1
The sense of relief brought by her momentary success didn't carry Izumi for long. Following a straight passage framed with slim little fruit trees, marble pillars, and lanterns, she came to the vast front yard.
What she saw first was a tall fountain decorated with life-like marble statues, before wide, white stone stairs that led up to the main building's entrance. Long tables had been set in two long lines to divide the spacious yard lengthwise, in anticipation of a buffet-style service. At the moment, however, the tables remained largely empty of anything substantial, with only slices of bread, fruits, drinks, and some light cocktail snacks set up.
First in the program, the host would step forward to open the banquet with a speech, thanking the guests for coming and introducing whatever agenda he wanted their attention with. Then, a toast would be raised. It was only then that the servants would bring over the food and wine, and the “socializing” could begin at full throttle.
Being from another world—or rather, being who she was—Izumi naturally knew nothing about party etiquette, and Riswelze, under the illusion that she at least had the basics covered, hadn't bothered to describe the proceedings in detail.
Fortunately, Izumi had few chances to advertise her ignorance.
Already upwards a hundred guests were present, split into smaller groups here and there to exchange greetings. Though even that many people were nowhere near enough to make the festival grounds look crowded, the lone earthling viewed it in a different light. Izumi felt no different from a rabbit thrown out to an open field where falcons preyed.
Quickly withdrawing to the side, she disguised herself as an inconsequential NPC, determined not to move a muscle, not to look at anybody, and only repeat the same rehearsed platitudes when spoken to. The mission to locate the fireworks and come up with a way to set them off had all but vanished from her distressed mind.
I want to die. Could I please die now?
—“Madam.”
“Hi——?”
Unfortunately for Izumi, a servant had already spotted the newcomer and wasted no time bringing her a glass. A slim glass filled with light, bubbly, golden liquid stood on a silver plate in the servant's hands.
Recovering from her initial shock, Izumi grabbed the glass and—emptied it in one gulp, returning it to the plate.
“Ah, that hit the spot! Thanks, Jeeves.”
“Er...”
Of course, the glass had been given with the up-coming toast in mind. The servant courteously informed the pretending Baroness of the matter.
“Eeh? Ah? Yes, of course! I knew that! Please forgive me! I forgot! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!” Izumi frantically bowed many times.
“N-no, it's not an offense demanding an apology, madam, please…raise your head...!”
The other guests didn't know what the scene was about, but seeing a mere attendant make a noble so abashed—a lonely, older woman, no less—quickly earned the poor man some deeply disapproving glares. A few minutes later, that servant was not seen serving drinks anymore.
“I wonder if we will get to eat soon?” Izumi pondered. As nothing worth mentioning was happening, she was starting to slowly regain her courage. “I skipped lunch too, thinking I'd have a free, eat-all-you-can service here...”
In spite of her best efforts to become one with the background, there was no way Izumi could remain alone for long.
A tall, burly man soon detached himself from one of the chattering groups and composedly made his way to her across the yard.
He had to have been at least six feet and a half, dressed in a militaristic, blue-gray uniform. Two long rows of bronze buttons went vertically down the front of his coat, with several shorter lines of no less gaudy medals cutting horizontally across. He had a thick but tidily trimmed beard framing his square jaw, brown eyes with a strong but friendly look to them, and his short, dark gray hair he had combed stylishly backward. He seemed to be older than Izumi in age. Considering his intimidating presence, it was a mystery how well he had managed to blend into the crowd before.
Worried that he had noticed something suspicious about her behavior and was coming to expose her as a fraud, Izumi bit her lip and stiffened up.
Which way should she start running?
However, her fears soon proved premature.
“Good evening, madam,” the man stopped in front of her and politely greeted Izumi with a bow. His deep voice, resonating within his mighty body, matched his looks, but the tone of it was unexpectedly suave. “I hope you don't find me intrusive in my query, but I would much like to learn your name, young madam. I believe I have not had that pleasure in the past.”
“Y-young…?”
Whoa, sleek.
“I...I'm Ilyene, a baroness,” Izumi answered in short, having already forgotten the rest of her long-winded title. “I'm still new around here and only recently became a noble and...so, I don't know much about this land and its people yet. That's about it...”
Fortunately, the man could connect the dots on his own, by natural process of elimination.
“I see,” he said, “your property would not happen to be that of Letham, whence the old Baron recently passed away, would it?”
“Oh, that was it,” the woman nodded. “You're well-informed, uncle.”
“Uncle…?” The man looked surprised by Izumi's excessive, reflexive familiarity, which she immediately regretted. With the overly blunt cartoons and games as her primary social role models, Izumi’s poor behavior couldn’t be helped. But again, the man proved to be unexpectedly flexible. Quickly recovering, he burst into classy laughter, “Ha, ha, ha! Indeed, I am doing you injustice, demanding names and giving none in return. I am General Olliver Matis Grohn, of the Royal Army of Luctretz. And your humble servant, milady.”
“Ooh, a general?” Izumi said, impressed. “Now that I think back, I saw another general earlier, outside. Sure makes me feel safer with so many warriors around!”
“Ah, are you perhaps referring to old Morwain?” the General asked. “What a coincidence, I hadn't heard he was here. Retired he may now be, but I have had the honor of calling that man my superior and mentor, back in the days I was but a student of war. Oh, so time flies. I oftentimes wish I could go back to those innocent days of yore.”
“I know that feeling! I totally do,” Izumi agreed and sighed. “There were so many things in the past I'd like to do otherwise, if only I could. But there are no second chances in life, are there?”
“You've dressed the harsh truth in fair words. But what regrets could there possibly be on the path that has brought you before my eyes tonight? I must confess, where you lament the fickle passage of time, I thank the Divines. For witnessing beauty like yours makes me feel privileged to the highest degree.”
“Eeh, what are you saying?” Izumi bashfully gasped. “I'm not pretty at all! You're being rather bold there, Mister General! Do they teach nothing in that army of yours but going on the offensive?”
“Touché! Ha, ha, ha!” the man laughed again. “I pardon if I've made myself look crude, but even though they call me a noble by heritage, I am deep down a simple man of the army. And as such, may only report the truth the way it appears in my eyes. I assure you, for the truth of your fairness there is no disguise. Which begs the question—why is a flower as gorgeous as yourself left unattended here, among these toxic tongues? Where is the husband to grip your hand and shield you from the malice that lurks in the hearts of these rich and wretched, right as it is about to be unleashed by the flowing of wine?”
“That is a bit of a troubling question,” Izumi responded, looking away. “It so happens my husband couldn't endure the toils of our long journey to barondom, and left me to walk this world by myself. Sniff. I have to admit, I’m a bit anxious over what will happen. All I wanted was to forget the sorrows of the past, not find even more...”
“Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss, milady,” the General bowed again, before resuming, “painful as it undoubtedly is, please hear me out. For I understand your grief only too well. My stars of fortune hardly shine any brighter. It has now been five winters since my poor wife succumbed to the labors of childbirth, leaving me but half a man. Since our share in fate is the same, nothing would please me more but to help stave off your grieves. For the duration of our fine Mayor's banquet, at least. If only you allow it, my fair lady.”
This guy is a bit heavy, in a lot of ways…
Izumi was slightly reluctant to go along with it, but on the other hand, she did see the upsides of the situation. In General Grohn's weighty presence, even the surrounding crowds became minimized, their stares notably easier to endure. If the man's company helped avoid suspicion from the hosts, or keep anyone else from making awkward passes at her, it was probably for the best to go along with it. How she should get rid of him in the end to carry out her mission—well, she could worry about it when the time came.
“I suppose it's fine then...” Izumi ended up saying.
“Excellent!” the General nodded with an encouraged smile. “I shall not fail your trust.”
Of course, Izumi was not as naive as to misunderstand her new companion's motivations. Innocently keeping her from feeling lonely was probably not even the prologue to what he had in mind. Izumi was inexperienced, not born yesterday. She had seen a number of pick-up attempts in her home world as well, though they were quite a bit less flowery and more to the point.
Wait a minute, doesn't that mean—isn't there a very real chance that I'll stop being a maiden tonight?
At that notion, Izumi's train of thought, which had discreetly derailed again, fell off the track completely.
Like an overheating steam engine, she first turned bright red; then all the blood drained from her head and she fell white as a sheet, swaying dizzily with a hollow look.
“Milady!?” The General observed her state with concern. “Are you all right? You look ill! Would you like to lay down for a moment?”
“L-l-l-l-lay down!?” Izumi recovered, turning red again. “N-n-no. No way. Not at all. Not at the moment, I mean. Maybe in the future, who knows? I wonder. The world is a strange place, isn't it! Ahahaha!”
“Um, it certainly is...”
With a guy like that? No way, no! Absolutely not! I always wanted my first time to be something special! With someone I could actually lo-lov...But then again, I'm already almost forty. Who else would have me? You only get so many miracles in life. If I say no here, will I remain an old maid to the end of my days? He's a general, at least. Better than a nobody, right? Isn't it fine? No, remember the mission! I had a mission! That's right, I'm here to see Yule, that's all. But anything might happen along the way, not like it would take long...No, would it take long? Should it take long? I don't know! How would I know!?
“Ooohhh—!”
At that moment, Izumi's troubles were momentarily swept away by the excited sounds of awe produced by the guests around the yard. Over time, even more people had arrived in their colorful costumes, and now, with most of them gathered, all those people turned their attention towards the manor and the staircase, where the host of the night was making his appearance.
Izumi followed their example.
Walking down the stairs in an immaculate white tie and tails, was a dark-haired youth. For being a duke as well as the mayor of the whole town, he certainly looked young, well younger than Izumi.
But her gaze wouldn't linger on the man for long.
Next to the Mayor walked a beautiful and dignified girl, even younger than he was, in a stunning vermilion ball gown adorned with countless, rosy little bow knots, her hand resting on his arm. Her rosy hair was braided and tied up, showing her prideful, valiant face unobstructed.
“Oh, it's Yule.”
Though she already knew the girl had been brought here and expected to run into her sooner or later, Izumi felt her pulse quicken at the sight. There seemed to be nothing wrong with Yuliana on the outside. But that blood-red dress made Izumi inexplicably uneasy. Guilty.
“You know the mistress?” the General asked her. “She does have a sort of familiar face. I could swear I have seen her before, but where could that have been...”
“Ahaha, no, my mistake...” Izumi denied, remembering that she was supposed to be from far away. Claiming to be acquainted with the Langorian princess would've been too weird.
Izumi's attention was next drawn to a third figure, following a few steps behind the Duke and the princess. A man seemingly between the other two in age, his attire of choice wasn't very festive—a black robe that veiled his body from neck to feet, its long hems trailing behind. It was surprising he could walk without tripping. Holding onto a long, black staff, the man looked like a grim reaper haunting the happy couple, effectively ruining the mood.
“You know the wizard?” Izumi asked.
“Eh, pardon me?” The General raised his brows.
“Yeah, the one behind. The black one. With the staff and all.”
“What ominous things are you saying, milady?” General Grohn looked disturbed, scanning the yard again with his eyes. “Where, pray tell, do you see such a vision? Try not to frighten me, for I take poorly to wraiths! Let that not be a demerit to my manhood, but I had a nasty encounter with a few apparitions in the past, patrolling the western shores...I shall never forget that stormy night...”
“Hmm…?”
Though the description should've left no room for error, it seemed the General had no idea who she was talking about.
Did he forget his goggles at home? I'm not seeing things, am I…?
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
The Duke reached the lowest platform a bit above the audience, which had a guarded extension suited for giving speeches. Spreading his hands wide, he waited for the applauding guests to fall silent.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Greetings to you all!” he began with a steady voice, like a veteran performer. “You all know me, I believe, but allow me...I love introducing myself, no matter how many times I do it. I am Norenbagh Walington, a fool calling himself the Duke of Haywell, the Mayor of the beautiful town of Grelden, a humble servant of yours, a servant of your children, and your elders. And as such, I intend to ensure that tonight will become a memory you will cherish for all time.”
Everyone applauded and cheered loudly.
Clap, clap, Izumi hit her hands together for appearance's sake, annoyed by the over-confident smirk on the Duke’s face.
I don't like this one.
“Thank you,” the Duke continued after a pause. “Thank you kindly. Before we get to the eating and singing—and certainly before any drinking—I have some sobering news for you all. In a good way. Great news. Beautiful news. What I'm about to share with you, my dear guests, you will hear before anybody else in our wide world. I hope you find it in you to appreciate that fact. Because soon—I guarantee this—indeed the whole world from Yornvik to Tuestia will gush over what remains only briefly unknown to you. Yes. The wonderful woman standing by my side should need introductions even less than I do. Still, since I'm sure some of you find it just a little hard to believe, to the point of doubting your own eyes, let me confirm it now beyond any sliver of a doubt. Here stands none other than her royal highness, the First Princess of the proud kingdom of Langoria—Yuliana Da Via Brannan!”
A sea of astonished gasps and murmur filled Izumi's ears.
The hundreds of guests were understandably shocked by the reveal.
“What in the world...!” General Grohn also exclaimed, his jaw falling.
But the Duke soon gestured for silence and continued,
“Why is her highness here? I'm sure you're all just dying to know the reason. Let me keep you in suspense no further. For today is the day that we would like to announce to you—our engagement, no more. Please, my love. The stage is yours.”
The man stepped aside to make way for Yuliana.
An expectant, heavy silence took over the front yard, as the girl stepped forward. No one even dared to breathe. Beautifully containing her undoubtedly tumultuous emotions before the audience like a true princess, Yuliana's eyes swept over the crowd once before she spoke,
“Yes, it is as you have heard. True, every word of it. I am Yuliana Da Via Brannan of Walhollem, the sole daughter and heir to my father, King Astellen XIV. What has brought me so far away from the halls I call home, in this almost sneaky manner? The answer would be love. That's right, love. It is today, that I have given my vow to stand by this man, known to you as the Mayor of Grelden, Duke Walington, in sickness and health...”
The princess paused and closed her eyes for a bit, as though her head hurt, but quickly resumed,
“...Though I am but a woman of another land to you good people, you have no doubt already heard many things about me. Things that might make my present standing before you seem unsavory. Shameful things, like that I've already pledged myself to another man. Or that I ran from my father in disgrace, branded a traitor and an outlaw. But I assure you, none of that is correct. Even now, my heart remains undeniably true to the best interests of both the people of Langoria—as well as to those of Luctretz. Were we not one people, not so long ago? Could we not be so again? It was in my desire to see these two proud nations take a step closer to one another that I've come here, even defying my father's will in the process. Because I could not lie about the way I feel...About this overwhelming emotion, that even now makes my heart tremble...”
The corners of the princess's lips twitched a little, giving weight to her words.
“My heartfelt wish is to see the people of these two lands hold hands in mutual respect—not to witness them drift further apart by each day. I...I don't want to lose to the fear and terror our enemies sow in our midst. But only words would my wishes be, if I weren't willing to act upon them in person as well. Which is why I will henceforth work tirelessly for this goal in a lifelong partnership with my Luctretzian spouse. In hopes that our example would be wider followed.”
With a quiet thank you, Yuliana ended her speech and stepped back, covering her mouth.
The audience was deeply moved by her passionate words and the great effort apparent in their presentation. Some of the women were openly weeping. The applauds were more contained in volume than before, but warmer in spirit.
“Thank you!” The Duke hurried to reclaim the front. “To have such a strong, beautiful, dedicated woman as my bride...I won't lie. I'm the happiest darned guy in the world. But!” He slammed his hands together. “I won't hold you any longer. Keep in heart what you've seen and heard, even should your brain forget. The banquet's now on! If there's anything you miss, then let me know. I will get it for you. Even the Moon from the sky, I really feel like I could do it. Cheers!”
A servant brought him a glass, which the Duke raised, and everyone in the audience mirrored his gesture. Izumi had received a refill as well. Perfectly in sync with the host, she emptied hers in one move.
Listening to his speech and Yuliana's, Izumi's mission priorities had seen an abrupt shift, where a discreet escape no longer played any part.
She couldn't tell why, in specific.
Inside her chest now was only an ugly, mixed mess unlike anything she had felt before, and for having never known it before, she couldn't even begin to understand or contain it. But in the midst of that overboiling, venomous soup of emotion, one thought stood out perfectly clear to her, even if she couldn't find the words to explain it, even to herself.
One way or another, I'm going to kill that man.
Following yet another round of applause and approving noises, the banquet began in earnest.
A small battalion of servants stepped forward, loaded the tables in the yard with the most extravagant feast, and the guests helped themselves to the offerings in a more or less orderly fashion. While everyone's attention was momentarily taken by the menu, the Duke approached his young bride.
“Try to look a little more heartbroken, will you, my dear,” he told Yuliana. “The guests just might get this funny idea that you're being kept here against your will.”
“What do you expect of me?” the girl bitterly retorted.
“I expect you to retire for the night. Effective as it may be, the geas is hardly foolproof. I can't have you find some unlikely allies among the guests, or pass any warnings to Langoria. You there,” he nodded to a trio of knights standing further away. “Escort her majesty to the guardhouse. No need to hold back.”
“What?” Stunned, Yuliana's eyes widened, “The guardhouse? What is the meaning of this?”
“Why, I need someone to keep an eye on you, while my duties keep me busy,” the imposter answered, “and you might as well learn a trick or two instead of sitting idle, weeping all night. The men that are off-duty need their share of entertainment as well, so that they won't start to harass the guests.”
“Tricks…?” she blinked. “Entertained? What in the world…?”
“Goodness me!” The Duke lost his patience with her denseness. “Our wedding night is not far off, and I don't want inexperienced women in my bedroom! No matter how many I try, virgins are always a guaranteed disappointment. I'm telling you to see to the worldly needs of our guards—the way only a woman can. And don't come back until you know how to please a man.”
As his meaning finally cleared up to her, all color drained from Yuliana's face.
“Why...That—that is preposterous, I...That is no way to treat royalty…!”
“Oh, so now you hide behind the status? Weren't you determined to throw all your past privileges away when you ran away from your castle? How about you try the commoner perspective for once? Enough already. Take her away. I have to hear dull clacking by brainless broads more than my fill tonight. And don't you worry about minor inconveniences like pregnancy. I'm sure Joviél has an elixir or two for that. When it's time for you to bear children, they'll be from my loins, my blood, make no mistake about that.”
“You're a savage…!”
Yuliana grit her teeth.
There were hundreds of people right under her eyes, who might have been able to lend her a hand in her distress, but she could only gaze at them in helpless anguish. Her oath bound her voice, as going against her future spouse would have meant directly opposing the Emperor's plans. Even if the sovereign of Tratovia knew nothing about Yuliana's plight, personally, the dark elf's ancient magic treated any gained advantage as the new point of balance, which could not be disturbed.
And so Yuliana was escorted away, sinking deeper into the abyss of despair with each step.
My lord...is this your will as well? Are you fine with your vessel being tainted…?
Mysterious were the ways of the Divines.
The voice of Aiwesh—didn't answer.
2
Standing in the line for food, Izumi eventually stirred from her dark thoughts and then directed a question to her massive companion.
“That duke boy, I wonder what he's like?”
“Boy?” General Grohn looked amused behind his beard. “He is not much younger than myself, milady! Or do you mean to insinuate that I appear that youthful in your eyes? In that case, I must thank you kindly for the compliment.”
“Eeh, he's not? But he looks...” Izumi glanced at the platform again. “Well, I guess it doesn't matter.”
“What, this can't be the first time you see his excellency in person?” the man exclaimed, raising his thundering voice in surprise.
Wondering if she had somehow exposed herself with her comment, Izumi hurried to explain, “Ah, no, well, yes, it was to properly introduce myself that I took his invitation, of course! Being all new as a Baroness and so on!”
“I see!” the General nodded. “That is very well done of you, lady Ilyene! But, if that is your purpose, then why wait? Let us go see him right away! The delicacies will not run out on us, I'm sure, but look, good old Norenbagh is up there, ripe for the taking.”
“Eeeh!?” Izumi was again caught off-guard by her unlikely ally's straightforwardness. The thought of approaching the last boss before the story mode was cleared hadn’t seemed like an option in her mind. Neither did she want to face Yuliana like this and risk being exposed as a poser. After all, there was a very real chance that the princess was still upset with her for the earlier betrayal and would have her thrown in jail. “I-is that really all right? For us to bother such important people…? The princess is there too! A real princess...! My heart couldn't take it…!”
“Throw away all modesty there, milady!” General Grohn only laughed at her anxieties. “I dare list the good Duke among my closest friends. I've gone hunting in his merry company, and in the company of his late father a good many times, and would trust him with my back any time, anywhere. He will not fail us, you will see! Let us go congratulate the couple on their engagement! That is our duty as his guests! But, this is a bit funny, I was under the impression he was already married…?”
And so, against Izumi's feeble resistance, the huge General took her hand in his and led her away from the buffet line, up the stairs, to where the Duke remained, having just sent away his fresh bride.
“Norenbagh, my bugger!” the General greeted his old hunting partner. “It has been too long!”
In stark contrast, the Duke grimaced, looking anything but pleased to meet his old friend. Being a Duke in appearance only and even less of an old friend. The quick smile with which he received the approaching visitors was pitifully crooked.
“Isn’t this a pleasure…ow!”
“What a party you've set up, you old coot,” the General tightly gripped the Duke's hand, recalling the build of someone sturdier than the actual person. “I always thought you were humble to a fault, but I am not displeased by the change, not in the least. Your age started bearing that heavily on you? Well, let me tell you, when I hear the word 'feast', this is precisely the kind of scene I have in mind.”
“I'm glad it's to your liking...General,” the young man responded with effort, shaking his brutalized hand.
“Ooh, general! Who’s general?” the guest shook his head in displeasure. “There are no generals between you and me! Didn't we become brothers over the heartblood of that Anceller we slew? Hahaha! Your head so nearly went flying, if not for the bolt that I loosened when I did! Those were the times! What do you say?”
“Indeed, times were had. 'My friend'.”
“But you're settling down for good now? Got yourself a real princess, did you? I thought you said a woman of your own town was all you ever wanted? Indeed, I thought you already had one? Whatever happened to her? Olivia, was she? Something or the other. Well, I suppose sending off your old wench in favor of a younger princess is a temptation no man can profess resistance to. But I never took you for one of that sort. By the way, where is the new damsel?” the General looked around, as if expecting to see Yuliana hiding somewhere behind the flowerpots. “I thought I should congratulate her ladyship in person. I once saw her at a parade in the capital, back when she was only a wee little lass by her father's coattails. How quickly they grow!”
“I'm very sorry to disappoint you,” the Duke said, “but my fiancée felt ill and has retired to her quarters. She's still drained by the troubles of her stormy journey and for upsetting her dear father. You know how women are. Like delicate flowers, easily withered.”
“'The wife's strength is her husband's strength. I want myself no feather, but a rock to fall upon'—Those were your very own words, weren't they, Norenbagh,” the General reminded, a bit taken aback. “So people grow, but even after growing up, they still change! Dear me! I suppose you started to fashion yourself a gardener in your old days, after everything, when you speak so of flowers.”
“Well, a man's tastes are hard to grasp and ever evolving,” the imposter answered, his smile getting only more forced. “And I do have my position to remember. Men of power live not only for themselves but their land, and that land stands only ever as strong as they lift it.”
“I thought each man is free as a bird and even kings are only brothers of men! That is what the Luctretzian spirit is about. What you're saying now sounds a lot like pompous imperial hogwash to me. You haven't fallen in with that lot, have you?”
“Not by a long shot, haha...” In an effort to distract the prying General, the Duke turned his attention to Izumi. “Excuse my demented memory—it has only been getting worse in my old days—but I'm not looking at your wife here, am I?”
General Grohn cheered up at once,
“Alas, not! This lovely lady here would be the fresh Baroness Ilyene of Letham, whom I've had the pleasure of accompanying on this fine eve!”
“Hello-hello,” Izumi greeted in a hollow tone and bowed like a high school student. “I’m Ilyene. Nice to meet you. Let's get along, your duke-ness.”
“Er, right,” the Duke's frown wasn't getting better. “Correct me if I'm mistaken, but was not the former Baron without an heir? I was quite certain he had willed the city of Grelden to inherit his lands?”
“That's right, that's right,” Izumi went along with the story, “what would I do with land anyway, I'm comfortable just being a Baroness. I wouldn't make for a good farmer, ehehe.”
“Very humorous, milady,” the man dryly remarked. “Nearly all the wine in southern Luctretz is produced by the vineyards of Letham, including what we serve here tonight. And good wine, as you can well see, is never without takers. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't have let such a goldmine slip from my hands.”
“Maybe you wouldn't, but I'm not too keen on gold, really,” Izumi innocently smiled, “I already have more than one old woman needs of that sort.”
“Well said, milady!” the General joined in. “A roof over your head, a stuffed belly and the jolly crackling of fire in the hearth—what else do human beings, noble or not, need to be happy? Those are the things I miss the most in the cold garrisons of the capital—not gold. Bah! I've found that there is nothing that brings more trouble in the lives of simple folk.”
“Simple folk,” the Duke repeated, his smile slightly less forced this time, but not an ounce more friendly.
Izumi glanced at the robed figure in the background.
The General still hadn't paid so much as a look to the eerie, attention-grabbing shadow looming so close by. The strange wizard hadn't said a word either or moved from his position. Everyone, including the person himself, appeared content with simply pretending he didn't exist.
But Izumi did see him in perfect clarity.
Looking closer, she saw that the boy had long, pointy ears.
An elf?
Seeing a real elf for the first time in her life, Izumi immediately became filled with giddy, childish excitement. Then she realized the elf was staring straight back at her.
Quickly pretending she was merely looking around, Izumi kept turning her head like an owl, until her neck reached its limits. Then, mimicking a surveillance camera, she slowly rotated back the other way. But the glare fixed at her wasn't released. Rather, it only gained in intensity. And animosity.
“Well! Please enjoy the night, General, Baroness,” the conversation had paused and the Duke decided it was the opportune moment to make his retreat. “I am deeply sorry, but as the host, there are still many more menial matters that demand my attention. If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to turn to my servants. And please look forward to the fireworks.”
“It was a moment to reminisce with a good friend that I needed, but I suppose the stock on that has run out.” Begrudgingly accepting the cue, General Grohn turned from his not-so-old friend and held out his colossal hand to Izumi, “Shall we?”
Izumi wasn't too sorry to follow the upright soldier back down the stairs and escape the sorcerer's glare. But behind her back, she could faintly hear the Duke turn to his elusive companion with a hushed command,
“Get rid of those two for me, will you? They mean nothing but trouble.”