The term imperial banquet quite literally means a dinner for the imperial family.
And it's rare—exceptionally rare—for an outsider to receive an invitation to such a dinner.
Only those who have made significant contributions to the Empire or high-ranking nobles are occasionally invited.
Naturally, I fell into the former category.
"His Majesty is eagerly looking forward to dining with Sir Yuri."
"It is an honor."
An honor so burdensome that I wanted to decline, but considering they had sent an envoy all the way overseas, refusal was clearly not an option.
But—
"Wasn't the banquet scheduled for a fortnight later?"
"Indeed, it was."
"Then what do you mean by telling me to return immediately?"
"Sir Yuri, you have exceeded the designated date."
"...Is that even a rule?"
"Despite completing your initial purpose of beverage development, staying in the Carcel Kingdom for over a month is against regulations."
"Wait, who told you that...?"
The fact that the beverage development had been completed was only known to the King of Carcel and his close aides.
Since I had made sure to keep everyone's lips sealed, there was no way the secret could have leaked from them.
Just as I was about to question the knight who already seemed to know, I suddenly held my tongue.
A memory struck me—Lilith had been promoting Milkis all over the place.
...So that's how they found out.
"Though I deeply wish to return, the ship to the Empire won't be available until at least next week."
"Our knights will escort you back so you need not to worry Sir Yuri."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
Thanks to the overly kind knight order, my precious golden holiday was coming to an abrupt end.
*
Bzzzzzz—
The chirping of crickets filled the dark terrace with their lovesick serenade.
An occasional owl hoot in the distance and the gentle crash of waves only deepened the tranquility of the night.
A breeze, salty and cool from the sea, swept through my hair.
"Haah."
Lying on the terrace, I quietly gazed up at the night sky, spending the last evening of my vacation.
Tomorrow, I would ride a gryphon back to the Empire.
Not knowing when I might return made every passing moment feel all the more precious.
As I lingered, staring at the moon to soothe the regret of my all-too-short holiday, the terrace door creaked open.
Someone stepped out and sat down beside me.
"Not asleep yet?"
"..."
"If you catch a cold, you won't be able to avoid it, you know?"
"...Is that so?"
"Yes, there was a noble who missed a banquet saying he was sick. His Majesty, worried, personally visited his home with medicine."
"...He made a house call?"
"Yes, since then, everyone makes sure to attend when a banquet invitation arrives."
"..."
An imperial visit from the Emperor.
That was a fate far worse than attending the banquet itself.
Perhaps the Emperor, knowing how uncomfortable his vassals felt, was cleverly using it to his advantage.
Or maybe... he just had nothing better to do.
'Great. Freezing for no reason.'
Abandoning my foolish plan to catch a cold, I pulled a blanket over my body.
"But if you don't want to go, you could just not go."
"?"
Her unexpected suggestion made me tilt my head in confusion.
It didn't sound like the practical advice Aria usually gave.
"If you really want to keep resting, you could even seek asylum in the Carcel Kingdom."
"..."
So... she was telling me to run away.
Interpreting it that way, I remained still, looking up at the night sky.
The moon, previously veiled by clouds, was now revealing its full, round face.
As I continued to watch the bright, full moon in silence—
"Senior."
"What."
"I like you."
"..."
Her sudden confession left me speechless.
To be honest, I wasn't shocked or anything.
It was more like... Ah, it's finally happening.
I had seen this coming. I had a feeling that things would end up this way.
Though this was the first time she had said it so directly, Aria had been showing clear signs of affection toward me lately.
Anyone who wasn't a complete fool could have noticed.
Still, I hadn't given her an answer.
Not because I was oblivious.
But because...
"I'm sorry."
I couldn't give her the answer she wanted.
"I knew you'd say that."
"..."
"I kind of expected it, but hearing it straight from you... it still stings."
Aria forced a bright smile.
"It's because of the Second Princess, right?"
"Yeah."
I had already postponed my answer to the Second Princess for a whole year.
I couldn't give Aria the answer she wanted in the meantime.
"Ah, I should've said something sooner. I was here first, after all."
Aria muttered, half bitter, half resigned.
"But at least I feel better now that I've said it."
Looking at her strained smile, I couldn't find any words to say.
No matter what I said, anything coming from me now would sound like pity, not comfort.
But then—
"But I won't give up."
"What do you..."
Before I could finish, something soft brushed against my lips.
A soft smack echoed, and only then did I realize—it was Aria's lips.
Aria, now a bit awkward, met my eyes.
"I don't mind being second."
"..."
"Get some rest. We leave tomorrow afternoon."
Leaving behind those explosive words, Aria stood, closed the terrace door, and disappeared.
I sat there for a while, staring blankly at the bright, full moon above.
And then, I muttered to myself—
"You've got to be kidding me."
I just wanted to rest.
*
The next morning, we returned to the Empire on the Sky Knights' gryphons, leaving at the break of dawn.
One thing had changed—Aria's attitude.
"What's this? You'll catch a cold like that. It'll be chilly up there, so wear a scarf."
She had become noticeably more attentive, even to the point of wrapping a scarf around my neck herself.
Lilith, her cheeks flushed, muttered under her breath.
"I-I didn't realize Aria could be so bold..."
Iberkina, on the other hand, just tilted her head, clearly not understanding what was going on.
Back in the Empire, winter was in full swing.
I barely had time to feel the cold before I was dragged straight to the imperial palace.
Not for work.
But to explain why I had extended my vacation by over a month in a foreign country without permission.
'Not to mention, I had completely forgotten to report my location during that time'.
In a modern context, it was like staying illegally abroad for a month without a visa.
The real problem, though, was that the person I had to explain myself to was the one I found the hardest to deal with.
"I greet Her Highness, the Second Princess."
"You must have had a lot of fun. Your face is positively glowing."
The Second Princess looked at me, a faint smile on her lips.
"...I didn't just play around. I completed the Carcel Kingdom's request to develop a new beverage."
"Hmm."
She laced her fingers together, resting her chin on them, and stared at me.
"Are you sure about that?"
Her question was casual, but there was a mischievous undertone to it.
"Yes, I developed the beverage and even secured a supply contract with the Carcel Kingdom."
Though I felt a pang of guilt, I spoke confidently—after all, it was true that I had handed over Milkis to them.
But then—
"Is this the beverage you developed by any chance?"
The Second Princess waved a bottle of Milkis in her hand.
I was so startled I nearly choked.
"...How do you have that, Your Highness?"
"When I inquired at the Gold Tower, I learned that a first-class alchemist named Erestol had been researching this drink for the past five years."
"..."
"And yet, you say you developed it while in the Carcel Kingdom. I wonder who is telling the truth."
Her crimson eyes, curved playfully, seemed to see right through me.
"If I remember correctly, your leave request also mentioned beverage development as the reason."
I was screwed.
"An unauthorized absence, deceiving the princess, and even a false development deal with the Carcel Kingdom."
"...I'm sorry. Please spare me."
I dropped to my knees, my forehead touching the floor. The Second Princess merely smiled softly.
"I do not intend to reprimand you too harshly."
"Thank you—"
"It's not like it's the first time you've lied to me, is it? Why make a fuss about it now?"
"..."
In truth, I had used plenty of excuses in the past to shirk work.
Since she had never said anything, I thought she hadn't noticed—but apparently, she had known all along and simply turned a blind eye.
And now, with my unauthorized extended stay abroad, I had crossed the line too far to feign ignorance.
"I'll do anything you ask."
"There is nothing specific I need from you. Just handle the backlog of work."
The princess pointed to my desk.
"The work that piled up because of your slacking."
The desk was buried under mountains of documents.
It was the workload of the Cultural Invasion Department, now officially renamed the Department of Cultural Development.
Our main duties included managing all matters related to food products, such as state investments or development permits.
For some reason, there were also tasks from the White Tower that had been assigned to me and left untouched.
"Know that you cannot leave until all the pending work is completed."
"...Uh, Your Highness."
"What is it?"
"I think I caught a cold from too much wind while riding the gryphon."
"And?"
"I'll start right away."
The Second Princess still held the Milkis in her hand.
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Read Forty (40) chapters ahead!
Patrone
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