Cornered Rat (13)
The two-week summit finally came to an end the next day, with the second Futurism presentation handed over to the attendees.
Now all that remains is a banquet to celebrate the end of the talks. After that, they will return to their respective countries and begin full-scale preparations for the Great Rift.
I slowly started getting dressed for the banquet that was starting in the evening.
The maids applied fine-colored powder to my face and tinted my pale lips a crimson color.
As the maids left after finishing their preparations. Nadia let out a deep sigh.
"What if the attendees fall in love with our lady? Haa, that would be a bit difficult."
"...Are you dreaming?"
"Why? I could fall in love with someone so pretty. Well, there's no reason to collect rocks when there's gold nearby."
"What on earth are you talking about? Do you want a shawl?"
"I'll put it on for you. But, Miss, don't you think you haven't been able to enjoy summer properly this year?"
"Is it because I went to Eldern when it was really hot?"
"Wow, Eldern was really cold. It's all over."
A lavender shawl was draped over her bare shoulders. The inside was slightly see-through, so I wondered why she did not see it, but it was surprisingly warm.
At that moment, the sound of heavy footsteps grew louder. Finally, there was a knock and the bedroom door opened.
"You are beautiful, my daughter."
"Huh? Was that my father?"
He was surprisingly my father.
"Father, the sound of footsteps... Did you get healed by Rahon? I didn't hear anything."
"I asked him to keep it a secret so that I could surprise you, I worked hard on my rehabilitation training, so how is it? Has the sound of my walking changed?"
"Yes, I didn't even know you were my father."
A rough yet warm hand wrapped around mine. I held my father's finger tightly and poured out questions.
"Have you recovered by now? You didn't overdo it, did you? I heard that you should start with light rehabilitation training and gradually increase the intensity. Is that what you did?"
My father burst into laughter.
"Hey kid, doesn't your father know that?"
"Oh, right. Sorry, I was in a hurry."
My father carefully stroked my hair.
"Thank you, my daughter, this father is living in luxury."
"No, Father."
This is nothing compared to the love my father gave me.
I wanted to say that, but I was too embarrassed to open my mouth.
Really, his personality doesn't change even in the second life.
I swallowed a sigh and changed the subject.
"What about my older brother?"
"The eldest child left first because the First Prince called him. Father will escort you to the carriage. Take your cane."
"Yes."
The wind was blowing quite strongly outside.
The hem of the dress fluttered and wrapped around my legs. Unfortunately, the dress was designed to be tight, so it got in the way every time I walked.
Ian and Rahon hurriedly approached us as we headed to the carriage with our father.
Even though I didn't mean to, my gaze naturally turned to the two men.
'Ah...'
Even though the Paladin himself, Rahon, was impressive enough to make me gasp. Strangely enough, Ian caught my eye today.
The neck is visible above the collarbone, and the scrotum looks like it was carved from a rock and attached.
Broad shoulders and thick ribcage.
Long arms extend far below, and the tendons on the back of the hands are revealed beneath the neat sleeves.
Without realizing it, I lowered my gaze, recalling the warmth that those calloused hands had given me.
'What am I doing now?'
What a rude thing to do, secretly looking over his body.
As I was waiting for my burning face to cool down, I suddenly felt a calm atmosphere.
Rahon and Ian were just staring at me from three or four steps away.
Why don't you speak?
"Father, where are Rahon and Ian?"
"...Is in front."
"Is that so?"
Somehow, I could hear a note of caution in my father's voice.
I looked around as if searching for any sign of movement, with my eyes focused on the empty space. Then I realized that perhaps it was because the wind was blowing too much that I couldn't smell the two people.
Only then did Rahon and Ian come closer and greet my father.
"Your Excellency, have you come out?"
"What brought you here? I told you that the cold wind is still bad."
The father didn't even greet the two people. He just stared at them with sharp eyes.
"You two."
"Please speak, Marquis."
"Why."
"Your eyes are quite high."
What on earth are you talking about?
Unlike me, Ian and Rahon seemed to understand. Their earlobes blushed happily.
"...?"
The moment I was wondering what was going on, the wind started blowing fiercely.
As my body swayed and I held onto my father's hand tightly, the shawl came loose and flew into the air.
"Uh?"
At that moment, Ian stretched out his long arm and grabbed the shawl. At the same time, Rahon opened his jacket to block the wind.
It literally happened in the blink of an eye.
Ian put a shawl on me as I stood there blankly, unable to even react. Then Rahon put a jacket over it.
"Let's go."
"Let's go."
"Have a nice trip."
As my father stepped back, they both grabbed my hands.
I got into the carriage with two men.
***
Attendees began to gather one after another in the banquet hall.
There was no sign of anyone having been up all night devising strategies for the past five days.
The extravagantly decorated appearance shows that they have been waiting for this day to come.
As I entered the banquet hall, attendees flocked in.
"Lady Astrod, you are dazzlingly beautiful today."
"This voice is Kenneth from Romena. Thank you for the compliment."
"Oh, my goodness. A young lady knows my name! Can I immigrate to that empire?"
Kenneth put his hand on his heart and sobbed in excitement. The audience burst into laughter at his comical antics.
Just two weeks ago when the summit began, there was no one who had ostracized me, but now there was no one like that.
I also smiled among the pure and joyful people.
"Shouldn't we talk about that too? If there had been no future, we wouldn't have been able to formulate a strategy."
"Oh, that's right! Young lady. Futurism really helped me a lot."
"You guys could have made a great strategy without futurization."
The attendees smiled happily. Their expressions were confident as if the strategy had come out well.
"Excuse me, is everyone almost here?"
"Is that so?"
"Then I will tell you. The third future will be sent to each country as soon as it is completed. Please refer to it and make detailed strategies."
"Oh! Long live Lady Astrod! Long live the Guardians!"
Among the cheering crowd, Prime Minister Hallsten and Anton approached.
A fragrant scent emanated from Anton, who always reeked of sweat.
Looking at it that way, it seemed like he barely sweated. The banquet uniform he was wearing was soft.
"Young Lady."
"Your Highness?"
"Well... thank you. I wanted to formally greet you before I return."
"Did I do something that deserves to be greeted by the Grand Duke? I don't remember."
Anton's memories of Sierra were probably still a wound that hadn't even healed yet, so he didn't want to bring it up and cause more pain.
Anton seemed to understand my feelings and kept his mouth shut.
I thought he would just quietly return home like he usually did, but he suddenly bowed and shouted loudly.
"Thank you!"
The audience's attention was drawn to the loud voice.
Anton's face turned bright red as if it was going to explode. Then he gulped down the champagne he was holding in one gulp, straightened his head, and walked off somewhere.
Unfortunately, my left foot and left hand were going out together, but let's pretend we didn't see that.
Prime Minister Hallstail laughed heartily.
"I never thought I would see our Grand Prince shouting so loudly in front of people while I was still alive. It's all thanks to Young Lady."
"Not at all. By the way, thank you for keeping your promise."
"I didn't know the First Prince of the Empire would be so clever. I think it was a good idea to abstain from voting as Young lasy advised."
"Thank you."
Prime Minister Hallstail took my hand.
Hard, callused hands. A smile came to my face at the sight of hands that resembled my father's.
"If you ever visit Romena, be sure to come see me. The young lady will be my honored guest for life."
"I look forward to it."
At that moment, the Emperor appeared in the banquet hall with his imperial knights. He stood on the podium.
"We are facing a great crisis. Many people will die, and the land will be stained with blood. Unplanned events and unforeseen accidents will occur innumerable times."
The atmosphere became solemn.
Even while laughing and chatting, I felt that the great rift was steadily approaching.
"But no matter what the trials, there is one thing that remains constant."
The Emperor raised his champagne high in front of everyone's eyes.
"We will definitely win!"
Attendees also drank champagne.
"For victory!"
The banquet has begun.
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