Upon entering the imperial office early in the morning, the chief chamberlain and administrative officers were already deeply engaged in a serious meeting.
“What exactly is this?”
“Since it’s a gift sent by the prince, it must surely be no ordinary item.”
What they were examining was an eye mask in a small box.
The eye mask, shaped like a white rabbit, was delicately embroidered with cute eyes and a mouth. Of course, no one there could recognize it as a character merchandise, which was the real problem.
“This is serious. We need to find an answer before His Majesty arrives.”
As Louis pondered deeply with a serious expression, stroking his chin, the young administrative officer Dorian offered a plausible explanation.
“Perhaps it’s a folk craft from the Varsha tribe. Prince Owen has been engaging with Volanta recently, hasn’t he?”
“Hmm…”
His suggestion didn’t seem to convince everyone. For something supposedly made by southern pagans, the material was too luxurious and the finishing too neat. It was undoubtedly custom-made by a renowned fashion house.
Amidst this discussion, a priest spoke up with a somewhat peculiar expression.
“It’s strange. I don’t know what this embroidery signifies, but looking at it makes my heart flutter and feel ticklish. Isn’t it somewhat cute?”
At this, the others jumped back in alarm from the eye mask.
“A charm?”
“Heart arrhythmia?”
“It might be an object of witchcraft!”
Just as one of the anxious priests was about to bless the eye mask,
“What are you all doing now?”
“…Your Majesty!”
As the emperor strode into the office, everyone awkwardly bowed their heads.
Observing the priest with a holy book in one hand and a rosary with the divine emblem in the other, the emperor seemed to quickly grasp the situation. He glanced briefly at the box surrounded by the crowd and nodded understandingly.
“Don’t worry. There’s no magical energy detected. It’s merely a creation of the mundane world.”
Phew. The administrative officials let out a sigh of relief.
Although they were unsure about the mundane world His Majesty mentioned, it seemed it wasn’t anything dangerous.
“So, it’s a birthday gift from Owen, is it?”
The Holy Emperor pondered over the profound intention of the 1st Prince who had sent him such an obscure item, tilting his head in contemplation for a while.
And finally, the conclusion he reached was:
“It’s concerning. It seems that this child has been on the frontline for too long. It’s about time he returned to the capital.”
“…….”
It appeared Owen had shown a temporary lapse in judgment due to fatigue accumulated on the frontline.
“Anyway, isn’t it quite cute? Since it was sent with good intentions, maybe I should display it as a decoration.”
Thus, the adorable rabbit eye mask was carefully hung on one side of the Holy Emperor’s office wall.
* * *
That evening, Seongjin prepared to go out for the first time in a while.
As he was lazily putting on his coat with the assistance of Edith, his attendant sir Masain, who was waiting nearby, smiled brightly and said:
“The gathering at Count Scarcepino’s is famous as a social event for promising young masters. The future bearers of Delcross will surely exchange brilliant and sharp insights. I’m truly looking forward to it!”
He seemed uncharacteristically excited, as if he himself were attending the event.
It wasn’t surprising, considering the prince who had been cooped up in Pearl Palace for training was finally engaging in a social activity. Masain must have been worried in his own way, despite his usual silence.
“Well, I guess it’ll just be some casual chat until we get there?”
Seongjin was focused solely on dealing with the Scarcepino young master and had little expectation for the gathering itself.
What else could a group of vigorous young men do when they get together?
In a world without idols, perhaps they would gossip about actresses on Bertrand Street or critique famous courtesans. At least, it wouldn’t be a serious discussion like the ones Sir Masain imagined.
However, Masain’s thoughts were a bit different.
“It’s a gathering of high priests, central nobility, and the offspring of wealthy merchants. Even in casual conversations, valuable information is exchanged. Spending time there will give you a feel for the overall trends in Delcross society and economy.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and I’ve heard that sometimes small performances are held there too. Inviting the most famous minstrels and musicians from the continent, it would greatly benefit your cultural knowledge.”
“Hmm…”
Considering Sir Masain’s words, who had received the finest education as a royal prince in his youth, it seemed worth heeding.
That was all well and good. The problem arose when the oblivious Edith casually mentioned as Seongjin was about to board the carriage.
“Will Sir Masain be accompanying you today? Usually, Your Highness goes alone, quietly.”
“…Alone, without an escort?”
“Yes, you always rode alone in the carriage.”
Masain seemed profoundly shocked. He asked again, his voice trembling.
“…You’ve been going out of the palace, all this time, without any escort?”
As his excitement visibly plummeted, clueless Edith nodded and innocently replied.
“Yes, it’s just a visit to the townhouse. And the Scarcepino family’s mansion, after all. Why would there be a need for an escort?”
“……!”
Masain’s pupils violently trembled.
He climbed onto the carriage with a stiff face and remained silent, lips tightly sealed, throughout the ride as the carriage left the imperial palace and sped along the main road.
‘It looks like he might explode if I so much as touch him….’
In the uncomfortable silence, Seongjin cautiously observed him. Though sitting quietly, Masain’s face was a sight to behold, turning from red to pale in rapid succession.
Wow, I wouldn’t be surprised if the knights get a collective scolding tomorrow.
The Scarcepino, known as one of the wealthiest families in Delcross, like other central nobles, had their main mansion in the capital.
However, it was known that they primarily stayed in a separately arranged townhouse for convenience, owning the largest number of houses in the area and using them like several annexes.
The social gathering this time was held in one of those annexes.
Arriving at the mansion surrounded by bright lights, visible even from afar, an elderly man who appeared to be the butler came out to greet Seongjin.
He seemed momentarily startled by the completely changed appearance of the prince and the presence of a robust knight standing firmly by his side.
However, as a seasoned servant, he quickly managed his expression and bowed politely.
“I am honored to meet you, Prince Morres. The young master has been eagerly awaiting your visit.”
Instead of leading the way, the butler quietly glanced at Masain, who was about to follow Seongjin, giving him a subtle hint.
“What insolence…”
“Sir Masain.”
Seongjin stopped Masain, who seemed ready to charge at any moment with a menacing aura.
“I’m fine, so don’t worry and wait here.”
Meanwhile, carriages carrying other young nobles also began to arrive.
Seeing the princes entering the mansion alone, without their escort knights, Masain’s expression finally softened a bit.
Having recently engaged in frequent sparring and sensing the prince’s extraordinary combat skills, Masain was aware of Seongjin’s progression to the full aura of the seventh level, a presence he too found far from light.
However.
“Your Highness, should anything happen, you must, absolutely must let me know! Do you understand?”
Still harboring a nanny’s instincts, Masain embarrassingly clung to Seongjin, earnestly admonishing him in front of the elderly butler.
Goodness, man. Take it easy. If something really happens, will I even have a moment to inform you?
Having parted with Masain, Seongjin finally managed to step into the mansion.
But as he followed the butler, Seongjin soon noticed something odd. Instead of leading him to the main entrance of the banquet hall where other nobles were entering, the butler guided him through a dark corridor leading to a narrow staircase.
Seongjin glanced at him, but the elderly butler seemed perfectly calm, as if this was the usual route.
[Hmm, blood pressure and pulse are normal? Doesn’t seem nervous.]
The Demon King murmured to himself.
Seongjin heightened his senses, but aside from the occasional passing servants, he detected no unusual presence.
‘Was it always like this?’
It did seem odd that a prince, notorious for being an irredeemable reprobate, was attending a mainstream gathering. Perhaps it wasn’t a conventional visit.
“Then, have a comfortable time.”
Eventually, Seongjin arrived at a small resting area on the second floor. It resembled an open balcony within the building, offering a panoramic view of the brightly lit banquet hall.
Conversely, due to the dim lighting, it seemed unlikely that this area would be visible from the outside.
Seongjin sat in a small armchair beside the railing and looked around. It seemed that the only thing to do in this space was to observe the banquet hall.
‘…Could it be that I’m just supposed to watch the gathering from here? Really?’
What on earth was Morres doing previously? The more he knew, the more inexplicable his actions seemed.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the banquet hall was becoming pleasantly lively.
On one side, there was a long table with refreshments, drinks, and finger foods, and in the center, an exotic-looking minstrel with slightly dark skin was singing a gentle song.
And a fair number of youngsters were gathered in small groups, enjoying light conversations in the relaxed atmosphere.
‘Well… Better to hang out here than to laugh and build pointless connections down there.’
[Sigh, as if someone only focused on training would be a recluse.]
‘Shut up!’
With nothing much to do, Seongjin leaned languidly against the railing, watching the scene below, when he suddenly felt someone’s gaze on him.
Turning his head towards that gaze, Seongjin immediately recognized him.
Eldest Young Master Orden Siegsmund.
The man was looking precisely in Seongjin’s direction, having sensed him from afar.
He too seemed to recognize Seongjin right away, furrowing his brow momentarily, but then realizing the delicate situation, he turned his head away, pretending not to know him.
Around him were gathered young nobles with noticeably active auras.
In the Salon de Merci, Seongjin had teased him for having celebrity syndrome, but now it seemed clear he was indeed a person of fame. Looking at the excited faces approaching him to talk, Masain’s description of him as an idol among the martial family’s children came to mind.
‘For someone like him, it would be odd not to be invited to mainstream gatherings…’
As Seongjin continued to observe the banquet hall, he noticed a few other standout individuals. Those who were the center of their conversation groups, receiving admiring glances.
Over there, judging by the colorful clothing, were probably heirs of merchants or wealthy families. A slightly chubby man, laughing more than others, seemed to be the main figure in his group.
And on this side, there was a young man in neat attire, reminiscent of Kenneth DiGory, passionately discussing something with the people around him.
While Seongjin was casually surveying the atmosphere, someone approached him from behind and started a conversation.
“It’s always a heartwarming sight to see. There’s something special about young people of this age, something that only they seem to possess. Each one of them carries a small ember, ready to burst into flame at any moment. Isn’t their potential truly dazzling?”
Turning around, Seongjin saw a rather tall and handsome young man walking towards him, smiling. Under the dim light, his deep teal eyes somewhat resembled Isabella’s.
Is this guy that Riccardo Scarcepino?
“Do you know? I’ve been eagerly awaiting news about you. Why haven’t you been in touch?”
But setting aside his identity for a moment.
No matter the age difference, did this guy just address a prince so casually?
“Are you that young Scarcepino Lord?”
“…Hmm?”
As Seongjin asked sternly and glared at him, Riccardo appeared confused for a moment, tilting his head.
“I’ve heard rumors that you’ve changed a lot or lost your memory, but this is really unexpected. You seem like a completely different person.”
The young man, who looked quite youthful, spoke with a heavy tone, as if he were an elder. If he really were Sigurd Sigurdson’s avatar, it wouldn’t be entirely incomprehensible.
However, Seongjin was genuinely surprised by his next words.
“But the important thing is that you have returned to this place. Now, what interesting story will you share with me today? My old friend, the young oracle of Delcross.”
…Oracle?
