Mob No. 98: “That’s the fate of being born beautiful, Your Majesty.”
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[Side: Fialka Tiursad]
The Empress’s reward banquet was held inside the Imperial Palace, located in the capital city of Hein.
All the mercenaries who had contributed to suppressing the rebellion and were incorporated into the Empress’s guard unit were invited to attend.
The main venue, the Hall of Rainbows, was the largest hall in the Imperial Palace.
The carpet was so soft you could sleep on it, and the chandeliers and decorations looked like they could cost eight figures.
Despite its luxurious appearance, the palace walls were made of materials that could withstand several hits from the main cannons of a super-large battleship, and it was equipped with various defense systems, making it more like a fortress.
In the Hall of Rainbows, tables were lined with food and drinks, and nobles and soldiers moved around individually or in groups, engaging in conversations while subtly probing each other’s intentions.
Meanwhile, we mercenaries were gathered around a few tables at the edge of the hall.
The reason for this was due to the large waiting room assigned to us inside the palace.
The invited mercenaries included all those who had been incorporated into the Empress’s guard unit, and with their partners or team members, the total number of attendees was around 150.
Unfortunately, servants of the nobles were not allowed into the venue, so Sherry had to wait outside.
I could see several other servants waiting as well.
I had considered insisting that Sherry was my work partner and forcing her way in, but it didn’t seem like a good idea, so I obediently complied.
Another reason for the waiting room was that while noble mercenaries might have formal attire, commoner mercenaries often didn’t, so this was where they could borrow suits or dresses and change.
Additionally, weapons were prohibited in the party venue except for the guards, so this was also the place to leave weapons or other belongings.
As we were preparing, a man approached us.
“Greetings mercenaries, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Keane Golfox, and I’ve been tasked with guiding you.”
The man had narrow eyes and a gentle expression, and he appeared to be in his late middle age. Everyone present immediately recognized him as Keane Golfox, a general in the Imperial Army, a count, and the commander of the 8th Fleet of the Central Fleet’s Suppression Force.
Known for his efforts in nurturing young talent and teaching at the military academy, he was called “Professor,” but he was also infamous as a “Crafty Old Fox” or “Slippery Eel,” a man who was not easily dealt with.
“First of all, I’d like to express my deepest gratitude for your achievements in the recent war. I’ll now guide you to the venue, but let me give you one piece of advice.”
General Golfox’s eyes looked somewhat tired.
“Once you enter the venue, stick together with your fellow mercenaries. Not to isolate yourselves, but for your mental safety. Nobles, even if not malicious, are often vain, sarcastic, and self-centered. Some of you may have experienced this during the war.”
As the general looked around, many of us recalled instances of flirtation or harassment on the battlefield.
“Well, it’s a bit odd for me, a noble, to say this, but dealing with greedy nobles is a hassle. If you stick together, it’ll at least serve as a bit of a repellent.”
His expression shifted from tired to genuinely fed up, as if he truly disliked socializing with nobles.
“Now, it’s time to head in. Are you ready?”
And so, we were led by General Golfox into the Hall of Rainbows, the venue for the reward banquet.
Incidentally, at Imperial parties, it was customary for those of lower status to enter the venue first, so when we mercenaries entered, only the staff preparing the venue were present.
Thirty minutes later, the lower nobles and lower-ranking military personnel entered.
Another unique rule of the Empress’s parties was that food and drinks were not served until the higher nobles and military officers arrived.
The reason for this was apparently to encourage calm, alcohol-free socializing among the higher nobles and the Empress.
Some of the mercenaries invited this time had attended the Empress’s reward banquets in the past, so they were familiar with these rules. Those who were attending for the first time also inquired politely with the staff, so there were no major issues.
On the other hand, some of the lower nobles seemed unaware of these customs and were seen yelling at the staff.
Lower nobles rarely had the opportunity to attend the Empress’s parties, so they were unfamiliar with the etiquette.
After they entered, we mercenaries gathered around the tables at the edge of the hall and began chatting amongst ourselves.
Sticking together had the effect of deterring the lower nobles from approaching us, at least to some extent.
However, this only worked with those who were socially awkward or had common sense. Those without such inhibitions approached us without hesitation.
“In fact, Alberto Circlewood, known as the ‘Black Devil,’ along with Lambert Riagrades and Arthur Lingard from the Ytts branch, were swarmed by noble ladies. Similarly, Marie Lehto-Ruichen-Fariner, known as the ‘Scarlet Goddess,’ Katy Alptet, known as the ‘Emerald Rose,’ Rossweisse of the ‘Feathered Helmet,’ and Seira Sainidda, Lingard’s partner, were surrounded by men.”
And then there were those who approached me.
“Hey, I found you, Leopardess. Are you ready to become my personal bodyguard?”
It was the same creep who had hit on me during the war.
“I believe I already declined your offer.”
“If you become the bodyguard of a lieutenant in the military and the son of Count Reunan, even a viscountess like you would benefit, you know?”
He continued talking, completely enamored with himself.
“There’s no benefit for me.”
This Pandest Reunan, the son of Count Reunan, had a terrible reputation. It was well-known that his reckless spending had left his family in debt, and he had been forced to join the military to repay it.
It was obvious that he approached me because of my father’s company, Tiursad Corporation.
About an hour after we entered the venue, and thirty minutes after the lower nobles arrived, the higher nobles and higher-ranking military officers entered, and food and drinks began to be served.
At that point, the lower nobles and lower-ranking military personnel rushed to greet the higher nobles.
The son of Count Reunan, who had been in front of me, said,
“Too bad. Time’s up. You just missed your last chance to become my personal bodyguard.”
He made a gesture of pressing his forehead and shaking his head, which infuriated me.
Then, he approached the group of higher nobles and could be seen bowing obsequiously to someone.
It seemed there was someone he wanted to get closer to more than me.
Well, as long as he’s gone, I don’t care.
An hour and a half after we mercenaries entered, the ministers arrived, and thirty minutes later, two hours after our arrival, the Empress finally made her entrance.
Her Majesty was dressed in a blue dress that matched the color of her hair, and she wore the Imperial Crest, a symbol only the Empress was allowed to wear.
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After drinks were served to everyone, the Empress stepped onto a low stage and began her opening speech.
“Gentlemen! You’ve done an excellent job in suppressing the rebellion this time! The lion-hearted efforts of the soldiers and mercenaries deserve nothing but praise and gratitude! You’ve truly done well! And I must especially commend my great-uncle, Duke Altischult-Bingil O’Vorls, who, while I was on the battlefield, almost single-handedly neutralized the rebel forces that attempted to attack the capital planet Hein! His achievements deserve the highest praise!”
With that, Her Majesty walked over to the Duke.
“Great-uncle, thank you so much. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened to the people of the Empire. I may still be inexperienced, but will you continue to support me?”
She bowed deeply to the Duke.
“Raise your head, Amelia. As your subject, and as the great-uncle of my niece’s daughter, whom I consider my own grandchild, I will do my utmost, even if it means pushing this old body to its limits.”
The Duke smiled warmly, like a kind old man.
“Thank you, Great-uncle…”
Her Majesty murmured this and then returned to the center of the stage.
“Now then, gentlemen! Let’s toast to this victory!”
“””””””Cheers!”””””””
And so, the reward banquet officially began.
After the Empress’s arrival, the number of people bothering us decreased, and I hoped the banquet would end quietly. However, to my surprise, the Empress approached our group.
Those who noticed her instinctively straightened their backs.
Her Majesty began speaking to the famous King-rank individuals.
She seemed quite casual with them, as if she had spoken to them many times before.
Of course, some people looked on with displeasure, but since it was a reward banquet, they remained silent.
Arthur Lingard and Lambert Riagrades were also spoken to, and they seemed extremely nervous.
I had seen Her Majesty a few times due to my father’s work, but I had never spoken to her.
As the Empress was about to pass by me, I bowed my head in courtesy, but then—
“You’re Fialka Tiursad, the Viscountess known as the Leopardess, correct?”
To my surprise, the Empress addressed me.
She must have seen my appearance, name, and nickname on the list held by the attendant behind her.
“Y-Yes!”
“I’ve heard that the efforts of you female mercenaries and soldiers in this war were remarkable. If you’re willing, I hope you’ll continue to lend your strength for the peace of the Empire.”
“Y-Yes!”
I had attended the Empress’s parties before, but this was the first time Her Majesty had spoken to me directly.
Then, in the next moment—
“By the way, if I could pilot a battleship like you, I’d have sunk that mustachioed Vastog Marquis’s ship! That mustachioed old man has been giving me weird looks for a while now, and it’s really creepy!”
She spoke to me in a tone as if we were friends.
The Empress was actually a year younger than me.
Thinking about how the entire Empire rested on her shoulders made me feel complicated.
So, without thinking, I replied—
“That’s the fate of being born beautiful, Your Majesty.”
I immediately worried if I had committed lese-majesty, but—
“You’re no different. Though it’s odd for me to say this, it’s better to leave this kind of party early. I really only wanted to invite the military personnel, nobles, and mercenaries who helped, but somehow a bunch of creepy old men and sarcastic old ladies who did nothing ended up attending.”
Her Majesty leaned in close and whispered this to me.
“Your Majesty, it’s about time.”
The attendant behind her spoke up, and the Empress—
“Then, enjoy the party.”
She flashed a perfect, archetypical smile and then left.
After the Empress left our mercenary table, I somehow sensed that the nobles would start approaching us, so I decided to quickly exit the Hall of Rainbows.
As I hurried to the large waiting room, I noticed quite a few people leaving the venue at the same time, including Lambert Riagrades of the “Feathered Helm.”
He looked exhausted and seemed to be waiting alone for his partner.
While I waited for Sherry to fetch the air-car, I changed out of my dress, packed it away, and retrieved my gun. Then, I headed to the palace entrance, where Sherry was likely waiting.
Even though I’ve attended many times, these parties are suffocating.
I truly admire Her Majesty for enduring that atmosphere.
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