Chapter 91
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 91
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I was Lucian, and I made my way with Edwin to a small hill behind the Bellomen Mansion. It was to enjoy the picnic we had promised each other.
Maids carrying straw mats and baskets of refreshments followed us up the hill.
"Wow, there's a place like this?"
Lucian, who scampered up like a squirrel, stood at the highest point of the hill and gazed down at the view below.
"I've only seen it from a distance before. This is my first time actually coming here."
Edwin spoke with an animated expression as well. Apparently, the hill could be seen at a glance from Edwin's room.
"I wanted to come see it."
"Why didn't you come with the maids?"
Edwin shook his head at my words.
"I wanted to come to a place like this with friends or family."
Edwin's face looked a bit wistful as he said that.
"But I'm glad I could come with Sister and Lucian."
I quietly clenched my fists as I watched Edwin smile up at me.
'That wretched Duke of Bellomen.'
The child is so delighted by this. Moreover, he even wants to come with his family. Is it really so difficult to spend time with him just once?
"Let's come here often from now on—you, me, and Lucian."
"I'd like that."
The maids spread the straw mats across the grass and began arranging food on top.
Soon, sparkling carbonated water, sandwiches, and light finger foods were laid out.
The three of us sat in a circle around the food.
"I'd rather blow bubbles than eat snacks!"
"You would?"
I pulled out a bubble wand from the picnic bag.
After removing the stick from its container, I blew, and dozens of bubbles of varying sizes floated away on the breeze.
"Wow!"
Lucian jumped up from his seat and ran to catch the bubbles. Edwin followed right after him.
"What adorable children."
I continued blowing bubbles while watching the two of them bounce about with delight.
Then a servant approached me.
"Miss Lucella, an invitation has arrived from the Imperial Capital."
"An invitation?"
"Yes. There is one for Young Master Lucian as well."
I put away the bubble wand and unfolded the invitation the servant handed me.
The invitation contained a message inviting me to a banquet being held in the Imperial Capital.
"It's a banquet to commemorate the successful subjugation."
I recalled what the Emperor had said before we departed for the Monster Forest.
'He said he would hold a banquet for the Subjugation Unit once we returned safely.'
This banquet seemed to be quite a grand affair. The fact that they were using the Main Hall, the largest of the Imperial Banquet Halls, made that clear.
Indeed, returning without a single casualty was remarkable enough, but to seize a victory unprecedented in our history—no wonder His Majesty's spirits are elevated.
'And the social season has begun, after all.'
The Capital's social season typically commenced with the arrival of spring.
As summer now approached, the season's festivities would be in full swing.
"Aunt, what did the letter say?"
Lucian, having finished his bubble-blowing game, draped himself across my shoulder. Edwin, too, settled beside him with an expression of curiosity.
"His Majesty the Emperor is planning to host quite an elaborate banquet. This is the invitation."
This banquet would be the first Imperial Banquet of the year since the New Year's celebration.
With the Emperor himself as host, it was certain that numerous nobles would attend, aside from the Subjugation Unit.
'This will be Lucian's debut in high society.'
Since his sister's death, Lucian had remained confined to the Duke's Territory.
The only social events he had participated in were the various banquets and gatherings held within the Duke's Territory itself.
Though the Duke's Territory was vast, it could not compare to the Capital. The high society here lived up to the name with a scale entirely different from what we knew.
"Ugh, I hate banquets. I'll have to wear uncomfortable clothes and greet all those old men and women."
Lucian's nose wrinkled in displeasure. Watching his face crumple like crumpled paper, it was clear he despised banquets thoroughly.
"I'm worried too...."
Running through the banquet hall and colliding with servants was the least of it—crawling beneath tables to kick people's legs, throwing open the terrace curtains without permission....
Countless moments spent apologizing to guests flickered through my mind like a lantern show.
The one saving grace was that the venue was the Duke's Mansion.
'If he were to pull such stunts in the Imperial Capital....'
The mere thought made my vision swim.
"Why would you say such a thing?"
As I shook my head to dispel the dreadful imaginings, Lucian placed his hands on his hips and fixed me with a sharp gaze.
"Say what?"
"Why would you talk like that? Like I'm some incorrigible troublemaker!"
Lucian spoke with an expression mixing indignation and wounded feelings.
"You are a troublemaker, though."
The memories of suffering because of you are still vivid. Why are you pretending otherwise?
"I'm not the same Lucian as before!"
"Oh?"
"I've grown stronger through the arduous Monster Subjugation. I won't act like a child anymore!"
"So you do realize your behavior was immature."
The day Lucian would acknowledge this—it was a miracle.
"Ahem, anyway! Don't treat me like a child anymore! I'm incredibly mature now!"
"Then can I expect to see a mature Lucian at this banquet?"
"Banquets are boring, but.... If that's what you want, Aunt."
Lucian reluctantly nodded his head.
I opened my mouth to lift his spirits.
"Yes. At this banquet, you'll be the star."
"Me, the star?"
"Yes. You defeated the monsters splendidly."
Of course, the true heroes of tonight's banquet were all members of the Monster Subjugation Unit.
However, to flatter the attention-loving and simple Lucian, this was the best approach.
"Well then! The protagonist must be present!"
Belying his earlier dejected expression, Lucian puffed out his chest with confidence. He seemed delighted by being called the protagonist.
"Sister Lucella."
It was while I was watching Lucian with satisfaction that Edwin tapped my shoulder.
I turned my head toward Edwin.
"What is it?"
"Did that invitation come to me as well?"
"Hmm... no."
At my shake of the head, Edwin's shoulders drooped.
"Then I cannot attend..."
Seeing his dejected face, it was clear he wanted to come to the banquet.
"The thing is..."
I hastily opened my mouth to console Edwin. Yet no suitable words came to mind.
It was the banquet's rule that only invited guests could attend.
I couldn't very well bring Edwin along as a servant either.
"I'll try to find a way."
I patted Edwin's drooping shoulders reassuringly.
"It's fine if I don't go. You don't need to worry."
Edwin answered maturely. Yet the regret in his expression could not be hidden.
"If there's truly no way at all, then so be it—but I haven't even looked yet."
There was no need to say it's impossible until I'd actually exhausted all options.
"I'll do my best. Just don't get your hopes too high."
The greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.
"No, I'm already grateful just for your effort."
"Ah, you're such a good boy."
I gently pinched Edwin's cheek as he spoke so considerately.
'It would be good to show as many people as possible that Edwin and Lucian get along well.'
News of the Duke's illegitimate child had already spread throughout the Empire.
The Empire's perception of illegitimate children was naturally poor.
And what was even worse was the reputation surrounding Lucian.
The fact that Lucian was a troublemaker and an incredibly jealous child was already widely known throughout High Society.
How would such a child treat an illegitimate sibling who monopolized their father's love?
Surely they would think he'd be jealous and cruel.
'After all, that's what happened in the original story.'
But the current Lucian was different. His once rough behavior had become much more composed, and his relationship with Edwin was quite good.
'If people see Lucian cherishing Edwin like a younger brother, those worried about the future of House of Bellomen will change their minds.'
It was necessary to show the nobility that Lucian was not the wicked child the rumors portrayed. After all, reputation was the most important element in aristocratic society.
'Above all, I wanted Lucian to be loved.'
Not as a child everyone kept their distance from, but as one they yearned to grow close to.
A child they would cherish, praise, and long to embrace.
After all, that was my greatest goal from the beginning.
"If you attend the banquet with us, I'll teach you all the proper etiquette for the Imperial Banquet Hall!"
"That sounds wonderful!"
I watched the two children conversing with such brightness, and my lips curved upward into a smile.
I realized I needed to pay even more attention to Edwin, who would feel lonely in our father's absence.
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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