𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐰!
Standing in front of the too-glamorous and oversized door, my mind went blank.
Emilia beside me is speaking, but it barely registers.
Emilia, about to announce her engagement with Shiro at the award ceremony, seemed more happy than nervous, and took great care of me.
ㅤ
Beyond this door, there’s a crowd of nobles.
Soon His Majesty and Pamela-sama will appear, and then we will burst through the doors to the sound of splendid music.
ㅤ
“Alice, it’s alright. We’re in the middle and Prince Linus is at the front, so all eyes will be on him.”
“Alright. . .”
ㅤ
At the ceremony, many will be awarded. Among them are my brother Thor and Marina, who agreed to date the brother-con Thor.
It takes time for everyone being honored to enter, and the most meritorious, Roa-sama, shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Thus, only those who were with Roa-sama will walk the red carpet and bow before His Majesty.
ㅤ
. . .I wish I could trade places with someone who’s earned their keep in the royal castle.
ㅤ
ㅤ
“Alice, don’t be so nervous. We will definitely back you up if anything happens.”
ㅤ
At Roa-sama’s words, I slowly lift my head, feeling my expression stiffen.
ㅤ
“. . .Right. I should think of everyone around as potatoes. Or perhaps. . . perhaps. . .”
“It will definitely be alright.”
ㅤ
Roa-sama, clad in royal blue, has silver hair that sparkles under the chandelier light.
ㅤ
“If you can’t walk, I’ll carry you.”
ㅤ
Roa-sama says mischievously.
ㅤ
Today, Emilia and I, both women, will also be honored, so no escorts.
We must walk on our own to His Majesty and be commended for our deeds.
ㅤ
“Women should be protected by men, and not be thought to have done nothing” must be avoided at all costs.
If I’m carried, it would distance us from His Majesty’s vision of a future “where women can work outside of meal-related duties.”
ㅤ
“Hmph!”
ㅤ
I slap my cheeks with both hands. The sound is louder than expected, just from a light tap.
ㅤ
“Alice?!”
“Alright, I’m psyched! I was told by Chris that I’m good to go after our special training, now it’s just about doing my best!”
“Oh Alice, what are you doing?! Show me your cheek.”
ㅤ
Emilia peers at me, and in my peripheral vision, I catch Shiro looking envious.
While Emilia examines my cheek, everyone starts talking all at once.
ㅤ
“. . .That’s a great way to get psyched. I think I’ll do it too.”
“Wait Edgardo! If we did it with our strength, we’d swell up!”
“Then let Rolf do it!”
“No way!”
“Come on Alice! It’s almost our turn, what are you doing?! When you do that, hit somewhere that doesn’t show.”
“Ah, I see. That’s smart. As expected of Rene-sama.”
“What do you mean?”
ㅤ
As I avoid Rene’s intense gaze, Emilia finishes checking my cheek and moves away.
It seems my cheek isn’t too red as I didn’t slap it hard. Emilia looks adorably puffed up with anger, while Shiro calms her with a smile.
ㅤ
Amidst the usual commotion, Arthur, who had been quiet, clears his throat conspicuously.
ㅤ
“Ahem. Alice, I too had trouble falling asleep last night. For this moment, I thought up a special joke!”
“That’s amazing, Arthur-sama! To not forget your dad jokes even at times like this. . .”
“It’ll be a blast, no doubt.”
ㅤ
With a proud puff of his chest, a modest voice called out to Arthur.
Those who had been standing by to open the thick door all this time.
ㅤ
“. . .His Majesty will arrive soon.”
ㅤ
The door is thick, and voices from the other side can’t be heard.
But when His Majesty and Pamela-sama make their appearance, it would be bad if they accidentally heard our voices.
ㅤ
“. . .I’ve come up with a joke so funny it’ll have you bending over for three days and nights.”
“Don’t say such things before you’re awarded.”
ㅤ
Shiro’s astonished retort came, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
ㅤ
“Understood. I will present it later, so please look forward to it.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
ㅤ
After Roa-sama seriously replied, the door opener signaled to us.
ㅤ
. . .Even when the door was opened, it strangely wasn’t scary. It felt floaty, almost unreal.
Roa-sama walked into the whirl of light, and then it was finally my turn.
ㅤ
Straightening my back, I put on a smile, careful down to my fingertips.
The sparkle of jewels, the colorful formal attire, the subdued flow of the stately music. The gazes of the people openly directed at us.
ㅤ
Ah, there are dad and mom! And Caroline!
I couldn’t immediately find the figures of old friends, but they must be somewhere around.
ㅤ
While trying to spot acquaintances straight ahead, I managed to reach His Majesty without too much tension. We all knelt down at once to listen to His Majesty’s words.
His voice carried a gravity, not a hint of his usual light-heartedness.
ㅤ
It started with Roa-sama’s achievements, then one by one, each person’s feats were read out, and rewards were announced.
The creators of the poison antidote, and the families of Edgardo and Rolf were called.
When Thor and Marina were named, I was very happy. Thor is my pride and joy, after all! Fufufu!
ㅤ
“That is all. I am truly grateful for everyone’s work.”
ㅤ
After a considerable time, we were told by His Majesty to raise our heads and stand up.
ㅤ
“Now then, everyone, let’s liven up this award ceremony!”
ㅤ
With words befitting His Majesty, the award ceremony, which is to say, the party began.
After greeting His Majesty and Pamela-sama first, they told me to rely on them if anything came up.
It’s obvious I’m not used to parties, so if there’s any problem, I’ll take the liberty to rely on them.
ㅤ
ㅤ
Afterwards, Emilia, who is accustomed to social circles, stayed by my side.
Since there was unanimous agreement that it’s better for Marina to stay with us, we decided to move as a trio.
It seems that Rolf, who is very caring, will be accompanying Thor. That’s reassuring.
ㅤ
After all, at parties, men and women can’t always be together. From now on, they will separate and engage in their respective battles.
A gong rings in my mind.
ㅤ
With a nervous Marina behind me, I took a step forward with Emilia.
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