Chapter 43: Attending a Banquet?
I was extremely confused.
I tilted my head, staring up at the eye-catching, gloriously extravagant War Chariot that was attracting everyone’s attention like it was a peacock strutting among pigeons. My brows furrowed slightly.
What on earth is that woman, Victoria, up to…?
Of course, I recognized this was the same War Chariot that often parked in front of 2 Longdorr Street. What puzzled me was why it was showing up at the Royal Academy’s entrance at this hour.
Why is it blocking my path?
So noticeable…
“Peilo.”
Sophia called my name from beside me, her tone slightly hesitant, which was rare for her.
“What’s going on?”
“Hey Peilo, is this here to pick you up…?”
Even Sarah seemed a bit hesitant, cautiously nudging me with her elbow and leaning closer to whisper. I turned to see her somewhat awkward expression; her usually bold face was nowhere to be seen. When she noticed my gaze, she awkwardly averted her eyes.
This reaction made me hesitate for a moment.
“Not sure…”
The War Chariot gradually came to a stop in front of us.
“Peilo, d-do you know… do you know the owner of this War Chariot?”
Sophia’s mouth slightly parted, her beautiful eyes trembling.
Could she have figured out who might be sitting inside? She looked completely disbelieving, and her voice trembled as she spoke.
I didn’t respond. I merely watched as a meticulously dressed driver, his hair gleaming, stepped out from the front compartment of the chariot and bowed deeply to me, still somewhat dazed.
“Miss, the master requests your presence inside.”
“Uh—”
They’re really here to pick me up…
“What for?”
The driver lowered his bow even more.
“Please step inside, the master is waiting for you.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the luxurious silk curtains surrounding the chariot were pulled aside by a great hand.
“Hi~”
A familiar, green-haired head popped out. Upon seeing me, his eyes brightened and he flashed a big grin: “Xi… cough cough, come on up!”
“…What’s the deal, Rect?”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s definitely something good, come on, hurry~”
Rect kept waving at me, grinning like a kid at a candy store, his overly exaggerated demeanor reminiscent of those goofy guys trying to hit on girls at the corner store but failing miserably.
I rolled my eyes, about to say something when Sarah poked me again in the side.
“Is it Kanli’s Sword… Peilo, he’s from Kanli’s Sword, right?”
She lowered her voice, clearly trying to hide her excitement. But Rect, being his keen self, overheard her loud and clear.
“Hey there, cute little sister~” He casually greeted Sarah.
Sarah obviously didn’t expect her words to be heard, suddenly going shy and turning bright red as she looked down.
“You… hello…”
“Are you friends?”
“Y-yeah, I’m a first-year student by the Ceylon Lake, and I live in the same dormitory as Peilo, room 1504—”
Thud.
I gave her a light smack on the head.
“Watch out for him! He might sneak up on you!”
Rect was sneaky and he walked without a sound; what if he went to spy on Sarah in the shower?
“Uh, the Lord of Kanli’s Sword wouldn’t do that…”
Sarah scratched her face, her smile a bit goofy.
“Ha ha, the little sister is really sharp. I’m not that kind—”
“Rect.”
Suddenly, a voice as clear as a spring yet cold as ice resonated from inside the chariot.
Rect’s smile froze in place.
“Yes.”
He immediately shot me a look, signaling me to hurry up.
“Peilo, you should go quickly.”
Sarah was still a bit dazed, but Sophia had clearly put two and two together. The moment that voice rang out, her expression dramatically changed to one of urgency as she anxiously urged me.
“Don’t keep… her waiting…”
I glanced at her and nodded.
“Well then, I’ll head in.”
“Mhm…”
The entrance of the academy was bustling with people, students from various grades gathering around, and the gazes directed at us were increasingly intense, the buzz of conversation growing louder.
I didn’t want to be poked and prodded like a monkey in a zoo…
Quickly hopping into the chariot, I settled down, and it began to move slowly.
I lifted a corner of the curtain and looked back at Sarah and Sophia standing in the rain, meeting their gazes for a moment before waving my hand with a smile.
After the War Chariot traveled a short distance, my view was obscured by a line of armored soldiers on horned horses, standing in a tight formation.
These soldiers were arranged neatly, creating a barrier around the chariot, keeping the crowd at bay. From the style of their armor, it was clear they were part of the royal city’s garrison.
…Huh?
Did they used to guard Victoria like this?
After a moment of tilting my head, I realized I had never gone out with Victoria; almost every time we met was at 2 or 3 Longdorr Street, so I hadn’t noticed these details.
“Miss Silvya, how has life at the academy been?”
Hearing Rect’s question, I lowered the curtain and turned my head.
“Not bad.”
I blinked at the cold-faced blonde girl across from me, who had her arms crossed and was resting with her eyes closed.
“Anything fun happen? Like some little boy obsessively chasing after you?”
“Not at all.”
“How can that be… so what do you normally do? Go to class?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
Question, question, question—so annoying!
Just earlier, he was trying to chat up my roommate, what a loser…
I didn’t want to pay any more attention to Rect, frowning and staring fixedly at Victoria.
Still as flawless and stunning as ever. Her curled lashes fluttered gently with every breath like butterfly wings. The flowing green dress cascaded like a quietly blooming firework, yet it couldn’t overshadow her charm that could ensnare anyone completely.
Creak… creak…
The War Chariot moved smoothly, the sound of iron hooves resonating outside.
I stared at her for a while, feeling my eyes start to strain. But Victoria remained in her pose, eyes closed, her breathing steady with a subtle rise and fall of her chest; if one didn’t know better, they’d think she was fast asleep.
…Why come all this way to pick me up and not say a word?
I wrinkled my nose.
“Her Majesty the Queen!”
With a voice that rang with a hint of discontent, I called out.
The chariot fell silent for a moment.
Moments later, Victoria’s eyelids fluttered, and her bright golden eyes slowly opened.
“You…”
She furrowed her delicate brows slightly, casually glancing at me.
“What did you call me?”
Swish—
A chill suddenly shot up my spine.
My heart skipped a beat, and my hairs stood on end, unable to suppress a shudder.
“V-Victoria!”
I reflexively blurted out her name, yet my mind was still in a daze.
What… what what? What’s going on!?
Just now, why did I suddenly feel a sort of… something like the ‘killing intent’ described in novels…
I realized that this aggressive aura was emanating from the blonde woman before me. I also found that my hands were resting on my knees, my upper body perfectly straightened; I had unexpectedly adopted a very obedient sitting posture.
In an instant, I was deeply disappointed in myself.
Glancing slyly at Victoria’s face, I saw her shutting her eyes once again, ignoring me.
…What the heck!
That ghostly feeling faded instantly, and I became quite irritated.
“Victoria, say something—anything!”
“What do you want me to say?”
She responded coolly, her eyes still shut.
“Where are you taking me?”
“To a banquet.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“To the banquet venue.”
Banquet venue?
What banquet venue? Is it the kind Sophia mentioned?
…Why would I want to go to such a boring place!?
I immediately shook my head. “Not going.”
“You’ll meet a few important people.”
“I don’t want to meet them.”
I wasn’t interested in mingling with the nobility of the royal city; it would definitely bring tons of trouble…
“It’s really important.”
“I don’t care.”
The atmosphere fell silent again.
Victoria impatiently opened her eyes. The high-and-mighty blonde goddess suddenly had a look on her face like she was about to burst.
“There will be desserts at the banquet.”
