Chapter 40: The Royal Banquet (5)
The stream of air flows, making a vibration.
Sweet melody escaped from the flute bamboo.
Frees the souls, bringing joy.
Oh, sweet melody, sweet melody, you attract the empty souls.
"Woah! Who is that girl"
"Is that the rumored father and daughter?"
"She's really pretty in person. And the melody she played is nice."
I caught their attention. Well, I expected this to happen so there was nothing to be surprised about. However, there's something strange- Head Priest Drystan is intensively looking at me.
"Brielle! That's the most wonderful gift I ever received," Brother Ethan said, hugging me.
"You're welcome, Your Highness," I replied. "Uhm…Your Highness everyone… is looking at us right now."
Brother Ethan released me from his arms, and glared at the nobles who were staring at us. All of them turned their gaze because they were scared of the first prince.
"Where did you learn to play the flute?" The Emperor and the Empress were here, in front of us, smiling. I guessed they heard me playing.
"Greetings to the Emperor," Papa and I greeted. Though Papa is not the type to give respect to others, he forced himself to do it or else the nobles would likely keep their eyes on us.
"You didn't answer my question, Brielle. I want to know where you learned to play the flute."
"From Papa…Papa taught me," I answered.
"That's nice. I think I'm jealous. Teaching Brielle must be fun, right Atlas?''
Before Papa could answer His Majesty, a noble man with broad shoulders, and a bad boy look stopped in our place. Despite his old age, I could say that he is still charismatic. Maybe because of his appealing eyes. Yes, definitely those eyes. "Your Majesty, I have been looking for a chance to talk with you but there are so many interruptions," he said, glancing at me. "This humble subject requests to take His Majesty and the Empress precious time."
"Guide Duke Cohan to the drawing room," commanded Emperor Ian to the maid. "We'll take our leave. Continue to enjoy the banquet."
***
"One, two, three, four, five, six…There are so many stars today," I said, looking at the night sky.
After Emperor Ian and Empress Helena left the banquet, Brother Ethan and Brother Kye needed to entertain the guests in place of them so we decided to breathe some fresh air outside. Max volunteered to stay inside because he wanted to accompany the knights guarding the banquet.
"Papa, I need to go to the bathroom."'
"I'll accompany you there," Papa answered, standing up.
"I can go by myself. You just sit and wait here. I'll be back."
"…Alright. Hurry and come back."
I went to the bathroom. Urinate. Then, walk my way back to where Papa is.
"Ouch!" I blurted as I fell on the ground.
I bumped into something. I looked at what it was. It's not something rather than someone.
"I'm not paying attention to where I'm going. I'm sorry, Head Priest Drystan.''
He didn't say anything. He only helps me to get up and stare at me.
"Head Priest?"
"Why are you alone?"
"I went to the bathroom."
"Is that so…" Head Priest mumbled. "I heard children like to see bright and beautiful things.
Do you want to see mine?"
Before I could answer, Head Priest Drystan held out his hand, and like magic, underneath the sparkling stars came out a flutter of butterflies. Indeed, bright and beautiful. While, I'm admiring the butterflies, Head Priest Drystan grab one of the butterflies and suddenly it's crystalized.He put the crystalized butterfly to my hair and said, "Consider it as my gift for your great performance."
"Tha-Thank you."
"I'll take my leave. I'm looking forward to meeting you again, Lady Brielle," Head Priest said, bowing. He then left and went to his carriage.
***
"Brielle, you're back."
"I was late because I bumped into Head Priest Drystan. He gave me this butterfly," I said, showing him the butterfly in my hair. "Oh! Emil is here. What are you doing here?"
"He has something to say."
We looked at Emil and waited for him to speak.
"My eye was cured," Emil stated. "And I'm aware that it was Lady Brielle who did it."
Papa and I stood there in silence.
Oops…I didn't expect that Emil would catch me. I made sure to hide my mana as I could but how did he know? I shouldn't underestimate the Imperial knights.
"So, what if then? Are you going to blab around that she healed you?"
"The fact that Lady Brielle hiddenly healed me is a reason for me to keep silent."
"I thought you knights are only muscle heads. It's great that you caught up."
"Thank you, Lady Brielle," Emil said, holding up his tears. "I never thought I could see again with both my eyes. My wife and my daughter would be glad if they saw me in this state. Really, you're Goddess sent from above.''
"Why are you here, Emil? I thought all the Imperial knights were guarding the banquet?"
"I asked the Commander if I could leave for just a moment. Luckily, he permitted me."
"Is Sir Helden with the Emperor and Empress?"
"Yes," Emil replied. "I heard that Duke Cohan brought the princess with him—…Oh shit! Please forget what I said."
"A princess huh," said Papa.
"The daughter of the emperor."
"Please forget that I have said it," begged Emil.
"Why? You should keep that mouth of yours in the first place," Papa savagely replied.
"Papa!"
"It's a taboo to mention the princess in the Ronian Empire," Emil answered.
Before I could ask a question to Emil, we heard a knight called Emil. It seems that he must return to his duty.
Emil lowered his head and said, "Thank you for your time, Lady Brielle and Lord Atlas." Then he immediately returned to his post.
At that moment, only me and Papa were left outside. Still in mind what Emil had said.
"Papa, why is that the princess is not with the royal family? She should be here in the palace, right?"
"Perhaps there was an incident in the past that brought her to her present situation."
"Hmmm…"
"Stop thinking so much. You will have wrinkles if you don't stop." Papa flicked my forehead. "Humans tend to make decisions that are difficult to understand. Even if they were aware that they would be sacrificing someone, they would sometimes make selfish decisions."
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