Victory Celebration Banquet (3)
Hai-elf nobles clad in splendid formal attire began arriving one by one at the victory celebration banquet. Some attended alone, while many others brought their children, the future heirs to their houses. They had been dragged along by their kids' insistent pleading to see the Diablo Slayer who had vanquished the Raging Flames Demon King. The children's eyes sparkled with anticipation at the thought of laying eyes on him.
Among the noble ladies, some had heard rumors that the Diablo Slayer was a handsome human, and they blushed faintly, their cheeks turning a delicate pink as they imagined an ideal partner in their minds.
"The lady of House Santander, Leticia Santander, greets Lord Valencia."
A high-elf girl with red hair greeted Wallace with an elegant gesture. She was like a red narcissus. The flower's meaning was self-love, pride, and nobility. Leticia brimmed with self-love and pride, and she possessed the refined dignity befitting a noble lady. With her voluptuous figure and graceful demeanor drawing all eyes around her, it was no exaggeration to say she embodied every quality of noble womanhood.
"Hello, Lord of House Santander."
Alonne bobbed her head in greeting. Compared to Leticia's poised bow, it felt a bit lacking. But Alonne was a girl with such adorably fairy-like features that her slightly clumsy courtesy only endeared her to others, stirring their hearts.
Bilen Santander nodded with a pleased smile at the cute high-elf girl's greeting.
"I need to speak with Lord Santander for a moment. Alonne, go enjoy the banquet with Lady Leticia."
"Yeah, Leticia. Give us some space."
Wallace and Bilen excused themselves from their daughters. The nobles' social gathering was little more than an informal venue to discuss topics overlooked in official meetings. Thus, the two men planned to use this opportunity to address unfinished business from the council chamber—matters related to the Diablo Slayer, as well as the political strife surrounding the High Priestess and the Yetzirah Council. They also intended to rally nobles present whose views aligned with theirs.
"Who would've thought they'd act like best buddies...."
Parted from her father, Alonne shot a sullen glance at Leticia, her unexpected companion. Leticia felt the same. She clearly wasn't thrilled about wandering the banquet—meant for Yetzirah Council representatives—with Alonne. And if they ran into someone they knew... She didn't even want to imagine it.
"Could you keep your distance? I'm worried about any unpleasant misunderstandings."
"Same here!"
"Perfect, then. Looks like my academy classmates are over there anyway."
"The academy kids...?"
Alonne, on bad terms with her classmates, hunched her small shoulders at the news. She'd been doing better lately, but now she was shrinking back into her shell. Leticia let out a deep sigh at the sight. She couldn't just abandon her like that—it felt too pitiful. So, Leticia decided to stick by Alonne instead of heading to her classmates.
"Alonne."
"Sis!"
Ardena approached, dressed in a gown like Alonne and Leticia. She resembled a graceful yet noble doe—beautiful and strong, with a pure yet lethally alluring charm. Even in a dress symbolizing femininity, her dignity as a knight captain shone through.
Leticia froze at the sight of Ardena in her gown. She wore a shy, bashful expression like a girl with a crush, fidgeting awkwardly.
"H-Hello... Captain Ardena...!"
Leticia greeted her shyly. It was a far cry from her poised bow to Wallace moments ago—innocent and brimming with youthful admiration. Her greeting to Wallace had been that of House Santander's lady; to Ardena, it was the reverence of a girl who adored her endlessly.
"The dress suits you well, Leticia."
"Y-Yes! Thank you!"
Ardena smiled as she spoke. The high-elf captain's smile could sway not just men, but women too, with its irresistible charm. Leticia felt her heart pounding uncontrollably. Her face flushed crimson—redder than the finest wine the nobles were sipping. She inwardly applauded her decision to stay by Alonne's side instead of joining her classmates.
"You're a bit late, sis."
"I had something to discuss with a fellow captain."
"I thought you'd left early to ask Master for an escort first."
"No...!"
Ardena, caught off-guard by her sister's question—which hit a little too close to home—stammered in rare flustered panic. Her secret was out. She was still waiting anxiously for Yushin to appear at the banquet. But preparations must have taken longer than expected; time had passed without a sign of him. The longer she waited, the more anxious she grew, fearing her spot by his side—her chance at his escort—might slip away.
That vixen wouldn't...
Allen Rocksfield. Ardena briefly pictured the blue-haired swordswoman, anxiety flaring at the thought of her stealing Yushin. But she shook her head, banishing the worry. Allen was just a little sister figure in the end—she could never be a true lover. For now, that position gave Allen an edge, but time would turn it into poison.
"Sis...?"
Ardena, lost in thought, hadn't heard Alonne call her. Snapping back, she extended a hand to her gown-clad sister. Just then, the banquet's orchestra struck up under the conductor's baton. The nobles paired with their spouses and danced as if at a grand ball.
"Time to test if you've neglected your dance lessons."
"Eek! Go easy on me...!"
Alonne whined at her sister's sudden test. Swordsmanship was her only interest; she'd ignored everything else. No way had she practiced dancing.
"Fine, I'll do it! But promise not to laugh."
"Hehe. Deal."
After excusing herself to Leticia, Ardena took Alonne's hand and led her to the small dance floor. The Valencia sisters clasped hands and waists, beginning their dance. Ardena kept the steps simple to accommodate her sister. Emboldened, Alonne responded eagerly to her lead.
The two beauties in gowns drew the eyes of onlookers naturally.
"Captain Ardena and... her little sister."
"The Valencia sisters are lighting up this banquet."
Not just Yetzirah Council nobles, but foreign diplomats attending to curry favor with the Diablo Slayer all watched Ardena and Alonne. It wasn't a passionate or provocative dance. Yet the sisters' graceful movements sparked happy fantasies in the men—and the women imagined dancing with Ardena themselves, admiring her noble beauty.
"You have daughters to be proud of."
"As expected of the great house from the eastern region!"
Wallace maintained a stern expression amid the praise, upholding his dignity as head of House Valencia. But inwardly, he brimmed with pride. Like Bilen, he was one of the elf kingdom's notorious doting fathers.
"Alonne, your steps are a mess."
"I'm nervous! It's my first time dancing in front of so many people."
"Pretend it's just us. Ignore the stares. Focus only on me, and let your body follow my lead."
"Got it. I'll do my best."
Thanks to Ardena's advice, Alonne's awkward movements improved somewhat. Seventy-five out of a hundred. She stepped on fewer toes, but still lost balance occasionally or accidentally trod on her sister's foot.
"Sis."
"Yes."
"I have something to tell you."
"Out with it, then."
Alonne, her hand on Ardena's waist as they moved, looked up and met her sister's eyes. After much hesitation, as if harboring a long-held secret, she finally spoke.
"I like Master."
"...I know."
"I know you like him too."
"Yes."
Ardena gave a wry smile and affirmed it. She did like Yushin. Facing her sister's serious expression, she couldn't lie.
"But I don't want to grow apart from you because of Master."
"Me neither. We're sisters."
"Right. Even with our age gap... Ow! You did that on purpose!"
"It wasn't intentional."
Ardena, who had moved flawlessly without a single mistake, suddenly stepped on Alonne's foot. Feigned accident or not, she played innocent amid her sister's protest.
"We both like the same guy."
"Seems that way."
"I'm gonna keep liking Master. And so are you, right?"
"...Yes."
"We're close sisters! Let's share him! We can't give him up, and we don't want to!"
"Sh-Share...? You plan to split Yushin in half...? What the hell are they teaching at that academy...?"
Ardena muttered in a trembling voice. She imagined Alonne tearfully gazing at Yushin's corpse, shouting "Let's split him!" while wielding a sharp axe. Even a rabid dog wouldn't go that far. No, a rabid one might. Shocked, Ardena thought, Has hanging around him infected her with madness too?!
"Th-There's polygamy, you know...! Master's the Diablo Slayer who saved the Liberia Elf Kingdom, so Dad might allow it... I was just throwing it out there!"
"You really love Yushin, don't you?"
"You too, sis...! You told me when I was little that sisters can't brush things off with lies. I didn't want to lie or hide it. So I'm telling you straight up."
"Hehe, I see... Got it."
Ardena burst into laughter at her sister's flushed, stubborn declaration. It was clear: Alonne loved Yushin and would never give up, no matter the obstacles. No resentment, no jealousy. This was the sister she'd raised like a daughter. If anything, Ardena felt relief that Alonne had good taste in men—liking someone as perfect as Yushin Gilliard.
She's got an eye for guys, Ardena murmured playfully.