Chapter 74 74: Cold (9)

"Hey. You don't need to keep sipping that. It's alcoholic." "Why do you think I am drinking it?" "Ay, come on..." The least concerning thing today was that a freshly-turned 16-year-old was drinking alcohol, but that wasn't even an experience unfamiliar to many people on Earth. Watching her finish the entire glass, then proceed to beckon over a waiting servant and down two more glasses, I really hoped she wouldn't get drunk, but at the same time, that small spark of hope was rapidly dwindling. "Is there a need for concern? I can strengthen my constitution with mana just fine." "Yeah, but that would defeat the purpose of you drinking in the first place. You're not doing it because it tastes nice, are you?" "Hm. Who knows?" Somehow, her words weren't as convincing when she takes another sip right after saying that, but since I already warned her, what else could I do? Right as I shook my head in exasperation, the announcer's voice sounded again. "―Presenting His Highness, the Young Sun of the Empire, Prince Christopher Fuleh de Drakon-Rasa!" The doors to the hall opened once again and in walked the crown prince. However... 'Huh? What, no, they've really progressed that far...?' Right by his smug ass side―was none other than the Protagonist. Considering that old-fashioned, elegant music started playing right as they entered, a balanced mixture of piano, harpsichord and violin―none of which could be found anywhere within the hall―it was evident a 「scene」 had started, though I wasn't too concerned. In fact, the Protagonist did invite me to be her arriving partner for today over a week ago, but due to my role as Lucretia's bodyguard, I declined. Of course, I could have easily made an excuse to accompany her instead, but the truth was that I didn't feel the need to. Since I also didn't want to, I just didn't do it. After all, I already knew the prince was so far behind me in terms of intimacy with the Protagonist that there was no chance of him catching up in the few days remaining, especially with his bullish personality. Still, even though I considered the possibility, I didn't actually expect to see him escorting her. In the first place, who would think that the crown prince would arrive at his own engagement ceremony with another woman? It was preposterous, and yet... "..." "Don't let it get to you. Remember, today's the last time you'll be seeing that kind of behaviour." Placing a hand gently on Lucretia's shoulder and whispering that, I could practically feel her internal seething from beside me; it was just that palpable. However, what I heard next surprised me. "Enki... I loathe that my concern was unfounded." "Sorry?" "I mean that I would rather he didn't show up at all." Hearing her low mutter, it would be a lie to say that some part of me didn't find it entertaining. However, most of all, it infuriated me, too. Above all else, I still had to do my part and play the voice of reason. "It's alright to be frustrated. I completely get where you're coming from, but just keep in mind what I said." "Hh... I understand. You just want me to 'chill out and let you handle it', is that right?" "You got it. Isn't it simple?" We had already had this similar dialogue numerous times, so she was quick to concede. Then, just as she went to take another sip of her drink, yet again did the night's announcer raise his voice. "Attention everyone! Please welcome into the ballroom the Ruling Sun of the Empire! Presenting His Majesty the Emperor, Doran de Drakon-Rasa...!" Right after the introduction was made, the doors to the hall were opened to allow for the most important man in the empire to make his grand entrance. Alongside a tremendous applause that couldn't even be compared with the ones that accompanied Lucretia or the prince, there weren't a single pair of eyes not drawn to him. 'That's the emperor...' When I looked at the dignified, middle-aged man with shining gold hair and a strong, matching beard, I thought he was nowhere near as imposing as the wintry archduke, but nevertheless, his regal aura couldn't be understated, especially with that eye-catching, gold-themed robe draped over his shoulders. In particular, the emblem of the Drakon-Rasa royal family on various parts of his outfit caught my attention; similar to the Christina-Rasa emblem on my own suit, on Lucretia's dress, and on the archduke's garb, it contained the wing of a dragon, but instead of the silver twin moons that represented the northern regions overlapped with it, it displayed a golden, radiant sun. Rather than towards the bustling centre of the hall, the emperor then made his way up the dual staircase on one side to take his stand atop an overlooking balcony. There, as if to replace him, the emperor took the spot of the announcer and awaited a swiftly ensuing silence. As soon as the surrounding atmosphere subdued itself sufficiently, he opened his mouth, letting a deep voice rumble throughout the air. "Greetings, and fair evening all. Tonight, we gather to celebrate the blossoming of our great empire's Winter Flower. Accordingly, I offer my sincere felicitations to the new Lady of the North, Lucretia of the Christina-Rasa Archduchy." The emperor raised his hand in a manner similar to that of a conductor, eliciting another standing ovation from all the nobles in the hall. It couldn't have lasted for more than a maximum of three seconds before the emperor lowered his hand again, causing a ripple of silence to wash over the room. "However, that is not all we have gathered here for tonight." At those words, it was obvious to those in the know what the emperor was about to announce, evident by the tight pursing of Lucretia's lips beside me and the furrowed brows of the crown prince in the middle of the hall. Not listening to the emperor's continued speech, I shot brief glances at her. Though she wore her usual blank face, I could easily discern a sense of anxiety buried underneath. Meanwhile, over to the crown prince, who was gritting his teeth quietly... 'Hah. I'm sure he's frustrated.' I was certain that bastard's head had every cog within it turning at maximum capacity to try and think of a way to prevent the engagement. But of course, there was nothing that could be done to stop it at this point. "―Thus, I officially declare my son, the Young Sun of the Empire, Christopher Fuleh de Drakon-Rasa, and the young archduchess reigning from the north, our prized Young Lady Archduchess, Lucretia de Christina-Rasa――betrothed!" For a third time, a thunderous ovation roared. Ironically, though both of the subjects involved in the engagement were obviously forcing themselves to follow along, hardly anyone else in the hall seemed to have any clue whatsoever about their internal displeasure, cheering with such innocuous naivety. Casting a single glance to the archduke, I noticed he wasn't clapping, but seeing the persistent indifference on his face even as his daughter's engagement was announced, I wondered if that was just his personality. Finally, perhaps the most important man in the empire was busy, as after the emperor descended from the higher floor, he only socialised passively on his way towards exiting the hall. 'What, he's just leaving...?' I thought he would have stayed around and mingled with the other nobles for at least a while, but he didn't even linger for a minute. Realising that, I frowned. Initially, I thought there might've been an opportunity to convince him about something, but... '...Wait.' On second thought, though... 'Actually, this is perfect.' "Hey, I'll be right back, okay? Stay here." "What? Excuse you, where do you think you're--" Whispering to Lucretia, I hurriedly turned and left before she could finish her sentence.