Chapter 66. A Small Banquet
Radel's tent was quiet.
It was a stark contrast to the tents of the other royals, which were visited by many people.
Still, the inside of the tent was comfortable, as the attendants had decorated it like a small drawing room in advance.
It was equipped with a small sofa and side table for resting, as well as chairs and a table for receiving guests.
Inette, the only guest to visit Radel's tent, drank the tea served by the Chief Attendant. It wasn't bad, even for Inette's palate, which was accustomed to only high-quality tea.
'The attendants' skills are better than I thought.'
Inette had intended to watch and see if Radel's attendants were slacking off, thinking they could take him for granted.
But there was nothing to fault.
Rather, when Inette entered the tent, she could even feel them being wary, as if they were worried that she, who was rumored to be prickly, would say something to Radel.
To Inette, who knew Radel's personality well, it was a ridiculous matter.
'To worry about that cunning snake.'
It meant that Radel was trusted by his attendants that much.
At this point, there was no need to stay any longer.
"The horn blew a while ago, so you have to come to that large tent within 30 minutes. Got it?"
Inette urged Radel and prepared to return to her tent. The nagging of what he had been doing all this time without even showing his face was a bonus.
"Do you know the prize for winning this hunting competition?"
"Isn't there prize money?"
At Radel's answer, Inette shook her head from side to side.
"You really don't know anything. His Majesty has put up a wish voucher for this hunting competition."
"A wish voucher?"
According to Inette, this was the first time the Emperor had publicly declared that he would grant any wish himself.
"That's why the nobles and knights are all in a frenzy, saying they'll definitely win this time."
Radel, who had only known of the existence of the Imperial Hunting Competition but had never participated in it himself, learned how the competition was held through Inette's explanation.
It wasn't just hunting at the hunting competition.
Since not only the royals who had manifested abilities, but also the children of noble families and knights with outstanding skills, anyone who was eligible could apply, banquets were also held to exchange friendships.
"In a way, you could call it a friendly gathering for the nobles."
Inette pointed to the large tent she had said he had to go to within 30 minutes.
It was where a small banquet was held until the end of the hunting competition.
"While the participants are hunting, the other nobles eat and drink there."
Inette shuddered, saying that it was better to catch prey than to join in there.
Given Inette's personality, it seemed unlikely that she would enjoy the social gatherings of the nobles.
Just then, someone's voice was heard from outside the tent.
"Radel, Inette. Are you here?"
It was the 3rd Imperial Consort, Celiana Dastion Cretian.
She was entering Radel's tent, leading attendants and escort knights.
Radel immediately rose from his seat and greeted the 3rd Imperial Consort.
"Greetings, Your Imperial Consort."
"Have you been well, Radel? You've become even more handsome."
"Is that so? Thank you. You are also beautiful today, Your Imperial Consort."
The 3rd Imperial Consort looked at Radel with a gentle gaze.
Unlike Inette, who could never say flattering words, Radel was not awkward with words that praised the other person.
'An interesting child.'
Inette jumped at her mother's unexpected appearance.
"Mom, what are you doing all the way here!"
"Why? I came to see Radel's face too. And to ask a favor."
Inette's complexion turned pale.
Surely she wasn't going to say something strange, was she?
Inette had visited Radel's tent without telling her mother, worried that she would say the embarrassing words, 'Thank you for being friends with my daughter.'
But to think she would come in person like this!
Radel politely asked the 3rd Imperial Consort.
"Do you have a favor to ask of me?"
The 3rd Imperial Consort nodded as if she had been waiting.
"I'm about to go to the banquet tent with Inette... If it's alright, could you escort me, Radel?"
* * *
Although it was a small banquet held at the hunting ground, the inside of the large tent was splendidly decorated like a banquet held in a palace.
The guards protecting the entrance of the tent checked their identities at the entrance and then shouted loudly.
"Her Imperial Consort Celiana Dastion Cretian, Her Highness Princess Inette Dastion Cretian, and His Highness Prince Radel Silvert Cretian are entering!"
The gazes of the nobles who were already present turned to the entrance. They covered their mouths with fans and whispered secretly.
"They say the 8th Prince has been getting along with the 7th Princess at the academy lately. It seems they came together."
"It's amazing that the 7th Princess is getting along with someone."
"Friendships are bound to form when you attend the academy together."
For the nobles, the relationship dynamics of the royals were a rather important topic.
They kept their ears to the ground on the movements of the royals and would try to gauge which faction to choose.
In particular, the 7th Princess, whose maternal family was the Dastion Duchy, one of the most prominent families in the empire, was one of the key figures.
A powerful ability, numerous followers, and a wealthy maternal family.
Her maternal grandfather, the Duke of Dastion, was also a powerful figure who was still active in politics.
And all of this background of the 7th Princess came from her mother, the 3rd Imperial Consort.
"Oh my, the 3rd Imperial Consort...!"
The nobles' gazes changed at the sight of the 8th Prince escorting the 3rd Imperial Consort.
"She rarely lets anyone escort her..."
Someone trailed off.
It was a moment when the minds of the nobles became complicated.
The presence of the 8th Prince was causing a small stir in the noble social circles.
"Come to think of it, isn't today the first time the 8th Prince has appeared at an official event?"
"That's right. He couldn't attend before because he was sick."
Although they said that, everyone knew that he hadn't attended because he hadn't been able to manifest an ability.
Since he had never attended a social event before, there were no nobles who knew any information about the 8th Prince.
"Didn't they say the 8th Prince became the 1st-year representative at the academy this time?"
And there were also those who did not miss that opportunity.
He naturally joined the conversation of the nobles.
"That's right. My child happens to be in the same 1st year as the 8th Prince, so he knows him well."
"Earl Paradik!"
It was Earl Paradik, a rather famous figure in social circles.
"Was your son attending the Imperial Magic Academy? You must be so proud!"
"Hehe, I'm just proud of him. Would you like me to bring him over now?"
"We would be very grateful if you would!"
Earl Paradik called his son, Edward Paradik, who was mingling with people on one side.
As Edward approached, the nobles who saw him for the first time understood why Earl Paradik had brought up his son's story first.
He had a charming impression that stood out even from a distance.
He had a stubborn appearance befitting the scion of a great noble, but when he actually came and spoke, he was surprisingly affable, contrary to his appearance.
"The 8th Prince? Among us 1st-years, he's known as the Black Falcon Dormitory's fixer. Oh, but I shouldn't speak carelessly about what happens inside the academy... Then I'll leave out the academy talk and just tell you a little bit about the prince. Yes, just a little bit."
And so, Edward was demonstrating his skills as a follower.
* * *
After escorting the 3rd Imperial Consort, Radel stood among the royals with Inette.
Radel felt a sense of doubt as he looked around at the participants.
"There are fewer people than I thought?"
"The Imperial Hunting Competition is strictly individual participation."
Unlike a regular hunting competition, beaters, horses, and hounds were all forbidden.
Only prey caught alone was recognized, and of course, attendants could not be brought along.
"It's only because the prize for winning this time is a wish voucher that this many people even applied. They're all probably very skilled."
Listening to Inette, it seemed that the number of participants in the Imperial Hunting Competition was originally small. It seemed that many people felt burdened by the rule of having to hunt alone.
"Anyway, did you see? All the nobles are looking only at you."
Inette asked playfully.
"They weren't looking at me, they were looking at the Imperial Consort."
Although he answered nonchalantly, Radel also knew that the nobles were looking at him.
If he had appeared alone, he wouldn't have received that much attention, but thanks to the 3rd Imperial Consort's consideration, it was as if he had held a magnificent debut.
With this one escort, the 3rd Imperial Consort had acknowledged not only the friendship between Inette and Radel, but also the friendship between Radel and herself.
'She didn't have to go this far.'
The 3rd Imperial Consort had called it a favor, but it was actually a favor.
Radel was not unaware of what it meant for her, the sole heir of the Dastion Duchy, to step forward on purpose.
A shout was heard from the entrance of the tent that a royal was entering.
"His Highness Prince Arteo Kudent Cretian and Her Highness Princess Shartea Kudent Cretian are entering!"
"Hmph. The people I don't want to see are starting to come in."
When the 2nd Prince and 3rd Princess appeared, Inette grumbled softly.
Then, she bowed her head perfunctorily, making it clear that she didn't want to greet them.
Radel was also about to greet them, but the 3rd Princess, who was passing by, raised her hand and greeted him first.
"You came early, junior. Let's both do our best."
"Yes, senior."
Radel bowed politely at the 3rd Princess's greeting.
Shartea smiled at the sight and passed by.
Behind her, the 2nd Prince also passed by with a smile.
Unlike the 3rd Princess, it was a smile that did not reveal his true intentions.
Radel thought that the siblings had very different personalities and looked forward again. Another royal was entering from the entrance of the tent.
"His Highness Prince Venus Esven Cretian is entering!"
It was the 5th Prince, Venus.
He was still entering with an unenthusiastic expression, his eyes half-closed.
Then, he stopped in front of Radel.
"......Hello."
At his greeting, Radel spoke cheerfully.
"I thought you wouldn't come, but you're here."
"They say there are many rare magical beasts here. I might be able to meet one if I'm lucky."
Venus's eyes slightly lit up as he talked about magical beasts.
"When did you become friends with them?"
After Venus disappeared, Inette looked at Radel as if she were seeing a stranger.
"We're not that close. We just said hello."
Just said hello?
If they weren't even close, why bother saying hello?
Inette was dumbfounded by Radel, who spoke so calmly.
"You know, you're pretty well-connected. Am I the only one who doesn't have friends again?"
Inette had thought she would be able to make friends if she went to the academy, but she had only met a bunch of followers.
But Radel was also maintaining good relationships with the royals at the academy.
It wasn't that she particularly wanted to be close to the other royals, but... he said he didn't have friends either!
Inette felt a sense of betrayal from Radel for no reason.
Radel, who was talking with Inette, felt a glare from the side.
Leon was standing next to him, having come while he was greeting Venus.
Anyway, he thought he should say hello.
"Leon, when did you get here?"
However, Leon immediately turned his head away at Radel's words.
It was a clear dismissal.
Radel looked at Inette without realizing it and said.
"See? I'm not even this close with my younger brother."
Of all things to compare, he was comparing it to Leon?
It was a moment when Inette's glare became even colder.