Chapter 008: A Unique Banquet
"Lady Pandora, is this... not to your taste?"
Seeing Pandora gazing at the dishes on the table without moving to eat, Geuse grew somewhat worried.
After all, while this meal couldn't be considered luxurious or extravagant, it at least had everything one could ask for. Even meat, which rarely made it to their tables, was served to each one. If this still couldn't satisfy Pandora...
"No..." Pandora shook her head in response. "It's just that it's been so long since anyone has treated me like this..."
Though it was merely some tree fruits and a small amount of meat, when was the last time she'd experienced such hospitality? Three years ago? Five years ago?
"..."
In an instant, the previously lively atmosphere fell completely silent.
"Lady Pandora..." By now, Geuse could be described as "tears streaming down his face."
To think their revered leader in the Witch Cult usually received no hospitality! What did that imply? It meant Lady Pandora had always been living modestly!
"Alright, Geuse, you should work on your crybaby nature..." Fortuna sitting beside him also felt somewhat embarrassed.
She truly thought Geuse could be quite dense at times, whether during their previous days together or on occasions like this.
But... this was exactly the kind of character an honest person should display.
Unlike someone...
"Miss Fortuna, may you and Geuse share a harmonious union for a hundred years, walking hand in hand into old age." Just as Fortuna glanced toward Pandora, she suddenly offered this blessing.
"Congratulations, Archbishop Romanée-Conti!" The seated Witch Cult followers chanted in agreement.
In response, Geuse simply smiled and scratched his head.
"Ha... Hah?!" Fortuna's face immediately flushed red upon hearing this. "Pandora, you... you shouldn't say such nonsense!"
"Did I say something wrong?" Pandora, who had just put a tree fruit in her mouth, asked confusedly: "My apologies, I'm unfamiliar with elves' customs. Please forgive me if I've overstepped with my words."
Do elves not commonly use such blessings?
She couldn't help but wonder.
Seeing this, even tribespeople who had initially feared Pandora nodded in approval.
It had to be admitted—whether in demeanor or speech, Pandora carried herself quite elegantly.
As for her identity as a Witch... as long as she posed no threat to them, they didn't particularly care.
"No... that's not it..." Feeling everyone's gaze on her, Fortuna waved her hands awkwardly.
Just as she struggled to find the right words—
"Ah, Emilia, you're awake..." She breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the girl emerging from the room. "Come here."
Though unsure when Emilia had appeared, her timing had fortunately helped Fortuna out of this predicament.
"Mother Fortuna, why are we suddenly having a banquet?"
Then Emilia came out with this question.
"Ah... well..." Was this girl trying to get her in trouble...
"Lady Emilia, Lady Fortuna was... mmph!" Geuse's attempt to explain was abruptly cut off as Fortuna firmly covered his mouth.
"Mother Fortuna, haha..." Emilia laughed at the sight. "You and Geuse get along so well."
"Uh..." Watching Emilia continuously "sabotage" her, Fortuna slowly removed her hand. "Sigh, I really don't know what to do with you, Emilia..."
Of course, it wasn't just this table; the others were the same, with laughter and conversation showing no signs of stopping.
Meanwhile, Pandora occasionally glanced at the "newlyweds," but spent most of her time enjoying the "feast."
After who knows how long...
"Sister... Pandora..." A faint voice suddenly called out from beside her.
"Hmm, what is it?" Though she felt a bit unnatural upon hearing the word "sister," she still responded with a smile, "Your mother said you shouldn't come within three meters of me."
Looking at Emilia standing beside her, Pandora picked up a tree fruit and handed it to her.
"I... I..." After taking the fruit, Emilia nervously fidgeted with her fingers.
"Alright, just say whatever you want or ask for whatever you'd like." Seeing this, Pandora glanced at the chatting "couple" and gently patted Emilia's head.
This scene was noticed by Archi nearby, but...
Should he intervene directly? Or should he report it to Fortuna?
If he intervened directly, it would feel awkward...
If he reported it to Fortuna, he would disturb Fortuna and Geuse.
So... he could only observe for now.
Although he hadn't spent much time with Pandora, he didn't think she was that kind of person...
Especially after clearing up the misunderstanding (the Regulus blame incident), this feeling grew stronger.
"Sister Pandora, can you... um... make the fairy gentleman—I mean, the Lesser Spirit—come out again?" Feeling the touch on her head, Emilia shrank back slightly and asked, "Just for a moment, please..."
She still remembered what Geuse had told her about her potential as a "spirit arts user." Wasn't this the perfect opportunity?
"Well..." Hearing this, Pandora showed a thoughtful expression, "Please wait a moment."
I should be able to summon a Lesser Spirit... uh...
Watching the purple and red glowing orbs fly to her side, she couldn't help but freeze in surprise.
"Oh! So amazing!" Seeing the two "Lesser Spirit gentlemen" appear almost instantly beside Pandora, Emilia was astonished, but she soon realized...
"Emilia..."
She seemed to have been caught...
Looking at Fortuna, who was frowning, Emilia lowered her head.
"I know... I was wrong... sob..." Then, she revealed her "crybaby" nature.
Seeing this, Fortuna glanced at Archi, who looked embarrassed, and then at Pandora, who was smiling.
"Fortuna..." At that moment, Geuse tugged at her hand, "This isn't Emilia-sama's fault. It's all because of what I said during the day..."
Fortuna then snapped back to reality.
Noticing the confused looks from the clansmen around her, she realized...
Apart from her own breathing, she couldn't hear any other sounds.
"Sorry, everyone..." After apologizing to the crowd, she walked over to Pandora and picked up Emilia, "Alright, Mommy knows this isn't Emilia's fault."
As she spoke, she glared at Archi and Pandora.
"Uh..."
This made Archi scratch his head awkwardly.
So... had he made Fortuna-sama angry?