Chapter 45

Crisis (6)

“That skinny woman caught Sebek?”

“I’m sure she’s lying.”

In a way, it was a reasonable doubt. Usually, even if only one Sebek appeared, a whole village was already on alert. With that said, she even caught two.

“Maybe she’s trying to attract attention.”

“Because she’s from a family of low status.”

It was private soldiers who dragged the demon beast’s body, so of course, there was a sound of doubt about her achievement. They thought that the Duke must be playing tricks.

In fact, the authenticity of the case didn’t matter. The important thing is that Ragnar and Christa had a spectacular initiation ceremony as they wanted. Their wedding announcement will leave a stronger impression than anyone else.

At the banquet, it was basic to cook and serve the game that the participants hunted. At least a wild boar should come out in order for the guests to have a colorful selection, but only rabbit or squirrel meat could be put on the table.

At least one of the emperor’s knights caught a waterfowl which became the highlight of the banquet. The waterfowl, cooked in its flying form, decorated the center of the table.

Several roosters and goats that were caught were placed around it and the dinner hall was decorated. The banquet hall was somewhat full of complaints because of the sparse selection. This was because it was too underwhelming for a table of the banquet that was held for the first time in five years.

They had no choice but to offer high-quality Aubrey wine. The financial officer suffered heartburn from the unexpected extravagance

In the middle of the banquet hall, there was the head of a demon the size of a house. The servants decorated it with flowers and ribbons. Its figure was truly spectacular.

Demon beast’s meat could not be cooked, but its by-products were used in many ways. The core of a demon beast has been used to make magic tools since ancient times. In particular, Sebek’s leather was strong, making it a perfect material for armor. Some knights snooped around the area and fiddled with it.

Ragnar introduced her to everyone he came across because it was his fiancee who caught the demon beast. Those who attended the banquet did not believe his words, but they could not criticize him in front of their eyes. So there was no other way but to just whisper behind their back.

Christa was again aware of whispers throughout the banquet.

The banquets she attended before were largely victory banquets. Even so, most of the banquets were informal, and she only showed her face a bit as soon as it started, and then took off.

On the other hand, today’s banquet was attended by people prestigious enough to be invited by the royal family. In other words, it was not a place for an illegitimate child to participate but she was able to because she was with Ragnar.

Then Ragnar reached out for her hand. At that moment, all her focus was on it. Strangely, she felt like all the noise around her was blocked.

“Will you give the honor of your first dance to your fiance, who failed to offer you this year’s game?”

It was embarrassing for her to dare to dance with such grandiose adjectives. But she couldn’t say no.

“Yes.”

The two held their hands together.

“Have you ever danced?”

Christa recalled memories of the past.

“I learned it as a basic skill at the training center…….”

She had never actually danced before. In the first place, Christa had barely participated in such a banquet, so it was inevitable.

“That’s enough.”

The musician plays music. A slow and light dance of two beats began. It was definitely a melody she remembered. A large hand covered her tense hand.

“What if I make a mistake?”

“I couldn’t even hunt, so I can sacrifice my feet.”

Christa laughed at the remark. She actually stepped on his foot three times, but Ragnar didn’t show any signs.

The second dance was easier because she had become accustomed to it. However, unlike the first time when she simply focused on the movement, this time, the act of the dance itself bothered her.

Dancing is more about putting your body closer to your partner than she initially thought. Above all, they often met each other’s eyes. Seeing their gazes meet inside the circle created by their hands feels strange somehow.

Her cheeks are burning up when she starts to realize it. Dancing was, so to speak, quite dangerous. In particular, the repeated body movements of winding the waist and moving away and in close contact reminded her of the act of bonding between men and women.

“What are you thinking?”

“Oh, nothing…….”

As soon as the dance song was over, Christa quickly headed to the table, saying she should rest. With a determination not to dance in the future.

“I’ll bring you something to drink.”

Kissing her cheek affectionately, she looked at his retreating back. She cooled her burning face with the back of her hand.

In that moment, Margrethe and Ivar, the captain of the Knights Division, came calling to her. The two had a significant difference in physique, and it was like seeing a roe deer standing next to a big bear.

“Knight Palmaril.”

Christa tried to get up and salute as usual, but Ivar stopped her. Then he bowed his head.

“I didn’t come here today as your superior, so I don’t need formalities. And most of all, I came here to tell you something.”

“You mean to me…?”

It was not an illusion that Ivar’s eyes looked watery for a moment.

Margrethe pokes Ivar in the ribs. At the same time, Ivar coughs a few times and reaches out his hand.

“Thank you very much for protecting Grete.”

He had a stiff voice, but his voice was teary and trembling.

“I just did what I was supposed to do as a knight.”

Christa held his hands tightly together.

“The Emperor was very happy to hear this news. You were highly praised for being the first contributor to raising the status of this hunting festival.”

“Ah, is that so?”

Then Ragnar came back.

“Captain!”

Ivar tried to salute as Christa tried to do earlier, but this time Ragnar stopped him.

“Well, no more greetings. I heard that my fiance saved your wife this time.”

Ivar broke out in a cold sweat when he saw Ragnar’s expression.

“Well, that’s the truth! It’s something that should be hang in the sky. I hope that I will never forget this grace for the rest of my life and will surely repay it in any form……!”

Ivar was a man of the size of a bear. Christa laughed at the way he crumpled and blushed.

“Because Lady Christa is my benefactor.”

Margrethe also smiles at Christa. Then Ivar sneaks in a question.

“By the way, when do you two develop such a relationship…….”

He looked alternately at Christa and Ragnar and rolled his eyes anxiously. His boss and his subordinate promised to get married, yet he didn’t know anything about it. Either he had no sense or they acted too well.

“Actually, it’s been quite a while.”

Then Ragnar hugs Christa’s waist. For a moment, Christa began to make a lame excuse, too.

“Yes, that’s right. We’ve been seeing each other for a long time.”

Then she looked up at Ragnar with a nervous look on her face. He gave a sly smile.

“I didn’t know that.”

Ivar nodded steadily. Then Margrethe grabbed his hand.

“You have a dull spot.”

A friendly atmosphere ensued. Somehow Christa was a bit embarrassed. Then the atmosphere of the banquet hall changed completely.

“Your majesty, the noble emperor of the Cassidanian Empire, is here!”

The clamor in the hall stopped with the cry of the servant. Pelias I took the podium. The emperor had a somewhat exalted face.

“I heard that there was a knight that showed an impressive performance at this hunting festival.”

For a moment, the public’s eye was drawn to Christa.

“Crista Palmaril, come forward.”

For a moment, Christa could not decide whether to bow or salute in military style.

However, today was not a military banquet, so Christa walked half a step forward, grabbed her dress, and bent her knees. As she walked onto the platform, she felt a burdensome gaze.

Christa climbed onto the podium and knelt before Emperor Pelias I. The intensely colored fabric of her dress spreads in the air and creates beautiful ripples.

“You saved the life of a lady by displaying true chivalry as a lady, and made an achievement that no one has ever achieved with that brave feat. Therefore, I will give this sword to praise your greatness.”

When Pelias beckoned, the servant brought a sword and bowed before Christa. Christa picked up the sword. It was a dresser’s rapier decorated with colored jewels.

“Endless glory and peace to the new empire Cassidenia. One of the prey I hunted will be dedicated to the Emperor.”

This was what she discussed with Ragnar earlier. She heard gasps, and soon applause broke out here and there.

“Endless glory to the new empire, Cassidenia!”

“Glory!”

People raised their glasses high and shouted congratulations.

Emperor Pelias turned straight back and left. The servant followed in a hurry.

As Christa turns around, Ragnar congratulates her with a meaningful smile.

“Well done.”

As a result, the royal family officially acknowledged the marriage of Christa Palmaril and Ragnar Argonod. Of course, it would not have mattered if the imperial family were pleased with the situation.

Ragnar did not know how to hide his joy.

“That pot-bellied man had a face that said he was about to die of anger.”

“Did he?”