Chapter 107
The illusory birds flitted around the glittering chandelier, while a rainbow traced a gentle arch.
Beneath such a fantastical and beautiful symbol of peace, an extraordinarily awkward atmosphere hung in the air.
The 〈Mirage Mage〉 caught in the middle of it all stared at the 〈Silent Witch〉 and the fourth-generation 〈Thorn Witch〉 with an expressionless face that betrayed displeasure, while the 〈Silent Witch〉 and Tsetsilia anxiously let their gazes wander.
The only one wearing a serene smile was the fourth-generation 〈Thorn Witch〉.
Imperial guardsman Ainhardt Berger had been watching this little commotion from a short distance away. As he patted the shoulder of his junior colleague, who stood beside him with a grimace, he spoke cheerfully.
"Oh, look, Kirchner. Isn't this a sight that symbolizes the future of our Empire and the Kingdom of Riddle?"
"...Yes, it does. It certainly does."
Mostly the scene beneath the illusion, that is.
Nearly fifty years had passed since the war. Although exchanges between the two countries had increased, sparks left over from the conflict still smoldered here and there.
The two sides were never short of excuses to start a war.
Kirchner lowered his voice and whispered to Ainhardt.
"Berger-dono, I have a suggestion."
"Oh? What is it? Let's hear it."
"Let's say Princess Tsetsilia isn't feeling well and have her leave. Her face really is ghostly pale."
Just as Kirchner had said, Tsetsilia was so pale and flustered that it was pitiful to see.
Tsetsilia was a princess capable of the finest consideration for others. That was precisely why she was trying to save face for everyone involved, and probably suffering terribly from a stomachache as a result.
Ainhardt glanced toward the ballroom, a smile forming at the corners of his mouth.
"Oh, it'll be fine. They're here, after all."
"...Who's 'they'?"
When Kirchner gave him a suspicious look, Ainhardt averted his eyes and feigned absentmindedness. "Oh, look, there's a beauty over there."
＊ ＊ ＊
With her hands trembling violently from agitation, Monica tugged at the hem of Melissa's dress and spoke in a small voice.
"Big sis! Um, um..."
"Take a look, little one. Look at that expression on the 〈Mirage Mage〉. What a pathetic beaten dog—can't even howl."
Melissa gave a delighted "Oh ho ho ho ho" behind her fan.
Monica was sweating profusely as she offered Melissa a suggestion in a small voice.
"I-I think preserving the atmosphere here is more important than my dignity..."
"The atmosphere? What's so important about something that could be blown away by a puff of air?"
Monica let out a tiny squeak.
She almost felt sorry for the 〈Mirage Mage〉, who had been humiliated so thoroughly over nothing more than failing to offer a greeting.
What should she do? Should she say something? But whatever she said, she felt certain it would only add fuel to the fire.
More than anything, speaking up in such a tense atmosphere was far too high a hurdle for Monica.
(Waaaaah, what do I do, what do I do...?!)
As Monica held her head in her hands, she heard the sharp clack-clack of shoes. It was the heavy sound peculiar to men's boots.
When Monica looked up, she saw a large man approaching them.
His splendid physique nearly burst out of his formalwear, and he had a rugged, imposing face. His golden hair gleamed—the First Prince, Lionel.
Lionel stopped, looked up at the illusory birds and rainbow, and opened his mouth.
"How splendid!"
Lionel spoke in a resonant voice, then turned his gaze toward the 〈Mirage Mage〉.
Beneath eyebrows as thick as caterpillars, his light-blue eyes glittered like drops of morning dew.
"I studied magic at Minerva, but even then I found illusion magic exceedingly difficult. In particular, making multiple living things move is no ordinary feat. You have shown us something truly wonderful!"
Lionel took the stunned 〈Mirage Mage〉's hand and shook it vigorously.
"〈Mirage Mage〉-dono, thank you for showing us a scene as beautiful as a dream. You are a magnificent mage."
Lionel's manner was somewhat overbearing, but there was not the slightest hint of sarcasm in it.
More importantly, by explaining how difficult it was to make multiple living things move through illusion magic, he had skillfully flattered the 〈Mirage Mage〉.
The 〈Mirage Mage〉 looked visibly disarmed. "It is an honor," he replied briefly.
Lionel gave the 〈Mirage Mage〉 a firm nod, then turned his attention to Monica.
(I-I'm going to be scolded?!)
As Monica hunched her shoulders with tears in her eyes, Lionel showed his white teeth and laughed cheerfully.
He had a gorilla's face, but a refreshingly cheerful air.
"〈Silent Witch〉-dono, that was a magnificent performance as well. No matter how many times I see it, your incantationless magic never fails to amaze me. I would love to hear more about it sometime."
"Y-yes!"
Apparently, Monica was not going to be reprimanded.
Even so, Lionel's conduct was truly remarkable.
He had immediately come to the insulted 〈Mirage Mage〉's defense, without forgetting to save face for Monica as well. He read the room, put no one down, and conducted himself perfectly.
Finally, Lionel stood before Tsetsilia and bowed politely.
"This is our first time speaking directly, is it not, Princess Tsetsilia? I am Lionel Blem Eduart Riddle, First Prince of the Kingdom of Riddle."
Tsetsilia looked surprised for a moment, but quickly straightened her posture and returned his bow gracefully.
"Please forgive me for taking so long to greet you in person, Prince Lionel. I am Tsetsilia Charlotte Phoebe Kleving. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Standing before the large and imposing Lionel, Tsetsilia's small stature stood out even more. They looked like an adult and a child. In fact, Lionel and Tsetsilia were nine years apart.
To a princess so much younger than himself, Lionel spoke with the utmost courtesy.
"The Empire's Silver Moon Princess... Even tonight's beautiful full moon seems to fade before you."
"Oh, you give me too much credit. Prince Lionel, you truly are like the sun. I am very happy to have this opportunity to speak with you."
Melissa muttered under her breath at their exchange.
"Rather than the sun and moon, they're more like a gorilla and a fairy."
That was a remark likely to give Monica, standing beside her, a heart attack.
Melissa had teased Lionel by calling him a gorilla, but his bearing and manner of speaking were extremely polite. More importantly, his dignity and elegance befitting royalty were no less than Felix's—Isaac's.
"I would dearly love to ask such a beautiful princess for a dance, but you must be tired after your long journey. If you don't mind, would you care to sit and gaze at the stars? I know a special spot where they are particularly visible."
"...In that case, I would be delighted."
Tsetsilia took the hand Lionel extended to her.
Lionel politely called out, "Excuse me," to the nobles around them before leaving the area.
Melissa opened her fan and laughed with a vulgar grin.
"Ahaaa, so he's using stargazing as an excuse to get the two of them alone, then get all cozy... Nice move."
What exactly was she praising?
Not understanding what had impressed Melissa, Monica tilted her head and looked toward the backs of Lionel and Tsetsilia.
"Um, Big sis. I'm on guard duty, so... I'll follow them."
"You're so tactless. At times like this, you should have the sense to leave the two of them alone."
"...?"
A guard had no business abandoning her charge.
Why, then, was Monica being scolded?
As Monica stood there in confusion, Melissa looked thoughtful and gave a single nod.
"No, you're right. This is a good opportunity for you, little one."
"Um, Big sis?"
When Monica timidly addressed her, Melissa held her fan to her mouth and leaned over to whisper with a muffled, mischievous chuckle.
"Go get a proper education in the ways of adult society."
"...? Y-yes."
Adult social education must mean, in other words, learning how to be a guard.
(I suppose it means I should guard them without getting in Prince Lionel and Tsetsilia-sama's way...?)
Having come to that conclusion, Monica followed after Lionel and Tsetsilia.