Chapter 7 – The Evening Banquet
“……Is this really okay?”
In the castle of the Duke of Capel, Cordelia was alone after sending the maids away, reflecting on the events that had occurred today.
Normally, Cordelia was supposed to return here tomorrow morning with Ludrick and the others from the town that could be called the entrance to the Kolts domain. But after being strongly impacted by today’s events, Cordelia felt a discomfort she had never felt before when her mother told her to go to Ludrick’s quarters at night, and she made an excuse of feeling unwell to return to the castle during the night.
Eurushia… The Princess of the Grand Duchy of Versenia, the granddaughter of the King, and the “Princess” who is called the face of the Holy Kingdom, the Holy Maiden – a younger girl than Cordelia.
Cordelia’s mother Isabella had said that it was just favoritism. As the daughter of the former Second Prince, she was being favored, given a title beyond her status, and spoiled as a young girl.
Cordelia, being the daughter of the second wife, was the only daughter of the Capel family and was frail in body, but was loved and raised by her father and half-brothers. Her brothers were passive, but her father, the Duke of Capel, seemed to be on bad terms with the Grand Duke and, following her mother’s opinion, made the people of the Grand Ducal family his enemies.
Growing up in such an environment, Cordelia naturally sided with her mother’s intentions and came to see Princess Eurushia as an impertinent young girl.
What bothered her the most was the rumor that Princess Eurushia might be engaged to Prince Ludrick, the one Cordelia had a faint affection for.
Her mother had said that she would fulfill Cordelia’s wishes.
To welcome Ludrick as Cordelia’s husband and eventually make him the Duke of Capel.
But what about her brothers? Since their parents and brothers’ opinions had been at odds, the two had not returned from the magic academy in the capital, but they were still kind brothers to Cordelia.
To Cordelia’s question, her mother said that the two would be sent somewhere far away, so there would be no problem.
Would her brothers remain in the capital? It would be lonely not to be able to see them, but her mother’s words convinced Cordelia that since it was the capital, they wouldn’t be so far away that she couldn’t see them again.
But–
The actual Eurushia she met exceeded Cordelia’s imagination in every way.
Golden eyes, golden hair.
A heavenly beauty created by God……
Her appearance was truly worthy of the title of “Golden Princess,” and Cordelia had never imagined that such a beautiful human being could exist.
The highest position and the highest beauty. Eurushia possessed robust health and abundant talent, things Cordelia lacked, and Cordelia was jealous of her.
However, she was different from the “impertinent girl” that Cordelia had imagined.
Two years younger than Cordelia, she showed a childlike figure in this unfamiliar land where she was asked to fulfill her duties as a Holy Maiden, and she came to admire Cordelia as an “older sister.”
Cordelia’s mother found Eurushia’s forceful manner unpleasant, and Cordelia was also taken aback, but she realized that it was to suppress her age-appropriate anxiety, and the youngest Cordelia, who had always wanted a “sister,” gradually came to find her charming.
Even so, she complained about her to match her mother’s opinion, but after seeing Eurushia’s truly compassionate figure as the true Holy Maiden and being bathed in her light, Cordelia felt as if the dark sediment that had been accumulating in her heart was melting away.
Looking closely at Eurushia with the membrane of “jealousy” peeled off, she realized that Eurushia looked a little sad at Cordelia, who was siding with her mother.
Eurushia, a true Holy Maiden yet lovely and charming.
Ludrick had grown even more dignified since his childhood, and Cordelia realized that the way he was worried about Eurushia was the same as her own, and she came to the realization that she was not enough to be the prince’s fiancée.
But……
If so, the things she had been thinking about normally until now were strange.
The evaluation of Eurushia by her mother and the actual Eurushia she met were completely opposite.
No matter how much her parents disliked the Grand Ducal family, if they still did not change their evaluation after actually seeing her, it was strange. The thought crossed her mind that it was her mother who had prepared the cursed child in the church.
She had been avoiding thinking about it.
She had thought it was not a big deal even if she knew.
A few days ago, her mother had invited an unknown merchant to the castle and bought some cheap decorative items that she had never paid attention to before.
Her mother had told her not to get too close because they were not very good, and Cordelia hadn’t really cared, but Eurushia had used sacred magic, and the amulet that the child had been wearing crumbled in the light.
Her mother must be trying to do something bad.
Cordelia didn’t know how far her father and the rest of the family were involved, but as her awareness changed and she thought it was something bad, she decided she had to do something for the “sister” who was surely feeling anxious.
“I, this ‘older sister’, will protect you!”
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For some reason, Cordelia-chan, who had been hostile to me, returned first……
Even if she’s not as tempting a main dish as my Sister, her as snacks are still quite appetizing. But it was quite a shock to see her become so ordinary after the church service. Oh well, let’s hope for the best with the Duchess and Duke Capel’s maturation. (Sigh)
Now, we’ve arrived at Duke Capel’s castle, and it’s time for the banquet! There’s no rest, just the banquet!
You might think it’s just everyone eating together, but the Capel family’s banquets can’t be that simple.
While it may not be as grand as a ball, there will surely be many important figures in attendance. As a young man, Rick can probably just change his clothes and be done. But I need to hurry and take a bath, have Vio and the other maids scrub me down, apply all sorts of cosmetics, style my hair, and get dressed in the gown I had picked out.
What a pain in the neck this preparation is.
But, as was the case last night, I have no choice but to get ready, because if I have even a moment of rest, those two might start bickering again.
Anyway, about the banquet – do I need to perform any special entertainment? I’ve learned piano and singing as part of a noble lady’s accomplishments, but do I really have to sing and dance?
“…I think it would be fine for you to just be present, Euru-sama.”
Really? I don’t have to sing and dance?
As Vio was washing my hair, the other maids, as well as Tina and Fanny, who are loyal to me, all nodded in agreement with her.
…Is that really okay? It’s not that I particularly want to sing and dance, but…
Am I just a decoration to be present?
And finally, it’s time for the banquet!
I wasn’t really waiting for it, but not leaving any time to spare helps maintain my inner peace.
“Lucia-sama… you look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Noel.”
Noel, my escort again today, dressed up as the son of a viscount, complimented me. But that’s not all…
“Eurushia.”
“Yes.”
Officially, the escort role should be Prince Rick’s. As I put my arm through the crook of his elbow, I can feel the tension as Noel and Rick glare at each other overhead.
…Ah, my stomach is starting to hurt again.
As we enter the hall, various people came to greet us before we took our seats, but sensing our awkward atmosphere, they quickly moved away.
Stop it. Don’t make the atmosphere any stranger.
–Ah!
“Duke Capel!”
I spotted the hosting Duke Capel and, dodging the hands of Rick and Noel trying to hold me back, I hurry over to him.
The Duke Capel is, well, how should I put it… he seems to be the brother of that member, Zesh. Well, he has a very clean scalp, but I don’t care about that! I’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment, to the point that I’d even think it’s okay to bring darkness at a 30% discount!
“Miss Eurushia, I’m glad you’ve answered my request this time, and–“
“Oh my, oh my! That’s nothing at all, Duke Capel. I’ve truly been looking forward to seeing you! And that scalp of yours looks even more radiant with a 30% increase!”
My most sincere praise causes the Duke Capel’s smile to look strained.
“Uh, Miss Eurushia has such a way with words… the way you charmed even Zesh, you see– Oops, pardon me.”
“Oh, is the Duke also interested? If so, please do consult with Lord Zesh! The members are all such wonderful people, and I’ve received so many wonderful gifts! Please, Duke Capel, do consider it!”
As I step forward eagerly, for some reason the Duke takes a step back.
“Zesh’s affairs are of no concern to me. That man is no longer part of my household–“
“How could you say that! Lord Zesh is just as respectable as you, Duke Capel! If you’re too shy to talk to him, I’ll be happy to mediate!”
Sweat starts to pour down the Duke’s forehead, and his lips begin to tremble. What’s wrong?
“Ahem! Well, that’s neither here nor there. For this banquet, we’ve obtained some excellent fruit wines from the north, far superior to the ones from the Grand Duchy’s vineyards. Not that such drinks would be appropriate for a young lady like yourself, of course.”
The Duke Capel wipes the sweat from his brow and gives a sly smile. How charmingly shady.
“Oh my, thank you! For you to go to the trouble of procuring so much non-potable fruit wine just for a child like me, it’s such a lavish and Duke-like thing to do! My father is so prudent, but maybe I should follow your lead, Duke Capel, and indulge in a bit of extravagance?”
As I praise the Duke’s wealth, his whole body starts to tremble slightly.
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