Standing before the door to the banquet hall, I fix my clothes and check the illusion on my crotch once again.

''Are you guys ready?'' I asked, turning back to my four lovely companions.

'''' Mhm. ''''

''Alright.'' I said, signaling to the two attendants on either side of the door.

*clack*

''HER HOLINESS SYLVIA EVERWOOD AND HER COMPANIONS HAVE ARRIVED!'' The two attendants shouted at the same time.

Instantly, all of the murmurs inside the banquet hall cease.

Ah, yes. These stares again.

After being stunned for a bit, most of them bow lightly towards us.

It's quite bothersome, really, but we're today's stars, so we just have to deal with it.

And I am an elegant and pure Saint, so I flash them a gentle smile, at least that's what I think, and wave my hand around while we're walking towards the podium.

Yes, yes. Blush more, young men and women. Admire our eternal beauty!

Okay, let's stop being a narcissist.

Where's dad... Oh, there he is. Hi, dad~

''Ahem.'' I coughed, stepping onto the podium.

''Hi everyone. Thank you for coming to this banquet. Instead of the Emperor, I will be your host for today. I look forward to meeting you.'' I began. ''I don't have much to say, so let's just begin right away.''

*clap* *clap* *clap*

They look unconvinced (?) somehow, but clap anyway.

Alright. Food.

''Let's go to the food stands.''

-----

''Whoa...'' Anna almost drools, holding an empty plate and looking at the dishes.

''Eat as much as you want, my dear. It's my treat.'' I said, patting her back.

Anna immediately runs around and picks up all the food in a swift motion.

''Emy-

''Oh.''

She's already collecting desserts. Good.

Now, what food should I eat~

''Your Holiness.'' An unfamiliar voice sounded behind me.

Turning around, I could see the pitch-black girl - Daughter of Duke Camila again, but in a party dress. Still that same expressionless face, but a bit more... Glowing?

''It's you again. Uh...''

Shit, I didn't ask her name.

''Adele. Adele Camila.''

''Right, Adele. Nice to meet you here.''

Her name sounds very familiar to the name of Liana's mother, well, one of her mothers.

''Mhm.'' She nods. ''Nice to meet you too, Raeliana Seymour, and Your Highness Christina.''

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''Hi.''

''We meet again, Adele.''

Adele nods at the two.

''Your Holiness.'' She called me again. ''Thank you for defeating the monster the other day.'' She bows respectfully.

''No need to be that grateful. It was just my duty. And it's not like I did it alone or anything.''

''Still. I... I love the capital a lot. So I was really scared when that thing appeared...'' She smiles bitterly.

''...Fine, you can be grateful then.''

''Heheh.'' She laughed lightly. ''Can I be a bit greedy, then?''

''...Sure?''

''I want your autograph. Two of them, actually.'' She said, pulling out a pair of gloves and a pen. ''One is for me, one is for my girlfriend.''

''Sure, why not.'' I replied, taking the pen.

Hmm... I've never given an autograph before... What would be cool here?

Let's just go with a rough 'Sylvie~!' here... And then... a star!

God, I feel like a 14-year-old emo girl right now. I'm 34 total already...

''Can I ask for you two's as well?''

''Sure.''

''No problem.''

Let's see what these two signatures are...

''Sylvia~'' A familiar sweet voice sounded behind me this time.

''Anna. What's wrong?'' I said, looking at the pile of food on her plate.

''Um... I wanted to take that pancake over... There.'' She points to the stands in the corner. ''But... There's the Vivian girl, and she seemed so scary...''

Who dares to bully my cat girl?!

''I'll go with you.'' I said, taking her free hand. ''You guys stay here for a bit.''

-----

Oh... Now I feel bad.

I mean, who doesn't feel bad when seeing her so lifeless like this...?

''Hello?'' I tap her lightly on the shoulder.

The girl, who's munching the pancake slowly and soullessly, turns to us with a motion similar to a rusty doll's.

''!!''

She nearly jumps back after seeing my face.

''Y-You...!'' She muttered with a shaky voice. ''A-Ah, wait. I'm sorry... Y-Your Holiness...''

''...No need. Call me whatever you want.'' I said after a sigh. ''More important than that. Are you alright?''

''...Eh?'' Her face turns blank. ''I-I... I don't know...''

''Come with me.'' I take her hand. ''Anna, take the pancake and tell the other three to wait a bit.''

''Alright.''

-----

We're now outside the terrace.

''How's your family situation right now?'' I asked, sipping the cold wine.

First time drinking. It's not too bad, actually.

''...My brother will be the new Marquess.'' She said dejectedly. ''I-I didn't think that my dad...''

''...You know.'' I said.

''Huh?''

''I think your ancestor was a pretty cool dude.''

''Why suddenly...?''

''I visited his tomb the other day.''

''...I know that.''

''Aside from the grandiose stuff, he also said that... He had no worries about his descendants. That they would surely do fine because they're smart and passionate.''

''...''

''So, lift your head. You have his proud blood running in your veins.''

''You...''

''Remember your dad's sacrifice. The real one's. And move on. You can do it. Right?''

''...Ugh.''

*sob* *sob*

''R-Right... You... You're right... I can do it...!''

That's much better. You get a hug.

*sob* *sob*

'''' ... ''''

She suddenly pushes me away very lightly and wipes the running tears on her cheeks.

''I - The proud descendant of Saint Vivian, Camellia Vivian! Will definitely make our house rise to the top!''

That's treason, I think.

And your name was Camellia, huh. Nice name.

''That's good resolve.'' I nod contently. ''Just remember not to harass my Tina again.''

''Y-You!'' She instantly snaps after hearing Tina's name.

''Come at me again after you get these~'' I said, grabbing her hand and sinking it into my breast. ''Bleh~''

Poor girl is stunned right now, lol.

Well, I think that's enough to lift her mood.

''Anyway, keep trying. Camellia. I'll be watching you.'' I said, releasing her.

''...Remember this.''

How cute.

-----

Ah... The food was so good~

And Anna ate like a malnourished cat... I should order top-quality food more often.

''...Hm? What did you say?'' I asked dad, raising my eyebrow.

''You need to dance.'' He said nonchalantly.

''...I refuse.''

''I refuse your refusal. It's not that hard. Just do it.''

''...Tch.''

To be fair, all of us, except Anna maybe, know how to dance. It's just, like, a mild inconvenience, you know?

''Fine. Emy, let's go.'' I extend my hand to her.

''Mhmm.''

Let's go, my first partner.

Stepping onto the stage, all of the gazes are rightfully on us.

I could see dad in the distance signaling to the band to play the music.

Hands holding hands, we begin to dance to the melody.

Contrary to my subpar dancing skills, Emy is a natural, so I let her take the lead.

We move gracefully and elegantly, following the rhythm of the music and the steps of the dance. We glide across the floor, spinning and turning, never losing our balance or our connection.

Although she tends to press my body against hers a lot, which is not a complaint, she still does the movements perfectly, and somehow guides me at the same time as well.

''I love you, Emy.'' I said, looking at her face, which seems a bit dazzling today for some reason.

''Me too.''

*chu*

A kiss in the middle of a dance... Pretty romantic, I'd say.

-----

''Now, it's your turn... Liana.'' I said, my voice a bit... Wobbly?

''...Are you drunk?''

''No...? What are you talking about. Let's dance!''

What drunk? Are you kidding me?

''Hah, fine. You're very cute regardless.''

I'm not drunk...!

Ah, but thanks for the compliment...