69novels Chapter 315: Seira (3)
Chapter 315: Seira (3)
Chapter 315: Seira (3)
A banquet was specially held under the favor of the Imperial Household.
The gathering was solely to celebrate Shiron Prient’s safe return and his accomplishments, so the number of attendees was small.
Only those closely related to Shiron, or those the Emperor trusted and sought favor from, were invited.
Of course, a small number of attendees didn’t mean the scale was modest. Unlike the world Seira knew in the future, the Emperor here was a woman, had openly acknowledged it, and was even romantically involved with Shiron Prient.
The once emotionless and cold-hearted Emperor was now deeply attached to a man who already had a partner, even trying to win him over with coquettishness—a truly astonishing sight. But for now, the focus wasn’t on Victor.
Lucia Prient.
A woman concentrating on her food in a corner of the banquet hall.
It might seem like she was simply lost in the variety of delicacies served, but on closer inspection, that wasn’t the case.
The crumbs of meat scattered on her plate weren’t from the banquet’s offerings.
Originally, they had been thick, juicy steaks. Yet Lucia had cut them down to their smallest limits and was nibbling on them bit by bit.
[...Why is she doing that?]
Seira from the future murmured in bewilderment. It looked as though she was playing with her food, but since her plate was neatly emptied, that wasn’t the case.
‘She doesn’t want to talk to people.’
[She’s doing that just to avoid conversations?]
‘Exactly.’
Seira replied in a detached tone to the voice resonating in her head.
‘Think about it. Have you ever seen Lucia talking to anyone at this party?’
[...No. But how does doing that prevent her from having conversations?]
‘Because no one wants to approach someone acting so strangely.’
[...!]
A spark went off in the mind of future Seira.
Indeed, when someone was oddly fixated on meticulously slicing meat into crumbs, it could make people hesitant to strike up a conversation.
Even Hugo and Glen had approached her earlier but quickly turned away, likely for the same reason.
It was a silent plea:
-“I’m in a bad mood. Please leave me alone.”
Without uttering a single word, Lucia conveyed her wish to be left undisturbed.
Of course, the ever-clueless Yoru was finishing off her plate without a hint, but aside from that, Lucia had been an utter loner since arriving at the party.
Despite wearing an exquisite dress, she wasn’t dancing, engaging in conversation, or even enjoying the food.
It was unclear why she had attended the party at all, but as though sensing future Seira’s thoughts, Seira gestured toward a man with her chin.
Shiron Prient.
Lucia couldn’t take her eyes off the man who was switching partners as he danced across the floor.
‘Lucia is waiting for her turn. For when Siriel or the cross-dressing Emperor lets go of Shiron!’
[...Why doesn’t she just tell him she wants to dance? He’s kind enough to agree.]
‘Like Lucia could just ignore those two domineering women.’
Tsk! Seira clicked her tongue in disapproval, rejecting the idea entirely.
‘The Lucia in your world might be different, but the one here relied on the kid for too long. Attending the academy kept her from spiraling completely, but it’s true that she’s grown more timid compared to when she was Kyrie.’
[I see.]
‘And Lucia is so unnecessarily kind that she’s aware of her place as “second.” That depraved masochist cross-dressing Emperor may be shamelessly thick-skinned, but Lucia carries guilt.’
[Got it.]
‘She wants to dance with the kid, needs to seize an opportunity, and can’t risk missing her chance while talking to people. That’s why she’s resorting to such a ridiculous tactic.’
“...Alright.”
Diverting his gaze, Shiron turned his attention to Victor before him.
For some reason, she was wearing a blue dress, seemingly emphasizing her femininity.
The neckline plunged deeply to highlight her chest, and the daring design revealed a teasing glimpse of her hips. Her short hair remained, but it only served as a striking contrast, adding to her unique allure.
Shiron clearly saw Victor as a woman.
“You look good in that dress.”
“Fufu, thank you.”
“Are you declaring that you’re a woman now?”
“I haven’t made a declaration, but it doesn’t matter if people find out now. The crusade that caused trouble for hundreds of years is over, and most of the power my father held has shifted to me.”
Victor didn’t refer to Franz Beizos as “His Majesty.”
“Won’t His Majesty have something to say about it?”
“Well, I think my father would accept it, even if I’m a woman.”
As she said that, Victor gently placed Shiron’s hand on her stomach. It didn’t need to be said whose child was in her slightly protruding belly.
“My father was quite fond of you. He might even welcome it.”
“Then I hope things go well.”
“Don’t worry. I didn’t get pregnant to trouble you.”
“...”
“What are you doing? Your steps have stopped!”
Victor smiled faintly and wrapped her arms around Shiron’s back, completely leading the dance.
Even though she wasn’t alone, Victor danced until she was sweating.
Watching this, Louise clapped along to the rhythm and approached Lucia.
“What... what is it?”
“Why are you sitting alone? Miss Lucia, aren’t you going to dance?”
“Look who’s talking. You’ve just been clapping this whole time.”
“I’m just happy watching His Majesty dance with Sir Shiron.”
“...You’re pregnant too.”
At a loss for words, Lucia changed the topic. Louise, as if conscious of Lucia’s downward gaze, emphasized her stomach.
“Oh, this? Sir Shiron pitied us and showed us great kindness.”
“...I see.”
Lucia gave a perfunctory response, her voice indifferent. Then, her gaze turned to Seira slumped in a corner of the banquet hall.
“Why is that one so drunk again?”
Lucia vaguely knew about Seira’s circumstances.
She had experienced a sorrowful farewell with her future self. Lucia could understand drowning in alcohol to cope with loss, but she also found it somewhat pathetic for an elder to act so recklessly, like an incorrigible drunkard.
...Just as she found this banquet disheartening.
Even though it was a party held by the Emperor’s unilateral decision, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was okay for things to be so chaotic.
When Victor appeared without her usual disguise, Hugo and Eldrina had been visibly shocked. Now that she was dancing with Shiron, the atmosphere had turned into one of silent acceptance, but the uneasy tension had yet to dissipate.
“Even Siriel has her eyes ablaze.”
Resting her chin on her hand, Lucia sighed.
The banquet was ostensibly held to celebrate Shiron, but to Lucia, it seemed nothing more than a cover for the Emperor’s selfish desires.