章節 11: [Ch.11] A Banquet to Remember (Past)

...161 years ago...

A lone woman sat at a banquet in the corner of the room looking at everyone with indifferent eyes. Anyone who saw her would be stunned into silence by her beauty. Her snow-white hair hung elegantly past her shoulders. Her eyes were as green as emeralds and caused everyone who saw them to hold their breath in admiration.

However, the thing they enjoyed viewing most of all was her body. Many people would compare her to a fertility goddess. Her bodacious breasts popped out of the red corset dress as her swinging hips captured the male's admiration and even some women.

Unfortunately, I didn't feel the same as them.

I even went as far as to fervently despise my own body. I hated wearing tight dresses. Women here were forced into tight corsets to appear seductive and mature. Not only did I feel as though I couldn't breathe, but I also felt like my breasts were constantly slapping me in the face.

I passionately abhorred it.

I sat propped up on the lounger swishing a glass of wine in my hand as I stared at the banquet in boredom. Now considered an adult, I was forced to attend political banquets held by the Baron. I stared at everyone who was brownnosing and using flattery for any type of gain. The nobles who attended were those who had just as much money as they did time on their hands.

It was a complete waste of my time.

Of course, the Baron would disagree with me. He believed it was important to remind the people that it was him that oversaw the nation.

When it came down to it, it was just politics, and I had no interest in it whatsoever.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed an unfamiliar attendant whisper to another one. My eyes were drawn to him as I sipped on my wine without showing my inner thoughts. I watched as he moved across the room whispering to others inconspicuously.

He wore a humble expression contrasted by his proud, strong eyes. His long black hair shimmered in the light and was tied back neatly with a pale green ribbon. His tan skin held no imperfections nor scars. His dark, deep eyes stood out as they looked around the room calculating every person's movement like an owl watching a mouse.

I waved him over and he didn't hesitate for even a moment. He quickly came over and bowed. He spoke with a charming smile, "Yes, my lady?"

I looked at him with no expression and held out my empty wine glass. He glanced at it looking a bit confused. I raised my eyebrow and motioned to the empty cup without feeling impatient. He smiled at me as soon as he understood my intent. He grabbed a bottle, then came back to pour it into my cup. He bowed and moved to walk away.

"Stop."

He stopped and looked back at me with a calm smile, "Is there something wrong, my lady?"

I drank the wine and finished the glass with only three gulps. I held out my cup intending for him to fill it back up. My voice was neither rushed nor impatient, "Stay."

I watched him closely and noticed that he never made any mistake in his movements or expressions. He bowed and moved to my side waiting to fill my cup once more. I finally pulled my eyes away from him and stared at the crowd apathetically.

I have to admit he is a good actor.

I spoke in a detached tone after finishing another glass, "I haven't seen you around the palace before."

"I am sure you have, my Lady. It is a big palace after all."

"Mmn."

He stood next to me smiling casually, but I could tell he was uncomfortable. After a few moments of silence, I spoke again, "What is the taboo of room 134?"

He was taken aback, "Taboo? My Lady, what do you mean? It's just a room."

Such an ambiguous answer.

I shook my head, "Every servant in this palace knows the answer. Also, they wouldn't have responded as you just did. You are a great actor, but you are far too obvious."

He felt his hair stand on end as he looked at my indifferent expression. He hid his panic skillfully, "I don't know what you mean."

I looked at the people in the room, "The servants of this palace are afraid of the Baron as well as me. They don't look us in the eyes as you just did. They always seem to look at the ground with a constipated look. You are proud. Although you were acting humble, it wasn't the same as the servants. Thus, you stick out."

His body grew tense immediately. His instincts told him that there was no way he could fool me any longer. He spoke through his teeth as he tightened his fists as if to fight, "What do you intend to do?"

I held up my hand to stop him, "I don't care really. I was just offering advice. I assume you and your accomplices are trying to stage an attack, but it won't work."

"Oh?" He grinned mockingly, "And why is that?"

"The Baron's arrogance allows you to walk under his nose, but that doesn't mean he is incompetent."

I paused and added, "He's just stupid."

He clicked his tongue, "So do you intend to turn me in?"

"Hmm."

He thought I was considering it; however, I was merely losing interest in the conversation. I thought this man would be interesting, but maybe I was mistaken.

He spoke vehemently, "The tyrant Baron deserves to die, and his nation should suffer for their sins. Even if I go down, I won't tell you my plans."

My eyes turned to him with a hint of admiration. My lips twitched as I recalled a memory from my past life. It felt like not so long ago that I had said something similar.

But that's in the past now.

My eyes shimmered momentarily as I stared at him with interest, "I see."

I looked over to the pillars and began to point at certain places, "Those are where you planted the bombs."

His eyes widened, "How-"

"Don't misunderstand. Your magic is well hidden. It's actually quite impressive. However, your plan won't work. It will only benefit the Baron. So, if I were you, I would leave now while you can."

He clicked his tongue and handed me the bottle of wine, "I never run away."

I took the bottle and watched as he walked away without any hesitation. I drank straight from it before placing it on the table next to me.

As soon as the empty bottle hit the table, the room was filled with a bright light followed by an explosion. When the brightness lessened, the room revealed some scorch marks. However, everyone was safe and unharmed. The Baron had noticed and put up a defensive barrier to protect the people before the bombs could do any damage.

They began to sing his praises.

It was just as I predicted.

He looked on triumphantly and shouted orders, "Lockdown the building. No one is allowed out until you find the ones responsible."

Now that I was out of wine and even slight entertainment, I left the ballroom and headed toward my bedroom. The Baron's guards would certainly find the culprits through their ruthless means. As I came closer to my room, I heard shouting. I saw two of the guards holding the man I was speaking to earlier.

I stood beside them, "What is going on?"

The guard jumped as if he had heard a ghost. He looked at the ground with a pale expression, "Lady Moao! Please go back to the Baron. This man is dangerous and is part of the resistance that planned the bombing."

I looked at the supposed dangerous man indifferently. I wavered as my gaze met his spiteful eyes. I pulled my gaze away and turned to the guard, "No, he isn't. He is one of my suitors from the Academy. He probably snuck into the banquet in order to get my attention."

The guards knew he was still suspicious and didn't relax, "But, my lady. The Baron-"

"Are you questioning me?" My tone was sharp and full of provocation.

They immediately flinched in fear and released him without another word. They both bowed to me and shouted simultaneously, "Please forgive us!"

I motioned for them to leave, and they ran off in a blink of an eye. The man cautiously stared at me as if he didn't know what to think.

I ignored his stare and spoke to thin air, "Amanda."

Amanda suddenly jumped out from a hidden corner, "Yes, my lady?"

"Can you please show him out?"

"Of course, my lady."

I moved to open my bedroom door and paused, "Also, make sure to bring back more wine."

I shut the door behind me, leaving the two on the other side.

...

As Amanda shuffled him toward the exit, she looked at him and sized him up, "Another suitor, eh? Well, you are certainly bolder than the others."

He clenched his jaw and didn't bother responding. He was thankful that he wasn't captured, but he didn't appreciate being considered a 'crazy suitor'.

She gave him an apprehensive look before continuing, "Well, seeing as she didn't throw a knife at your crotch, I assume you didn't compliment her body."

He felt a sharp pain in his lower region and turned to her with an expression betraying his distress, "I'm sorry?"

"Oh yes. My lady really hates when people compliment her. Especially her body. She can be truly frightening when she's angry."

He began to mull over it. Now that he thought about it, no one ever approached her at the banquet and the guards almost wet themselves when she talked to them.

At this, he became extremely interested in the strange woman. He found himself wishing to get to know her more.

As they were walking towards the exit, he spoke to Amanda, "Can I ask you what the taboo of room 134 is?"

Amanda stopped in her tracks and looked as if she would puke. She turned to him with a pale face and a grave voice, "The taboo is too dark and disturbing to share."

He felt his mouth drop at her reaction. Sure enough, whatever the secret was it had to be truly horrifying if even a bubbly maid looked so bad. After Amanda shooed him out the door, he began his long walk home.

He came to a dense forest and turned abruptly to his right, "Come out."

A shadowed figure stepped out covered head to toe in a black cloak. The figure recognized him at once and lowered his head. He placed his hand over his heart before taking a knee. He spoke full of respect, "Prince Raylon. How did the operation go?"

Raylon grit his teeth in annoyance, "I think everyone else was captured. We managed to infiltrate the castle, but the bomb didn't even phase the Baron. We didn't get him."

"I am sorry my Prince, but you did say it would be a long shot. I am thankful he didn't capture you as well."

Raylon stood pondering when a sudden thought popped into his head. A sadistic smile crossed his face, "Well. It wasn't all for naught. I did come across some interesting information. I may have found someone I can use in the Palace who is close with the Baron."

He looked down at the man who was still bowing in respect, "Say... What can you tell me about the Magic Academy in the Scholars nation?"