Chapter 94

I sharpened my senses to spot the Marquis, scanning the banquet hall thoroughly. Normally, I wouldn’t need to go this far, but since my vision was obscured by a veil, I had to focus to see clearly.

“Let’s see… Ah, there he is. In the corner of the second floor, next to the balcony.”

Marquis Ludwig was sitting on a sofa, turning his head to converse with a knight standing behind him. Judging by the oddly familiar face, it seemed like the knight I had met in the Marquis’s territory. His name was probably Shane.

Freide and I headed up to the second floor.

As I walked, the surrounding nobles politely stepped aside, showing their courtesy. Thanks to that, I could cut through the bustling hall without any hindrance.

“Walking with you is surprisingly effective, huh? If it were just me, I’d have at least five people already bothering me with ‘Greetings, Lady Pailoon—’ and such. You’re like a bug repellent charm.”

Freide whispered with a pleased smile.

“Ha, seems like everyone wanted to befriend you. You could’ve made some friends. You don’t have many, do you?”

I didn’t say I had none, just that I had few. That’s my small act of consideration. You’re welcome.

“Friends? They’re all just full of greed. Whether they’re after Pailoon’s power or me.”

Her tone was icy, clearly disgusted.

“Well, that’s to be expected.”

“I wanted to tell them to get lost right away, but I couldn’t because of appearances. It was such a headache.”

Appearances, huh? Dressing up like this and all, I didn’t expect her to care about others’ opinions. Though it’s probably for the family’s honor.

—

“Hmm? Princess Hasalleur and… Lady Pailoon, and Sir Nigel. Long time no see. Is the Duke in good health?”

“Yes. Thankfully, my father is still in good health. I hope you’ve been well too, Marquis.”

Freide gracefully lifted her dress and bowed politely.

Overwhelmed by the sheer awkwardness, I couldn’t help but tremble like a child waking from a nightmare. Is this how the nobles felt when they saw my face earlier?

“I’m always at peace as long as the east is quiet. Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

Freide elegantly settled onto the sofa. I just plopped down casually.

“Uh, yeah. Long time no see?”

I usually speak casually, but using formal language felt so awkward. But it’d be weird if I acted casually while Freide was being so polite.

My awkward tone seemed to amuse Marquis Ludwig, as he let out a soft chuckle.

“Indeed, congratulations on your recovery. Sir Nigel, you look well too.”

“I’m ashamed for causing you concern.”

Nigel, standing by the sofa with Shane, bowed deeply. As a knight, he couldn’t join us at the table.

“By the way, what’s with the veil? I’ve heard that ladies from the south cover their faces when they go out, but I didn’t know the Ka’har had such a custom.”

“That’s not it… It’s something Nigel prepared. The nobles who saw me were quite… disturbed.”

To be honest, it wasn’t just disturbance—they were practically fainting.

Marquis Ludwig clenched his mouth shut. He seemed to be holding back laughter, as the corners of his mouth kept twitching.

“Ahem, I see. That’s understandable. They’re generally quite delicate. Heh…!”

Yeah, go ahead and laugh.

—

“So, what brings you to me?”

“As my father’s friend and my friend’s patron, I wanted to greet you before the banquet.”

Freide smiled lightly. Friend, huh? Now she’s treating me like a full-fledged friend. She used to look at me like I was some beast.

Well, if you say so, then it must be true.

“A friend, you say. You seem close enough to ask for an escort. I’m glad. I was secretly worried about how well you’d adjust to the academy, but thanks to Lady Pailoon, I can rest easy now.”

“*Chuckles*, you flatter me.”

It’s not flattery. If anything, Duke Pailoon is the one who’s relieved. His wild daughter finally made a friend.

Shivering at Freide’s pretentiousness, I continued chatting with the Marquis for a while.

He was impressed by the skills I showed in my spar with Leonor and warned me to be cautious after hearing about my refusal of Isabella’s invitation, calling it a bold but risky move.

I thought about bringing up Isabella’s misdeeds, but I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to discuss in front of Freide. Before I could decide, our time ran out.

“I should head down soon. His Majesty the Emperor will be arriving shortly, so let’s end our conversation here. It was a pleasure.”

“Hmm… I still had more to say… But I guess it can’t be helped. Let’s talk again next time.”

“If you have more to say, come find me after the ball. And Lady Pailoon, I hope you enjoy the banquet.”

“Thank you for taking the time for us despite your busy schedule. On behalf of Pailoon, I am grateful.”

Freide bowed gracefully.

Bowing his head, he bid farewell with a polite gesture.

Marquis Ludwig, smiling in response, immediately headed downstairs.

“We should probably head down too. Can’t exactly watch the royals enter from the second floor.”

“Wow, he’s really good at acting, huh? Gave me chills.”

“It’s not acting, it’s called manners. Probably too complex a concept for a barbarian like you to grasp.”

“Well, I’d say it’s easier than going a whole year without a single friend.”

Exchanging light-hearted jokes, we held hands with Freide and made our way downstairs. A few nobles still glanced our way, but soon they too had no choice but to turn their attention to the main entrance.

“The rightful ruler of Kal Ros, His Majesty Emperor Ferdinand Rheinpfalz Wittelsbach, Her Majesty Empress Isabella, His Highness Prince Leopold, His Highness Prince Ernst, and Her Highness Princess Leonor, are now entering!”

With the attendant’s booming announcement, the imperial family finally made their appearance.

The nobles all bowed in respect. I sneakily glanced at them and mimicked the gesture.

Leading the way, the Emperor looked much older than the last time I saw him. Sunken cheeks, hollow eyes, and a distant gaze. His hair was thinning, and even his steps seemed unsteady.

The nobles’ eyes betrayed a mix of panic, unease, and blatant ambition. It was no exaggeration to say he looked like a man on his deathbed.

His thick cloak dragged on the floor—a luxurious red cloak lined with sable fur and embroidered with golden lion motifs. The attire meant to exude imperial dignity instead made him look like a frail old man wrapped in a blanket.

At this point, wouldn’t it have been better for him to rest instead of attending the banquet?

Isabella must be having a headache too. With the power dynamics no longer overwhelmingly in her favor, she’d want to avoid the Emperor’s sudden death at all costs. She’d want to delay the electors’ succession vote until Ernst could regain the upper hand.

I subtly raised my head to glance at the woman walking a step behind the Emperor. Her face was veiled, so she wouldn’t notice me watching.

…She’s definitely a beauty.

Her golden hair shimmered like melted starlight, and her violet eyes exuded an otherworldly charm. Her long lashes hinted at a decadent beauty, and a small beauty mark sat just below her slightly downturned eyes.

Her sharp nose traced a delicate line, and her full lips glistened with a moist red hue. Despite being the mother of grown children, she looked no older than thirty, radiating an almost magical allure.

Her tight-fitting purple dress accentuated her voluptuous figure, and the slightly raised hemline made it even more provocative than if she were wearing nothing at all. A necklace adorned with diamonds and rubies sparkled against her décolletage.

The dress’s lower half was double-layered, with a dark underskirt and a sheer black fabric that swayed like mist. Over her shoulders, she wore a cape trimmed with arctic fox fur, and her gloved hands were adorned with golden geometric patterns that ran from her fingertips to her elbows.

With each step, her chest swayed, and an intoxicating scent filled the air. The men around her flushed, their breathing growing heavy. Even some women couldn’t help but react.

She walked with a haughty expression, following the Emperor as they crossed the center of the banquet hall.

The hunched Emperor and the upright Empress—it was a clear display of who truly held power in this empire.

But there was a foul stench.

The smell of alcohol, strong perfume, mixed medicinal scents, male sweat, and the sticky, fishy odor of post-coital fluids.

And the acrid, rotten stench unique to magic.

No matter how much she tried to mask it with her natural scent and heavy perfume, it couldn’t escape my nose. It was a familiar sight, exactly as I had imagined.

This wasn’t a woman I’d seen just once or twice. Nor was she someone I’d killed just once or twice.

Yes.

The Empire’s last Empress, Isabella von Wittelsbach.

The harbinger of the Empire’s downfall.

The witch Isabella.