Chapter 57

#057 Frederick Riester (2)

"......When is the victory celebration banquet?"

"It will start at 7 PM the day after tomorrow. I will prepare to have you arrive at the Imperial Palace by 6 PM, Your Highness."

The day after tomorrow.

It’s not today, and since the Emperor himself sent the chamberlain to invite me, there’s no reason to refuse.

Even if I were to use the excuse of being sick, it would only make me look bad to the person who holds my life and livelihood in his hands.

Skipping a team dinner that happens once a month and skipping an annual company dinner where the CEO is present are completely different matters.

I calmed myself down.

I just need to go, eat quietly, and come back.

They say they want to praise me, but the main character of that event will naturally be the Prince.

If I can just endure a few awkward moments with my eyes closed, I should be able to return to the Juliet Palace soon.

"I understand."

I replied.

Chamberlain Lola Mendi looked pleased, as if she had received the appropriate answer.

I was about to dismiss her, but fortunately, I didn’t forget to ask the most important question.

"Will they come again?"

"Who do you mean...?"

"The people who will help with my costume and makeup. If they come in the morning, I need to prepare."

Benzaimen and Kanael nodded, as if they were glad I asked.

If the Emperor plans to send the two directors and their teams from the morning, I need to be mentally prepared.

I definitely don’t want them to wash me or braid my short hair again.

"They won’t be coming. It’s a small dinner with only those close to His Majesty, so please come in comfortable attire and with a relaxed mind."

Lola said with a slight smile. I nodded hesitantly.

Unexpectedly invited by the Emperor, my mind, which had been filled with sleep and fatigue, was now racing.

What should I wear?

*

"Seriously, what should I wear?"

Unfortunately, this was the topic I agonized over until the day of the celebration.

Benzaimen and Kanael, along with other attendants who usually help me, gathered in the reception room for a deep discussion.

Several final candidates, along with shoes, were neatly laid out on a large sofa, waiting to be chosen.

It was two hours before departure.

I wanted to just throw on anything and go, but since it’s an event hosted by the Emperor, not just the Prince, I couldn’t do that.

It’s like when you’re told to dress ‘business casual’ for a job interview, which sounds simple, but when it’s an interview with executives, you end up researching the definition and types of business casual again.

I never imagined that I would relive the feeling of entering the job market right after graduation, but here I am, possessed by Roban.

"Your Highness, how about purple? It gives the impression of 'I am the Prince of Penetian, I am the moon of the new nation.'"

One of the attendants, who often worries about my car, confidently pointed to the purple formal attire.

The other attendants gasped and murmured.

"Pierre, the Prince doesn’t like standing out."

"Yeah, he’s already beautiful... And it might look too political."

The word 'political' made Benzaimen frown.

Then another attendant lifted the golden formal attire next to it.

It was a familiar face, someone who often changes my bed sheets and curtains.

"How about gold? The calm gold won’t draw too much attention."

He carefully placed it on my upper body.

I stood still, receiving the gazes of the attendants. It seems pretty good, doesn’t it?

"Oh no, this won’t do."

"No, no, no."

Groans of disappointment filled the air.

Feeling embarrassed, I looked at Kanael, who had a troubled expression.

"Your Highness, it matches your hair and eyes so well... You look like the main character."

Wow, that’s not good. I quickly stepped back.

Another attendant, as if waiting for this moment, held up the black formal attire.

It had occasional gold and red decorations.

"Isn’t black the truth of formal attire? It’s a basic color, Your Highness. The safest choice."

"True, Your Highness. Some nobles might wear it, so you can blend in easily."

The attendant standing next to him added.

They all looked like they saw no problem with the black formal attire.

I said hesitantly,

"This looks like the Prince’s taste."

"Oh..."

The attendants sighed as if they had a great revelation.

Wearing black to a banquet where the Prince is attending is like a wedding guest wearing white.

At least, that’s how it seems to me. Some attendants looked distressed.

Is 'comfortable attire' this difficult and daunting?

My only interaction with Emperor Frederick was when I saw her from a distance on the Strada Palace balcony during last month’s 'Spring Ball.'

She has never called me personally or even sent a simple greeting since I entered the palace.

This is the first time the chamberlain has come to the Juliet Palace.

I’ve heard quite a few anecdotes, but I have no idea what kind of person the Emperor is, what she dislikes, and what she likes.

The only comments about the Emperor from Jeon Min-seo’s memories over the past two days were “Sis, take me” and “Cool! Handsome!”

They were of no help at all.

...So, it is indeed difficult and daunting.

To survive, I can’t make her dislike me, but I also can’t stand out too much.

I should have just asked the directors to come.

"Let’s bring the white and red ones again."

"But, Your Highness, white will make you look too saintly!"

"Red formal attire with blonde hair... You’ll look like the third prince destined to become king by pushing aside the crown prince of some kingdom."

Why do you have such specific storytelling?

-Knock knock

At that moment, someone knocked on the reception room door.

I thought it might be an attendant who went to get the blue formal attire.

"Come in."

"Hello, our Prince."

A very familiar, and therefore welcome, woman’s voice rang out.

I turned around in surprise.

"Your face is half beautiful."

"Your Majesty."

It was Cardinal Aurelia Bute.

When she appeared, all the attendants fell silent and took a step back, bowing deeply.

I hadn’t seen her for almost two weeks, and hearing her gentle voice made my heart feel a little warm.

She approached with several attendants, lightly grabbed my cheek, and then made a French-style cheek kiss, touching her cheeks to mine alternately.

It was a bit disorienting, but I was glad to see her.

"You must have been through a lot. How is your body?"

"I’m fine. How have you been, Your Majesty?"

"I missed you all."

Her hazel eyes softened.

"I was busy with the official announcement and preparing for the banquet until yesterday, so I couldn’t come to see you. But... "

She looked around at me, the attendants, and the scattered clothes on the sofa.

"I think it’s a good thing I came now."

I smiled to cover it up.

It’s true that with only two hours left until 6 PM, and I still haven’t chosen an outfit, it does look hopeless.

"Today, I’m your squire, so I should help you."

The Cardinal gestured to her attendants.

Squire... Huh?

*

"Is it really okay to wear such clothes?"

"Frederick doesn’t lie. If he said 'comfortable attire,' then you should wear something comfortable."

The Cardinal smiled warmly as we stood in front of the Juliet Palace.

I was wearing a light gray casual outfit she chose instead of formal attire, with more elaborate cufflinks than usual and new boots.

I also wore a necklace picked by the Cardinal, a thin silver chain with an amber diamond.

The jewelry was luxurious, but the outfit was relatively simple.

Is this the 'effortlessly chic' look? Is it right?

"Dee, play with your friends here. I’ll eat dinner and come back early."

-Whine

Shinsoo whined and left my arms.

Then the other red pandas, who were playing in the garden, ran over and surrounded Dee.

After waving to the three of them huddled together, I got into the Cardinal’s carriage.

Benzaimen, Kanael, and the other attendants got into the carriage behind us.

The wheels started moving slowly.

"Those guys, I brought them back, but... Shouldn’t I send them to a better place?"

I asked, looking at the departing Dee family through the window.

The two red pandas from the Dueum Marquisate, who were guarding the divine artifact 'Sword of Mars,' lost their purpose when their master disappeared.

I couldn’t just leave them wandering the plains, so I brought them back.

Through this extermination, I realized that divine beasts and magical beasts are completely different.

Magical beasts detect and attack aether regardless of the form of the divine artifact.

But divine beasts seem to lose their purpose and wander when the divine artifact chooses a new master or disappears.

They didn’t detect the 'Blessing of the Sea' absorbed into Cristel’s body, and when the Sword of Mars fell into the Prince’s hands, they quickly lost interest.

They are more like spirits than beasts, as they are called 'messengers of the deity.'

"There are divine artifacts in the northern and eastern parts of the Empire. It would be good to send them there if the opportunity arises."

The Cardinal said soothingly.

"Elisabeth goes to the northern territory for a summer retreat every June. It