Chapter 120
Preparing for the Banquet
The conversation that followed had little to do with recruiting Burnell to the Empire.
“I also heard you acquired the Dandolo Trading Company. Is it called the Hestia Trading Company now?”
“That’s right. How are things within the Empire?”
“It’s causing quite a stir. First the Pascal Trading Company, then Dandolo—which is now Hestia, correct? Both of them have shifted their focus toward the Far East.”
Just as Ferda had heard.
“As for the Hestia Trading Company, it seems they're reorganizing and relocating their headquarters to the Far East, so that won't be too much of a problem. The Pascal Trading Company, however, is another matter. The Empire may issue an order restricting trade with the Far East.”
Stephan had already warned him about that and assured him he had a plan.
Ferda casually presented Stephan's strategy and asked for Olivia's opinion.
“What if the Pascal Trading Company handled all outside sales of magitech products?”
“Oh my... if you intend to make a move like that...”
Olivia's expression turned serious as she considered it.
Her blue eyes seemed even more alive than when she smiled.
“In that case, even the Empire would find it difficult to interfere. They would have to be mindful of the Far East's reaction. Was that Chairman Pascal's idea?”
“It was the future chairman's.”
“I see.”
A faint smile crossed her lips.
“It puts you in quite a favorable position. Still, Regent, there is something you should be careful about. Have you heard the recent rumors?”
“You mean the claims that we're stealing refugees.”
“Yes. Those people are utterly shameless.”
Olivia frowned beautifully.
“What do they think all your efforts during that long winter amount to?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“So let's say they force the refugees back. What will happen then? They'll exploit them, squeeze every last drop out of them, fill their granaries by autumn, and then throw them away like unwanted pets! There's a limit to how shamelessly you can treat people like disposable tools.”
Despite it not being her own affair, Olivia reacted with remarkable passion.
She truly was someone who knew how to win the support of commoners.
“Our administrator was just telling me that we need someone with influence inside the Empire.”
“In that regard, I'm afraid I can't help you directly.”
Olivia looked genuinely apologetic.
After thinking quietly for a moment, she asked,
“Come to think of it, Hestia is still lacking an elite class, isn't it?”
The "elite class" referred not only to nobles, but also scholars, merchants, master craftsmen, and priests—the upper ranks of society.
While skilled artisans had begun arriving from various regions, most were little more than experienced laborers rather than true masters.
“On the merchant side, Stephan is organizing a guild. As for scholars, Bernard, the Chancellor of Escholeia, is coordinating the Far Eastern Exploration Project and receiving recommendations for interested academics.”
“With scholars and merchants, you've already filled roughly seventy percent of what you need.”
“The problem is the clergy.”
From the beginning, Ferda's aptitude as a battle mage had made him fundamentally incompatible with priests.
Moreover, he despised Alte's hypocrisy—preaching universal love and compassion while showing absolute ruthlessness toward heretics.
‘Even so, we still need priests.’
Most of the village's inhabitants were immigrants from the Empire.
Most of them worshipped Alte.
With the monster-infested Far East lying just beyond their doorstep, the people needed spiritual leaders.
“As it happens, I may be able to help with that. I'll speak with the Alte Church myself. Since Hestia is becoming a place where people from many backgrounds gather, I'll recommend members of the moderate faction.”
“I would be grateful if you could.”
“Think nothing of it. We're working toward the same goal, aren't we?”
Olivia smiled warmly.
“Since we've brought up the Alte Church... have you considered hosting a banquet at Valdrova Castle?”
“A banquet...?”
Olivia rested her chin on her folded hands.
Her smile was radiant.
“The followers of Alte will soon begin preparing for the Festival of Early Spring. The nobles will do the same. It's the season for banquets celebrating the arrival of spring.”
“I see.”
“So I think it would be wonderful if you hosted a Festival of Early Spring for the young people of the Empire. And not just the Empire—it would be good to become acquainted with those who will one day lead the North and the South as well. Don't you agree?”
“The purpose and benefits certainly sound worthwhile…”
There was, however, one concern.
“Do you really think they would attend my banquet?”
Banquets were among the most important events in noble society.
Precisely because they were so important, every noble competed to host one during the Festival of Early Spring.
The ability to host such an event was itself a display of influence.
In other words, it was another battlefield in the struggle for political power.
At the moment, Ferda's network of connections was, frankly, pitiful.
“Why wouldn't they?”
Olivia smiled with her eyes.
“I'll be attending.”
She intended to become the bait herself.
Simply announcing that the Flower of the Empire—a woman renowned for her birth, character, and beauty—would attend was enough to attract the attention of young nobles from every corner of the realm.
Where influential young men gathered, women would naturally follow.
One person would attract another, until a great crowd formed of its own accord.
‘A banquet...’
Rather than excitement, Ferda felt only weariness.
At his age, was he really supposed to mingle with a bunch of youngsters?
Then he remembered that, despite his mind, his body was still that of a young man.
“Very well.”
“You're really going through with it?”
Olivia blinked in surprise.
She clearly hadn't expected him to agree so easily.
“Is there a problem?”
“I was fully prepared to spend quite some time persuading you. I thought you'd dismiss it as a pointless waste of time, so I feel a little deflated.”
She really does know me.
Had Isabella not warned him beforehand, that was exactly what he would have said.
“Since you've agreed, that's settled. You don't have an event planner, do you?”
“No.”
“Then the Empire will send one this time. You'll likely be hosting banquets often in the future, so it's best to hire an entire team in advance.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
As someone who effectively managed the imperial household, Olivia was knowledgeable and effortlessly capable.
‘If she'd been the Third Prince instead of the princess, she might have surpassed all of her brothers.’
She, too, had been dealt a cruel fate.
That was what Ferda found himself thinking.
“Do you know the dance that's currently fashionable in the Empire?”
Ferda visibly stiffened.
“It's called the Moonlight Step.”
“I don't.”
“Oh, that won't do. If the host of a banquet falls behind the trends, people will laugh. They'll say the Regent of Valdrova has no awareness of the world.”
“…Perhaps I should cancel the banquet altogether.”
“My, my. No taking it back now.”
Olivia laughed softly.
“Come now, let's practice just a little. It's derived from a simple waltz. Once you learn the basics, you'll pick it up quickly. You do know how to waltz, don't you?”
“…You don't know that either? I assumed anyone from a noble family would have learned.”
Should I just give up on this banquet?
After pretending to think for a moment, Olivia rose gracefully and extended her hand toward Ferda.
“Here.”
“…What is it?”
“You'll have to stand up if we're going to dance. Come now—up you get.”
Ferda had known he would have to practice eventually.
He simply hadn't expected her to mean right this very moment.
“Wouldn't you like to share a wonderful dance with Princeps Valdrova?”
Valdrova.
Their first banquet together as an engaged couple.
The moment he imagined it, Ferda's lips moved before his mind could calculate anything.
“I would.”
“Exactly. Then wouldn't every minute and second be precious? And wouldn't it be even more perfect if someone who truly understands dancing—someone who understands women as well—were the one teaching you?”
For some reason, her words carried a strangely persuasive weight.
Even so, Ferda couldn't simply accept. Reflexively, he glanced toward Luri.
Oddly enough, she was completely silent.
Had the sweets served as a bribe?
Was she pretending not to notice?
‘As easy as she is to win over with food, she isn't the type to let something like this slide so cheaply.’
She was definitely plotting something.
Ferda let out a sigh.
In any case, postponing the matter was impossible.
“Very well.”
Setting everything else aside, they began practicing.
“Come to think of it, I've never seen Lady Valdrova in her polymorphed form. About how tall is she? She is female, at least?”
Her build...
Ferda looked at Olivia.
She was the only convenient reference nearby.
“She is a little shorter than Your Highness.”
“Then I should have no trouble teaching you.”
Olivia slipped her fingers between his.
Their already close distance became even smaller.
“Now, hold your hand here like this... Imagine the music beginning. Da-ra-ra-ran, da-ran. Good. Lightly tap your foot here, then step to the left...”
Following Olivia's guidance, Ferda learned the steps.
He moved exactly as instructed, doing his utmost.
When the lesson paused, Olivia offered her assessment.
“Hmm... You're rather clumsy.”
She was putting it politely.
The truth was that he had absolutely no talent for dancing.
Olivia couldn't hide her surprise.
She had always thought his dignified bearing concealed considerable skill.
But dancing required physical coordination.
And using his body was the one thing Ferda was worst at.
“You've gone quiet.”
“…What can I say? This useless body of mine got me cast aside.”
“Useless? But you look so dependable...”
Her voice trailed off with a strangely alluring softness.
“Let's focus on getting you comfortable with a simple waltz and the Moonlight Step. We'll just build your instincts for now.”
“Do we really have to keep dancing?”
“Of course. I pride myself on being an excellent teacher. You've wounded my pride, Regent. Do you have any idea how serious it is to wound a woman's pride? You'll be dancing all day.”
He neither knew nor wished to know.
She had dragged him into this against his will, only to become completely unreasonable afterward.
“I'll make sure you've mastered it in a single day. Just follow me.”
“Does that mean you'll still be here tomorrow?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
“You're an unmarried princess. If you spend the night in another man's residence, won't rumors spread?”
“Another man? Aren't you already spoken for?”
“There's a saying: Don't even stop to tie your shoelaces beside a melon patch.”
“You really do worry too much. I have a perfectly good excuse.”
“And what would that be?”
“Hand Marquis Burnell over to me.”
Olivia leaned forward slightly.
“No.”
“Exactly. Then naturally we'll have a rather lengthy discussion about the matter. The imperial princess will be engaged in marathon negotiations. Since you'll have nothing better to do while that's happening, you can spend the time learning to dance.”
She smiled.
“For Lady Valdrova's sake.”
Could that really work?
Ferda remained skeptical, but Olivia gave him no opportunity to dwell on it.
She simply kept leading him at her own pace until he found himself continuing the dance lessons.
Whatever the circumstances, Ferda genuinely wanted to become a better dancer.
And to do that, he needed guidance from someone who understood both fashionable dances and proper technique.
Olivia never took her eyes off him.
She smiled throughout the lesson.
As though every moment genuinely delighted her.
Olivia quietly reflected upon her own life.
When had she begun this endless performance?
Perhaps it had started the day she realized that even the nursemaid she believed to be her one true ally was nothing more than the Emperor's servant.
From that day onward, she had spent hours each day before a mirror, practicing how to smile.
Most people practiced to make their smiles brighter.
Olivia practiced to give hers meaning.
Part of it had been to manipulate men.
But the deeper reason was something else entirely.
To prevent them from assigning meanings she had never intended.
She knew, objectively, how beautiful she was.
A casual glance.
A passing smile.
Countless men had mistaken those tiny gestures as signs that she loved them, pursuing her with one-sided affection until they were too numerous to count.
Because of that, even smiling had ceased to be something she could do freely.
That was why being with Ferda felt so comfortable.
Unlike other men, he never mistook her smile for something more.
And even if she smiled with that very intention, he would not waver.
His heart already belonged elsewhere.
That was precisely why she could ask things like this.
“Regent... perhaps you could try smiling a little?”
“I may find smiling difficult.”
“You have to practice smiling too. When we're chatting about trivial things, simply imagine something pleasant.”
Even then, all that happened was a slight twitch of his lips before they returned to their usual expression.
Even so, Olivia found herself strangely satisfied.
That smile, when it finally appeared, would undoubtedly be reserved for his fiancée alone.
‘How noble you are.’
True nobility was not measured by how devoutly one believed in the gods.
It was measured by constantly questioning oneself, suffering over one's convictions, and yet continuing to carry them forward regardless.
That nobility stirred something within Olivia.
Even the circle that not even Alte herself had been able to move began to turn gently.
It became another wheel carrying her dream of becoming a saint.
Just a little longer.
Just a little longer like this...
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sound shattered the peaceful atmosphere.
Ferda immediately released Olivia's hand.
Olivia calmly put her mask back on.
Watching her for a brief moment, Ferda turned to Luri.
“Let them in.”
The captain of the guard entered, bowed briefly, and spoke.
“Your Highness. It is time for you to depart.”
She had expected this.
Even so, it felt as though someone had deliberately chosen the worst possible moment.
“I don't believe I'll be returning today. We're still discussing the matter of the engineer—”
“His Majesty the Emperor has ordered your immediate return.”
“Must I truly depart at dusk? Surely I can leave tomorrow morning.”
“There is no need to worry. An imperial court mage has already arrived. Preparations have been completed for your return by teleportation.”
Ah...
The pleasant mood vanished like a midsummer night's dream.
She wanted to remain here just a little longer.
Just as she realized she could no longer resist—
“We are in the middle of an important discussion.”
Ferda interrupted.
“She came here as the representative of the imperial household to hold serious negotiations. Do you intend to interrupt them?”
“Her Highness came to strengthen relations with the principality. The matter of recruiting your engineer is unrelated.”
“So you intend to pretend everything we've discussed until now never happened? Would you reduce a formal negotiation to meaningless trash?”
“That is not what I meant.”
Ferda pressed him relentlessly, his displeasure plain.
Olivia simply stared at him.
For someone who had spent her entire life existing as little more than another person's trophy...
This was the first time anyone had treated her as an ordinary human being.
Why was he doing this?
Olivia already knew the answer.
Ferda assumed she had a good reason for resisting her return.
As an ally who shared the goal of overturning the Empire, he was trying to help her.
And yet...
Even knowing that...
When he looked at her like that...
‘I really might start misunderstanding.’
Olivia slowly rose.
“I suppose it truly cannot be helped. Regent, I shall take my leave.”
“Will we not continue our discussion?”
“What choice do I have? If an unmarried woman spends the night in another man's home, people will begin spreading strange rumors. Surely it is better that I leave.”
She returned his own words to him.
Ferda did not try to stop her any further.
“May you have a safe journey.”
“Thank you. And since you've decided to host the Festival of Early Spring, I'm truly looking forward to it. I will certainly attend.”
With those final words, Olivia left the room.
Even as the door slowly closed, she continued waving at Ferda until the very end.
***
“A banquet in one month's time?”
After hearing the entire story from Luri, Valdrova asked the question.
Within her fierce crimson eyes sparkled unmistakable excitement.
“Yes. The Festival of Early Spring will be held one month from now.”
“I see.”
To someone who had always admired human banquets and longed to attend one herself, it was an irresistibly attractive event.
It was one of the places Valdrova had always wished she could experience at least once.
Deep within Valdrova's lair, the thought lingered in her mind.
“A banquet... in one month.”
The anticipation shining in her eyes only grew brighter.