The Imperial Banquet.
For the citizens of the Empire, it was a tremendous honor—one that proudly ranked as the number one event everyone wanted to avoid.
When the day of the banquet arrived, it wasn't uncommon for those scheduled to attend to suddenly experience misfortune or encounter unexpected accidents.
Of course, feigning illness was risky, as the Emperor might show up at your door with medicine in hand, an event far worse than attending the banquet itself.
The mere thought of the Emperor knocking on the White Tower's door made me shiver.
'So there's really no way out of this...'
Attending someone else's dinner—especially an imperial family dinner—was an incredibly daunting prospect, but it seemed I had no choice.
To survive the banquet, I needed to know more about the Emperor—why he invited me, what he liked and disliked, and what his interests were.
One wrong word at the dinner table could cast a shadow over my entire future.
'I know his political leanings, at least.'
I had already observed during an audience that the Emperor tended to smile when someone badmouthed the church.
However, I didn't have enough material to sustain a full conversation based solely on criticizing the church.
I glanced over at the Second Princess, who was quietly working through documents beside me.
Though her relationship with the Emperor wasn't exactly warm, she was still his daughter—surely, she knew something.
"Your Highness, do you happen to know what hobbies His Majesty enjoys?"
I asked, but...
"You return after a month away, and the first thing you ask is that?"
"I thought it would be good to know since I have to attend the banquet in a fortnight..."
"That much, you can find out on your own."
"..."
Her response was surprisingly cold.
I suppose it was only natural.
After all, I had lied about my reason for leaving, spent over a month abroad, and then returned only to immediately inquire about the Emperor's hobbies.
'Yeah, I deserve that.'
Still, I hadn't expected the ever-dignified Second Princess to respond so curtly on my account.
"I apologize for my thoughtless question. I failed to consider Your Highness's feelings."
Her crimson eyes looked at me, as if to say, Is that all?
"...I also apologize for leaving without notice."
Yet, despite my repeated apologies, her piercing red eyes remained fixed on me.
'What else could there be?'
I blinked in confusion until the Second Princess sighed softly.
"I was a fool to expect even a little from you."
"…?"
I had clearly made a mistake, but I couldn't figure out what it was.
After pondering for a moment, I decided to abandon the thought.
She'll get over it.
That complacency came at a steep price.
"A drink from the Carcel Kingdom, is it?"
"..."
"Indeed, it tastes reminiscent of the White Dragon."
I forced a bitter smile at her playful remark.
The Second Princess knew full well that Milkis had nothing to do with the White Dragons—she was simply teasing me.
And I had a pretty good idea why.
Though I never expected her to react this way.
"Your Highness, could you please close your eyes for a moment?"
"Close my eyes, you say?"
"Yes, it will only take a moment."
Though curious, the Second Princess obliged.
"Alright, you may open them."
"..."
When she did, her lips parted in silence.
On the table sat a bright red gemstone ornament.
"It's said to ward off evil. I thought of Your Highness when I saw it in the Carcel Kingdom and brought it back."
The Second Princess had likely wanted a souvenir from my travels.
"What a mischievous trick."
"I simply wanted to see Your Highness surprised."
Of course, that was a lie.
On my first day in the Carcel Kingdom, I had bought it while picking up a souvenir for Ranya, the tower master of the White Tower.
I had tossed it into my spatial pocket and completely forgotten about it until just now.
It was only after recalling Lilith and Iberkina's surprise event that I decided to use it.
Even I had to admit—it was a truly impressive display of quick thinking.
A surprise so effective it even fooled the giver?
Nobody could predict that.
"If that was your intention, then you succeeded. I was truly caught off guard."
Astonishingly, even the ever-perceptive Second Princess hadn't seen through this one.
"Though it irks me that you've deceived me, I'll let it go since you've earned it."
Judging by the smile on her lips, it seemed my surprise had pleased her.
But then—
Swish.
"?"
The Second Princess unexpectedly untied her black velvet hair ribbon, allowing her golden locks to cascade freely.
I stared, taken aback by the rare sight of her hair unbound.
She slid the long black ribbon through the red gemstone's ring, tying a knot.
As I tilted my head in confusion, she spoke words I hadn't expected.
"A gift, yet you don't offer to put it on me?"
"Um, Your Highness, that isn't a necklace..."
"This way, I won't lose it, will I?"
A playful smile danced on her lips.
"..."
She wanted me to put it on her.
I found myself in quite a predicament.
But it was an order from the princess.
"Then, if Your Highness will allow me."
I stepped closer and gently slipped the velvet necklace over her head.
I broke into a light sweat, carefully moving her loose hair to avoid tangling it with the necklace.
"You're making this unnecessarily difficult. You could have done it from behind."
"It's my first time, Your Highness."
The Second Princess chuckled softly and adjusted her hair, clearly in a good mood.
"Then, may I take my leave now?"
"Finish your pending work before you go."
"..."
I had hoped to slip away amid the softened atmosphere, but my attempt failed.
*
Three days had passed, shuttling back and forth between the Second Princess's palace and the White Tower.
During that time, I diligently worked through my backlog—not because I had suddenly developed an interest in my work or become particularly dutiful.
It was purely out of necessity.
If the truth came out that Milkis wasn't inspired by the White Dragon, I'd not only face issues with the Carcel Kingdom but also have to endure Orca's wrath.
Of course, there was a deeper, more immediate reason.
"Um, Your Highness."
"What is it?"
"How long must I remain bound like this?"
"I'll release you once you finish your work."
I looked down at my left arm. A black velvet hair ribbon was tied around my wrist.
The other end of the ribbon was attached to the Second Princess's wrist.
When I kept trying to slip out of the office with various excuses, she had resorted to this drastic measure.
For the record, this ribbon could extend and retract at her will, allowing me to work without hindrance.
Just as a knight has a secret trump card, this ribbon was clearly the Second Princess's.
"But what if someone sees—"
"Is there anyone else here but you and me?"
"...That is true."
It seemed I was trapped in the Second Princess's palace until I finished all my work.
By the way—
"Your Highness, what exactly is an imperial banquet like?"
I finally asked the question that had been nagging at me.
Though I had been ordered to attend, no one had explained what the banquet entailed.
And none of the nobles who had attended before ever mentioned it.
When I asked, the Second Princess simply smiled.
"It is just a meal."
Her crimson eyes curved playfully, an unsettling glint within them.
*
Even as I worked diligently, time mercilessly marched on.
And eventually, the day of the imperial banquet arrived.
Before heading out, I reviewed everything I had learned about the Emperor's hobbies.
Criticizing the Church Acting like a Commoner Sick Visits Public Inspections Home Visits Horseback Riding
"Mm."
None of them were easy to navigate.
How little work must he have for home visits to be considered a hobby?
Most concerning of all was the fact that the Emperor's favorite pastime was drinking.
While many details about the banquet remained unclear, the one consistent rumor was that all invitees had to drink with the Emperor.
Just as corporate employees are sometimes forced to drink with their bosses, imperial officials had to endure the dreadful ordeal of keeping pace with the Emperor's drinking.
"Maybe a sick visit would be better."
I wavered seriously between choosing a sick visit or bracing for a drinking contest...
"B-but you can't choose a sick visit!"
Ranya with her face pale like a sheet of paper, desperately tried to dissuade me.
"Is there some sort of problem?"
"Ugh, it's not just a day... it's not just a day."
"..."
Yeah, that was definitely not an option.
Even a single day would be overwhelming, but an Emperor who visited for several days?
There could be no nightmare worse than that.
So, abandoning all alternatives, I resolved myself to attend the banquet.
And when I finally arrived—
"Welcome, Yuri Grail."
What greeted me was the Emperor, cutting a hamburger with a fork and knife.
***
Read the fully translated novel now!
Patreon(.)com/SiRoasa