Chapter 9: the banquet (7)

The 102nd emperor of the Randrind empire, Valen Adler Randrind the 3rd.

That was the person who just appeared at this banquet.

((Oh yeah, come to think of it I did see this coming))

Although he Markus was surprised earlier he suddenly remembered that the [eyes of the puppeteer] also showed him this earlier, but he kinda forgot since he was more focus on dealing with the young man in love to care at that time.

((Precognition is an op ability, but I guess it can't be helped if the user has human flaws huh...))

Markus thought, realizing that he still needed to practice more with this skill, it is surprisingly hard to both see into the future and live in the moment at the same time, even for this artificially made genius.

The characteristics of the emperor of this empire are always light blue hair and eyes. This color is called "majestic Blue".

When the emperor has a child with a partner from any race, the child either inherits the "majestic Blue" or completely inherits the characteristics of the partner, it seems to be either or.

((In a sense, this is also a unique inheritance such as the "Magic Eyes" of house Rosewood))

Since "majestic Blue" can appear in both men and women, so it is quite possible for a woman to become the emperor.

However, if the "majestic Blue" does not appear, they will live as a relative of the royal family without being called "imperial Prince" or "Imperial Princess"–in which case, they can't even call themselves "Duke".

Only those who have the "majestic Blue" can be dukes. And of course, "majestic Blue" can disappear going down the family line, but even if it disappears, the duke status will not be revoked. Thus, although House Jackson has halfling family lineage, they are still dukes

((The "majestic Blue" is a special color and is the most noble color in the Randrind empire, I learned from the private tutor))

Markus reviewed the information he had on the royal family in his mind.

"His Majesty the emperor himself!?"

"Why is His Majesty here?"

"Is His Majesty the Prince's attendant!?"

Clamor was at its peak.

However, the children at the table where Markus was (the highest ranking spot in the venue) knelt and bowed their heads, and Markus, as well as other escorts, followed suit.

Following that, the same thing happened at other tables. The large venue became silent, as everyone bowed.

On the outside, the afterglow of sunset disappeared, and darkness suitable for a new moon night covered the skies.

However, the chandeliers in the hall cast a brilliant light.

The footsteps of the imperial prince and the emperor approached Markus and co.

((The aura is amazing. Akashi-kun from "Kuroko's Basketball" would probably say, "He's tall"… Ah, it's painful that no one in this world will understand my references!))

Markus thought, his Kazuki side was suddenly feeling homesick.

"Uh, um… Everyone, please raise your heads. I am also a participant in the same banquet as everyone, after all"

The third Prince's formal speech absolutely didn't fit his incredibly child like voice

But no one raised their head.

"Uh, umm..."

The Prince's flustered noise was heard in the silent hall.

"-Did you guys not hear that? Raise your heads"

Then a deep voice rang, if a glass was nearby, it would've definitely vibrated from the low frequency. First, the two from the duke houses raised their heads, and then, two from the marquis house raised her head (including Markus and the young lady) and then it was okay for everyone else to raise their heads. So they did.

Needless to even check who told them to raise our heads, it was the emperor himself.

((Looking directly at him, his aura was quite incredible. Something looks to be shining. Eh, is it mana? Is he leaking mana? Isn't that bad, emperor?))

Markus assessed.

"I'm sorry. If I had informed my arrival, it would've been a big fuss, so I kept it on the down low. Just think of me as Charles's escort"

The emperor stated as if everything was fine and dandy.

((It's still a big fuss if you come without saying, though?…I'm sure everyone is thinking that, but no one is saying a thing....it's probably because the other person was the emperor himself))

The troubles just keep coming towards Markus one after another, making him stressed, but Markus was someone who worked very well even under extreme situations of desperation and pressure so he didn't have a strong reaction towards this.

Prince Charles seemed relieved because everyone got up so he walked up to the same table as Sophia and the other high ranking nobles and took his seat.

Following that, the emperor stood behind Prince Charles and surveyed the people at the table.

((Is he serious about being treated as an escort? Is that really ok? But no one can sit as long as the emperor is standing, right?))

Markus was exasperated beyond belief.

"…Your Majesty, please don't make jokes"

The giant escort of Lady Mira suddenly voiced out an objection.

((Holy shit!!! The gray bear spoke!!!…oh wait, that is just the Berserker standing behind Lady Mira. Oh, the Berserker was the one who spoke huh… I'm relieved))

Having his faith in humanity restored thanks to someone in this room having some sense, Markus breathed a sigh of relief.

((I mean not...An escort can't simply talk to the emperor, isn't that's really bad?))

But then he realized who spoke and lost all of his relief again.

"What? You also took up being an escort for your own child, right, Your Excellency Border Margrave Phrasein?"

The emperor cast a sharp glance by raising his eyebrows.

((Wait a minute, Berserker was the Border margrave himself!?))

Markus's head has been spun more times than it will ever be for the rest of his life today.

Even the young lady and the sons of the duke houses were surprised.

((Wait! There are other cases where the escort himself is a VIP? Let's check. Luke's escort is Arthur, so his identity is in the clear. And Lady Charlotte's cool-guy escort is… looking at the whole scene with his mouth agape, so there's no need to worry about him. Though, I'm not really sure if he can perform his duties as an escort))

Markus started side eyeing the people in this venue right now, taking a closer look at everyone currently in the room.

((And as for the Halfling escort of Lord Ethan… Yeah, she's intently staring at me. "I don't have a secret identity that I'm hiding. I'm not a kinder egg with a surprise"))

In order to pass on a message along those lines, Markus raised both hands up and shook his head. Whether she got his message or not, she nodded with an "Umu."

((What does that "Umu" mean?))

Markus head was aching.

"If so, let us concentrate on the role of escort"

The margrave said, giving up on this argument

"Yeah, I'm going to do that too. Hey, you guys! How long are you going to be standing? Sit down already"

the emperor said.

((In which part of the world does the escort tells the guests to "Sit down already"?...Actually on second thought I don't want to know))

Markus was exasperated beyond belief, this might be what it means to be powerful people. They can't understand the feelings of lower-class people. It's like they live in a completely different and detached world from the rest.

((But I guess they're not that much different from me in that sense...))

Markus thought about the similarities between him and these people, namely the fact that he himself also lives in his own solitary and isolated world, away from the eveyone and everything else.

When Markus noticed, an orchestra appeared from the corner of the hall and started playing music. They played a stringed instrument similar to a violin, and it was a pleasant, mellow music which did not disturb the conversations in the hall.

A servant of the mansion brought a chair to the Holy King, but the Holy King rejected it saying, "Have you ever seen an escort sit?" making the servant grow pale.

((You see! they don't understand the feeling of lower-class people at all))

Markus sympathized with the servants, which is rare since as a former operative of Executor, he was trained at birth to not possess neither sympathy nor empathy.

The banquet finally began, something like a ceremony program was placed on the table. It had the menu name for the dishes, and there seems to be a greeting from the sponsor mid-way through the banquet.

A high ranking noble is supposedly the sponsor, and the name "House Duke Rozier", Luke' house, was written on it.

((What if the Duke himself is coming? The number of VIPs will further increase? I can see several children who are feeling suffocated by the fact that not only the emperor but the Border margrave himself is also here. Do they not plan to let these children catch their breath?))

Markus felt it was hard to breathe.

((Why can't you just give me a break?! Do you derive pleasure from torturing me or something?!))

What little excitement Markus had for this banquet in the beginning faded into nothingness, now he just wanted for all this to end as quickly as possible.

"Uh, umm, everyone who turned 11 this year, nice to meet you. My name is Charles. Please don't mind the empe… the escort behind me"

Since no one uttered a word, the third Prince tried his best to strike a conversation, but there's no way anyone can not mind the emperor.

"Charles-sama, it's been a while"

"Oh, Luke. Yes, it's been a while"

((I guess the two were already acquainted with each other, seeing as they are having a relaxed exchange))

"Hmm? Did you change your hair color?"

"!? Eh, yeah, I just… felt like it"

((Liar...also who the fvck would die their hair blonde to attract a lady's attention?! Do girls in this world find boys with blonde hair attractive or something? Since when did that trend became a thing?))

Markus unconsciously looked at Luke with a disgusted disposition, insulting him by calling him names like "simp" in his head.

With cold sweat beading on his forehead, Luke gave Lady Sophia a sidelong glance. Prince Charles noticed it, and turned his eyes towards Lady Sophia, and was stunned.

Sensing the atmosphere Markus only had one thought:

((Oh, god damn it!!!! not another one!))

"I am meeting you for the first time, imperial Prince Charles-sama. I am Sophia, the eldest daughter of House marquis Rosewood"

Since she was sitting in a chair, Sophia only bowed slightly, but Prince Charles had his eyes glued on her.

"What is the matter, Charles-sama?"

Sophia asked, showing concern for Charles's strange behavior.

"…Ah, eh, uh…may I ask for your name?"

Charles stuttered, it seems like he was too focused on Sophia's beauty to properly listen to her self introduction.

(((Sighs)...unrivaled beauty is both a blessing and a curse at the same time, isn't it?))

Markus thought, looking at Sophia. His fear of what Sophia could accomplish with just her looks alone have unfortunately been realized.

"As I said, it's Sophia Rosewood"

Although Sophia was irritated by this, she didn't get too annoyed as she thought Charles was still just a growing child so she put on her poker face and introduced herself again.

Maybe it was because she's been spending too much time with the unrealistically mature Markus but she had all but forgotten about these types of boys like Charles and Luke, which she hated with a passion.

"I-I see! You're called Sophia Rosewood, yes. It's a slightly long name. Which house do you come fro— Ouch!?"

The emperor dropped a knuckle on Prince Charles's head.

((No, no. The escort shouldn't bring harm to his host...))

((...is what I would say, but he totally deserved that))

Slightly satisfied at this turn of events, Markus's mood brightened a bit.

((But seriously, How can someone be THIS stupid?!...wait a minute, is this the infamous so called dense anime protagonist effect that Haruki-senpai had talked about?))

Markus once again escaped from reality, which is typical of him.

"Calm down, Charles. Young Miss, you are… Al's daughter, I see"

The emperor took a closer look at Sophia, he seemed checking something.

Yes, Your Majesty. House Rosewood is grateful for Your Majesty's brilliant light—"

Seeing an opportunity to garner the ruler of this country's favor and potentially have him help her with a goals in the future, Sophia took Markus's advise and tried to sweet-talk the emperor.

((Nice! You've got guts milady))

Seeing this, Markus wanted to smirk due to how proud he was of Sophia but couldn't for various reasons.

"Stop, stop. Those things are unneeded right now!"

When the emperor addressed her, the lady Sophia descended from her chair, knelt down, and bowed her head, but it was the emperor himself who stopped her.

"Sit down, sit down. You all are the main characters today"

((Many people must be thinking:"The person who stands out more than the main characters shouldn't be the one saying that!"))

Markus retorted inwardly.

"…I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty"

Seeing that her tactics didn't work, Sophia was slightly disheartened.

((Don't worry milady, you'll get him next time))

Markus consoled her in his head.

When the young lady returned to her chair, the aperitif was carried in.

The table was lined with white plates, and a fork and knife of pure silver polished like a mirror. The center of the table was empty, dishes served on a platter will be placed there.

The aperitif was a glass of various colors containing drink which tasted like fermented apple cider, it was sweeter than cider.

The young lady took a sip of the aperitif and placed the glass back on the table, Luke and Lady Mira were absentmindedly watching her each and every move.

It was pleasant to watch, Markus wondered if the escorts would get to eat too…Most probably not

As he was thinking that, another vision came from Markus's skill which soured his mood even more (he didn't even think that was possible).

((Really?! Again?!!!! Arghhhh...))

As was foretold by Markus's skill, the emperor spoke:

"By the way, Al's daughter, are you engaged?"