Chapter 141 – 41. The Emperor’s Birthday Banquet (2)
Teria, the imperial capital of the Holy Ramir Empire.
The Imperial Palace located at the very center of the place. As befits the imperial palace of the empire that rules Island, it was luxurious.
A huge marble building. At the same time as the imperial palace, the exterior had the atmosphere of a huge temple. In line with the word Holy Empire, there were sculptures of Jedin and the 6 Gods in relief here and there.
The main building of the Pantheon is also luxurious one by one. The imperial palace was several times the size of the six main buildings put together.
A place where even aristocrats and lower-ranking nobles would feel intimidated just by entering. Full of dignity
However, today’s banquet was held outdoors in the imperial palace. The outdoor garden and its yard are wide enough to be close to a grand park. A luxurious outdoor banquet hall was built there.
I entered the entrance of the place.
“The representative of the delegation in Essenmund. Count Harsen, Julian von Reinhardt, enters!”
A court servant informed me of my arrival. The wizard next to him spread his voice through amplification magic.
All the nobles’ eyes were focused on me. They weren’t feudal nobles.
The feudal lords who had enormous power in each territory did not come here directly.
They are too busy to manage the manor. In particular, the owners of the territory couldn’t leave their seats because the movements of the Keatic Gate and the Witchbeast were unusual.
So those who fill this position are court officials and priests of the central order. And, like me, they were the representatives of the delegation of the territory on behalf of the feudal lord.
Other than that, high-ranking nobles residing in the imperial capital also showed up.
“The lion-patterned family insignia! It’s Reinhardt. Is that count the heir to the rumored Marquess?”
“You’re right. Count Harsen is Julian von Reinhardt. It must be that count.”
“I heard that he was doing bad things in the imperial city like a madman and a bongdu mess. You look too normal.”
“No. It wasn’t like that at the Imperial Palace Ball last winter. Really crazy right! The image of me singing in front of Your Majesty with the sound of picking a pig… Is still unforgettable.”
“Is that true? However, to think that he had such a handsome appearance and acted foolishly. I can’t believe it. The appearance alone is comparable to that of the sculpted angels over there.”
Some nobles with whom he had already made friends. The sylph brought the voice they secretly whispered. It seems that I am puzzled by my changed appearance.
“What. Crazy or not, that doesn’t really matter. The fact that that count will later become the ruler of the margrave is important.”
Among them, aristocrats with a sense of politics seem to be interested in my change. I also knew that I had become the official successor to the Marquis Command last winter.
“Okay. The people gathered here are representatives of the major feudal lords. If you think about the future of each territory, it won’t hurt to make a connection with that successor in advance.”
There were also those who looked for profit like that.
However, the aristocratic envoys from the north, adjacent to Essenmund, were different from them. The leader of the northern Reinhardt family.
Rather, it was because the people of the north had a greater presence than the imperial family. Without hesitation, they quickly came towards me.
And their loyalty was immediately expressed to me.
“Glory to the bravery of a lion that calms the winds of the north. It’s an honor to meet you. Count Julian!”
Several groups of envoys all bowed to me in unison. Though I didn’t kneel because I thought it was the imperial palace. He was polite enough to kneel down in any other seat.
Also, since they were all delegations representing Yeongji, their clothes were amazing. It was a fancy, formal uniform.
He stood at the center of so much attention that ordinary people would be intimidated and unable to even raise their heads. But I calmly raised my hand in response to their greeting.
“As Reinhardt’s son, I express my respect.”
Calm but very dignified eyes and tone. And obviously, they showed the greeting etiquette of a person superior to them.
Then Viscount Mason, who did not return to the manor and remained to help with this banquet, smiled heartily. He whispered quietly.
“Good job. As the official heir of the Reinhardt family, this is the most appropriate etiquette. In front of such a spacious banquet hall and aristocrats, it is amazing how much you are intimidated. Not even the heir of a decent family can do it so well.”
It was a surprising voice. Although I visited the mansion and checked my changed appearance.
Imperial Palace. That’s because I’ve confirmed again that my attitude hasn’t changed even though there are so many major officials and nobles. Any doubts would have disappeared.
“Aristocrats are those who want to bite off even the slightest blemishes. However, in front of the count’s dignified appearance, they would rather be discouraged. Reinhardt’s people should. You should be able to do that. If you are the heir to the Reinhardt family, who are the best in the empire.”
Viscount Mason is a person who doesn’t talk empty words. Besides, I no longer use the Noble Scion trait.
You couldn’t always rely on characteristics. Julian von Reinhardt is who I am today. In any situation, he had to stick to the role skillfully.
It’s just a fluke to wish only for traits. So, through Eirin, he learned about the etiquette of aristocrats in his spare time.
Think aristocratically and act aristocratically. And it was also helpful to frequent the alchemy order full of aristocratic atmosphere.
‘It seems like I’m getting used to treating others badly now.’
Even that Viscount Mason didn’t feel uncomfortable at all.
“Now, no matter who sees it, he seems like the grand duke’s heir. His Highness Wilhelm would be even more proud.”
Hence, the title of successor to Reinhardt. The title’s proficiency also rose.
In addition, since he did not use the Noble Scion attribute, the level of his skill level doubled.
He had a brief conversation with the northern delegation and nobles. Among them, I gathered the necessary information and left the political conversation to Viscount Mason.
While sitting in front of a table like that, waiting for the emperor to enter this place. He was the one who came to me.
“Yulian-sama!!”
It was the voice of a young woman, very anxious. As she turned her head, she was hurried toward me, her Lilia covering her chest with her arms.
***
Lilia was different from her usual outfit. She always wore the uniform of a faithful nun in the Pantheon.
But now she was wearing a fancy dress suitable for a banquet.
A white-toned, luxurious material dress full of nobility. It shimmered as if it had been dusted with jewels.
‘No. Since Lilia is the princess, she must have actually done that.’
Her dress top exposed her shoulders and part of her upper chest, highlighting her Lilia’s voluptuous upper body. The skirt of her dress was also not too wide.
The hem of her skirt came down just as she was, emphasizing her broad hips and hip line. It was a dress that kept her body as it is while embodying her elegant feeling.
For a moment, the nobles around me were stunned and looked at her, Lilia. Even if she usually wears a nun’s uniform, she is a beauty who cannot hide her beautiful appearance.
She’s even wearing a dress that reveals that beautiful look and her figure even more. If it was a man, he couldn’t take his eyes off of Lilia now.
I could feel the eyes peeking at Lillia not only from nearby, but from beyond the banquet hall.
However, Lilia’s status is the third princess of the empire. It would be very disrespectful to stare at her like a woman on the street.
Soon, the banquet attendees came to their senses and expressed their respect for the imperial family.
“May the light of Jedin on the ecliptic bless her noble blood for a long time. Greetings to Her Highness Lilia!”
I also greeted them. Lilia grabbed the hem of her dress and returned them gracefully.
“Thank you for attending His Majesty’s birthday banquet. As the princess of the Empire and her younger brother, I would like to express my gratitude to her.”
She said with a bright smile. Also. With her benevolence, she was like Lilia, who was famous in the ecliptic.
However, Lilia’s gaze was only in one place. She turned to me
Lilia, who came close to me. Viscount Mason, who noticed her intentions, quickly took the nearby nobles and moved away.
“Yulian-nim…!!”
Lilia met her eyes with mine and said. There were so many emotions in her words and her gaze.
It was a more earnest gaze than when I urgently visited my atelier the other day. I tried to hold myself in my arms, but I refrained from being conscious of the gazes around me.
He replaced it by holding her hand tightly.
“I haven’t seen you in so long! How are you?”
“Thanks to Your Highness, I got along well. Were you comfortable?”
“Yes… I missed you so much… Julian-sama…”
Her gaze was so pitiful that he almost hugged Lilia for a moment. But I thought of my face and barely endured it.
“I was so busy preparing for His Majesty’s banquet… I didn’t have time to go see Yulian-sama at all. That’s why it’s so hard…”
It hasn’t even been ten days since I last saw it. It seems like a long time for Lilia.
“And I heard that Julian-nim became the representative of the Essenmund delegation. He has attended this banquet as the representative of Essenmund on behalf of Wilhelm. I am very proud. Because it’s Julian-sama’s official debut as the grand duke’s successor. But…”
Besides, at today’s banquet, Lilia had something to regret.
If I hadn’t made myself head of the Essenmund delegation. At today’s banquet, as Lillia’s fiancé, he would have sat next to her. Lillia seemed to be very sorry for that fact.
“But you shouldn’t be too sad. It’s an important position for Julian-sama too. Seeing such a dignified figure of Yulian-nim, my older brother will surely ease his anger!”
It’s not just about debuting in the empire as the heir to the grand duke. It was an occasion to apologize for the rudeness committed at the Imperial Palace Ball last winter.
Of course, unlike Lilia, who used the bean pod properly, the emperor had no reason to let go of his anger.
‘So I’m fully prepared.’
Lilia looked a little worried. She seemed to be worried that the Emperor might dispel her anger.
“I have prepared enough to apologize to His Majesty. You don’t have to worry.”
I held Lilia’s fingertips reassuringly.
“Haha…”
Although there was a more violent reaction than her reassurance. Lillia calmed down a bit.
“I feel more relieved when Julian-sama says that! Then I have to show my face elsewhere… I’m sorry.”
“No. Because Her Highness Lillia has a lot of work to do. I am okay.”
“Really? Uhm… Am I the only one who regrets it? I don’t want to be away from Yulian-sama even for a moment…”
Lillia made a sullen expression. I quickly grabbed her hand with both of hers and mine.
“Me too. Because I always want to be with Her Highness Lilia.”
“Ahhhhh… I’m ashamed… If you say that…”
When my hand touched her, Lilia twisted her whole body. It must have been the answer she was hoping for. Although she fell for the judo newspaper. She could forgive Lillia as much as she liked because she was cute.
‘The body really heated up.’
Lillia put on an expression of ecstasy, yet satisfaction.
“Still, after the ceremony of blessing and delivery of offerings to commemorate His Majesty’s birthday here… You can freely roam around the banquet hall here. I’ll see you again then. Mr. Julian.”
“All right. I’ll see you again then.”
Having said that, Lillia left her seat. Then, finally, the emperor entered.
***
Emperor’s birthday. And the blessing rite of the central altar to bless the birthday.
Cardinal Grius and the high-ranking bishops of the central order continued the old-fashioned religious ceremony. A solemn figure worthy of being drawn in medieval religious paintings.
However, even so, the emperor did not feel the dignity at all to represent the Holy Empire. Everywhere I looked, it was normal.
‘I can’t believe he’s Lillia’s older brother.’
Although, of course, her half-brother. Unlike Lilia, one of the most beautiful women on the continent, the emperor looked like an ordinary middle-aged man in his 40s.
Rather, the one who sticks close to him and presides over all the ceremonies. Because Cardinal Grius looked more dignified.
A long, neat gray beard. And a person whose raised eyebrows look unusual. He was Cardinal Grius.
Ruler of the empire. A corrupt priest who enjoyed all kinds of luxury by the emperor and cast a dark cloud over the empire.
And in Part 2 of Demon King’s Slaughter, he was a mid-boss who was decapitated by Lucia’s biological father, Duke Pedro.
‘If you successfully complete the nest attack. I have to deal with the author first before Duke Pedro does anything.’
While you’re thinking like that. The blessing ceremony is over. Next is the time when the envoys from the territories of each feudal lord offer tribute to celebrate the birthday.
My gaze met Viscount Mason’s.
