Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Imperial Palace (4)
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The ball was quite an important event.
A stage to present the heroes to influential figures like royalty, nobles, and high-ranking officials.
“Ugh, I really don’t want to...”
No amount of whining would work.
As a hero, the princess had to attend.
It would look bad in many ways if the main character didn’t show up, wouldn't it?
I had to make her go, no matter what.
I’d think about the consequences later.
I could only hope this would be an opportunity for her to awaken (?).
A girl who shakes off her misery and regains her royal dignity.
I could picture her, standing tall and proud before everyone.
If she were just a companion, I might not care, but...
Now that she was a hero, she was under my special care.
“W-wait... just getting a dress is a problem, isn’t it?”
She tried desperately to get out of it.
She looked pitiful, but her argument was too weak.
The heart of the Empire, the Imperial Palace, had everything.
Normally, getting a dress tailored would take quite some time.
But here, they would be able to provide a dress befitting a princess right away.
As if to prove my point, the Second Prince suddenly interjected.
He wore a gentle smile, as if to say there was nothing to worry about.
“The imperial family can take responsibility for preparing that.”
“...”
At that, the princess’s expression turned cold.
*What’s it to you? Can’t you read the room?*
Even the prince couldn’t help but flinch at her resentful gaze.
The mettle of a royal.
I could glimpse the spirit of a future queen.
See? She can do it if she tries.
She had the guts to glare at a powerful figure in the imperial family.
As if that wasn’t the end of it, Esterize continued.
“Even if we set the dress aside, what about a partner?”
“...”
Hmm, so there was that issue.
Unlike me, she didn’t have a suitable partner.
I hadn’t revealed her identity yet.
But her status as a hero alone narrowed down the pool of candidates considerably.
It would have to be the heir of a great family, or a royal, to match her standing.
Going by the criteria alone, Erich was the perfect fit.
He was a fellow hero candidate and a royal.
Of course, I didn’t say it out loud, since the princess would clearly despise the idea.
Besides, Erich had vanished.
It seemed he’d hidden himself away because he found it difficult to face the Second Prince.
“Hmm, if that’s the case, then I...”
“...”
“...it’s too late for me to step in.”
The Second Prince finished his sentence awkwardly.
It seemed he was feeling greedy, but having already charmed the elf maiden, there was nothing he could do.
For some reason, every time he opened his mouth, he earned glares from those around him.
It wasn’t that he was clueless, but today just didn’t seem to be his day.
A moment later, far from realizing his own state, he ran his mouth again.
“Ah, that’s right. How about you be her escort?”
He added that it would look good for the heroes to be together.
He had a point, but was that really the best option?
He didn’t even mention the First Prince.
He had no intention of giving that side an opportunity.
As expected of rivals competing for the throne, it seemed quite deliberate.
Anyway.
This time, Ceria stared intently at the Second Prince.
*Hey, why are you trying to pawn my man off on someone else?*
*I know the situation might call for it, but you should consider my feelings too, right?*
Given his status, she didn’t show her hostility openly, but...
Just like before, the Second Prince flinched as if he’d committed a crime.
Meanwhile, the princess watched my reaction with a certain expectation.
*If you want me to attend the ball, you have to be my partner.*
*That’s only reasonable, right?*
She seemed to be desperately waiting for a positive answer with that sentiment.
“...”
What to do?
There was no particular reason I couldn’t.
Any more would be troublesome, but maybe two was fine?
Of course, in that case, I’d feel sorry for Ceria.
Even a girl as understanding and considerate as her would surely feel hurt.
My little cutie.
Won’t you lend me some of your wisdom?
Her master was in a difficult situation.
So why was she wagging her tail so happily?
*Do you really want to get in trouble?*
*Don’t be too confident in your cuteness. I’m not above giving you a little spank on the butt, you know?*
I tried applying some subtle pressure.
The wagging soon stopped. Like the sharp beastkin she was, she had sensed the threat.
“—!!”
A myriad of emotions crossed the girl’s surprised face.
*Ah, not that! I’m not a child, I’m a proper lady!*
*If that happens to me at this age, how will I ever get married?*
*No, wait...*
*Maybe I’d like to experience it just once? For some reason, it sounds kind of exciting!*
Far from trembling, she beamed as if to say, “Bring it on.”
This sly fox beastkin...
At this rate, I couldn’t even punish her.
Well, aside from that, Aruru took my side.
“I think it would be best to follow the prince’s suggestion. Considering Esterize’s situation, it seems like the best choice.”
The princess was not an imperial citizen.
Unlike us, the Empire was bound to be unfamiliar to her.
Aruru and Ilensia were different, being of other races.
From their perspective, the Empire and the kingdom were all the same.
Everything would be unfamiliar, but they would accept that unfamiliarity as a matter of course.
In any situation, they could just think, ‘So this is how humans are,’ and move on.
The princess, on the other hand, could not.
Besides us, she knew no one.
It must be a situation where every little thing was nerve-wracking.
If it were an ordinary place, it might have been different.
But the Imperial Palace was on a completely different level.
Wasn’t it natural for her to feel anxious and intimidated?
Revealing herself before everyone in a distant foreign country was certainly a bit much.
She even had to dress up and attend a ball.
It would depend on the person, but most would feel more anxiety than anything else.
As a former princess of a nation, she would know how to conduct herself.
But perhaps knowing the imperial etiquette too well could be a problem.
A kind of obsession.
*Do this like this, do that like that...*
Her mind would be filled with the thought that she absolutely could not make a mistake.
Who would acknowledge the princess of a fallen kingdom?
One wrong move and she could face contempt and humiliation.
In other words, she had to appear confident while not damaging the Empire’s prestige.
The pressure on her must be immense.
She needed at least one person to rely on.
And it seemed I was the only candidate.
I was suddenly reminded that the princess was my favorite character.
Then it was only right that I protect and care for her to the best of my ability.
Before that, I had to persuade Ceria.
It would be a difficult process, but I didn’t even need to step in.
Aruru had already started working on her in my stead.
She was whispering quietly in her ear.
Sure enough, Ceria’s expression gradually brightened.
*-I know how you feel, but the situation is what it is, right?*
*-Just put up with it for one day. It’s not like he’s been stolen away for good.*
*-Trust me. I’ll do my best to arrange some alone time for you and Jace, just like last time!*
My guess was that the conversation went something like that.
A moment later, Aruru proudly made a V-sign with her fingers.
It seemed she had finally convinced Ceria.
The sight was so adorable I wanted to bite her.
I then exchanged glances with Ceria.
She gave a faint smile, as if to say I didn’t need to worry about her feelings.
It might not be a loss for her, but it must have been a difficult decision.
I’d have to take care of her that much... no, even more.
Rather than feeling sorry, I would try harder and pour my affection into her.
Even at this moment, the princess looked like she didn’t know what to do.
She was waiting for my decision, looking incredibly anxious.
I told her what she wanted to hear. That I would be her partner.
“Really?”
As if she’d never been anxious, she shook off her worries and rejoiced.
A bright smile blossomed on her face, as if she could ask for nothing more.
Actually, it was good for me too.
By associating with these dazzlingly beautiful girls.
My own prestige was set to reach its peak.
The ball would be the point where my presence would be engraved in everyone’s minds.
“Yes. Since it’s decided, just attend quietly.”
“Mhm...”
Her shy reaction was brief, soon replaced by an expression of pure joy.
*Ahh, this is perfect! I feel a surge of confidence!*
She looked like she was burning with motivation.
Hmm, is this right?
Her reaction exceeded my expectations; it felt a bit over the top.
She might even do something unexpected.
I seriously emphasized the importance of this ball.
“Let’s take this chance to show them. A magnificent image worthy of heroes. That our bond is strong.”
“—!!”
First impressions are always important.
It wasn’t a place to show off our skills, but our dignity would be judged.
Afterward, rumors about us would spread.
And most would accept those rumors as truth.
The image of the heroes was tied to our reputation, so we had to be careful.
That aside...
For some reason, the princess’s demeanor seemed unusual.
Her face was flushed red.
She looked as if she was imagining something audacious, almost criminal.
I seemed to be the subject, but this time I had no idea what it could be.
“You mean we should show them how close we are? Then... we’ll have to do all sorts of things.”
“...”
Huh? What “all sorts of things”?
I can dance one song with you, but...
No matter how I looked at it, she seemed to be dreaming of something more.
Well, fantasies are a matter of personal freedom.
To protect the girl’s honor, I refrained from making any rash assumptions.
Anyway.
The conflict related to the ball was all sorted out.
Just when everyone was satisfied, the Second Prince made his presence known.
“A fine sight to see.”
He said it was worth the visit.
He smiled readily, as if pleased by the friendly atmosphere among the hero and his companions.
His attitude didn’t seem feigned.
In fact, the imperial family’s favorability was rising.
It was a good development, but I felt uneasy for some reason.
The Second Prince was a man of action.
He wasn’t the type to just sit around and talk.
There was a high probability that an incident would occur.
I had a premonition that some kind of event was about to start.
“This is all well and good, but the composition... it raises a few questions.”
“...”
He crossed his arms and looked us over one by one.
*Hmm, now that I look, it’s one man and four women?*
*If you include the Saintess who will be joining soon... it’s totally that, isn’t it!*
It was as if a very reasonable suspicion had dawned on him.
The look he gave me was extremely burdensome.
*Hey, what? I picked them based on skill!*
The princess and my cutie consistently maintained top ranks.
The elf maiden was relatively weak, but I felt sorry for her and accepted her on a racial quota.
In Ceria’s case, she wasn’t a hero candidate, but...
she was slated to become strong enough to pull her own weight in the future.
Luciel, being the Saintess, was inevitably a permanent member.
So, there were reasons for each of them.
But the Second Prince did not easily retract his suspicious gaze.
“Perhaps because there are so many beautiful ladies, it looks a bit... fragile.”
“...”
“Ah, I meant no offense. I seem to have spoken rudely without realizing it.”
He immediately backed down when the girls bristled.
Then again, a third party might see it that way.
Aruru’s presence was more detrimental than anyone’s.
She was so cute that she made the hero party’s identity ambiguous.
The adversaries of the Demon King.
Heroes fighting fiercely against the Demon King’s Army.
It would be hard to conjure up that kind of image.
If I replaced Aruru with some burly guy...
it would look much more plausible, but that option wasn’t even worth considering.
How could I give up my cutie?
Without her, I’d have no way to heal my soul!
I couldn’t care less about public opinion.
I was willing to accept a drop in credibility.
Above all, Aruru’s abilities were outstanding.
Only she could form a contract with the Spirit King.
The duration was a bit short, but its immense power was effective enough even against the Demon King.
It’s not for nothing that I dote on Aruru.
I narrowed my eyes and looked straight at the Second Prince.