MPBAGS Chapter 98

The people filling the banquet hall of the Lion Palace were momentarily shocked into silence.

As her silver-like hair rippled, it seemed as if all lights had gathered together, and the dress she wore sparkled as the golden threads and decorations reflected light with each step she took.

The white woman's presence was so vivid that it stole gazes and blinded eyes, making even the banquet hall's colorful splendor fade in comparison.

"...Evangeline Rohanson, you say? She's truly a monster as rumored."

If we call something that transcends human common sense and cannot be handled by intellect a monster, then Evangeline Rohanson was an existence standing at the very pinnacle of that definition.

Her thoroughly conceptual appearance was questionable to call the work of a god's sculpting. It lacked warmth to say a god had made it with affection. Rather, it was closer to a sculpture that a blasphemous being mimicking divine power had spent a thousand years meticulously creating, down to the surface of the skin. That this sculpture was alive, breathing, moving, and speaking made its very existence a mockery, an insolence, and a symbol of arrogance.

Her lips were softly drawn in a graceful curve. Her smile was likewise perfect and elegant, as if she had practiced it hundreds of times to show the most ideal version. That's why she didn't seem like the same human species.

Her arrogant red eyes surveyed the interior of the Lion Palace.

Those who met her gaze cowered and held their breath as if facing a predator. Some hiccupped from lack of air. They felt as if their throats would soon be bitten by sharp teeth and their breath cut off, making them want to flee immediately.

Evangeline Rohanson, accompanied by a pure knight of the opposite color, exchanged greetings with her father, Count Rohanson. Though there was a subtle discomfort as if she was forcibly squeezed into an ill-fitting mold while imitating human behavior, she appeared to be the perfect noble lady on the surface.

Even the greeting she offered before the Crown Prince with proper etiquette was flawless like a textbook, making her seem like a clockwork doll that moved exactly as programmed and planned.

"But why is Lady Totten acting as such a person's chaperone..."

"Isn't it because of her son? Since similar rumors have been going around..."

Kinder Totten endured the piercing gazes and words as Evangeline's chaperone, pretending not to notice.

It was no exaggeration to say that virtually every gaze in the banquet hall was gathered in one place. When something distinctly different was mixed among a crowd of people, it naturally drew attention by instinct.

Even the royal family was not exempt from fearing Lady Rohanson. The Crown Prince especially maintained a facade of calm while desperately struggling not to be crushed, remaining rigid. Upon receiving the sword as a gift, he was so terrified that he couldn't even think of drawing it. Compared to the Crown Prince, the Imperial Princes were relatively more composed.

"Please enjoy the banquet well."

With the Crown Prince's final greeting, Evangeline descended from the platform.

Though called a debutante, since it wasn't an official debut but rather using the Crown Prince's invitation as a loophole, there wasn't really anything that could be called a presentation ceremony.

It wasn't just Evangeline—there were quite a few others using the same loophole, and among the young noble ladies walking around, several wore flowers proving they were debutantes.

Kinder unconsciously fingered her crystal flower while explaining the general flow of the banquet to Evangeline.

"The formal banquet will begin after His Highness the Crown Prince performs the first dance. Until then, we'll move around the banquet hall appropriately, socializing and exchanging greetings with others."

This was etiquette that the chaperone should have taught beforehand, but she had been too busy caring for Ryder for five days straight to explain it.

Suddenly remembering her son who had tragically departed, Kinder felt tears might flow and desperately erased the thought. To keep Ryder's dying wish, she couldn't let anyone know the child had died, so Kinder had to maintain her composure while pretending nothing was wrong.

Having finished her explanation, Kinder glanced at Gabriel.

"During this time, shall we focus on greeting the people listed in the roster Sir Gabriel prepared? Would it be sufficient to introduce my lady to them?"

"Yes. That should be sufficient."

When Gabriel asked Kinder to be the chaperone, he also provided a list of nobles and influential figures. Along with the request to have Evangeline greet them. Coincidentally, the people on Gabriel's list were all frequent visitors to the temple, so Kinder was acquainted with them.

Just as we were about to start with the area where most of them were gathered, a knight approached Gabriel after looking around.

"Commander! Sir Muzeta discovered some strange traces and says you absolutely must confirm them!"

"I need to confirm them?"

"He specifically emphasized that Sir Gabriel must be called."

Gabriel looked at Evangeline with a troubled expression. He didn't want to leave Evangeline under any circumstances, but the person who had summoned Gabriel was Sir Muzeta, the Crown Prince's guard.

"Lady Rohanson, would it be alright if I briefly excuse myself?"

Gabriel cautiously sought permission. To Kinder, he looked exactly like someone waiting for their master's permission to fall.

"Yes. Please do so."

"I'll return before the first dance begins."

With Evangeline's permission, Gabriel carefully kissed the tip of Evangeline's white glove as if handling something precious. The knight promised his return to the blasphemous being instead of God and hurried toward the Crown Prince's guard. Evangeline watched the retreating figure before turning her gaze to Kinder and speaking as if she had been waiting for Gabriel to disappear.

"Lady Totten. May I ask one more favor?"

"Yes, of course. By all means."

At Kinder's unconditional agreement, Evangeline's fierce expression softened slightly. The relatively gentle response that came immediately upon showing submission made Kinder fully understand why the noble holy knight was acting as Lady Rohanson's servant. The privilege of being in a position of differential superiority was gratifying.

"Do you remember what I told you?"

"Which words?"

Which time was she referring to? The first day Lady Rohanson visited the marquis's estate? It was such a shocking encounter that the words Lady Rohanson had said then were vividly etched in her brain. When Kinder nodded, Evangeline continued.

"I really want to have a conversation with my grandfather... Will you help me?"

Evangeline had certainly brought up Duke Hosaquin before, but wasn't that just a lie to create a pretext?

"Duke Hosaquin?"

"Yes. Since we're blood relatives, it's too regrettable to remain this distant."

Kinder felt a chill at the natural way she spoke and rubbed her arms. Despite owing Evangeline a debt, she felt goosebumps.

Kinder had witnessed how Ryder was revived before her eyes, and she had realized how the supposedly dead Evangeline was perfectly alive and well. Like with Ryder, she had noticed that the contents inside the dead shell were different, making Evangeline's pretense all the more eerie. Nevertheless, Kinder couldn't refuse Evangeline's request.

"Duke Hosaquin supposedly severed ties with the Countess, so there are rumors everywhere... You might not be able to have a proper conversation. But if my lady wishes, I'll try my best."

"That's sufficient."

Kinder decided to keep watch over Duke Hosaquin periodically while contemplating the best time to approach, but first decided to handle what Gabriel had requested. Right now, the place where most of the names on the list were gathered was...

After deciding where to join and heading in that direction, people became wary and tense, then quickly showed expectant looks when Kinder seemed ready to introduce her.

"Lady Totten, what's going on? Taking on a chaperone role—did you have some acquaintance with Lady Rohanson? You never mentioned such a thing even once!"

"Please introduce us too."

"I couldn't tell you all beforehand because I received the urgent request from Sir Gabriel. Let me introduce you—this is Lady Rohanson."

Amidst the envious glances, uncontainable curiosity, and a range of reactions from individuals who had heard rumors and were cautious, those whose names were written on the holy knight's list showed particularly distinctive reactions.

"It's an honor to meet you. I'm Evangeline Rohanson."

Her voice reached them dreamily, as if heard in a dream. The Viscount and Viscountess Uvala, Countess Taponi, and the merchant Glacial Lake—the four people listed on the roster still stared at Evangeline in a daze, as if still in a dream.

"You're making me a bit shy by staring so intently."

Evangeline warned with curved eyes while not even holding a trace of a smile. Then people hurriedly apologized and began spouting flattery. They might spread vicious gossip behind her back, but few could dare to displease her to her face.

Though there was no particular topic, the conversation flowed without interruption. With several people gathered solely for one person, inventing conversation topics, it was actually closer to a theatrical performance. Just as conversation topics were running out, Evangeline spoke up.

"Madam. It would be nice to stay here and continue our conversation, but didn't you mention beforehand that you had someone to introduce me to separately?"

It meant they should leave to visit other people as well. Kinder tactfully agreed and asked for understanding.

"That's right. The conversation was so enjoyable that I forgot for a moment. Sorry for breaking the mood, but my lady and I must excuse ourselves now. I hope you all enjoy the rest of the banquet."

After Evangeline left, the others sighed as they watched the hem of her white dress disappear.

"Did I dream?"

Those who had been listed returned to their vibrant selves, as if their recent days of being absent-minded and dazed had been a lie.

"Lady Taponi, you've been constantly absent-minded lately, but now you finally seem better."

"I was absent-minded? That can't be."

"Last time, you spilled all your tea while drinking and had no reaction at all. Even though it was so hot..."

"...I did?"

Lady Taponi asked back as if she had no memory of it, covering her mouth with her hand like a surprised person. There were faint burn marks on the back of her hand.

Kinder made several rounds like this with Evangeline, exchanging greetings. After five circuits, Evangeline suggested a break.

"Shall we rest for a moment? Lady Totten, you really have a wide network. If I keep greeting everyone you've introduced me to, I'll have no stamina left."

Evangeline was tired of constantly moving around and catering to people's whims. Even a being beyond reason seemed to get tired when dealing with multiple humans.

Kinder found this somewhat interesting and smiled while nodding, then was startled by the fact that she had smiled and closed her mouth. How... how could she smile on the day her son died? She felt like a monster herself. She tried to calm her anxiety while fingering the crystal flower.

"Are you tired too, Lady Totten?"

"Hm? Yes... I think so."

Evangeline noticed Kinder's restlessness and called over a maid serving wine to pick up glasses. She took one for herself and handed Kinder a glass of wine, then clinked glasses arbitrarily and looked at Kinder as if telling her to drink quickly. Kinder hesitated before taking a sip. After the rich fruit aroma faded, she felt a bitter acidity. Since she didn't usually enjoy wine, the taste felt subtle.

"You seem better now that you've had some wine."

"Yes. I feel a bit more relieved."

Still, with alcohol in her system, her mood seemed somewhat improved. Her heart, which had been beating rapidly as if she were standing on a cliff's edge, calmed down a little.

Kinder handed the empty glass back to the maid. Strangely, unlike other servants, this maid was covering her face below the nose with a scarf. When Kinder looked at her curiously, the maid made scissors signs above the scarf. She seemed to be covering her mouth on purpose because she couldn't speak. Among the servants in the banquet hall, this maid was the only one with her mouth covered by a scarf.

The maid who received the wine glass back quickly moved away with hurried steps.