Chapter 99
“The Emperor is said to be holding a banquet in Katria.”
The opening words of the meeting. This was top‑tier intelligence that Amelia’s Kagomisl had obtained. Katria was a city on the outskirts of the Phares Empire, a region bordering other kingdoms.
“He’s holding a banquet?”
Most people reacted the same way upon hearing the news. In this situation, to be holding a banquet—surely the Emperor had completely lost his mind.
“Katria, huh….”
However, Raymond did not rush to judgment. He knew Kyle’s temperament well. The Kyle he knew was far from a vaguely insane man. Rather, he was meticulous and calculating.
“Why Katria instead of Ferment?”
“Just as Your Grace predicted. It’s a preliminary move to request troop deployments from neighboring kingdoms.”
“Ah.”
If he were truly insane, he would have hosted the banquet in the capital.
But because there was a purpose, the choice of location had significance.
Still, we needed to determine whether this was something we could take advantage of, so I cautiously asked Amelia.
“Only invited guests can attend that banquet, right?”
“Yes. But there’s good news.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a masquerade banquet.”
“A masquerade…!”
The news Amelia delivered was genuinely welcome.
“It’s consideration for the fact that the kingdoms sending troops may not want to reveal their identities.”
“I see.”
Amelia nodded, her eyes shining.
Kyle had decided to hold a masquerade banquet in Katria and invite the royalty of neighboring kingdoms. The reason was obvious. Beyond the economic compensation for sending troops, he was offering social compensation as well.
If they provided soldiers, he would grant them a direct line to the Emperor.
If there were kings hesitating over whether to dispatch troops, this was likely a strategy to sway their decision.
In many ways, it was a surprising move. Just as Raymond thought, Kyle was acting under thorough calculation.
“It’s certainly a good opportunity, but what exactly can we do if we go?”
“Hmm.”
Melas, who had been quietly thinking while stroking his chin, finally spoke. Looking at Raymond, who was also deep in thought, I opened my mouth.
“What if we divert the royals to a different location? Even if only some of them fail to meet him, it could reduce their willingness to send troops.”
“Oh?”
“That’s a pretty good idea.”
When Raymond and Melas showed interest in my suggestion, I felt secretly pleased. In truth, this idea was the result of me wracking my brain to its limits. Because I absolutely had to attend that banquet!
If the Archduke’s forces moved as a group from within, the chances of Amelia and I naturally blending in were high. Since I had already been targeting the Emperor, I could not afford to miss this opportunity.
Ferment to Katria was an enormous distance, but the Emperor would obviously be brought by Nyan via teleportation. Even if she didn’t intervene in battles, she wouldn’t be able to avoid providing this kind of support.
Therefore, we would use Nyan’s help too.
Raymond organized the group that would attend the banquet.
The members included Raymond, Melas, Evan, Amelia, and several of her direct subordinates. Members of Kagomisl accompanied them to explain the geography within Katria and act as guides.
And lastly, I tagged along.
Raymond had strongly opposed it, but due to my stubbornness and Amelia’s recommendation, I was barely approved. The reasoning was that a lady familiar with banquets would be necessary.
“Fine. But you must never leave anyone’s side, no matter what.”
“I promise.”
I spoke calmly despite my true intentions.
Soon, the day of the banquet in Katria arrived.
Since the purpose was infiltration, I thought there was no room to care about attire.
…Or so I believed. But that was only my assumption.
Melas summoned the most famous designer in Russ. She came in person and perfected everything—dress, shoes, accessories. Even in wartime, supplies had not yet been cut off, and the Emperor lacked the manpower to fully isolate Russ, which made this possible.
“Wow.”
“Young Lady, you are truly beautiful.”
The designer and several accompanying maids gasped in admiration at my transformed appearance. Since I was disguised as one of the neighboring royals, my look was especially extravagant.
“You could go get married right away.”
“Is that so? Haha.”
The word “marriage” made me awkward, and I scratched the back of my head.
As I stood there unsure what to do with myself amid all the praise, a knock sounded. One maid opened the door, and a voice asked,
“Is it finished?”
“Yes, it is. Please come in, Your Grace.”
The maid bowed upon recognizing Raymond standing beyond the door. Soon, Raymond entered the room in uniform.
A crisp white shirt beneath a sharp black uniform. A neatly tied tie. Gold accents on the shoulder ornaments, belt, and buttons. His jet‑black hair was parted roughly six‑to‑four and swept to the side, completing a composed style. The uniform emphasized his long limbs, and his handsome face matched his sturdy build as he smiled at me.
…Ah. Heart attack. My ultimate favorite: Raymond in uniform.
My heart pounded wildly for the first time in a while, and I pressed a fist to my chest. His immaculate appearance stirred something gentle inside me.
“Raymond.”
“Eileen. You’re truly beautiful.”
Perhaps he noticed my lingering gaze—Raymond’s eyes were equally intense.
“Everyone out.”
He immediately dismissed the attendants.
As soon as the door closed, Raymond approached and wrapped an arm around my waist.
“Shall we dance?”
“Huh?”
“We won’t be able to at the actual banquet.”
“Yes. I’d like that.”
His remaining hand took mine. There was no music, but we began stepping together. As I listened to him hum softly, we moved forward and back.
Just like at the banquet we once attended together, he guided my clumsy steps with ease.
“It’s been a while since I’ve danced.”
Following his smooth lead, my breath gradually grew heavier—but it felt pleasant.
He stopped, pulled me close, and brushed a light kiss against my lips.
“Eileen. Be careful there. Don’t get hurt.”
“I will.”
When I smiled in response, he kissed me once more. A cute, sweet kiss.
Nyan transported our group to Kagomisl’s hideout in Katria. Nearly ten people were moved at once via teleportation. Amelia once again praised the experience enthusiastically, and her subordinates who had experienced teleportation before felt the same.
“This is insane. This is teleportation? Then what were all the ones I used before—garbage?”
“Just how far is this? And you can move this many people at once?”
As the compliments continued, Nyan’s shoulders seemed to rise higher and higher with pride.
I ignored it lightly and took in Katria’s scenery instead. Most of the leaves in the garden were small and thin. It was my first time traveling this far, and everything felt new. Katria lay in the northern territory of the Phares Empire, and unlike southern Ferment, the climate was colder. Even though the season was warm, the wind against my skin felt chilly.
“Please come inside this way.”
Guided by Amelia, we entered the estate. It wasn’t huge, but as a noble residence, it had everything necessary. The building was made of warm red brick, and both the exterior and garden were immaculately maintained.
“The estate is very clean.”
“Thank you. It’s just that we don’t have much.”
She replied lightly. The place we were led into after greeting the servants was a guest reception room.
“Please sit here.”
As Raymond, Melas, Evan, and I sat on the sofas, Amelia gave various instructions to the servants. They added firewood and lit the fireplace, and warmth quickly filled the room. The maids returned with warm tea and draped coats over our shoulders. With the fire and extra layers, the goosebumps on my arms finally subsided, and both my body and mind relaxed.
“Since we arrived so quickly, we still have some time. Let’s warm up first before we leave.”
“That sounds good.”
Raymond nodded at Amelia’s suggestion.
Our plan was this:
We would identify the routes of the neighboring royals and appear midway as if we were guides sent by the Emperor. Then we would lead them to a different banquet hall. Amelia had already instructed Kagomisl to prepare this venue. There, the Archduke would pretend to be the Emperor, and I would pretend to be one of the attending royals to set the atmosphere. With everyone wearing masks, only clothing and bearing would be visible.
And I had a separate plan.
After stirring the atmosphere among the royals, I would slip away with Amelia and attend the real Emperor’s banquet. There, I would create a situation where only the two of them were together and “accidentally” remove her mask.
Then Kyle would see the beautiful Amelia and fall in love.
It was a perfect scenario.
This time, I would not miss the opportunity.
Clenching my fist, I made a firm vow to myself.
