### Chapter 20: Family Banquet (Part 2)
Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened.
In front of me, Captain Gray’s plate was emptied long ago—completely devoured by yours truly. During my epic feast, when “Fake Victoria” reached out for a taste, the real Viki shot her a look so sharp it could slice through steel.
Viki didn’t seem inclined to officially introduce her to me.
After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere at the table grew more lively. Inspired by the warm buzz of alcohol, Uncle Hoover let loose: “Who would’ve thought I’d someday sit here in the innermost part of the royal palace with Lord Skarlij… and all you wonderful heroes, like at home in Winter City, or enjoying a drink at Shanter Castle…”
He gulped down half a barrel of snow wine, his tongue starting to climb the walls of coherence: “And to drink at the same table as the legendary Black Mandrake, the first beauty of Ethanbel, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth… Ha! Lord Skarlij, all these years of being suppressed by the palace, and the Church turning their spears toward us… but now, the Fourth Knights Order has collapsed, and Keynes is kneeling before you… I watched him kneel, and at that moment, it felt so satisfying!”
“In no time, Shanter Castle will become the royal palace, Winter City… the only one of the four great royal cities that isn’t a capital. This year, it’s finally going to… it feels like a dream… following you, my Lord, has truly been worth it, really d*mn worth it…”
Uncle Hoover was full of drama, and in his excitement, he had to raise a toast with my father.
Father laughed and lifted his glass: “You have plenty of trouble ahead, you’ll be shouldering big responsibilities, so you better start thinking things through.”
Meanwhile, Mother was a bit red in the face but very alert. She turned to toast the Pope Knight sitting on the edge: after thanking him, she asked, “Mr. Tarlasya, do you have any plans for the coming days?”
The Pope Knight pondered for a moment.
“I’ll be returning to Ethanbel with Her Majesty. There are some matters that need urgent attention.”
“Eh…”
Mother didn’t pry into what it was all about but looked a bit surprised at Viki: “Oh, is Her Majesty Elizabeth getting ready to return home?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Viki took a small sip of her wine and said softly, “Now that we’ve discussed things here, the Royal City’s army will soon withdraw. Half of the Council members should already be arriving in the Royal City these days, and I’m sure they’re counting seconds, just waiting in the palace.”
“Those annoying wolves can just wait a little longer!”
“Fake Victoria” had clearly had a bit too much. Mixing snow wine and red wine, her smooth face was now delightfully flushed, and her words became even more carefree: “It’s just a matter of splitting the spoils! I say, sister, why not just stay in the Valen Empire for three or four months? We could go to Winter City together! Make those old geezers wait until they’re white-haired and toothless! Honestly, I’ve been fed up with them but no one dares to say anything about you now…”
“And then what? Leave enough time for the Church to respond to me?”
Her Majesty looked at her sister with a furrowed brow: “You’ve drunk a bit too much and misplaced your brain; stop talking nonsense.”
“Come on, sister, don’t you want to just stay a few more days with Miss Pepé?”
After that comment, a sudden silence blanketed the table.
Just as Uncle Hoover was about to drink with Tarlasya, the food-laden Annie, and my smiling mother, all eyes uncoincidentally turned towards that direction.
“Fake Victoria” seemed completely oblivious, blinking her eyes innocently: “What’s up? Why’s everyone looking at me like that?”
But this tricky woman clearly asked on purpose.
“Everyone knows that sister and Miss Peilo are on good terms. They lived together in the Royal City, sharing a bed from time to time, it’s all common knowledge, right? They even celebrated St. Brunn’s Festival together—”
Before she could finish, Viki shot her a frosty glare: “Aya, shut your mouth.”
“…Okay.”
“Fake Victoria” obediently hushed up, lowering her head to pretend to eat, her golden eyes rolling around, discreetly stealing glances at everyone’s reaction.
Her little face beamed with mischievous delight, provoking chaos without a hint of fear, making me want to slap her upside the head.
So annoying…
“Ahem, ahem.”
After a brief silence, Firebird Annie seemed to choke on her own saliva, coughing and breaking the awkwardness. She quickly raised her glass to drink, trying to mask her inner panic and confusion—she recalled the intimate interactions between Her Majesty and the ladies before the meal and suddenly felt like she understood something monumental.
“Pepé, you—”
Uncle Hoover’s gaze darted between me and Viki, dumbfoundingly declaring: “Wow, you and Her Majesty are this close? Living together? Really… Hi, I thought so! The relationship between the Empire and the Kingdom has always been neither far nor near, but suddenly… Wait, you even celebrated St. Brunn’s Festival together?! Why did you celebrate that? If memory serves, isn’t that a holiday for young couples?”
The man had genuinely missed the boat.
He was the only one at the table stuck in that lane.
Mother’s face darkened.
Meanwhile, Viki held herself upright, pale-faced, stuffing her mouth with food, not looking at anyone, as if not planning to explain anything.
“Umm… ha-ha.”
Finally, it was my dad who broke that strange tension: “Speaking of, my daughter’s residence in the Royal City was indeed arranged by Her Majesty. I remember Pepé wrote to tell me how quiet and pleasant the place was; she seemed quite happy about it…”
He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully: “During that time, my daughter was really well taken care of, right? I suppose she must have caused you a bit of trouble? Ha, at Shanter Castle, she’s definitely the loudest… Does Her Majesty have a courtyard next door?”
Before he could get a response, he continued: “My daughter, away from home, must not be used to it. She’s been spoiled since she was little and is rather clingy. When she was home, she often liked to sleep with her mother. Without her mother around, even eating and drinking must be a hassle. Ha, she’s always needed someone to take care of her…”
“Thankfully Her Majesty is so thoughtful, even amidst her busy schedule, she carved out time to chat with her. That must mean… in her heart, she’s probably long considered you a very important family member? Pepé has two useless brothers, who are quite thick-headed; she’s always wanted a sister since she was little. Finally, her wish came true… right, Pepé?”
That last sentence was directed at me.
