DED 20

Chapter 20

The time for the meal with the Emperor had arrived.

Lucy wondered if this was a new quest following the palace banquet quest and waited for a notification on her status window.

But the status window remained silent.

It simply meant that this wasn’t something important in the flow of the “game.”

‘Still negative stats, but maybe this is happening because my reputation has increased?’

There wasn’t anything dramatically different, but completing the first quest successfully still felt like an achievement.

Most importantly, she had obtained the soft, chewy red bean puppy she had dreamed of.

The puppy was gentle and smart, and it was very attached to Lucy.

Even when Lucy briefly left it in the care of the attendants to go to the meal with the Emperor, it didn’t fuss or whine—it simply sat quietly.

Thanks to that, Lucy could head to the dining hall with Bartholomew in peace of mind.

The dining hall had a different atmosphere from the banquet hall, where bright sunlight streamed in.

A long red carpet embroidered with golden thread was laid out, and on it stood a similarly long dining table.

Although the day had darkened, gilded candelabras placed around the room provided a warm glow.

Servants and maids lined the walls, ready to attend to the guests.

Elisha, who had arrived earlier, sat to the left of the Emperor’s seat.

When she spotted Lucy, she rose from her seat.

Lucy felt a strange mix of emotions upon seeing Elisha.

Without an extra dress, she was wearing the same gown as at the banquet, while Elisha had already changed into a new evening dress.

‘She’s really beautiful.’

Lucy felt a bit shabby in comparison as she approached Elisha.

From the moment Lucy appeared, Elisha’s gaze avoided her.

Instead, her eyes were fixed on Bartholomew.

She stared at him so intently it seemed almost rude.

“Lucy, would you introduce the gentleman beside you?”

Elisha said, curling her lips gracefully.

‘Alright. I can handle this.’

Lucy cleared her throat and spoke.

“Unni, this is Bartholomew Faraday. Lord Bartholomew, this is Elisha Adelstein.”

Elisha’s eyes widened at the mention of Bartholomew’s name.

She stared at him with a searching gaze.

Lucy was surprised because she expected Elisha, as always, to greet Bartholomew politely with her beautiful, mask-like composure.

As the silence stretched, Bartholomew spoke first.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”

“…Indeed. I’m pleased to meet you as well, Lord Bartholomew.”

Elisha replied reluctantly and sat down.

Lucy and Bartholomew took seats across from Elisha.

Even after sitting, Elisha couldn’t take her eyes off Bartholomew.

Bartholomew must have felt her gaze, but he lowered his eyes and avoided looking at her.

Lucy, meanwhile, was busy glancing between the two of them.

‘What’s going on?’

Why was Elisha acting so strangely?

Did she know Bartholomew?

But judging by Bartholomew’s attitude, that didn’t seem likely.

As an awkward silence hung over the three of them, the Emperor finally appeared.

All three stood and bowed.

Lucy was about to introduce Bartholomew to the Emperor when Elisha spoke first.

“Your Majesty, this is Bartholomew Faraday of the Faraday family.”

The Emperor’s eyes briefly gleamed at the mention of Bartholomew’s name.

“Your Majesty, it is an honor to meet you.”

The Emperor nodded and took his seat at the head of the table.

With the Emperor present, the meal was formally served.

Servants arranged the dishes on the table and poured water and wine for each guest.

“Please, enjoy your meal.”

The Emperor announced the start of the meal.

Lucy cautiously picked up her utensils.

She was worried her negative stats might cause some mishap.

‘What if I spill water on the Emperor or something?’

Just imagining it made her dizzy, so she decided not to even glance at the water or wine.

“Ah, it seems Lord Bartholomew is seeing the palace for the first time.”

The Emperor showed interest in Bartholomew.

“It is well known that the heir of the Faraday family does not appear in society due to health issues.”

So he was famous for that.

Lucy looked at Bartholomew with renewed surprise.

“I assumed you wouldn’t attend this palace banquet either. I understand the Duke of Faraday is away on business in another country.”

The Emperor looked at Bartholomew with curious eyes.

“How did you come to accompany Lucy here?”

“I met her at the temple.”

Bartholomew spoke calmly, without a hint of nervousness, despite meeting the Emperor for the first time.

“Princess Lucy mentioned needing a dance partner, and I was honored to be able to help.”

And he could speak so smoothly.

Lucy was slightly stunned. She had practically begged to be his dance partner, and now he made it sound so dignified.

“Was today’s song choice Lucy’s idea?”

“Yes, it was.”

Bartholomew glanced at Lucy and continued.

“I put in a lot of effort to ensure it would please Your Majesty.”

Lucy widened her eyes, staring at him.

“I hoped that song would provide Your Majesty with a moment of enjoyment, even while overseeing the empire.”

Lucy was touched.

It was the one thing she herself could not say—a flattering remark—but Bartholomew had done it for her.

The Emperor laughed heartily.

“Yes. A very thoughtful gesture indeed. And it was truly enjoyable.”

The Emperor then turned his gaze to Lucy.

“No one realized how much I longed for my homeland. Lucy, you were the only one who noticed.”

He curled his lips slightly.

“I was surprised that you were the one who cared so much for me.”

Wow.

It seemed she had earned the Emperor’s favor.

Lucy regretted that she couldn’t see her own favorability stats.

She controlled the smile that wanted to rise to her lips and simply lowered her gaze shyly.

“Lucy, are you still living in the separate quarters?”

“Yes.”

“You were weak as a child and needed special care in the separate quarters. But it seems your health has improved thanks to your time at the temple. In that case, it wouldn’t be bad to move to the main palace.”

Escaping the shabby quarters?

Lucy was about to nod eagerly when…

“Father.”

Elisha, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

“I’m worried it might be too soon.”

Elisha looked at Lucy with eyes full of concern.

“Lucy hasn’t been able to move properly or speak for very long. Suddenly changing her environment could cause problems.”

Lucy was taken aback.

Elisha appeared to speak for Lucy’s sake, but really, she was just trying to preemptively interfere, worried that Lucy would receive the Emperor’s favor in the main palace.

‘Still, I can’t exactly say it’s fine.’

Her negative stats were a concern.

It was true that she couldn’t move properly or speak, so if she showed such weakness in the main palace, Elisha might use it as a chance to pick a fight.

The Emperor watched Elisha quietly and nodded.

“Your sister makes a valid point. Sudden changes in environment can indeed cause issues.”

While cutting his steak with a knife, he continued.

“Still, one cannot live like that forever. Gradual changes in the environment should suffice.”

The Emperor looked at Elisha.

“Won’t your social party be held soon? Invite your younger sister there and help her get a foothold in society.”

“Excuse me?”

“Yes. I think gradually changing the environment is good for Lucy, as you said. Don’t you agree?”

Elisha looked troubled.

The Emperor saw through her intentions and was displeased.

That was why he ordered her to use the party as a pretext to help her younger sister.

Elisha had no choice but to smile.

“Of course not, Father. Lucy, I’ll send you a separate invitation, so please be sure to come.”

“Lord Bartholomew should also be present at the party so he can be seen in society more often.”

The Emperor was also looking out for Bartholomew.

Ding!

[New Quest Acquired!]

[Attend the social party hosted by Elisha!]

[Children from prestigious noble families will gather there.]

[The male protagonists you must target will, of course, attend as well.]

[Show off your charm at the social party to increase their favorability!]

[Success: +20 favorability with each character, +50 reputation]

[Failure: -80 reputation]

A new quest had been given to Lucy.