Chapter 7: "I am going to have dinner with the emperor and his family."
Beyond the door was a spacious dining hall
At a long table covered with pure white cloth, five men and women, whose noble status was immediately apparent, were seated.
Servants were lined up along the walls.
The chandelier on the ceiling, spreading the light of magic stones, was a splendid decoration that made one involuntarily admire.
Wait, is this another world!?
...Ah, I see, this is the Grand Palace.
"Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Nartas. I have returned with my friend Kuu-chan," Sera gracefully bowed.
"Hmm. Well then, have a seat. Kuu-chan, you can sit next to Seraphine without hesitation," said His Majesty, the Emperor, I presume.
Kuu-chan? I was about to retort instinctively, but the one who called me that was probably Sera's father, His Majesty the Emperor. I endured it because getting killed for disrespecting the emperor wouldn't be ideal.
Wait, so it seems like I'll be having a meal with Sera's family. Considering Sera is only 11 years old, it makes sense if I think about it, but I hadn't anticipated this situation. Is it okay?
It might be better to go back, but leaving now would be rude. Let's just go with the flow.
Following Sera's lead, I sat at the seat prompted by the maid.
"Now, before the meal, let's introduce ourselves. First, I am His Majesty, Haisel Eld Grayia Bastille, the Emperor of this empire."
The Emperor looked to be in his late thirties, with a handsome face reminiscent of a movie actor.
"I am Ainesia, the mother of the four here. Nice to meet you, Kuu-chan"
The empress had an elegant demeanor, an outstanding figure, and despite her age, she looked incredibly young. She didn't seem like a mother of four.
"I am Kaist, the eldest son."
The elder brother was cool and aloof. He didn't even give a smile when our eyes met. Unlike the parents, he didn't seem to be the friendly type. There's a possibility that I'm just not welcomed.
"I am Alisha, the eldest daughter. I will be thirteen this year. Your hair is truly like the blue sky. I was surprised."
The sister seemed intelligent. She handled the noble exchanges effortlessly.
"I'm Nartas, the younger brother. Seven years old. Nice to meet you."
The younger brother seemed gentle and cute, the kind you'd want to pat on the head.
Since the others initiated greetings, it was my turn.
"I am Kuu Maiya. Thank you for having me today."
It was sudden, but oh well, I won't say it's a surprise.
"Now that introductions are done, let me express my gratitude. Thank you for lifting my daughter's curse. We tried everything, but the results were not showing. We were left with no choice but to endure the disgrace and earnestly request the Holy Maiden of the Holy Land," said the Emperor, bowing his head.
The Emperor actually lowered his head.
"I really haven't done anything, so please don't worry about it. All the blessings are from the power of Asis-sama."
"Asis-sama, is that the Goddess Asisshela, the goddess of creation?"
"Yes. Before coming here, I played with her, and her power accidentally overflowed inside me. It was just that power overflowing."
"Then, let us make a donation to the temple of the goddess tomorrow as a gesture of gratitude," said the Emperor.
"Um, do you really believe me?"
"Of course. Whether it's a lie, a joke, or even canceling a curse from an evil god, and furthermore, spreading blessings throughout the entire imperial city – it can't be anything but genuine."
"That's a relief. Really, it's not my power. I'm not that amazing at all."
At least for now, all I can do is pick medicinal herbs.
It's quite heartbreaking.
"Kuu-chan is amazing! She's incredibly kind, fun, and my wonderful friend!"
"Serafina, you can rest assured. Although I'm sorry, I saw Ku-chan's 'Goddess's Eyes.' There's no doubt he's amazing."
So, the 'Upper' the guild master mentioned refers to His Majesty the Emperor. That means I'm getting special treatment.
"Hey, Spirit-san, can I touch your hair a little?"
"Yes, it's fine."
Upon the request from Alicia, I nodded.
"Oh my. In that case."
Wow. I'm being touched by both the Empress and Alicia.
"Already! Kuu-chan is my friend!"
"Why, it feels even softer and gentler than the finest silk..."
Alicia, please don't speak in such an enraptured tone. It's embarrassing.
"Alright, that's enough, both of you. Kuu-chan is getting confused. Besides, this isn't something to do before a meal," said the Emperor.
"Just a little more..."
Sister, please don't get even more enraptured.
The empress has been silent all this time, but the movements of her fingers caressing my hair are sensuous, making me feel extremely embarrassed. However, I can't just brush her off, so I became a doll for a while.
Eventually, the empress released her fingers.
"I'm sorry. I got carried away in the pleasure. Let's return to our seats, Alicia."
"Yes, Mother. Your hair was wonderful, Spirit-san."
"Haha. Thank you very much."
Finally released, we started the meal.
What came out were various courtly dishes, as expected, or rather, even more luxurious than anticipated. Since the table manners were the same as in my previous life, I could enjoy the meal without worries. Despite not having been to high-class restaurants in my previous life, I knew enough about table manners. I had often done a pseudo full-course meal during the refined playacting with the showy Erica. In any case, it was delicious. I'm glad to be alive. So, I'm full.
"Father, I've finished my meal, so I'll excuse myself."
The brother, standing up firmly, left the dining hall. There wasn't any conversation with the brother after all. Well, yeah. Let's consider it a win that he didn't openly dislike me. Rather, Sera and His Majesty and the others treated me surprisingly friendly, considering I just appeared out of nowhere.
"Oh, you two, you can also leave if you want. Ku-chan, stay behind for a moment; I have something to discuss."
The empress, sister, and younger brother, after greeting me, left their seats. Sera stayed behind, having received His Majesty's permission.
Before us, tea was served.
The Emperor drank the red liquid.
I held my breath and stared at it.
Wine... maybe?
"By the way, Kuu-chan, what are your plans from now on?"
"Um, that's... a question..."
"What is it?"
"Well, that's... um..."
"And that is?"
"The thing that His Majesty is drinking right now..."
"This is wine, isn't it?"
Yep, it's wine.
Glug.
"Excuse me... It looked so delicious, so just a sip..."
"Kuu-chan, that's alcohol, you know? Children shouldn't drink alcohol because it hinders growth."
Sera admonished me.
"As Serafina says. If it piqued your interest, I apologize."
Ah... The wine was put away, and it became tea.
People of the empire, everyone has high morals.
...
But, well, yeah. That's fine. I understand.
In my previous life, I indulged in games and alcohol, living a dissolute life. It was floaty in a bad way. The result was a truck collision.
But now, it's floaty in a good way.
Let's be floaty.
Alcohol is a no-go.
Let's successfully accomplish the job as a spirit, and the good kind of floatiness.
"Sera, I'll do it. I'll do my best."
"Yes!"
Sera nodded vigorously.
"I'll do my best to be floaty."
"Yes! Please do your best to be floaty!"
"Thank you, Sera."
"Kuu-chan!"
"Sera!"
I pledged floatiness to Sera now.
At a long table covered with pure white cloth, five men and women, whose noble status was immediately apparent, were seated.
Servants were lined up along the walls.
The chandelier on the ceiling, spreading the light of magic stones, was a splendid decoration that made one involuntarily admire.
Wait, is this another world!?
...Ah, I see, this is the Grand Palace.
"Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Nartas. I have returned with my friend Kuu-chan," Sera gracefully bowed.
"Hmm. Well then, have a seat. Kuu-chan, you can sit next to Seraphine without hesitation," said His Majesty, the Emperor, I presume.
Kuu-chan? I was about to retort instinctively, but the one who called me that was probably Sera's father, His Majesty the Emperor. I endured it because getting killed for disrespecting the emperor wouldn't be ideal.
Wait, so it seems like I'll be having a meal with Sera's family. Considering Sera is only 11 years old, it makes sense if I think about it, but I hadn't anticipated this situation. Is it okay?
It might be better to go back, but leaving now would be rude. Let's just go with the flow.
Following Sera's lead, I sat at the seat prompted by the maid.
"Now, before the meal, let's introduce ourselves. First, I am His Majesty, Haisel Eld Grayia Bastille, the Emperor of this empire."
The Emperor looked to be in his late thirties, with a handsome face reminiscent of a movie actor.
"I am Ainesia, the mother of the four here. Nice to meet you, Kuu-chan"
The empress had an elegant demeanor, an outstanding figure, and despite her age, she looked incredibly young. She didn't seem like a mother of four.
"I am Kaist, the eldest son."
The elder brother was cool and aloof. He didn't even give a smile when our eyes met. Unlike the parents, he didn't seem to be the friendly type. There's a possibility that I'm just not welcomed.
"I am Alisha, the eldest daughter. I will be thirteen this year. Your hair is truly like the blue sky. I was surprised."
The sister seemed intelligent. She handled the noble exchanges effortlessly.
"I'm Nartas, the younger brother. Seven years old. Nice to meet you."
The younger brother seemed gentle and cute, the kind you'd want to pat on the head.
Since the others initiated greetings, it was my turn.
"I am Kuu Maiya. Thank you for having me today."
It was sudden, but oh well, I won't say it's a surprise.
"Now that introductions are done, let me express my gratitude. Thank you for lifting my daughter's curse. We tried everything, but the results were not showing. We were left with no choice but to endure the disgrace and earnestly request the Holy Maiden of the Holy Land," said the Emperor, bowing his head.
The Emperor actually lowered his head.
"I really haven't done anything, so please don't worry about it. All the blessings are from the power of Asis-sama."
"Asis-sama, is that the Goddess Asisshela, the goddess of creation?"
"Yes. Before coming here, I played with her, and her power accidentally overflowed inside me. It was just that power overflowing."
"Then, let us make a donation to the temple of the goddess tomorrow as a gesture of gratitude," said the Emperor.
"Um, do you really believe me?"
"Of course. Whether it's a lie, a joke, or even canceling a curse from an evil god, and furthermore, spreading blessings throughout the entire imperial city – it can't be anything but genuine."
"That's a relief. Really, it's not my power. I'm not that amazing at all."
At least for now, all I can do is pick medicinal herbs.
It's quite heartbreaking.
"Kuu-chan is amazing! She's incredibly kind, fun, and my wonderful friend!"
"Serafina, you can rest assured. Although I'm sorry, I saw Ku-chan's 'Goddess's Eyes.' There's no doubt he's amazing."
So, the 'Upper' the guild master mentioned refers to His Majesty the Emperor. That means I'm getting special treatment.
"Hey, Spirit-san, can I touch your hair a little?"
"Yes, it's fine."
Upon the request from Alicia, I nodded.
"Oh my. In that case."
Wow. I'm being touched by both the Empress and Alicia.
"Already! Kuu-chan is my friend!"
"Why, it feels even softer and gentler than the finest silk..."
Alicia, please don't speak in such an enraptured tone. It's embarrassing.
"Alright, that's enough, both of you. Kuu-chan is getting confused. Besides, this isn't something to do before a meal," said the Emperor.
"Just a little more..."
Sister, please don't get even more enraptured.
The empress has been silent all this time, but the movements of her fingers caressing my hair are sensuous, making me feel extremely embarrassed. However, I can't just brush her off, so I became a doll for a while.
Eventually, the empress released her fingers.
"I'm sorry. I got carried away in the pleasure. Let's return to our seats, Alicia."
"Yes, Mother. Your hair was wonderful, Spirit-san."
"Haha. Thank you very much."
Finally released, we started the meal.
What came out were various courtly dishes, as expected, or rather, even more luxurious than anticipated. Since the table manners were the same as in my previous life, I could enjoy the meal without worries. Despite not having been to high-class restaurants in my previous life, I knew enough about table manners. I had often done a pseudo full-course meal during the refined playacting with the showy Erica. In any case, it was delicious. I'm glad to be alive. So, I'm full.
"Father, I've finished my meal, so I'll excuse myself."
The brother, standing up firmly, left the dining hall. There wasn't any conversation with the brother after all. Well, yeah. Let's consider it a win that he didn't openly dislike me. Rather, Sera and His Majesty and the others treated me surprisingly friendly, considering I just appeared out of nowhere.
"Oh, you two, you can also leave if you want. Ku-chan, stay behind for a moment; I have something to discuss."
The empress, sister, and younger brother, after greeting me, left their seats. Sera stayed behind, having received His Majesty's permission.
Before us, tea was served.
The Emperor drank the red liquid.
I held my breath and stared at it.
Wine... maybe?
"By the way, Kuu-chan, what are your plans from now on?"
"Um, that's... a question..."
"What is it?"
"Well, that's... um..."
"And that is?"
"The thing that His Majesty is drinking right now..."
"This is wine, isn't it?"
Yep, it's wine.
Glug.
"Excuse me... It looked so delicious, so just a sip..."
"Kuu-chan, that's alcohol, you know? Children shouldn't drink alcohol because it hinders growth."
Sera admonished me.
"As Serafina says. If it piqued your interest, I apologize."
Ah... The wine was put away, and it became tea.
People of the empire, everyone has high morals.
...
But, well, yeah. That's fine. I understand.
In my previous life, I indulged in games and alcohol, living a dissolute life. It was floaty in a bad way. The result was a truck collision.
But now, it's floaty in a good way.
Let's be floaty.
Alcohol is a no-go.
Let's successfully accomplish the job as a spirit, and the good kind of floatiness.
"Sera, I'll do it. I'll do my best."
"Yes!"
Sera nodded vigorously.
"I'll do my best to be floaty."
"Yes! Please do your best to be floaty!"
"Thank you, Sera."
"Kuu-chan!"
"Sera!"
I pledged floatiness to Sera now.
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