Banquet, a storm is brewing

Syldra had planned it carefully: the next day, she would speak seriously with Rosetta.

She believed her obedient maid would listen, understand, and then follow her plan without question.

But to her shock—Rosetta refused.

After hearing everything, Rosetta looked at her mistress with deep concern.

“…… Miss, you know better than I do what the consequences could be—”

Huh?

Syldra paused, stunned. She thought she’d explained everything clearly. So she began again, laying out every detail once more…

“…… That’s why this is the best course of action I can think of, Rosetta,” Syldra said earnestly, hoping to win her support.

For her, if even Rosetta wouldn’t cooperate, the plan would collapse into farce—one that would disgrace House Lentiya beyond repair.

“Miss, if you do something like that in front of so many representatives, it’ll be terribly improper! It’ll damage your reputation!” Rosetta protested, face flushed, desperately trying to change her mind.

“That’s exactly why there must be no turning back—only then will the delegates react seriously,” Syldra insisted. “With my age and status, it’s nearly impossible to wield Lentiya’s influence otherwise. Don’t you see, Rosetta?”

Syldra assumed Rosetta simply didn’t grasp the necessity of the plan, so she patiently explained again.

“I understand, Miss, but…!” Rosetta’s voice rose in urgency. “If you do this without the Duke’s approval, he’ll be furious! Absolutely furious!”

“……” Syldra narrowed her eyes, exasperated by the situation.

——Rosetta was a good servant. She cared deeply about her mistress’s reputation and family harmony.

But—

Rosetta, don’t you understand? What I’m doing now could change the future—save Lentiya and countless others. Compared to that, what does my reputation matter? What does a scolding from the Duke matter?

…… These thoughts were impossible to voice.

Syldra sighed helplessly.

“…… Rosetta, after all I’ve told you, surely you understand how strange this situation is?”

“Yes.”

“Right now, no other delegation knows what Wylding plans to do. Among all the foreign guests here at ‘The Lion’s Invitation,’ only you and I suspect something is about to happen.”

“Mm…”

“Camille is isolated on Wylding soil. The only ones who can prevent disaster are you and me, Rosetta. Please help me.”

“It’s not that, Miss!” Rosetta interrupted, as if hurt by the misunderstanding. “I know you’re brave, and I admire you—I’m not trying to stop you—but…”

The young maid lowered her head, voice softening.

“…… I’m just afraid you’ll suffer. What if you say those things publicly—and afterward, there’s no way to take it back?”

Syldra froze.

She saw tears welling in Rosetta’s eyes, glistening beneath her lashes, threatening to fall.

So she wasn’t resisting out of fear of punishment.

This girl was simply worried. Worried for her.

Syldra’s heart softened.

She gently stroked Rosetta’s hair.

“Rosetta, don’t worry about me.”

“Even if things go exactly as you fear, we’ll still have two years to adjust our strategy based on how events unfold.”

“…… The world can be changed by human hands. As long as there’s time, change is possible. I believe that—with all my heart.”

She comforted the devoted maid with quiet conviction.

October 7th – To celebrate Wylding’s 80th anniversary, Syldra and Rosetta arrived in the capital and checked into “The Lion’s Invitation.” That night, Syldra witnessed Samael pleading with Lakazet to withdraw her engagement proposal.

October 8th – While heading to the front desk to meet the Duke of Wylding, Syldra encountered Samael for the first time. That afternoon, during the preliminary banquet hosted by Wylding, she noticed suspicious inconsistencies about the engagement. Later that evening, she met Samael alone and confirmed the union was part of a conspiracy.

October 9th – Syldra revealed her suspicions to Rosetta and shared her full plan: to prevent the engagement between Samael and Lakazet from being officially announced.

The mistress and maid discussed strategies, refined their approach, and spent the rest of the day anxiously preparing for the unknowns of the upcoming banquet.

During the day, Syldra spotted both Lakazet and Samael separately at lunch—neither acknowledged the other. This further solidified her belief that the engagement was a fraud, strengthening her resolve to stop the alliance.

That night, after dinner, whether due to the weight of impending action or years of accumulated exhaustion since becoming a Hero, Syldra—normally disciplined in sleep—collapsed into bed earlier than ever since arriving at “The Lion’s Invitation” and fell into a deep slumber.

Now, it was the day of the banquet.

****

October 10th – Morning.

“…… Miss! Miss! Wake up!”

Still half-asleep, Syldra stirred as Rosetta gently shook her shoulder.

When Syldra opened her green eyes, Rosetta greeted her cheerfully: “Good morning, Miss Syldra!”

“…… Good morning, Rosetta,” Syldra mumbled, shaking her head groggily. “What time is it?”

“Almost noon, Miss.”

“What?!”

Syldra jolted upright, half-awake. “I slept that long?!”

“…… Well, yes, a bit longer than usual?” Rosetta scratched her head. “I slept a lot too, come to think of it.”

…… Rosetta also slept unusually long?

Since being chosen as the Healing Hero, Syldra hadn’t slept more than eight hours a night for years. Eight hours was the optimal duration for physical and mental recovery.

And even in recent nights, she hadn’t overslept. Why last night?

Syldra’s instincts flared. Something was wrong.

“Rosetta, what was the last thing you remember from last night? When did you fall asleep?”

“Hmm? I… remember coming back from dinner. You said you were very tired and went straight to bed,” Rosetta recalled. “I wanted to tidy up first, but after a while, I felt sleepy too—so I followed suit.”

“It couldn’t have been much later than you… I woke up just a little before you this morning. When I saw it was almost noon, I came to wake you.”

Syldra bit her lip.

She suspected this unnatural early sleep and late waking wasn’t coincidence.

…… Poison? Or was there something in the food?

Had Wylding already made their move?

Could it already be over?

As Syldra’s mind raced with dark possibilities, a knock sounded at the door.

“Are you awake?”