Chapter 319: Inter-Royal Exchange Gathering
When Rezamilliana and the King stepped into the hall.
Inside were tables laden with an abundance of food, and along the walls stood performers holding musical instruments.
Above all, there were people dressed in impeccable attire, likely royalty.
Or those believed to be dukes, mainly individuals from other countries, gathered in great numbers.
And then, the gazes of those individuals all converged on Rezamilliana at once.
After several seconds of that.
The King opened his mouth and addressed those present.
“Everyone, thank you for gathering here today… Some of you may already know, but allow me to introduce her nonetheless.”
Saying that, the King gestured toward Rezamilliana.
“This is the First Princess of our country, Rezamilliana.”
When the King said that, the royalty and nobles from other countries let out quiet murmurs.
“Oh, so that is the woman…”
“To think she is this beautiful…”
“To possess such beauty, and yet her swordsmanship is first-rate as well…”
Each of them was captivated by Rezamilliana for their own reasons.
However, underlying those reasons was not the kind of pure admiration Lux showed toward her, being genuinely spellbound.
Nor was it respect.
What showed through instead were ulterior motives and ambition.
As Rezamilliana quietly sensed that, the King spoke again.
“As you all know, Rezamilliana intends to find a man to become her fiancé here today, so please enjoy this gathering with that understanding.”
And he continued, as if it were only natural,
“This occasion is not only for that purpose, but I sincerely hope it will also serve as a place for the royalty and nobility of each nation to deepen their relations… Now then, begin.”
Immediately after the King said that, the performers along the walls began to play court music.
At the same time, several men promptly approached Rezamilliana and began speaking to her.
“Rezamilliana-dono, I am from a neighboring country…”
“Princess Rezamilliana, I have come from a distant land…”
“Your Highness, the First Princess, I am a duke, yet I possess wealth surpassing that of the kings of small nations…”
And seeing such a scene, the King took a slight distance from Rezamilliana and watched with satisfaction.
After confirming the King’s demeanor, Rezamilliana turned her gaze away from him.
Once again, she faced the men before her who were insistently asserting how superior their lineage and abilities were.
(Lacking discernment, huh… What Elizalina said was not entirely wrong.)
Those gathered here were individuals chosen by the King, who placed importance on pedigree and ability.
Which meant that, inevitably, the personalities of those present were similarly skewed in that direction.
That was precisely why, even now, they continued at length to boast of their wealth and achievements, things that held no appeal whatsoever for Rezamilliana.
(I knew it, but Father has not the slightest concern for my feelings.)
In the end, he only wants me engaged to someone with fine lineage and outstanding ability for the sake of the country’s future.
That is why, even as men who possess only superficial qualities press their advances on Rezamilliana, he not only fails to stop them, he watches with satisfaction.
“…”
An engagement sought only for benefit.
Rezamilliana understood that, depending on the state of the nation, such a thing was not necessarily evil.
The act of sacrificing oneself for the sake of the people of one’s country was, at times, something to be called the noble spirit of royalty.
However.
As things stood, it was not as though this country had to abandon kindness in order to pursue profit.
(And moreover, there was no way an engagement to someone chosen by Father would lead to a future that benefited the people.)
As Rezamilliana firmly declared that in her heart, a man who appeared to be royalty stepped one pace closer to her than the others and spoke.
“But truly, what a beautiful and gallant woman you are. There is not a single woman in my country as lovely and beautiful as you… If you would permit it, perhaps tonight you would dine together with me…”
As he said that, the man reached out his hand to touch Rezamilliana…
“Don’t touch me.”
She declared in a dignified and powerful voice.
And with her own hand, she slapped his hand away.