Eustia Banquet (14)
Click.
Click.
Click.
A graceful girl with sparkling silver hair appeared,
and the sound of small heels echoed through the banquet hall.
A pure white dress trailed behind her like smoke.
Her steps were beautiful, her bearing elegant.
A silence fell so profound that it was difficult to even breathe.
Even the piano music playing in the background stopped.
Astonishment, bewilderment, disbelief, suspicion.
These emotions filled the gazes directed at the petite girl.
The stunned nobles couldn't hide their astonishment.
“……Selena Yohaiden…….”
“She really came……”
“Why would Yohaiden be at Eustia's banquet…….”
“Th, this has never happened before……”
Everyone's words trailed off as they stared at the girl with shocked faces.
Most of the people here were nobles of the pro-Eustia faction.
However, none of them took Selena's appearance lightly.
A rival family that had been competing with Eustia for a long time.
A great ducal family, their superiority impossible to determine.
And this was the youngest daughter of Yohaiden.
With a determined expression, Selena slightly lifted her chin and met the gaze of the red-haired girl.
The first to speak was the host of the banquet,
Iriel Eustia.
“Lady Selena Yohaiden.”
“Yes, Lady Iriel Eustia.”
“What brings you to this humble place?”
“I received a banquet invitation, so I came to attend. This humble self, gracing this shabby place with my presence.”
Ha.
Iriel scoffed and turned her head.
The pro-Eustia nobles were looking at her with expectant eyes.
She could feel everyone's attention focused on her conversation with Selena.
‘Tsk, what a shame I can't crush her spirits here.’
Iriel lifted one corner of her mouth and spoke softly.
“The way out is that way.”
“Oh my, is it Eustia's way to kick someone out right after giving them an invitation? I must have our family learn from this.”
“It seems that speaking such shameless words is Yohaiden's way. We have much to learn as well.”
Their tone was aristocratic and nonchalant, but their words were laced with sharp knives.
The two daughters exchanged barbs, neither yielding an inch.
“Selena Yohaiden, do you truly understand the meaning of your presence here?”
“Yes, I understand perfectly. I, Selena Yohaiden, have broken the long-standing unspoken rule between our families.”
“And you have the audacity to come here knowing that?”
“Of course. Because the person I want to meet is here. What can I say? I couldn't help but come since they are here.”
Sigh.
“You truly are a troublesome person.”
Selena let out a heavy sigh and shook her head as if she couldn't help it.
“You said you wanted to meet someone?”
“Yes, and I want to introduce them to everyone. To show them just how precious this person is to me.”
Someone precious to Selena Yohaiden?
As if her appearance wasn't shocking enough, the words that left her mouth were even more unexpected.
Names of the First Prince, the Second Prince, and other high-ranking nobles flashed through their minds and disappeared.
“So, I'm going to borrow this stage to make my announcement. It would be too troublesome to gather everyone separately.”
“……!”
“What's wrong? This much is alright between us, isn't it?”
Grit.
Iriel knew that this situation was a carefully crafted script.
However, seeing Selena's sly expression as she brazenly declared her intention to use Eustia's banquet for her own purposes made Iriel's blood boil.
And that reaction made Iriel's acting all the more convincing. No one suspected that this was a stage she and Selena had set up beforehand.
After a moment, Selena looked around and stopped her gaze at one spot.
“Zeke Clayman.”
Selena called Zeke's name.
“My benefactor.”
A dazzling smile spread across her face.
“Come to my side.”
At her call, Zeke walked towards Selena with a straight face.
The eyes of the crowd followed his every step.
Zeke stood expressionlessly beside Selena.
“Let me introduce him to you all. The swordsmanship instructor of Ramielli Academy, Zeke Clayman.”
Selena spread her arms wide.
“This gentleman saved my life when I was attacked by monsters on my way to Ramielli Academy. I was in mortal danger.”
She glanced around at the audience, her eyes taking in their various expressions.
“Therefore, in front of everyone gathered here, in my name,”
- If anyone dares to harm Instructor Clayman…
“And in the name of my family,”
- I want you to think carefully about the consequences. Especially you, Eustia.
“I, Selena Yohaiden, declare my protection over Zeke Clayman.”
* * *
“Benefactor……?”
“That guy……. So he's the rumored swordsmanship instructor, Zeke Clayman.”
“Black hair, black eyes, he must be a northern noble.”
“……Huh, he looks quite young. To think he became an instructor at Ramielli Academy at such an age.”
“I heard Lady Iriel Eustia and the Second Prince are in his class.”
“I heard the First Prince also attends indirectly.”
“Somehow……. I saw him talking with the First Prince earlier.”
After Selena's shocking declaration, a brief, awkward silence fell.
Iriel quickly instructed the musicians to start playing again, as if trying to regain control of the situation. The crowd buzzed with chatter, eager to discuss Zeke Clayman.
The youngest instructor ever appointed at Ramielli Academy.
The man who kept a low profile during the entrance ceremony.
The one who had beaten up the Second Prince.
The man connected to the First Prince.
Rumors about Zeke had been circulating for a while,
but this was the first time he had stepped forward and revealed himself so publicly.
His appearance was younger than expected, his demeanor cold.
But more importantly,
[ Why make such a declaration at Eustia's banquet? ]
He had appeared just as the ball was about to begin, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
Iriel had assumed Selena was here to disrupt the banquet.
She had expected her to bring up the royal family or provoke Eustia directly.
This unexpected turn of events left her puzzled.
However, those from Eustia who knew the truth were flabbergasted.
Hades, who had been planning to approach Zeke later, stiffened.
‘Zeke Clayman is Yohaiden's benefactor? But that guy is clearly…….’
He glanced at Iriel, but she was biting her lip, seemingly caught off guard as well.
‘That bastard used Yohaiden as a shield to escape Eustia's pursuit……. To protect Lady Iriel……. But this complicates things.’
They had agreed to keep Zeke at Ramielli, but only under the condition of maintaining a safe distance.
However, Selena's involvement had thrown a wrench into their plans.
With Yohaiden offering him protection, even minimal contact would be difficult.
‘Damn it. I should have met and talked to him sooner.’
He cursed himself for prioritizing the pursuit of <Lost Hope> over Zeke.
Just then, the First Prince approached Iriel.
“Iriel Eustia.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“May I have this dance?”
The First Prince offered his hand to Iriel, requesting a dance.
However, his stiff expression betrayed an ulterior motive.
“Yes, with pleasure.”
Regardless of his intentions, accepting the First Prince's invitation would solidify her standing.
Iriel lightly placed her hand in his.
As they began to dance, the First Prince leaned in and whispered.
“What was that about? Zeke Clayman being Selena Yohaiden's benefactor?”
The First Prince cut straight to the chase.
“……I have no idea.”
“This isn't good. Not good at all, Iriel Eustia. Weren't you the one who placed Zeke Clayman here?”
The First Prince, still smarting from his recent humiliation at Zeke's hands, was no longer his usual composed self.
His tone was accusatory, as if blaming Iriel for failing to manage her own pawn.
He had even declared his support for the Second Prince, Rosnante.
Now, there was a chance that Yohaiden might also throw their weight behind the Second Prince.
That was why he had sought out Iriel Eustia.
Iriel glanced towards Selena as they danced.
Zeke Clayman was kneeling on one knee, requesting a dance from Selena.
Grit.
“……I was about to ask him myself. Please refrain from prying into matters you know nothing about.”
“……My apologies, Lady Iriel. Hmm?”
The First Prince tilted his head slightly.
“By the way, Iriel Eustia. Have you always been so composed? Rumor has it that you shouldn't be so calm given the current situation……”
“Do you think I should slap Selena Yohaiden across the face?!”
“Hmm? You're not fazed even though your pawn has seemingly switched sides to Yohaiden?”
Iriel swallowed hard.
‘The First Prince is as perceptive as they say.’
“Ha, Your Highness, you jest. There's no way Zeke Clayman would betray me.”
Iriel stared intently at the First Prince, her voice filled with conviction.
The First Prince's pupils dilated momentarily at her words.
“……Don't tell me……. A spi…….”
Shhh.
Iriel placed her index finger on his lips and winked.
“You shouldn't say anything more, Your Highness. Besides, you seem different from your usual self. Could this be your true nature?”
“……!”
The First Prince realized he had been letting his guard down.
But he couldn't help it.
‘Damn it. That bastard Zeke Clayman is connected to both Eustia and Yohaiden.’
Two of the most powerful ducal families, both supporting him
Their most prized daughters,
both entangled with Zeke Clayman.
He was becoming a formidable opponent.
The First Prince couldn't help but recall Zeke's parting words from earlier.
[ Let me add one more thing. You will come looking for me again after tonight's banquet. Let's continue our conversation then. And when that time comes, I expect your attitude to be different. ]
‘Damn it all.’
The First Prince clenched his jaw.
Suddenly, it was as if lightning struck him.
‘Wait a minute. What if I secretly contact Selena Yohaiden and reveal that Zeke Clayman is a spy?’
If he did that, it would inevitably drive a wedge between Iriel Eustia and Zeke Clayman.
He might not be able to stop them from supporting the Second Prince, but if he could secure Yohaiden's allegiance…
Gaining one of the two opposing forces would be a strategic advantage.
Illois Lionheart gazed coldly at the beautiful girl with ruby eyes who was dancing with him.
‘Yes, you'll be my sacrificial lamb, Iriel Eustia.’
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