“I have prepared a large bathhouse, so please follow your servants.”
At the request of the butler, Allen, the knights handed over the reins to their servants and raced to the annex.
'Looking for meat first, Sir Leon was right.'
The banquet seemed worry-free.
“Thanks to you preparing in advance, I feel relieved.”
Enoch, who had helped Agatha down from her horse, gently rolled his eyes.
“...What? It was something I had to do.”
“Is that so?”
Agatha, who had been blankly staring at Enoch, grabbed his hand and led him to the main mansion. With her other hand, she was calling out to Allen.
“Allen. I wish Allen would take care of Enoch. Do you know what I mean?”
“Of course. I will obey your command.”
Although he had an embarrassed look on his face, Enoch obediently followed her to the bathroom.
“Go wash up and come back.”
"All right."
Allen and the servants followed Enoch in.
If only she could stand here and protect him.
Agatha hurried to the banquet hall, followed by her maids, butlers, servants, and knights.
The banquet was just beginning.
“Prepare the food.”
“It’s perfect. The food is ready for the knights to eat as soon as they enter, and the wine barrels have been opened and placed tightly between the tables.”
“Yes. What else?”
“We have a second and third band on standby to take turns throughout the night. We have also hired several magicians.”
“Perfect. Just tell them to play only happy songs.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
In the kitchen where the signal was received, each table was filled with dishes.
Soon the knights who had just finished bathing poured into the banquet hall on the first floor.
In one corner, a band was plucking out cheerful notes.
Performers appeared everywhere.
In the center of the banquet hall, a brazier was placed, and various kinds of roasted meats, such as whole pigs and deer, were being grilled.
“Hahaha! That’s amazing!”
“Wow, there’s a keg of stout!”
Without anyone saying anything, hundreds of knights began to enjoy the banquet.
Unlike the usual banquets, the main characters of this banquet were the knights.
There was no formality. There was just eating, drinking, shouting, and crying.
"Hmm..."
The banquet of knights she had never seen before was more unfamiliar than what she had heard.
Shr thought the rumors were exaggerated, but they weren't at all.
The first vice-captain standing behind, Leon, could be heard laughing softly.
“Didn’t I tell you not to worry, Ma’am?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Enoch came in just as the banquet was reaching its climax.
“Were you here?”
The lord entered, but none of the knights paid any attention.
By then, Agatha had become accustomed to this strange banquet, so she first looked at the butler, Allen, who had come in after her.
Allen nodded slightly.
'That's fortunate.'
“First of all, I thought I had to keep my place as the hostess.”
“But wasn’t it like that?”
He sat down naturally next to her and spoke to her.
“Well, as you can see.”
The knights who had taken over the banquet hall below the high table were getting drunk among themselves and letting out the aftereffects of the battle.
It was truly a place where just alcohol and meat were enough.
Enoch, who had just finished bathing, also looked slightly drowsy.
He took a sip of wine and picked up the meat like the other knights. The platinum cord was visible through the gap in his casually open white shirt.
It was a dark gray sapphire necklace that she had chosen and sent.
Agatha unconsciously touched the purple sapphire bracelet on her wrist. It was a gift from him.
“Do you like the bracelet?”
“Yeah. It’s pretty.”
He tapped the necklace and laughed as if he was saying the same thing.
Eventually, Agatha guarded the banquet hall until Enoch left, and then went up to the fourth floor with him at dawn.
He stopped in the central hallway where each person's space was divided and buried his lips in the back of her hand.
“Can we have breakfast together tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’ll come down on time.”
The man who had kissed her cheek turned around with a smile.
It was finally the end of the war.
Agatha, who woke up early in the morning, prepared to go down to the breakfast room and received a report on the aftermath of the battle from her first aide, Ethel Maslow.
“You locked them all up in the underground prison?”
“Yes.”
She thought that some of them might have died or that he might have executed some of them.
Enoch had captured and brought all five families, perhaps intending to obtain the Emperor's formal approval.
'It couldn't have been easy.'
Although he didn't talk about the hardships he had gone through or how much effort he had put in, it felt like the effort he had put in was obvious.
“I must submit a petition for trial to His Majesty.”
“Yes. I will prepare.”
The rule of the land went to Nobilis, that is, Agatha, the heir.
The wealth accumulated by the five families will belong to Aratus.
The Nobilis family had no head of the family to resolve this issue, but there was an heir who could claim the land back, so this was a possible ruling.
“Madam, breakfast is ready.”
“Yes. I’ll go down.”
The petition written on the spot was immediately submitted to the Imperial Household Department.
Then, Agatha, who had finished her work, went down to the restaurant.
Enoch was seen sitting first at a round table inside the terrace that had been open for a long time.
The man, leaning back in his chair, was staring at the garden beyond the railing with an expressionless face.
The moment their eyes met, his eyes were colder than usual, his lips were tightly shut, and the subtle energy he had been letting out suddenly changed.
Like someone who is slowly coming to terms with reality.
The man, who had clearly softened, was clearly showing affection in his eyes.
“Good morning, Agatha.”
Agatha, who had been standing there blankly, nodded.
“Good morning, Enoch.”
Sitting on the chair he had provided, Agatha had a meal with Enoch, close to her for the first time in nearly two months.
Although the only sound was the clanking of dishes, a different coziness filled the surroundings.
Enoch asked, putting down his glass of wine.
“It seemed like the morning was coming.”
“Yes. I heard from your aide this morning that you have locked up all the prisoners in the dungeon. I would like to hold a private execution ceremony with His Majesty’s approval. What do you think?”
“I think it’s the cleanest way. It’s also the way I considered. By the way...”
The man smiled faintly as he watched her blinking curiously.
“You’re still the same, Agatha. How have you been while I was away?”
The words that she said she was living comfortably in the mansion were heard only by the knights with sensitive ears.
Agatha smiled proudly and told the story of what had happened.
“I’ve been preparing for the fall social scene. It seems like Neuta is up to something this season. I’ve been opening salons and trying to find connections between Neuta and other families.”
“You must have been busy.”
“Ah, His Majesty asked me to help with the palace ball, but I declined. It would be dangerous to become deeply involved with the royal family.”
“I guess His Majesty has called you often.”
“Sometimes? I was able to get out of it thanks to His Majesty’s thoughts from His Highness the Crown Prince. Well, His Majesty might try to expedite your retirement for the time being.”
“...I can’t even imagine the conversation that took place there.”
“It’s okay if you don’t know. And, by the way.”
The maid who had received Agatha's wink placed the letters that had arrived today in the center of the table.
Among the piles of letters that formed almost like a small mountain, there was a handful of letters sealed with the emblem of the Aratus collateral house.
“I didn’t break my promise. I didn’t even open the letter and we never met.”
Agatha confessed with a shy smile that she had isolated the surrounding territories and seized control of the economic power of the relatives who had been involved in this matter through the Nobilis' upper house.
“I may not be as good as you, but I did my best.”
“...”
Now, never again will Aratus' relatives stand against Enoch.
It would be correct to say that all the funds were held in this hand so that there was no room for such a thing.
After a moment of silence, he turned his gaze to the First Vice-Captain, Leon Takran, who was still performing Agatha's close escort.
Leon quietly averted his gaze.
“Oh, is there anything else?”
“Now that the autumn social scene is underway, hunting competitions are held frequently, and there are palace balls and other events planned, so I think you will need clothes, so I have gathered fabrics and jewels. I have also chosen a pattern to suit your taste, so I would like to go and get your measurements taken, Enoch.”
It was just the right time. If Enoch's return had been any later, the start of the autumn social scene would have been missed.
Perhaps it was Agatha who attended the palace ball alone.
Enoch licked his dry lips.
“...Yes. I guess I should go. Since you worked hard to choose this.”
“Yes. I’ll send a message to the costume shop.”
As the atmosphere was getting warmer, the butler, Allen, came in and told the news.
“Your Grace. A messenger has arrived from the palace.”
At the request of the butler, Allen, the knights handed over the reins to their servants and raced to the annex.
'Looking for meat first, Sir Leon was right.'
The banquet seemed worry-free.
“Thanks to you preparing in advance, I feel relieved.”
Enoch, who had helped Agatha down from her horse, gently rolled his eyes.
“...What? It was something I had to do.”
“Is that so?”
Agatha, who had been blankly staring at Enoch, grabbed his hand and led him to the main mansion. With her other hand, she was calling out to Allen.
“Allen. I wish Allen would take care of Enoch. Do you know what I mean?”
“Of course. I will obey your command.”
Although he had an embarrassed look on his face, Enoch obediently followed her to the bathroom.
“Go wash up and come back.”
"All right."
Allen and the servants followed Enoch in.
If only she could stand here and protect him.
Agatha hurried to the banquet hall, followed by her maids, butlers, servants, and knights.
The banquet was just beginning.
“Prepare the food.”
“It’s perfect. The food is ready for the knights to eat as soon as they enter, and the wine barrels have been opened and placed tightly between the tables.”
“Yes. What else?”
“We have a second and third band on standby to take turns throughout the night. We have also hired several magicians.”
“Perfect. Just tell them to play only happy songs.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
In the kitchen where the signal was received, each table was filled with dishes.
Soon the knights who had just finished bathing poured into the banquet hall on the first floor.
In one corner, a band was plucking out cheerful notes.
Performers appeared everywhere.
In the center of the banquet hall, a brazier was placed, and various kinds of roasted meats, such as whole pigs and deer, were being grilled.
“Hahaha! That’s amazing!”
“Wow, there’s a keg of stout!”
Without anyone saying anything, hundreds of knights began to enjoy the banquet.
Unlike the usual banquets, the main characters of this banquet were the knights.
There was no formality. There was just eating, drinking, shouting, and crying.
"Hmm..."
The banquet of knights she had never seen before was more unfamiliar than what she had heard.
Shr thought the rumors were exaggerated, but they weren't at all.
The first vice-captain standing behind, Leon, could be heard laughing softly.
“Didn’t I tell you not to worry, Ma’am?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Enoch came in just as the banquet was reaching its climax.
“Were you here?”
The lord entered, but none of the knights paid any attention.
By then, Agatha had become accustomed to this strange banquet, so she first looked at the butler, Allen, who had come in after her.
Allen nodded slightly.
'That's fortunate.'
“First of all, I thought I had to keep my place as the hostess.”
“But wasn’t it like that?”
He sat down naturally next to her and spoke to her.
“Well, as you can see.”
The knights who had taken over the banquet hall below the high table were getting drunk among themselves and letting out the aftereffects of the battle.
It was truly a place where just alcohol and meat were enough.
Enoch, who had just finished bathing, also looked slightly drowsy.
He took a sip of wine and picked up the meat like the other knights. The platinum cord was visible through the gap in his casually open white shirt.
It was a dark gray sapphire necklace that she had chosen and sent.
Agatha unconsciously touched the purple sapphire bracelet on her wrist. It was a gift from him.
“Do you like the bracelet?”
“Yeah. It’s pretty.”
He tapped the necklace and laughed as if he was saying the same thing.
Eventually, Agatha guarded the banquet hall until Enoch left, and then went up to the fourth floor with him at dawn.
He stopped in the central hallway where each person's space was divided and buried his lips in the back of her hand.
“Can we have breakfast together tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’ll come down on time.”
The man who had kissed her cheek turned around with a smile.
It was finally the end of the war.
Agatha, who woke up early in the morning, prepared to go down to the breakfast room and received a report on the aftermath of the battle from her first aide, Ethel Maslow.
“You locked them all up in the underground prison?”
“Yes.”
She thought that some of them might have died or that he might have executed some of them.
Enoch had captured and brought all five families, perhaps intending to obtain the Emperor's formal approval.
'It couldn't have been easy.'
Although he didn't talk about the hardships he had gone through or how much effort he had put in, it felt like the effort he had put in was obvious.
“I must submit a petition for trial to His Majesty.”
“Yes. I will prepare.”
The rule of the land went to Nobilis, that is, Agatha, the heir.
The wealth accumulated by the five families will belong to Aratus.
The Nobilis family had no head of the family to resolve this issue, but there was an heir who could claim the land back, so this was a possible ruling.
“Madam, breakfast is ready.”
“Yes. I’ll go down.”
The petition written on the spot was immediately submitted to the Imperial Household Department.
Then, Agatha, who had finished her work, went down to the restaurant.
Enoch was seen sitting first at a round table inside the terrace that had been open for a long time.
The man, leaning back in his chair, was staring at the garden beyond the railing with an expressionless face.
The moment their eyes met, his eyes were colder than usual, his lips were tightly shut, and the subtle energy he had been letting out suddenly changed.
Like someone who is slowly coming to terms with reality.
The man, who had clearly softened, was clearly showing affection in his eyes.
“Good morning, Agatha.”
Agatha, who had been standing there blankly, nodded.
“Good morning, Enoch.”
Sitting on the chair he had provided, Agatha had a meal with Enoch, close to her for the first time in nearly two months.
Although the only sound was the clanking of dishes, a different coziness filled the surroundings.
Enoch asked, putting down his glass of wine.
“It seemed like the morning was coming.”
“Yes. I heard from your aide this morning that you have locked up all the prisoners in the dungeon. I would like to hold a private execution ceremony with His Majesty’s approval. What do you think?”
“I think it’s the cleanest way. It’s also the way I considered. By the way...”
The man smiled faintly as he watched her blinking curiously.
“You’re still the same, Agatha. How have you been while I was away?”
The words that she said she was living comfortably in the mansion were heard only by the knights with sensitive ears.
Agatha smiled proudly and told the story of what had happened.
“I’ve been preparing for the fall social scene. It seems like Neuta is up to something this season. I’ve been opening salons and trying to find connections between Neuta and other families.”
“You must have been busy.”
“Ah, His Majesty asked me to help with the palace ball, but I declined. It would be dangerous to become deeply involved with the royal family.”
“I guess His Majesty has called you often.”
“Sometimes? I was able to get out of it thanks to His Majesty’s thoughts from His Highness the Crown Prince. Well, His Majesty might try to expedite your retirement for the time being.”
“...I can’t even imagine the conversation that took place there.”
“It’s okay if you don’t know. And, by the way.”
The maid who had received Agatha's wink placed the letters that had arrived today in the center of the table.
Among the piles of letters that formed almost like a small mountain, there was a handful of letters sealed with the emblem of the Aratus collateral house.
“I didn’t break my promise. I didn’t even open the letter and we never met.”
Agatha confessed with a shy smile that she had isolated the surrounding territories and seized control of the economic power of the relatives who had been involved in this matter through the Nobilis' upper house.
“I may not be as good as you, but I did my best.”
“...”
Now, never again will Aratus' relatives stand against Enoch.
It would be correct to say that all the funds were held in this hand so that there was no room for such a thing.
After a moment of silence, he turned his gaze to the First Vice-Captain, Leon Takran, who was still performing Agatha's close escort.
Leon quietly averted his gaze.
“Oh, is there anything else?”
“Now that the autumn social scene is underway, hunting competitions are held frequently, and there are palace balls and other events planned, so I think you will need clothes, so I have gathered fabrics and jewels. I have also chosen a pattern to suit your taste, so I would like to go and get your measurements taken, Enoch.”
It was just the right time. If Enoch's return had been any later, the start of the autumn social scene would have been missed.
Perhaps it was Agatha who attended the palace ball alone.
Enoch licked his dry lips.
“...Yes. I guess I should go. Since you worked hard to choose this.”
“Yes. I’ll send a message to the costume shop.”
As the atmosphere was getting warmer, the butler, Allen, came in and told the news.
“Your Grace. A messenger has arrived from the palace.”
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