Chapter 37

With the sudden decision to hold an Imperial banquet, Diana became even busier. Hosting a banquet was never a simple matter. She had to send invitations to the nobles to confirm the number of attendees, decorate the ballroom, arrange the food, give instructions to the attendants, and even strengthen the palace security. Diana was overwhelmed by the unexpected workload.

“No matter how I look at it, there’s just not enough time….”

It was the first time she had ever organized a banquet this hastily. For the time being, overtime was guaranteed. Diana sighed as she looked at the mountain of documents she had to check. Seeing this, Sophia asked,

“Didn’t you put together a separate staff for the banquet? You don’t have to check everything yourself.”

“I just feel better if I look things over myself at least once. But there’s so much more to check than I thought, so much. I must be crazy, making things so complicated for myself.”

Even at lunchtime, Diana was still working, and Sophia sat at the table beside her, watching her work.

“Don’t overdo it. The important thing about this banquet isn’t the scale or the splendor, right? It’s the guest of honor.”

That was true. The central figure of the banquet was Kahil, and nearly all the nobles who agreed to attend were coming to see him. Still, Diana’s expression didn’t improve.

“Exactly, and that’s the problem.”

What kind of shock would Kahil deliver to the nobles this time? Just imagining it made her sigh. All she could hope for was that the banquet wouldn’t end in chaos.

“That’s one thing, but His Majesty is another. I never thought he’d approve this. I didn’t realize he disliked the Grand Duke so much.”

Sophia had her reasons related to Irene, but Evan’s decision was truly unexpected. He wasn’t the type to enjoy banquets in the first place. Diana never imagined he would so actively approve holding one.

“He never listened when I suggested holding a banquet for good relations with the nobles, but to think he’d agree to an Imperial banquet in this way…”

And the guest of honor was Kahil. Kahil, not knowing what Evan and Sophia were really thinking, was just happy, waiting eagerly for the day of the banquet. Diana couldn’t say anything more to him.

“By the way, how’s His Highness doing? I just want to check—he knows all the basic etiquette for the banquet, right?”

“Well. I heard from the attendants that all his tutors gave up on him when he was a child.”

“…Well, if he just walks in properly and keeps quiet, that’ll be enough.”

Diana’s standards for Kahil had become much more generous in a short time.

“Anyway, I don’t think I’ll be able to go out for lunch. What should I do? Oh, or do you want to eat here with me? I asked Neil to bring some simple sandwiches.”

“Sure. Sometimes I want to eat like that.”

“Great, then. Just wait a bit longer. Neil should be here soon.”

Just as Diana said, Neil soon opened the door and came in, struggling to carry a huge basket.

“Senior Aide! I brought lunch!”

“…What’s all that?”

“What do you mean? It’s your lunch, Senior Aide.”

Neil, panting, hefted the basket onto the table. Diana couldn’t believe her eyes at the sheer amount.

“Are you telling me to stay in the palace for days? I only asked for a few sandwiches, so why did you bring so much?”

“I tried, but His Majesty told me to bring all this!”

“His Majesty?”

“Yes! I said you’d be eating lunch in the office today, and as soon as he heard, His Majesty told me to bring this much. Honestly, it’s too much… Oh, Your Majesty!”

Neil, about to complain, bowed his head as Evan entered. Diana, realizing the situation, looked at Evan in disbelief.

“Did you really tell him to bring all this?”

“You might be hungry.”

Once Evan arrived, Neil hurried out, saying he’d go eat lunch elsewhere. Evan’s eyes fell on the pile of documents.

“Why are you checking the banquet paperwork?”

“I feel better if I look things over myself. It’s better to check now than to have problems later.”

Diana laughed as she looked at the mountain of food and picked up a piece of bread. Meanwhile, Evan noticed Sophia sitting nearby.

“What’s she doing here?”

“She’s not ‘she,’ she’s Sophia, Your Majesty.”

Right, she’d forgotten they were both in the same place. Diana put the bread down again. As expected, Evan and Sophia were already at odds.

“Why aren’t you with your beloved Grand Duke instead of here?”

“I think you’re mistaken. I’ve never liked anything related to the Imperial Family. Especially the royals.”

“Why? You two seem to get along. Why not just marry?”

“Oh my, you get along better with him than I do. Maybe it’s because you’re cousins. Every bit of his dignity is just like yours. You must be so happy to have such a wonderful cousin.”

This wouldn’t do. Diana stepped between the two, basket in hand, and sat down at the table.

“If you don’t have anything else to say, I’d like to eat lunch. Sophia, if you’re going to keep arguing with His Majesty, you can leave.”

At Diana’s words, Sophia and Evan fell silent. Finally, some peace. Diana, satisfied, picked up her bread again and suddenly asked,

“By the way, how did you meet Neil today? I don’t think you had any reason to see him this morning.”

“I called him for the invitations.”

“Invitations? I already checked all of those. Was something wrong?”

“I needed to add a few lines. Sent them to every family.”

What did he add? Diana wondered, suspicious. Sophia spoke up.

“You added something? That condition?”

“What? How do you know? What is it?”

“It’s nothing much. For this banquet, everyone attending must enter with a partner.”

“What? A partner? Why so suddenly… Wait, does that mean?”

Diana’s eyes darted around as she realized.

“You mean His Highness and Lady Irene will enter the ballroom together?”

“That’s right. Since the engagement between the Grand Duchy and the Dukedom is being discussed, His Grace will choose Lady Irene as his partner.”

Sophia’s eyes curved with delight, clearly enjoying the idea.

“I already told His Highness, and he was so excited that he sent a letter to the ducal residence right away.”

“…….”

“Isn’t it exciting to see Lady Irene enter the ballroom with His Highness?”

They were planning to make the two the center of attention. Apparently, Evan agreed as well. The two of them only worked together at times like this. Diana looked at them in disbelief, and Sophia added,

“Don’t worry. I didn’t put them together just for that reason.”

“Then?”

“I don’t think the Grand Duchy and Dukedom are coming together just because they like each other.”

“Ah….”

So Sophia didn’t see their union as a simple engagement either.

“That’s why I want to keep an eye on them together. And, of course, add a little bit of fun. Right, Your Majesty?”

“Yeah.”

Arthur had made the engagement proposal first, so Evan was surely keeping watch on it as well. Diana understood. She just gave a wry smile at Sophia and Evan’s wicked grins.

“Okay, I get what you’re saying… But you do realize, don’t you?”

“Realize what?”

“If everyone has to attend the banquet with a partner, you and His Majesty will have to enter the ballroom hand-in-hand as partners, too.”

At Diana’s final words, Sophia and Evan’s smiles dropped instantly.