rather than inside the crowded hall. Still, it was better not to know. At Marily’s signal, Lucian spread a mana barrier around Arina, cutting off the voices before they could reach her.
If they’re going to whisper, at least make sure it can’t be heard.
It was because of people like them that even decent nobles got lumped together and vilified by the press. They ought to be shipped off wholesale to the Fan Empire.
While Marily grumbled under her breath and turned her head so Arina wouldn’t hear, they continued walking. Soon the entrance to the Second Banquet Hall appeared before them.
The doors were enormous, far grander than one would expect for a modest banquet. Crimson and gold blended exquisitely across the imposing entrance, perfectly embodying the dignity of the royal palace.
"Welcome, Your Highness. We have been expecting you."
Waiting at the doors was Enoch Sevranthis, the royal chamberlain and overseer of the event. He bowed with the same formal courtesy he had shown the first time Arina entered the palace and greeted them as they approached. After recording their names on the guest list, he opened the firmly shut doors.
"You may enter now."
Arina tilted her head. She tapped Marily’s shoulder and whispered so only she could hear.
"Don’t they announce names when people enter?"
"Names?"
Marily looked puzzled for a moment, then realized what Arina meant and stared at her in disbelief.
"You mean something like ‘So-and-so has arrived’?"
"Yes, that."
Drama really did ruin people. Marily pressed a hand to her forehead and shook her head.
"If we bellowed out every name like that, how could the party possibly proceed?"
Only those of significant importance had their names announced. In terms of the capital, that would be the king or the Majoan. Occasionally someone who had performed a great service might receive the honor, but the two of them were nowhere near that level.
"Well, in the provinces even a marquis might get announced, but……"
A marquis was an extremely high title, yet it still paled beside King Raymond or the Majoan. Even a duke rarely had their name called at a palace party.
"If you wish, I could arrange it."
Having overheard their conversation, Enoch Sevranthis interjected.
"Princess Marily is certainly worthy of having her name announced."
No one would dare complain. If anyone did, King Raymond and Prince Mihail would never let it slide.
"It’s fine. Announcing names is just embarrassing. And if you’re going to joke around, at least wipe that smile off your face first."
"My apologies."
When Marily waved her hand, Enoch bowed lightly and stepped back.
"Come, let’s go in."
Ignoring him, Marily walked ahead as if leading the way into the hall. Arina followed carefully behind her. The first thing that caught Arina’s eye was the enormous chandelier hanging high from the ceiling.
"……"
Its light cascaded down, illuminating the guests below. Everyone wore clothing that looked unmistakably expensive. Though the tables were laden with delicacies Arina had been eating since entering the palace, none of the nobles spared the food so much as a glance. They were far too busy conversing with one another, as if such fare were beneath their notice.
"Hup!"
Just as she was marveling at the sight, Arina felt countless gazes suddenly turn toward her. The moment Marily entered, every eye in the room shifted—subtly, yet unmistakably—toward her companion. At the same time, those same eyes began to scrutinize Arina, measuring who she was and why she stood beside the princess. The hidden malice lurking beneath the refined atmosphere pressed in on her, and her head began to lower.
"Don’t lower your head."
Marily spoke without even turning around, her voice sharp.
"In noble society, the most important thing is confidence."
Once someone looked down on you, it was over. Never show your weaknesses to others.
"You have me at your back. Remember that your every action reflects on my reputation as well."
It was a serious tone completely unlike Marily’s usual playful self. The stern rebuke made Arina flinch.
"As I said before, this party is a social gathering meant for nobles to become acquainted. Most of the people here are those who feel the need for such connections. True high-ranking nobles like dukes or marquises don’t even bother attending."
The highest-ranking person present was probably some count who enjoyed flaunting his authority—the kind they had seen on the way in. In other words, no one here outranked Marily.
"And that goes for you as well. After all, you’re the friend I personally brought."
Noble or commoner—the title didn’t matter. Everyone in this room was in the position of needing to curry favor with Marily.
"Soon enough, people who’ve been watching will start approaching me one by one. Until then, compose yourself."
The hardest part was taking the first step. Once one person approached, others would follow in a chain. She was, after all, the beloved only daughter of King Raymond. Winning her favor would naturally win the king’s favor as well.
"Right. I’m sorry."
Arina nodded and clenched her fists. She had been the one who wanted to come here. She couldn’t let her own behavior cause trouble for Marily. Swallowing hard, she forced her head up and stared straight ahead with wide eyes. The posture looked stiff, almost like a wooden doll, but Marily merely chuckled softly and nodded, satisfied.
"……!"
While the two of them walked toward the center of the hall under everyone’s gaze, Arina suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, staring at something.
"What’s wrong?"
She gave no answer. Her pupils trembled violently and cold sweat streamed down her forehead—clear signs that something was terribly wrong.
Startled, Marily followed Arina’s line of sight. There stood a woman with dark brown hair that reached her collarbones. As if sensing their stares, the woman turned her head toward them.
"Arina!"
The determined expression Arina had worn only moments ago—vowing not to cause Marily trouble—vanished in an instant. Her face went deathly pale, and she bolted out of the banquet hall.