Volume 2 Chapter 12 The Great Villain Of The World, Attends The Royal Banquet I
──From Tenhou's Perspective──
The day of the royal banquet at the palace had finally arrived.
I quickly finished getting ready.
To attend the palace, I needed to dress properly.
I asked Hakuyou to find something suitable for me, and she found an old outfit that belonged to Kairyou-aniue.
Kairyou-aniue was an exceptional person even from a young age.
When he was around my age, he had already met with Crown Prince Rouen.
The outfit he wore back then was still kept, and I was able to use it.
Thanks to that, I didn't need to buy new clothes, and I was able to prepare everything.
After changing, I waited in my room until Seirei was ready.
I was bored, so I practiced the "Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique" moves.
Just like how the "Beast Body Guidance" technique could be used for self-defense, I thought that the "Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique" might have other uses as well.
For example, it could be used in a way that's suitable for birds, monkeys, and trees──
"Hou-sama, Seirei-sama is ready."
Just as I was thinking about this, Hakuyou came to call me.
Together with her, we headed to the main hall, and──
"Ah, how do I look?"
"Seirei-sama, you look beautiful!"
Seirei, who had finished getting ready, came over.
Seirei was wearing the same outfit she had shown me before, the one she wore when going out.
The bright colors matched her silver hair perfectly.
Seirei's hair is decorated with the 'Setsuenka (Snow's Edge Flower)' hairpin that I gave her before.
When choosing accessories for the celebration, it seems Seirei picked this one without hesitation.
"It's beautiful, Seirei."
Mother's eyes are shining.
"Really... You've grown so lovely. I wanted to show this to the Ryuu Family."
"...Mother Gyokushi."
"I'm sorry. Seirei looked so beautiful that I couldn't help it."
Saying that, Mother wipes away her tears.
"I can trust you with the Kou family's social events. Go to the palace with your head held high."
"Y-Yes, Mother Gyokushi!"
"And Tenhou, as a member of the Kou family, you must fulfill your role properly."
"Yes, Mother."
"And Tenhou."
"Yes?"
"You haven't given your thoughts on Seirei's appearance yet."
Mother has her hands on her hips, looking at me.
"Seirei has dressed up so beautifully. You should say something nice. Words from someone close can boost a girl's confidence."
"Y-Yes. Um..."
I stepped in front of Seirei.
Yeah. Seirei really has become beautiful.
Maybe it's the guidance, but her skin is glowing.
Her silver hair looks like it's shining from within.
Around Seirei are a black cat and a messenger pigeon.
With animals by her side, Seirei looks mystical... like a fairy in this world.
"Yeah. You're really beautiful, Seirei."
"...B-Brother."
"Honestly, I don't want to show the current Seirei to anyone other than family."
"Brother!?"
"I don't think any royal family members will come to the waiting room, but be careful. I believe Mother has taught you, but if a royal family member comes, you should bow down. Until I arrive, try not to show your beautiful self too much."
"Ah, umm... Brother..."
"No, really. The current Seirei is as beautiful as a star. So be careful."
"By the way, the name 'Seirei' was given to you by your mother, right?"
Mother said this while brushing Seirei's hair.
"I heard before that when Seirei was in her mother's womb, she had a dream of drinking a shining star. That's why she named you 'Seirei.'"
"Is that... a true story?"
Seirei murmured softly.
Feeling shy, she pressed her hand to her chest.
"Mother said, 'You are a child blessed by the stars, so you have shining silver hair.' But I thought that was just a made-up story to comfort me."
"It's a true story."
Mother took Seirei's hand and said,
"Your mother was my best friend. I guarantee that."
"Thank you, Mother Gyokushi."
Seirei touched her hair, looking shy.
"And because I came to this house, I've come to not dislike my silver hair and red eyes. It's surely thanks to everyone in the Kou family."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I realized what is most important to me."
"...Well."
"When I was in the northern town, the kids in the neighborhood said a lot about my appearance. I thought that when I grew up, I would become important and strong, shining like a star, and I wanted to show everyone how great I could be."
Seirei whispered as if praying.
"But that's all in the past now. Right now... as long as I can feel the warmth beside someone who shines with a warm light, that's enough. I realized that 'Seirei' is not a lonely star."
"...Seirei."
Mother reached out and hugged Seirei.
She gently stroked her hair, careful not to mess it up.
"You are my pride, my daughter. Seirei."
"Mother Gyokushi..."
"I am proud of you for bouncing back from tough times and trying to help the Kou family. Truly."
"......Mother, Gyokushi."
"That's not good. Hakuyou worked hard to fix your hair and clothes."
Reluctantly, Mother let go of Seirei.
"Tenhou, Hakuyou. Please take care of Seirei."
"Yes, Mother."
"I would give my life for it."
"Tenhou. Your father, Shin-sama, said in a letter that he leaves everything to you. You might feel nervous in front of noble people, but you must live up to Shin's trust."
"Yes, Mother."
I bowed and then asked,
"By the way, did my brother say anything?"
"He said, 'Tenhou will be fine.' And also──."
"And also?"
"He's worried about His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. There's been no reply to his letters, so he's concerned."
"No reply to his letters...?"
Kairyou-aniue, who is at the northern fortress, has sent several letters to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
Some were written by me, and some were sent directly by my brother.
So, Crown Prince Rouen hasn't replied to my brother's letter?
...That's strange.
Kairyou-aniue and Crown Prince Rouen are close.
Crown Prince Rouen called my brother 'my friend,' and he went to the north because my brother was there.
If it was a letter from my brother, he should at least reply.
"'Because of my failure in the northern land, I may have lost His Royal Highness's trust. It's sad, but it can't be helped'... Kairyou wrote something like that."
"...My brother would say something like that."
"If Kairyou returns to Hokurin, there will be a chance to talk with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
My mother said in a calm tone,
"I will tell Kairyou to focus on his mission. Fulfilling his duties will help restore His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's trust."
"Yes. I will also write a letter to my brother."
"That's right. If you tell him about the banquet, Kairyou will be happy."
"I understand."
I bowed again to my mother and said,
"Then, I will fulfill my role as a representative of the Kou family."
The banquet will have high-ranking officials and nobles from Aika Country attending.
Among them, there should be people who will be involved in the chaotic world ten years from now.
I need to figure out what kind of people they are and who I can trust.
I can't miss this opportunity.
While protecting Seirei, I will take my time to observe the people.
"...I'm nervous."
Seirei is taking deep breaths repeatedly.
"The places I go will have families and servants of important people gathering. I'm worried about whether I can talk without getting nervous when I attract attention..."
"Seirei, I have a suggestion for you."
"A suggestion?"
"Yeah. I want to teach you how to hide your presence. If you can make your presence and aura disappear when you're nervous, you won't attract attention from others."
"Y-yes, that makes sense."
"When you get nervous, stay in that state for a while, and when you calm down, you can let your presence and aura show again."
"B-but, can I really do that?"
"Listen, Seirei."
I leaned closer to Seirei's ear and whispered,
"...No one pays attention to nameless roadside trees, right?"
"...Ah."
When I whispered, Seirei's eyes sparkled.
"I understand! It's an application of 'Beast Body Guidance' when brother escaped from the bad guys!"
"That's right. I believe you can do it, Seirei."
"Yes. I'll give it a try. This way, I won't have to worry about being watched, and I can observe the others carefully."
"If a really important person comes, you should use this technique."
That should also help avoid contact between Seirei and the royal family.
If Seirei wants to socialize as Kou family, I will respect her wishes.
Now that Seirei has gotten better, I can't keep her locked away with the Kou family.
I'm her brother, after all. I want to grant my sister's wishes as much as I can.
But I want to make sure we can avoid contact with dangerous people.
So that Seirei can live safely and freely.
What I came up with is a technique based on the 'Heaven-Earth Guidance Technique.'
"...You always help me, big brother."
Seirei leaned her small shoulder against mine.
"I'll do my best. For you... no, for the Kou family."
"Yeah. I'll do my best to fulfill my role too."
After talking like that, we got into the carriage.
Then, we bowed to our mother and said,
"See you later, Mother."
"I'll be back, Mother Gyokushi."
"I will protect you both, Hakuyou will."
And so, Seirei, Hakuyou, and I set off toward the royal palace.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)