The Vulgar Banquet and Servilia's Apology
On the day of the banquet, as the sun began to sink and shadows lengthened, all manner of carriages lined the expansive grounds of the Cornelius estate. The grounds, usually mocked by the servants as "uselessly vast," were an exception today. The carriages packed together like a modern parking lot created the atmosphere of an exhibition. Just as some in the modern world took interest in cars or trains, here there were those fascinated by carriages, making the scene all the more striking.
The knights greeted the guests disembarking from their carriages. Those visiting for the first time were astonished by the knights' appearance even more than by the golden fields they had seen on the way. The white-haired young lady who had just arrived was no exception.
"Just as the rumors said."
The glamorous beauty with long white hair, Servilia Tebere, wore a dress that was neither overly flashy nor rustic, one that looked highly practical. She glanced around.
"I kept telling myself it couldn't be true, but he actually went through with it… Has he really reformed?"
Even after coming all this way, she seemed unable to settle her thoughts. She scratched the hilt of the rapier at her side, her displeasure plain. It was understandable—she had been so shocked by the attire of the Pussy Knights who had come to guide her that her eyes had nearly rolled back in her head. Not only the knights, but the outfits were the sort one would never assign to women in general… Servilia felt her anger rising.
"But the domain is thriving like this, isn't it? The farmers I stopped to speak with on the way seemed well aware of the recent policies. Only a few days have passed since that incident, yet everyone was welcoming Roman."
"Mmm…"
A petite white-haired girl with a faint smile poked her older sister's side. She shared her sister's red eyes and overall features, but her small stature and modest chest made the word "doll" fit her perfectly. Unlike her sister, she wore no dress, instead sporting a short-skirted outfit reminiscent of a princess knight. She carried a slender yet sharp spear, making it obvious to anyone that she had come as an escort. This was Servilia's younger sister, Senia.
While Servilia tried to maintain a dignified air, Senia wore a slightly mischievous expression. Servilia, however, shook her head with clear dissatisfaction.
"Still, I can't get that sight out of my head… Even if they were bandits, to make them do something like that… And above all, I never knew Roman was a curse user. His appearance seems to have changed quite a bit too. I wonder if something we don't know about is happening."
"But bandits? The golden crops are a resource even the Five Great Nations value, and I think it was the right policy. Thanks to it, the workers maintain their loyalty, so as a lord it was the correct choice. I agree that something seems to be happening, so I won't argue against that."
"…How cheeky. If you hadn't become a general, I would have forced that engagement onto you."
"Hehe~! Senia's calling is battle, after all! Well, I suppose I inherited that temperament from you, big sister! Thinking about it again, I'm glad I'm the younger sister~! If I were in your position, I never could have said I wanted to be a general!"
"Don't brag about every little thing. Really… I was sure Father would come with us. Why did you come instead?"
"I don't know either. When I asked Father, he said something like, 'She'll probably cause a scene without realizing it,' so I came as a substitute. If you had another outburst, the aftermath would be unmanageable."
"That's what's strange. Father was in favor of the engagement with Roman, so why… No, maybe he thinks it's a good change? If this means Father won't bring up the engagement anymore, it'll be easier for me to act."
"A good change for you, big sister. A bad change for me. Nationally speaking, it's probably a loss~? Prioritizing personal feelings over national interest is the worst, big sister."
Senia struck right at the heart of the matter, but Servilia offered no reply. She looked around again, her expression bored. It seemed she still couldn't bring herself to step inside.
"Impressive. It truly is a house influencing all Five Great Nations. I went to the trouble of spreading scandals, yet they had no effect?"
"Why are you badmouthing nobles from your own country… I admit he's a disgusting pig, but thanks to him things escalated, you know. Last time I went out as a mercenary, I got nothing but dirty looks, like, 'Why did you do something like that?'"
"……But I still hate the guy. Everything is his fault."
"You're such a child."
"If only you hadn't become a general… If only you hadn't gotten involved with the military…"
"Senia is sorry about that. I know how you feel, which is why I came along. I thought maybe I could help you, big sister."
"…Really?"
"It's troublesome if you cause an outburst, but Senia has things she can do in her own way… So just do what you can. Of course, I'm not telling you to rampage. Start with an apology."
"…………"
"You really are a child~! Anyway, before we go in, let's find Lady Tania first! She was supposed to come today, right?"
"That's what I heard, but…"
She scanned the surroundings again. With Tania's personality and appearance, she should have stood out even from afar, yet she was nowhere to be seen. Instead, other figures caught her eye.
"That is…"
"The regent of Shetka, one of the Five Great Nations—Sadat. I never expected her to come in person."
A beauty walked with regal poise, as if on a model's runway. Tall and slender, with ebony skin, short black hair, and golden eyes accentuated by golden eye makeup. She wore a headdress shaped like a golden serpent and an iron ornament embedded with the Eye of Ujat covering her lower body—an outfit reminiscent of a priestess serving a god.
"That's the one ruling Shetka in place of the king, correct?"
"Yes. But I heard she was extremely busy… Hmm, you probably know more about this than I do?"
"Huh? Ahhh~! Now I remember! Last time I helped drive out the Man tribe and tried to pay her a visit, but she brushed me off with a single 'I'm busy' and I never even got to see her face!"
"Of course she's busy. Shetka has been facing fierce invasions from the Man tribe recently, and on top of that the king ended up like that…"
"The fact that she came despite the situation means she's sensed something unusual too, perhaps?"
"Possibly."
Looking around again, this time she spotted someone who made her frown. The complete opposite of the regent she had just seen—a woman hunched over, clutching a book to her chest.
"That's the gloomy princess…"
"Ugh… She came too…?"
She was wrapped head to toe in a witch-like black robe, yet her voluptuous figure couldn't be hidden. Her wavy, seaweed-like purple hair was striking. Though titled a princess, her unkempt hair and amethyst eyes that gleamed dully gave the impression of someone who hadn't bothered to groom herself.
"She's famous for never leaving her own country. Why would a shut-in who holes up in her room doing who-knows-what come all the way here?"
"I heard she's also a famous curse user. After seeing the human objects in the fields and how he openly uses curses and even incorporates them into domain management, her interest must have been piqued."
"Ahhh~! That's rare. A noble publicly declaring they use curses is image-wise pretty tough to pull off."
"……I don't know what kind of madman it was, but there were rumors that I used curses on Roman too, weren't there?"
"That's your own fault. Murder at the academy—'crazy bitch' doesn't even begin to cover it. You should be grateful the rumors stopped at that level."
"Even so, being lumped together with that guy is a bit…"
Looking again, the purple-haired witch was being guided into the mansion while giggling "Heeheeheehee" in delight. Even upon seeing the Pussy Knights' attire, she had praised them instead: "As expected… He has excellent tastes…"
"It seems she's not outside."
"Maybe she arrived before us and is already inside? Geez, it would've been nice if she'd waited for us~!"
"Knowing Tania's personality, she wouldn't stay in one place. In that case, let's steel ourselves and head inside. …Even though I caused this, it's still something I really don't want to do."
She felt gloomy at the thought of the stares she would receive upon entering, but she gathered her resolve and headed inside. Pussy Knights here, Pussy Knights there—stationing them in case of trouble was fine, but the outfits were still the problem.
'How pitiful. They didn't become knights to end up like this. If possible, I'd like to help them.'
From the sight, she judged that Roman had not reformed after all. It wasn't an entirely incorrect assumption. Even if Roman himself wasn't the culprit, there were still villains involved.
'…Probably upstairs?'
The banquet hall itself was divided into two floors. The first floor was for lower-priority guests, while the second was for important figures. Even among nobles, ranks were separated, but with this crowd, such measures were necessary.
"May I verify your identity?"
Knights stood at the stairs leading to the second floor. One of them greeted Servilia politely. Their role was to turn back any unauthorized guests attempting to ascend. Though they recognized Servilia's face, they still asked, which puzzled her at first…
"Servilia Tebere. This is my younger sister, Senia."
"You already know our faces~!"
"My apologies. This is also part of the job. I was told to treat even formal procedures with importance."
"What about weapons? Do we have to leave them behind?"
"There was an order not to inconvenience any guests ascending to the second floor… Conversely, if you entrust your weapons to us, we will return them when you depart."
"I'll keep mine on me. Let us through."
"Understood."
…They were let through without issue.
"I thought they'd make us wait on the first floor as payback."
"They wouldn't do that to the princess of another nation. …Though if it were you, big sister, maybe."
"Hey."
"Well, it's true. At a public event like this, they probably won't pull any nasty tricks. …Though if it were you, big sister."
"Senia."
"It was a joke. Let's go."
"…………"
Her younger sister was being sharp-tongued again. Servilia's expression soured slightly. After finally making it upstairs, the lively atmosphere washed over them, centered around Roman.
'…Who is that?'
'If you don't know, big sister, what are we supposed to do? He's your former fiancé.'
'But… I mean… You know what I'm talking about, right?'
'Joking aside, seriously… Yeah. I'm really surprised. Who is that? Who the hell is that?!'
'I don't know. He's a completely different person. Did he prepare a body double or something?'
'Not at an event like this. All the guests are treating him as the real thing and talking to him.'
'Still… I can't think of him as that Roman…'
A man with curly brown hair and gloomy eyes stood there. People's standards for handsome men varied, but even SoroR had called him a "flower boy." The pig from her memories was nowhere to be found. His demeanor had become calm, and he was conversing normally with those around him—an abnormal sight.
'Didn't they say he had personality issues? He's talking normally with people right now.'
'That can't be… Look, look at that…'
Unlike usual, Roman wore a black outfit, and beside him stood Nigilia, wearing nothing but piercings. Today, with important figures from various nations gathered, she couldn't openly serve as a cock rest, but she was fulfilling her role as a slave well enough.
'Even if they're not blood-related, she was once his mother. No matter what she did, this still feels wrong.'
'If what that woman did is true, then not killing her is already mercy.'
'…Is that so?'
'Still, her lewd personality hasn't changed, has it? The Pussy Knights and all—if this is Roman's doing, I can understand how you feel, big sister. He definitely isn't normal.'
'Right?'
Even as she said that, something wouldn't settle. "I am not the type to judge things by appearances"—at least, Servilia herself believed that. But with a hole between her legs, she couldn't help but feel attracted to the sight.
'Was I always such a vulgar woman?'
"……? Huh?"
"Ah."
While she was reflecting on herself, the other side had also spotted Servilia. Senia hurriedly poked her side, but the reaction came too late.
"Princess Servilia Tebere…"
"The one who caused that incident?"
"I wondered if she would, but she really came…"
"What about King Remerus?"
"…If both of them came, that means he's not attending, right?"
"Honestly, I thought she'd at least complain a little."
"Impossible. After causing something like that, if she spoke up at the inauguration…"
"It would look like she's blatantly trying to expand her influence…"
"True……"
"Princess Servilia's rampage would be troublesome."
"I don't think she'd start a sword fight here, but…"
"Just in case…"
Whispers and murmurs. Whispers and murmurs. The unpleasant gazes and what were essentially slander made Servilia let out a short "Ugh…!"
Amidst it all, the devil approached quietly.
"Hello, Princess Servilia. And your younger sister, Lady Senia… correct? I rarely get the chance to see your face, so I wasn't entirely sure… If I'm mistaken, I apologize."
His tone was naturally polite, yet carried a hint of arrogance.
"Yes~! I'm Senia, the Second Princess and commander of the Tebere Expeditionary Knights~! This is the first time we've met! Nice to meet you!"
After a brief hand greeting, she stepped back. As an escort, she was signaling that she wasn't the main actor here.
"Ah, Roman? Oh, it's been a while… hasn't it?"
Servilia finally pulled herself together, though her awkwardness remained. Internally, she thought, "As expected, it seems like he's dealing with a different man," but she didn't voice it.
"Yes. It has been a while. I trust you've been well?"
"As you can see… more or less."
"If you say it like that, people will misunderstand. Especially at a time when such ominous rumors are circulating, it would be troublesome if you don't speak properly."
"……Did you always talk like that?"
"I'm dealing with a princess of a nation. It's only natural to show courtesy."
"That's true, but…"
Thanks to him, the atmosphere lightened. Nigilia stood quietly beside him, smiling. Especially with her exposed body and piercings, it was burdensome, but there was no reason to miss this chance.
"Same as always… I was confined in the castle for a while. The reason is something everyone knows. Aside from meeting friends for conversation or training, the days were tedious. Sometimes I'd focus so much on training that I'd destroy the training room, or collapse from exhaustion and sleep on the floor, only to get scolded."
"Just hearing about it sounds suffocating. It's impressive you endured it with your temperament, Princess Servilia."
"Tell me about it. I was almost glad when Father came to nag me. Otherwise, I'd have stayed holed up in the training room and never come out… That's how bored I was. Even so, sneaking out would damage Father's reputation again, so I barely held back."
"It was a major incident, after all. Setting the rumors aside, if you caused trouble a second time, it would affect his position."
"I never thought you'd give the same lecture as the chancellor. Am I really talking to Roman right now? Are you sure you're not a substitute?"
"No matter what I say, it's me. That said, what about King Remerus…? Wasn't he supposed to come with you?"
"I'm the proxy. You can rest assured I have no intention of criticizing the house inauguration. In fact, I was told to come and apologize."
"Heh, now of all times?"
"…Big sister?"
"Oh no…"
The conversation had been flowing well, but she had carelessly made a mistake. If she said it like that, no matter what followed, it would only look like she was "pretending to apologize."
"He was the one who opened the conversation first…!"
"Sorry…"
Senia scolded her, and Servilia honestly admitted it. Right after arriving, even when her sister had scolded her, she had brushed it off, but this was something even she could see was wrong.
'He suddenly started talking so smoothly that I let my guard down.'
But Roman only pretended to ponder for a moment before not breaking the mood.
"Well, that part is my fault. No matter how much of a silver spoon noble I was born as, what I did was cruel. The name 'scoundrel' was something even I would have fled barefoot from. I wonder how many people's lives I ruined with my single act of tyranny."
"Eh?"
"……?! …Unexpected."
"I've compensated with money where I caused harm. Even so, if I were to be punished, I would resist, of course. I showed excessive disgrace at the academy, and if that could be forgiven, it would be a win-win for both sides. What do you think?"
"I'd like to say that attitude of trying to brush it off like that is what I don't like, but…"
"Big sister."
"I know, I know."
Servilia lowered her head.
"I was the one ordered to apologize. So, I'm sorry for back then. I'll apologize properly, so please forgive me."
"Yes, apology accepted. Then this matter is settled."
"……You're accepting it too easily."
"There are too many eyes here. Getting angry at a princess would only harm me. Besides, with such a large house, even a single accusation of being a traitor would cause endless problems."
'That's what we were hoping for, though.'
When she raised her head, he smiled slyly in response.
"Then, to preserve Your Highness's dignity, I'll refrain from any more mischievous pranks like this."
"So it was intentional after all."
"It was a tightrope act. Of course, I don't have the guts to play with people's lives during wartime. I'll be offering additional support to the Four Great Nations as an apology, so King Remerus should be able to breathe easy soon."
"…………"
The realization that she had been played made her frown. She had officially apologized, and the surrounding parrots had shut their mouths, but he had struck back instead.
"Niglia, are you satisfied with that?"
"What do you mean~?"
"You… really……"
"──I killed Marcus♡ Right now I'm completely addicted to my son's cock and drowning in sex♡ Since I volunteered for this state myself, please stop with the unnecessary pity♡ Really♡ I've already heard it thirty times since the banquet started and it's getting troublesome♡"
"Mmm…"
She declared it openly, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear. Then, pulling away from Roman, she spread her legs and began to dance—a sight that was the very image of a lewd prostitute.
"Hah♡ Hah♡ Haaah~♡ Come, I'll show you the inside~♡ They say not only my breasts but my vagina is full of wrinkles~♡ If you take a look, it'll surely help you develop an eye for which woman to choose in the future♡ Now then, kupaa~♡ Please take a look at Nigilia's hole♡ With just this hole, I rose to the position of duchess~♡ My pussy is at least duke-level, wouldn't you say~? Yes? Eeeh, no, loans are impossible♡ It's not a matter of getting permission from Lord Roman, and with the track record of killing my husband with just this pussy♡ Yes, that's right, to handle my pussy you need a 'Murder Pussy License'~♡ Ahahahahahaha♡♡♡♡"
『Hahahahahahahaha!!!!』
She flattered the male nobles who laughed like lechers. The sight of her spreading herself and degrading herself in that manner kept the laughter flowing without end. No matter who said what, she was a finished woman. Beyond salvation.
"Senia, I really don't want to end up like that even if I die…"
"…I agree."
Even Senia, who had somewhat defended Roman, frowned at that vulgar display. No matter how much his speech and appearance had changed, she was reminded once again that deep down, he was still an enemy of women.