Chapter 51: The Latecomer
Delicious!
I was nestled in a corner of the banquet hall, shoving cake into my mouth like a tornado on a mission, unable to stop.
Victoria’s birthday cake was just too good!
It was nothing like the Osperu cake from the Valen Empire or the almond cake I bought at the market. The rich, creamy frosting melted in my mouth, leaving traces of cheese and lemon flavor lingering delightfully, sweetening even my exhalations.
Ever since the moment the servants pushed the cake onto the high platform, my mouth had been watering non-stop. I had one single thought in my mind: nobody better try to take this big slice from me!
I was almost achieving a great feat: consuming a cake larger than myself. I didn’t even know how I would fit it into my body, but I was certain I could finish it.
After a long struggle, glancing at the crowd below and remembering it was Victoria’s special day, I ultimately managed to refrain from diving face-first into the cake and preserved a bit of dignity.
If I had just lunged at it, I would have had no face left to show in the Royal City!
But I did get the biggest slice.
Sure, it was the biggest slice…
Staring at the remaining deliciousness on my plate, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, frowning in disappointment.
Still not enough! A few more bites and it would be gone!
“Here, have some of mine.”
A familiar voice suddenly chimed in beside me.
I looked up to see Sophia approaching with a small plate of cake, settling down next to me and placing the dessert in front of us.
So she was here after all…
“Sophia, you’re the best!”
I couldn’t contain my excitement and eagerly pulled the plate closer.
“Why are you sitting next to Her Majesty the Queen? Those people seemed eager to chat with you…” Sophia chuckled while watching me.
“I don’t want to, or talk to them.”
Swallowing a large piece of cake made my words a bit jumbled.
I obviously knew many people wanted to talk to me, especially some young, arrogant types, which was exactly why I was hiding here. No way I was going to interact with them; I could tell just by their vibes that they were insufferable and tedious…
A few had tried to approach me earlier, introduced themselves briefly, and left disgruntled when they saw I wasn’t interested in chatting.
“Ha ha.”
Sophia giggled at that.
“In this kind of situation, people are usually battling to get in, thinking hard to connect with those superior to them. And here you are, the focus of the entire soirée standing by Her Majesty’s side, yet sneaking away here to munch cake all alone, avoiding everyone like a pro.”
“I did NOT sneak any cake!” I shot back defensively.
Sophia blinked for a moment, her smile turning into one of helplessness.
“That’s not really the point… Honestly.”
She gently rubbed her forehead and sighed, her eyes dimming a bit, losing the usual spark, looking somewhat forlorn.
Sophia didn’t seem happy…
Did someone upset her?
I was puzzled, struggling to understand her mood, which wasn’t typical for Sophia. Tilting my head, I forked a small piece of cake and held it out to her.
“Want some?”
“Pfft—”
Sophia stifled a laugh, gently pushing my hand away.
“Just focus on your cake, I can’t eat like you do. In fact, in this kind of situation, the only one who can indulge so selfishly is you, Peilo… just look at everyone’s eyes…”
Their eyes?
I swallowed the cake and took a look around the hall.
Most people had gathered around Victoria now. I was quite a bit farther away from her, and those left nearby were mostly young nobles like Sophia, clustered in small groups toasting and chatting cheerfully.
After the recent encounters had fizzled out, they probably couldn’t figure me out but knew I wasn’t keen on talking, leaving them uncertain on how to approach me. Still, their glances occasionally darted my way, filled with a certain hope and longing, revealing their true intentions to me.
It was that all-too-familiar look: men scheming for ways to hunt their ‘prey.’
“Just because they want to talk to me, does that mean I have to entertain them?”
I knew very well what they were thinking when they came to chat me up. If I didn’t knock them flat on the nose, it would still be a favor to Victoria. Why should I be forced to respond, satisfying their delusions of grandeur that they thought I might actually care about them?
That’s a move only the green tea sisters would pull.
But I, Silvya, am no delicate flower.
I flicked my finger across my lips, scraping off the cream clinging to the corner, then licked it with my tiny tongue.
“Hmm.”
I chuckled, pushing my empty plate aside and digging into the other plate of cake Sophia had brought.
“Ahh… mmm…”
With my mouth stuffed full of creamy goodness, I could sense Sophia’s gaze beside me. She had fallen silent, seemingly concentrating her stare entirely on me… which felt a bit odd. I stopped after a few bites.
“What’s up?”
I scrunched my nose slightly, my tone a tad accusatory.
“Nothing.” Sophia responded softly.
She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, the flickering light from the long table casting soft highlights across her side profile.
“Seeing you like this makes me question why I even came here… You really surprised me, Peilo. Is your father truly Duke Skarlick? The owner of Winter City, the ‘King of Bizarre Soldiers’ Pope Knight?”
“Yep.”
I nodded calmly at her.
Sophia went silent for a while, and after a moment, she mumbled, “How come… I’ve never heard you say anything about it before…”
“No one asked me. Never had the chance to mention it.”
Do I really need to brag about this kind of thing?
“It’s not… you see, we all live in the same dorm, and quite a bit of time has passed. You know all about us, yet we know nothing of you… I thought you were just a minor noble, and today was a huge shock… even Her Majesty herself welcomed you.”
“Hmm…”
I pondered for a moment, stroking my chin.
“I just didn’t think it was important. Whether I say it or not, it’s all fine.”
“How can it not be important… Your family’s embroiled in a war! Wait, if Shanter Castle wins, wouldn’t you really be a princess… that would be amazing… though wait, what’s so great about war… agh, what am I even saying… Sorry! My father pressured me to come and talk to you. Ugh, my head is spinning…”
I nibbled on another small piece of cake, letting the creamy sweetness roll around on my tongue while watching Sophia. When she seemed to calm down a bit, I flashed her a bright smile.
“Sophia, thank you for the cake. It’s so tasty. Also—”
I paused, swallowing the cream that had nearly melted into liquid in my mouth, then continued.
“You always help me ‘borrow’ food at the cafeteria; otherwise, I’d go hungry. Sophia, thank you. You’re a really good friend.”
Sophia stared at me, slightly dazed.
Moments later, she seemed relieved, her rosy lips twitching upwards into a relaxed smile.
“Peilo—”
Just as Sophia was about to say something, a commotion erupted behind us.
“Pardon me, pardon me, Your Majesty Elizabeth. I got caught up in mundane matters and took too long to arrive; I hope you won’t hold it against me!”
A richly resonant male voice boomed through the grand hall, confident and powerful.
Following the sound, I looked up to see an elder with a head full of gray but lively spirit, striding along the red carpet with a few swanky attendants, heading straight toward Victoria.
