The Mad Party (3)
Serena listened as Sushia explained the whole situation to Askal. How a simple tea gathering had somehow ballooned into this massive party. Who exactly would be attending.
Throughout the explanation, Sushia wore a miserable expression. With the Duchess now on strike, the role of host had fallen squarely on her shoulders. Even with the servants and the Duke helping out, it was obvious she would be stretched thin enough to tear.
But if Askal—the one whose stock had skyrocketed lately—would act as the face of the event?
As the official host, Sushia could finally breathe again.
Askal nodded after hearing the full story.
“Sounds like you’ve really been through it, Sushia.”
“You understand, then?”
Sushia’s eyes glistened with tears. Of course the only one who truly understood her was Askal.
“Of course I do. Work hard. I believe in you, our Sushia. Let’s make sure we see each other smiling again later.”
“Chief! Don’t go!”
The fully grown young lady of a ducal house was now clinging to his leg and crying. Askal recoiled in horror.
“Let go!”
“No, no! I won’t let go! We promised we’d go to hell and back together!”
“I never made any such promise.”
This had gone far beyond simply showing an ugly side of herself. It felt like she was scraping the very bottom of the bowl clean and forcing him to look. No matter how much Sushia begged, Askal had zero intention of attending the party.
The landmines were simply too numerous.
Just the Crown Prince was already overwhelming, but on top of that there was the Second Princess Serena, whom he had met as the Night’s Prince, and even Ria in her “Third Princess” state.
He might be able to avoid Serena somehow, but the moment he ran into Ria he had no idea how he was supposed to act.
It was like running into your little sister—who usually lounged around the house in ratty clothes—while she was fully made up, dressed to the nines, and hanging out with her mean-girl friends.
The exact feeling of making eye contact with her on the street.
—Hey, who’s that?
—No idea. Why’s he staring?
‘Just thinking about it is horrifying.’
In the end, after considering every angle, the only correct answer was a no-show.
“Well then, I’ll be on my—”
“Ahem.”
A heavyweight had arrived. The one who appeared in the drawing room was none other than Duke Senestia. Askal shot to his feet.
“Your Grace, it is an honor to—”
“Enough with the stiff formalities.”
The Duke waved a hand dismissively, but Askal wasn’t fooled. Having already internalized Oriental Confucian values and the Empire’s rigid bureaucratic hierarchy, Askal could read the true meaning behind those words perfectly.
In other words:
—I don’t want to look like some old man demanding greetings first, so why don’t you show me some proper respect on your own.
Askal offered the Duke a greeting that followed etiquette to the letter.
“Heh heh. The young people these days certainly know how to greet their elders properly.”
Success. The Duke, now in a much better mood, sat down across from Askal with a satisfied expression.
“I hear my daughter has been causing you quite a bit of trouble at work lately.”
“Not at—”
Wait, was that true? Could he really say with confidence that it wasn’t?
Askal was, of course, the type to offer empty pleasantries. But this went beyond mere courtesy—it would be a lie that could never be allowed in the annals of imperial history. While he was seriously contemplating this, the Duke lowered his head.
“I am truly sorry, young Askal.”
An unexpected apology. Startled, Askal bowed his head in return.
“My daughter already burdens others enough on a regular basis, and now she’s even dragging you into hosting a party… As her father, I have no face left.”
…!
So that’s why he was suddenly acting so humble.
Askal instantly saw through the Duke’s scheme. The man had clearly been listening to the conversation between him and Sushia. By pretending ignorance, he was smoothly turning Askal’s attendance at the party into a foregone conclusion, like a snake slithering over a wall.
No matter how kindly he appeared, he was still a Duke of the Empire. This kind of minor political maneuvering came more naturally to him than breathing.
“On the contrary, it is I who should be ashamed.”
“…And why is that?”
“My subordinate and dear friend Sushia is suffering such hardship, yet as her superior I cannot help her and must leave instead. If only my relative hadn’t fallen gravely ill… Damn it all!”
But Askal had no intention of going down without a fight. He deployed the skill he had honed to mastery over many years: ‘Ailing Relative.’
What could the Duke possibly do about a relative with a serious illness? What if the person died because Askal didn’t show up?
‘How will you handle this checkmate, Duke?’
The Duke listened to Askal’s story and responded with apparent sympathy.
“At my age, one sees friends and family fall ill quite often. I understand completely. That is precisely why I cannot simply let this go. You said a relative is sick? Tell me the exact location. I will send the finest clergyman I know.”
‘Son of a—’ This counter was something that didn’t even exist in modern times. Since he couldn’t become a proven liar, Askal reluctantly gave the real address of his relative. He offered a small apology in his heart to the poor family member who would soon have a clergyman barging into their home.
Helpless. Was there truly no way to defeat the Duke?
A way to break out of this situation…
Wait. There was one.
“To be completely honest, I don’t want to attend the party.”
“…!”
Sometimes honesty really was the best policy.
“It’s too much pressure. How could a mere fifth-rank official attend a gathering where the Crown Prince and all the princesses will be present? What if I commit some rudeness? This party is far beyond my station.”
“I see. If that’s how you feel, then it can’t be helped.”
The Duke accepted it without resistance. It seemed he had no counter to such a logical argument.
Victory. He had won a verbal battle against the heavyweight Duke Senestia, a man who had rolled around the political arena for decades. Askal barely managed to suppress the urge to celebrate.
“Then I suppose we should begin preparing for the wedding between you and Sushia. What date would be good for the ceremony?”
…What the hell is this nonsense?
“What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t my daughter just cling to your leg a moment ago? Many people already witnessed it. If rumors spread, she’ll never be able to marry. In that case, shouldn’t you take responsibility?”
Was this some kind of medieval marriage attack? Askal’s head spun from the first time experiencing such a tactic.
“I will attend the party.”
“Wise choice.”
Askal was currently undergoing a complete makeover.
The ducal family’s personal beautician was trimming his hair and eyebrows by hand. A tailor was taking his measurements for new clothes. Powder was being applied to brighten his skin tone.
“Stop! Our house is in the back alley of Third Street……”
“It’ll be over soon. Please bear with it.”
A full hour passed after those words before the transformation was finally complete.
The beautician held up a mirror for Askal.
There stood a completely different man.
It was as if someone had taken the original Askal, spread a spoonful of butter on him, and topped it with a bit of caviar.
“Wow. This might actually be my type?”
Sushia murmured in admiration from behind him.
“Too bad you’re not mine.”
“That’s so mean.”
Sushia in a dress was certainly beautiful enough to be called a beauty, but knowing her true nature, Askal simply couldn’t bring himself to compliment her.
“The party will be starting soon. I’ll head out first, so you absolutely have to come out later, okay? You can’t run away. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth if I have to.”
“Yeah.”
Sushia, the young lady of House Senestia, left the room. The party would begin shortly. As the host, she probably didn’t have enough legs even if she had ten of them.
‘As for me… I can take my time. Maybe I’ll bake some cookies first?’
Askal decided to borrow the kitchen.
Serena Barba was waiting.
She was the type who calculated profit and loss with extreme precision. No matter how prestigious a party hosted by House Senestia might be, she would not attend if there was no benefit to be gained.
There were two reasons she had willingly come this time.
First, to keep the Crown Prince in check. She needed to know who Cain was having secret talks with and who he was getting close to.
Second, to recruit useful talent. Serena’s intelligence network was second to none in the Empire. She blackmailed those with weaknesses and gave those who wanted something exactly what they desired.
That was Serena’s way.
But there were always exceptions.
‘Askal Devre.’
No matter how much she investigated, not a single speck of dust came up about him. She had even considered tying him down with bribes, but apparently he donated every last coin.
What on earth was this mutant?
‘I want to know you.’
Was he truly the hidden dragon the citizens spoke of? Or was he simply a lucky ordinary person?
“Sir Askal Devre has arrived!”
The servant’s announcement rang out. Serena turned her gaze. She could see Askal walking in from afar. It was customary here for those of higher status to greet first. The host of the house, Duke Senestia, greeted Askal first. Next was Crown Prince Cain.
Serena evaluated Askal.
‘B-rank.’
His face was decent enough. His abilities were apparently quite good according to the rumors. However, his background was weak, and it was still difficult to gauge his true depths.
The current Askal Devre was B-rank.
Of course, even B-rank held plenty of value.
In Serena’s eyes, most of the so-called nobles didn’t even reach C or D, let alone B.
The young noble ladies were watching Askal closely.
However, they were still hesitating, wary of Serena’s reaction.
Serena took one step forward and approached Askal.
“Would you care to dance with me?”
Serena’s eyes sparkled.
‘I will become your background. I will raise you to A-rank.’
Serena never once considered that her offer might be rejected.
Until just a moment ago.
“I’m sorry. My leg hurts. Excuse me.”
Askal simply walked away.
Serena Barba was left standing alone on the dance floor.