'Seriously, just how did it come to this...?', I couldn't help but inwardly cry at the new developments displayed before me. And yet, that didn't seem to go unnoticed. I heard a deep, powerful voice reach out to me. From someone I knew far too well.
"Is the banquet not to your liking, Your Royal Highness?", The voice spoke, reaching my ears.
That's right. After being guided by Captain Claire into Valflame Palace, we were greeted by His Imperial Majesty and his wife, Empress Priscilla. Some time had passed since then, and we were all brought into their banquet all to have a meal together. But to think he of all people would choose to sit directly across from me. As I heard that voice, my eyes fell upon an aged man, swirling around some fine red wine in the wine glass currently held in his hand. A moment passed like this while the man took a sip of his wine.
This man has been at the forefront of what's been happening lately in Erebonia. The man's expression remained neutral as he looked at me. His eyes were sharp. Very sharp. It was as if he was staring directly into my soul, wanting to pluck it out and play with it in a game of pool. That's the kind of person he is. He would even be willing to thrust himself in a wretched fairy tale and become its villain in order to achieve his goals.
For this man is none other than my Father. The Blood and Iron Chancellor, Giliath Osborne. Once upon a time, I too bore the name Osborne. But thereafter, I have acquitted that name, and took up my late Mother's identity as an Auslese. That doesn't forget the blood I share with this man, however. That is very much real.
"If it is not to your liking Naoto, I could have our maids bring out some other dishes we have prepared for tonight's banquet.", A third voice spoke, appearing even more stern than the man before me. My eyes shifted toward the left. I spotted a man seated at the head of the table for tonight's banquet. A seat that not just anyone could sit inside. It was a man who donned a ceremonial outfit that only those higher up in the Imperial Army wore. But this man was no soldier like my Father used to be. While Erebonia was a militaristic nation at its roots, this man to my left currently stood at the very top of its food chain.
His Imperial Majesty. Emperor Eugent the Third. Since his ascension onto the throne, this man now has a good decade under his ruling. I have not seen Emperor Eugent since then. He has aged quite a bit since he became the Emperor. A full ten years have gone by.
Having to rule one of Zemuria's largest, if not the largest nation on the continent is by no means easy. It has its own pressure. A similar pressure that I too, will have to deal with some day. I am currently Liberl's Crown Prince, but there will be a time I take its throne, and become King. It is not set in stone, and it could still happen as what took place in the game, where Grandmother passes down the title of Crown Princes to Princess Klaudia.
"Father is right. Is the food no good, Naoto?", Another voice spoke, which caused my eyes to shift again.
This time, it came from my right. I saw a golden, blonde-haired girl seated beside me who had much interest in her eyes. She was a couple years younger than me, but it was obvious that this girl was happy. She was swinging her feet beneath her chair, likely due to the fact that I was here inside Valflame Palace. I hadn't seen this girl since I gave her a full tour of Grancel City back during Grandmother's birthday celebration. She was Princess Alfin, and for whatever reason, she decided to sit beside me of all seats. But could I blame her? She was quite happy during the Grancel Tour back then. Guess that really left an impression on her.
Just me coming here shot Princess Alfin's Favorability quite high. It was getting closer and closer to 100%. It's nice to see Princess Alfin doing well. Especially for those friends around her...
Still, I couldn't help but laugh seeing Princess Alfin behave like this. She saw me reach my hand out, but didn't reject it. Just like how Prince Olivert does it, I ruffled her hair. She smiled in response. Despite that, this earned a giggle from someone who I was not expecting to meet at such an early spot in the timeline.
"Heehee, oh I did not think it has developed this much where you even allow headpats from His Royal Highness.", Another girl spoke, giggling. She had olive-green hair, and was still wearing her school uniform from St. Astraia.
"Musse...", Another girl said, and sighed.
That's right, the girl seated next to Princess Alfin is Musse Egret, who was also around the same age. Perhaps a year younger. She'd become a member of New Class VII when Rean became an Instructor. While she holds the image of a Count's granddaughter on the outside, she is secretly the daughter of the now-passed Cayenne Dukedom. Duke Cayenne, who took over the Dukedom by being the younger brother of the ex-Duke Cayenne, is her uncle. She doesn't reveal this identity until later during Cold Steel's story when she declares Operation Mille Mirage, with none other than herself at its helm.
I recognize this second girl too. It wasn't too long ago where I met this girl when Emma, Angelica and I paid a visit to Ymir to enjoy its hot springs. The time where Angelica confessed to me. Late that night, Elise invited me to her private quarters, where I revealed everything about me. Minus the fact that I reincarnated into Zemuria, and obtained the Gamer System. Not even Father knows about that part, though I am suspicious he knows. I have not told a soul since Roselia viewed my memories. All Elise knows is that I am Chancellor Osborne's firstborn. And what's more, it looks like Elise has kept quiet about this. She likely hasn't told a single person. Not her parents. Not her brother. Or her friends.
I should avoid talking about it too, considering Musse is here and all. She loves poking her nose into places where it doesn't belong, and no joke, Musse is on Father's level in terms of mental capacity. She can play 4D chess in her head on multiple levels. She's a genius amongst geniuses. I'm afraid even Renne may not hold a candle to Musse, and that's saying something. At the very least, it looks like these two are attending St. Astraia, and have already become friends with Princes Alfin. How nice. Instead, I simply laughed, which eased the atmosphere.
"Haha, oh the food is quite delicious, I assure you. Some of the best cuisine I've had thus far. My compliments to the chefs.", I replied, smiling. "I do apologize if I made you all worried. I'm just a little surprised to see you all here. I thought it would just be us."
"Right. "Us". I did not think you would bring your own friends along.", Princess Alfin nodded, only to spot a plum-haired girl and a white-haired girl seated across from her on the other side of the table.
"Hahaha...", Emma said, doing a dry laugh. Her glasses began to fog up. Not out of embarrassment. But perhaps that of fear?
After all, a towering figure sat to her right, which was the very same man who was seated directly across from me. Chancellor Osborne.
"It is good to hear you are enjoying the meal, Your Royal Highness.", Chancellor Osborne said, only to glance down at the plum-haired girl beside him. The difference was quite amusing, honestly speaking. Unbeknownst to a lot of those present here, Father had already evaluated Emma on a personal level. She was with me when we had a brief reunion in Crossbell City during the cult extermination. That was when Father introduced Claire Rieveldt to us. I don't think he was surprised to see Emma beside me once again, but who knows what goes on inside that head of his. "Though I did not expect that you would have Miss Millstein at your side once again."
Hearing that, Emperor Eugent nodded. Even Empress Priscilla smiled. That's right. Even though we cannot speak aloud about what had happened a decade ago, these two were there, weren't they? They were amongst the people within the family photo taken back then. They know about Emma. As for Princess Alfin she just watched on, interested in knowing the connection. Princess Alfin was still a baby then, so she likely has no recollection of what took place. Ahh, the memories.
"Are you saying you know Miss Emma, Your Excellency?", Princess Alfin asked.
"We've crossed paths before, yes. Sadly, I cannot go into detail about it. If you want to know, you can hear about it from His Royal Highness directly later, given the time, Your Imperial Highness. Unfortunately, said time we do not have. We still have the ball to attend to afterward.", Chancellor Osborne said, grinning as he looked back at me. Oi, you attempting something here, old man? Don't forget that I'm your son!
There's that, isn't there? This so-called ball. A popular event amongst Nobles. Such is the life I decided to walk and tread myself. Having dances with other people was not something I was big on in my previous life, but it will be something I have to adapt to in this one. No matter the event, if it involves a lot of people, it usually ends up in a dance in some way or form. That is, if you're a Noble. It is also a key event to announce one's son or daughter, and their debut into high society. It also serves as a way to find prospective marriage partners, if I recall correctly. I'm still far, far away in terms of marriage itself, and Father said this event was merely practice. What exactly is he trying to pull here?
Besides that point, it wasn't just us at this banquet. Little did I know that not only Sherryl joined Princess Alfin's group, that Renne did too. Renne, becoming a schoolgirl? Now that's a first. She continues her duties as Enforcer No. XV in the games, and barely had any time for school, if any at all. It came as a big surprise to me, wanting to get a piece of normalcy for once. And I don't blame her. As for Sherryl, it looks like she was being aloof to my presence. Likely a decision she has come to her own.
I know Sherryl's intent to be of servitude back at Grancel Castle in the coming future, but now is not yet time for that to happen. Just like with Emma and Fie as those two continue their training, we're merely crossing paths. Nothing more, nothing less. Still, it is nice to see Sherryl's progress. She's come a long way. All thanks to Zin teaching her the ways of Taito.
This banquet sure hit off in a weird way, huh? This group is getting quite big. Even Prince Olivert was sitting off to the left side of me, acting like this was all some big play to him while enjoying it from a front row seat. I shifted my eyes once again, and spotted him.
"Haha.", Prince Olivert laughed. "You can be such a joke sometimes, Chancellor Osborne. As much as I am looking forward to the ball later, we cannot jump the gun here. You haven't brought everything to the table for one. In terms of food, and words worthy for discussion. You still have some things to talk about, yes?"
Oh? Was Father not done with his conversation just now? Father acted naturally while all eyes shifted onto him. Why don't we see where this conversation goes?