Chapter 74

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: The Dinner Invitation
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“This is my distant cousin, Raymond Levester. We're as close as brothers.”

Romeo casually introduced Lellia to the count, the chamberlain of the Aurarian Imperial Palace.

“Oh, it is an honor to meet you, Sir Raymond. I do hope you have a pleasant stay in Auraria.”

“A pleasure.”

The Levester family was, in fact, a real noble house in the Rosebery Empire.

Fortunately, there were no other nobles from the Rosebery Empire currently staying at the Aurarian Imperial Palace. Only Romeo, a prince of the imperial family.

So Romeo had felt at ease letting her use the name of one of his actual distant relatives. Lellia, however, was not so comfortable and managed only an awkward smile.

“Try to smile, will you?”

“…”

Romeo said with a frown as an attendant guided them to their room.

Lellia shot him a sideways glance before following the count.

That morning, Lellia had finished her preparations perfectly. She had then ridden in a carriage with Romeo, who had come to pick her up, and arrived at the imperial palace.

The chamberlain had kindly come out himself to escort her to her quarters.

Since Romeo was a prince from another nation, it seemed they were treating Lellia with the utmost courtesy for the sake of diplomatic relations.

“If there is anything you need or find inconvenient, please do not hesitate to command the attendants and servants.”

“By the way, the atmosphere in the palace seems a bit unsettled. Did something happen?”

Romeo asked with a feigned look of ignorance. The count seemed a bit flustered.

But he soon furrowed his brow, placed a hand over his heart, and spoke.

“It is nothing of consequence. There was a small disturbance yesterday. As you know, it was the final day of the banquet… My apologies for causing you any concern, Your Highness.”

Romeo nodded, indicating it was no matter.

Once the count had departed and they were alone in the room, Lellia let out a sigh of relief.

“My room is right next door.”

“That’s a relief.”

Romeo flopped onto the sofa in the drawing room. Before long, Calix joined them in the room.

Lellia sipped the tea a maid had brought, taking a seat in the armchair next to the two men.

“I think I can go tonight, under the pretense of taking a stroll. I’ll go alone.”

After what happened yesterday, security was likely to be even tighter. The Emperor might even be there again.

Of course, from what she’d heard, security had only been tightened at the palace gates, but one could never be too sure.

If that was the case, it would be better for her to move cautiously on her own.

If anything went wrong, she would have to use an alchemy potion, and using one openly in front of Calix or Romeo might lead them to suspect she was an alchemist.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

“Yes.”

Lellia’s reply was more resolute than ever, and Romeo nodded in understanding.

“But… what’s your plan after you find that item?”

Romeo asked, lifting his teacup with an elegant air.

“…I have something else I need to find, personally. Why do you ask?”

“I’m bored, so I figured I’d tag along.”

Romeo declared, shamelessly. Across from him, Calix nodded in agreement.

Lellia was suddenly reminded of their childhood.

The way Romeo used to show up in her room at all hours and follow her everywhere.

“It’s not like I need to return to my home country, after all.”

“Same goes for me.”

The two of them snickered at each other. Lellia felt a strange mix of emotions.

Being able to laugh and chat with her friends like old times felt like a dream, but at the same time, it was frustrating.

*I could get things done so much faster if they weren’t here…*

The two of them were a blatant hindrance to her plans of finding the ingredients and stealing the sacred relic.

“By the way, it’s amazing that you can change your hair color. Your voice sounds a little lower, too.”

Romeo remarked, looking at Lellia’s hair.

That morning, Lellia had used an item from the ‘Alchemy Lottery’ to change her hair and eye color.

Her once-silver hair was now a pale pink and cut short. Her olive-green eyes had turned a light brown.

Lellia had looked in the mirror and felt a sense of relief.

Though her frame was slender, when she thought of herself as a man, she looked just like a delicate, pretty boy.

Calix’s gaze also turned to Lellia.

He wore a slightly bewildered expression.

Lellia, dressed as a man, truly did resemble Leo.

*They must really be cousins,* he thought.

Romeo seemed to be thinking the same thing, as he kept glancing at Lellia with fascination.

Amid the awkward atmosphere, Calix and Romeo started making small talk.

Lellia’s gaze drifted to the space above Romeo’s head.

*His favorability has gone up quite a bit, though…*

The number, once at [-200], had now risen to [-59].

Once it turned positive, she would be able to start quests with him, just like with Calix.

*Knock, knock.*

Just then, a sudden knock came at the door. Romeo went to answer it, and an attendant bowed his head and spoke.

“His Majesty heard that the Prince’s guest has arrived and has invited you all to a dinner banquet this evening. We will return to escort the three of you at the appointed time.”

“…Very well.”

Romeo nodded, and the attendant departed with a smile.

As soon as the door closed, Lellia was furious.

“How could you accept a dinner invitation!”

A dinner banquet, of all things!

The Emperor would surely be there, along with Yuriana, Cedric, and Prince Damian.

She knew she might run into them now that she was in the imperial palace, but this was too sudden.

Seeing Lellia’s anxiety, Romeo calmed her down.

“Don’t worry. The two of us will attend the banquet, and you can go while we’re there. I’ll just say you suddenly felt unwell and went to bed.”

“...!”

As Lellia blinked, Romeo broke into a grin.

If what Romeo said was true, it was the perfect opportunity.

At the very least, she wouldn’t have to worry about running into Emperor Perseus at the cabin again.