Celebration part 7

As planned, someone actually came up to me to inform me about the color of my dress. And luckily it was someone who definitely holds a high position in the political world and social circles.

I did not tried to hide it from her as he was my target. She, who heard my conversation with the vice-captain of the imperial knights, cocked an eyebrow. A trait that can only be found from the Theano household, where they would cock their brows when something interest them, positively or negatively.

"Her majesty, Empress Lucia Arte Vanifi. His highness the first prince, prince Diego Arte Vanifi. And the his highness the second prince, prince Henry Arte Vanifi has arrived!"

The three siblings elegantly entered the banquet hall. Everyone bowed as the three walk up to their seats full of dignity and pride, a presence befitting for members of the royal family that holds the most power in the entire continent.

Her majesty gestured and everybody sat down except for her.

"I am happy that you all have come to this joyous occasion to celebrate my brother's coming of age ceremony. However...."

John gave the list of nobles that was divided into two categories; Those who openly insulted me and those who whispered insults to me.

"I am greatly disappointed at you all. How dare you all criticize my honored guest who worked hard to prepare this seven day celebration for a member of the imperial family"

She said as she wave the paper that had the names of the majority of nobles present in the banquet hall.

Obviously, they didn't thought that they would hear it from the empress that would normally not tolerate the slightest arrogance from someone. And yet, here she is, defending an outsider from her own subjects prejudice.

'It seems like those who can read the room got her message.'

-What message do you mean, master?

'What she is saying and the thing she is doing is not her normal self. This means that something caught her eye, enough for her to bend her knees a bit to tolerate such impudence. Though I'm sure she sees my arrogance as purely entertainment'

-What a weird woman she is.

'It is not something that can be avoided. The greater a person, the likelihood of them having a weird side gets higher. So it is normal among geniuses'

I have seen a lot in my experience. Those who are exceptionally better than others tend to be quirky people who have weird antics.

"Your majesty, may I?"

By prince Diego's request, Empress Lucia sat down and he stood up, facing all the nobles.

"The reason why Lady Dianna Emond is allowed for wearing her black dress is because of two reasons; First, which is her love for her country, and second, the merit she has earned in the short time she was here. Anyone who oppose this will mean opposing the imperial family. Do you all understand that?"

Silence befell the entire banquet hall. It was a sign of obedience from the citizens of the empire and their fear towards the imperial family who rules over the most powerful country in the continent.

"Now, no need to problem ourselves in such trivialities. Let us now commence my coming of age ceremony!"

The musicians played their instruments once more, livening up the entire banquet hall and got rid of the uneasiness of the nobles by a bit.

The nobles went to the center and dance to the beat of the music.

"What will you do my lady? Should I give them a warning?"

"I don't really care about the nobles that are eyeing on me"

"I doubt that it would be fine for other people"

Using his eyes, he pointed towards the direction of the two princes. The princes were all taking notes of the nobles who were looking at me.

I ignored the two princes and tried to enjoy the banquet for today. But the world of novel will always, and always, make life harder for the villainess.

A young pink haired man came up to me and sat on the table.

"Hello, lady Emond, I am viscount Taylor. It is a pleasure to meet you"

"The pleasure is all mine, viscount. So what brought you here to my table?"

"...."

"What's wrong? Is something bothering you? Or did the letter that you received shock you that much"

John stared and scan the trembling viscount. As someone who knows that I know a lot of things that are meant to be known by a fourteen year old made him understood the big picture.

"John, I am a bit worried for Samuel. Please bring some food for him"

He bowed and left.

"I warned you. Because you didn't pay heed and listen to what I said, your father died. Anyways, I am sure that is not why you are here. Are you perhaps here for advice?"

He nodded.

"I... I don't now what to do. And I believe someone like you who somehow knew my father's secret would know what to do"

A noble's pride is not something to be underestimated since it is sometimes even more ferocious that a warrior's tenacity once damaged. And yet here he is , pleading for my help.

"I can help you, in one condition"

"What is it?"

"I will invite you to come to the emerald palace after the prince's coming of age ceremony. We can't really tall right now since the empress knows what we are talking about"

"What do you mean about that, lady Emond?"

He glance around and saw that no one was nearby who can possibly eavesdrop on us. Of course, the fact that talking to me about this is risky for him.

We were in the corner of the banquet hall so it would be impossible for someone to listen to us, normally that is.

"You see, someone is listening on us and I don't think this would be the best place for us to talk"

He was persuaded by my words and left after I gave him some tips on what to do for the next week.