That night, the banquet hosted by Clovis was not particularly large. Although Clovis loved grandeur and showing off, he chose to keep things low-key for matters involving Yang Hui. The guests were all nobles with whom he shared a good relationship, and there were even painters of commoner origin.
"A banquet should be a feast for like-minded people."
These were Clovis's own words, so the banquets he hosted were more like close friends from the commoner class gathering to chat, rather than a standard noble banquet.
However... his mother detested this preference of his. Consequently, she never attended his banquets and held little affection for the "unambitious" Clovis.
But after today, she had changed. Because Clovis had taken the initiative to tell her he wanted to go to Area Ten as the Governor, it made his power-hungry mother so excited she nearly jumped for joy.
"Sigh, I made a mistake." Yang Hui leaned against the wall, watching a group of people talk loudly and unrestrainedly, and couldn't help but shake his head.
"What's wrong?" Clovis asked. As the host of the banquet, it was only proper etiquette to ensure all guests were enjoying themselves.
"I shouldn't have agreed to come."
"Haha, why? Regretting your refusal of Brother Odysseus?" Clovis teased, but he was only joking; he knew very well that Yang Hui was not the type to fawn over those in power.
"No, I should have gone back to sleep instead of listening to you all blow hot air here," Yang Hui said, glancing sideways at Clovis. Among those Clovis invited, the commoner painters were boasting that Clovis's works were masterpieces for the ages, while the noble friends were mostly playboys who only learned a bit about art to show off and seduce girls.
"Haha, yeah, it really is... boring." Clovis's laugh was a bitter one, for he also felt such banquets were tedious, yet he felt compelled to hold them.
"Since you've already made your decision, there's no need to keep up the act." Yang Hui patted Clovis on the shoulder.
"I'm not Brother Odysseus, not Brother Schneizel, not Sister Cornelia, and certainly not you, Yang Hui. Brother Odysseus has status; Brother Schneizel, Sister Cornelia, and you have talent. As for me... heh, I only have a mother who 'wishes her son to become a dragon.'"
"...Fine. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be leaving in a couple of days. Study hard."
"I will. I've been waiting for this day for a long time. But Yang Hui, Lelouch and Nunnally..."
"Don't worry, I've arranged everything. Nothing will happen."
"That's good. Then I can set off on my journey in peace."
"Smack~!"
Hearing this, Yang Hui's face darkened, and he gave the back of Clovis's head an annoyed smack. "If you can't speak properly, go back and learn. What do you mean 'set off on your journey'? Are you in a hurry to be reincarnated?"
"Uh... haha, a slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue. But..." At this point, Clovis glanced at the other banquet attendees. Seeing them indifferent to what was happening here, still happily chatting about their own topics, he asked, "How many of them are your people? Or rather... which one isn't your person?"
"Not bad, you've improved." Yang Hui couldn't help but look at Clovis with newfound respect, surprised he had noticed the problem from such a small detail.
"...Thanks."
"What are brothers for?"
Yang Hui patted Clovis's shoulder. At Clovis's banquet, every single attendee was one of Yang Hui's people. Even the friends of Clovis who hadn't attended were Yang Hui's people.
Of course, this wasn't to spy on Clovis, but to protect him. Even if he remained mediocre, his status as a prince would bring many troubles. Clovis was a simple person, which was why Yang Hui had arranged so many people around him in advance.
Except for one exception...
"Does that mean... Elysia, she..." Mentioning this name, Clovis's expression turned bitter, his eyes reddening and filling with tears.
"Coincidentally, Elysia is the only exception."
Elysia, a commoner girl, did not have particularly stunning looks and had even lost her legs. Though she was disabled, she was incredibly gentle and kind, accepting all the malice directed at her while returning only kindness to others. She also loved painting, possessed talent, and was full of passion; every piece of her work contained her heart and her kind feedback to the world.
"Are you telling the truth!?" Clovis grabbed Yang Hui's shoulders excitedly, his eyes filled with longing.
"It's true." Yang Hui nodded earnestly. "She's not one of my people. Your meeting with her was a complete accident. After you two made contact, I sent people to investigate her. She's a good girl, worthy of your love."
"That's wonderful, Elysia... that's truly wonderful..." Clovis wept, but Yang Hui didn't think it was embarrassing; instead, he felt happy for him. But soon, Clovis suddenly turned to leave.
Yang Hui grabbed him and asked, "Are you going to find her?"
"Yes, I'm going to find her. I want to see her right now!"
"Don't forget your status, Clovis, and don't forget your mother."
Yang Hui's reminder made Clovis lose his spirit like a deflated ball. "Yeah, my status, my mother... Yang Hui, I have never hated being a prince as much as I do right now!"
"Just endure a bit longer. Once you go to Area Ten, I'll send her to see you."
"Really?"
"Would I lie to you?"
"Hahaha... You really are my good brother, Yang Hui... Thank you."
"I told you not to say such sentimental things, it's disgusting."
"Get lost, you!"
"Mm, this is more like it."
"Hahaha..." Now that everything was out in the open, the two brothers clinked their glasses. Clovis, in particular, felt relieved and light. He didn't blame Yang Hui for weaving a fake world for him, because he knew Yang Hui did it for his own good. Moreover, in that fake world, there still existed a piece of truth—his love, his most precious emotion.
He also knew that his mother must have found out about this love of his and would never agree to it. How could a prince marry a disabled commoner? To cut off all of Clovis's fantasies, she would do anything. That Elysia remained safe and that they could meet frequently was undoubtedly due to Yang Hui's influence.
Now, he was going to follow Yang Hui's lead and step out of his own cage. The fake world was shattered, and what awaited him might be cruel or painful, but it would be the real, tangible world.
Since the guests were all fake, there was no need for the banquet to continue. The fake guests took their leave of Clovis one after another, leaving only Yang Hui and Clovis in the vast banquet hall.
"Alright, I'm going back to sleep too. It's going to be busy in a few days." Yang Hui set down his wine glass and stretched, preparing to leave as well.
"Wait, didn't we agree not to leave until we're drunk?" Clovis hurriedly pulled Yang Hui back.
"Not leave until we're drunk? With your tolerance? You have the nerve to say that when you pass out after one glass?"
"Cough, cough." Clovis choked, reminded of a memory he never wanted to recall for the rest of his life, and retorted awkwardly, "As long as it's not that white liquor, I can still go toe-to-toe with you."
That one time, they had also agreed not to leave until drunk. As it turned out, Yang Hui had no sense of "martial virtue" and pulled out a bottle of white liquor called "Moutai." It smelled incredibly fragrant, but Clovis, being "too young and too simple," treated the white liquor like wine and downed a whole cup in one go. And then...
The first second, he was coughing uncontrollably.
The fifth second, his face was flushed, his mind was hazy, and he was talking nonsense.
The eighth second, he fell to the ground, snoring like thunder.
"Forget it, I don't want to be bothered by your mother. Last time she nearly annoyed me to death."
"Wait! Don't go..."
"Prince Clovis, Prince Yang Hui." Just as the two were arguing, Clovis's butler suddenly ran in, looking panicked.
"What is it? Didn't I order that no one is to disturb us?" Clovis looked displeased as he questioned the butler.
"Prince Clovis, it's the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince has arrived," the butler reported.
"Brother Odysseus?" Clovis frowned.
"Alone?" Yang Hui asked the butler.
"Yes, the Crown Prince is alone," the butler answered truthfully. He knew Yang Hui and Clovis were very close, so he kept nothing back.
Yang Hui stroked his chin. It was getting late. For Odysseus to come alone and uninvited was quite intriguing.
"Show Brother in," Clovis decided.
"Yes, your highness."
"Should I..."
"No, I'll do it."
"Are you serious?"
"This is something I should bear, and something I must bear."
"...Alright."
Soon, the butler led Odysseus into the banquet hall. As expected, he was entirely alone; even his accompanying guards had been left outside.
"I hope I'm not unwelcome?" Odysseus joked warmly.
"Of course not, Brother. It's just... the guests have already departed, leaving only Yang Hui and me to receive you. It's a lapse in etiquette." Clovis maintained the smile and decorum expected of royalty as he faced Odysseus.
"Haha, no matter. Having you two here is more than enough. To be honest, I prefer a gathering between brothers over a boring banquet."
"Is that so? Then please excuse our lack of formality, Brother. This way, please."
Since it was a gathering between brothers, the vast banquet hall was unsuitable. They moved to a private lounge.
"Yang Hui, welcome back. And congratulations on your achievements; Father thinks very highly of you."
"Thank you. My merits are insignificant compared to Sister Cornelia's," Yang Hui said modestly.
"Haha, it seems you're still as guarded as ever."
"..." Yang Hui shrugged, appearing indifferent, but in his mind, he was pondering Odysseus's intentions. To state such a thing so bluntly—what was the purpose? To lower his guard? To propose cooperation? Or...
"By the way, Clovis. Cornelia does not wish to take the position of Governor of Area Ten. She wants to continue leading the army to fight for the Empire. So... I recommended you at the cabinet meeting," Odysseus said slowly.
Hearing this, Yang Hui was startled, and Clovis was so shocked he stood up abruptly.
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