Night of the Banquet: The Storm Rages (2)
With a jolt and a screech, the carriage came to a halt. The resounding neigh of horses snapped Emilia out of her reminiscences.
"We've arrived."
Emilia eyed the Melrn Count intently as he spoke with arms crossed. There were countless things demanding her attention, but for now, she had to play her part perfectly as his partner, just as he demanded.
Focus...
"...Aren't you getting down?"
She waited for his escort, but he just stood there, arms still crossed, staring at her as if expecting something. What is he waiting for? Why's he looking at me like that?
"Let's change your outfit before you step out."
Outfit? The dress she wore was one he'd picked himself. What could possibly be wrong with it now? Finicky bastards like him are the worst.
The Melrn Count clapped twice, and suddenly the shadow at Emilia's feet swelled up with a soft schlurp—revealing the succubus Mona.
Emilia had wondered why Mona hadn't ridden in the carriage; she'd been melted into her shadow all along.
"Yessir! Your loyal maid Mona reporting~! You called?"
"Fix Emilia's outfit as I instructed. That alright with you?"
"No problem at all. I can handle it anytime. After all, I'm your capable maid Mona!"
"Hmph. Get to it."
Mona replied to the count with a cheerful lilt, then pounced on the bewildered Emilia, her fingers wriggling mischievously. A small cry echoed inside the carriage, but sadly, neither plea nor scream escaped Mona's barrier.
Once Mona had changed her into formal attire, Emilia accepted the Melrn Count's courteous escort and alighted from the carriage, stepping into the imperial palace.
The guards at the entrance and the occasional nameless nobles they passed couldn't tear their eyes away from her. Their gazes held joy and envy at seeing the famed hero in person—but to Emilia, every look felt like mockery, flooding her with shame.
"Emilia, you can't go around with your head down like that. You're the 'hero' everyone envies, aren't you? Chin up, proudly."
"...Trash."
"The 'hero' everyone envies wouldn't say that. Especially not to a trusted benefactor you rely on."
"...!"
If she could, she'd snatch a nearby guard's sword and plunge it straight into the Melrn Count's heart. Lacking that option, she settled for mentally shredding him a thousand ways—then lifted her head proudly as ordered. Her cheeks, burning with humiliation, refused to cool.
The grand entrance hall of the palace was as opulent and majestic as its exterior promised. Jewel-encrusted pillars scattered golden and silver light; chandeliers blazed like stars. Flanking the open corridor stood rows of mythological statues carved from marble, mimicking the gods themselves.
Few ever entered the palace, so even at the entrance, some nobles paused to admire the hall's splendor. Everyone was dressed in flashy, luxurious finery from noble houses. Emilia, of course, outshone them all—or should have—in her stunning, ornate gown.
...Or not.
"What... the hell...!"
Just moments ago, en route in the carriage, she'd worn the dress he'd chosen. But before disembarking, Mona—summoned by him—had stripped it off in an instant, all per his orders.
Now, save for bracelets, a necklace, and her shoes, Emilia stood utterly naked in the heart of the noble imperial palace.
Amid passing nobles and servants.
Like a whore. Or a criminal...
Parading her bare body, unable even to cover her most precious places.
"It's fine, my love. Mona's magic ensures everyone else sees you in that previous dress."
"...!"
"Sure, there'll be mages at the banquet hall, but they're no demon lords—Mona's spell will fool those idiots. So no worries, my love."
Emilia shot him a venomous glare laced with hatred at his faux-comforting words.
"So... how do I look to you?"
"Why, your ravishing nudity, so beautiful it blinds me."
"...I hope your eyes rot out."
Others might see an illusion, but not him—he saw her true form. He grinned ear-to-ear, clearly delighted; it grated on her. But she couldn't show irritation here, so she schooled her face to neutrality and stared ahead.
"Let's go. ...I knew whatever you cooked up wouldn't be half-assed."
"Heh, that's my love. Gutsy as ever. Shall we?"
On the Melrn Count's arm, Emilia advanced through the vast, ostentatiously lavish palace.
No matter the illusion for others, she was naked in reality—and felt every inconvenience keenly.
Air currents prickled her skin; breezes made her hyper-aware. A mere brush-past from someone tensed her up. The excessive exposure, the jiggle of her breasts climbing stairs or striding forward—it all piled on mental fatigue just reaching the banquet hall.
"This is fun."
His chuckling murmur made her itch to punch his solar plexus—but she couldn't.
Following the guidance up ornate grand staircases, they arrived at the vast hall hosting tonight's banquet. Time remained till the official start, yet it buzzed already, every bit as splendid as befitted the palace.
High ceilings bore mana-stone chandeliers casting soft glows; long tables groaned under gourmet dishes and fine wines fit for nobility. More would come once it began proper.
Emilia swallowed amid the socialite buzz. This was her first such event.
Only adults post-coming-of-age attended formal imperial banquets. She'd fled home before hers, hiding incognito—so this was her noble society debut.
First ball... naked. What a fate...
She glared at the beaming Melrn Count beside her, but he just tugged her hand, leading to the hall's center.
The crowd hushed or whispered upon spotting her—they'd all heard the hero would attend, escorted by the count. Eyes converged like a tidal wave.
Emilia yearned to curl up, but his firm grip on her hand prevented it. To them, she looked fully dressed; any odd behavior would draw suspicion.
Ugh... uuuugh! They see me in a dress, right? Then why stare like a dragon's appeared downtown?!
The famed hero in the flesh. And her beauty—mirroring her mother's, a source of her pride—stunned them. Her poise oozed innate grace; her posture stood ramrod straight, as if heaven-tethered. A halo shimmered behind her; golden specks danced around like fantasy dust.
...All illusion from Mona's magic, save her posture—but none here knew.
Amid the stares and sidelong glances gauging approach, nobles continued flooding in.
『—Welcome, my subjects. You've all come splendidly today.』
A deep, resonant voice boomed, magically amplified to fill the hall. All eyes, previously darting politically, turned inward.
There stood a golden-haired man, as if sunlight melted into flesh. Long-bearded, robust and handsome, he beamed dazzlingly under the scrutiny.
Lustrous gold locks framed deeper, beautiful golden eyes. Towering stature. A jeweled crown atop his head.
Only imperial blood bore golden eyes here—a blessing ensuring any marriage bore golden-eyed heirs.
In short, this man was—
『Today, on my birthday—Karik Launtum Romancia's—I'm deeply grateful you've gathered!』
The emperor of the empire himself.