Chapter 36: The Emperors Decision

1stRank.Imperial Mage?

Damn it..I asked his Majesty in return.

I am very sorry.

I panicked and lowered my head.

I cant possibly question the decision of the EmperorIf I put him in an inferior position I would lose my head.

Not only would I lose my job..It basically means I would lose my head physically. (1)

Its all right, maybe you didnt hear me properly the first time. I will make you the 1stRank Imperial Mage.

It seems I was saved this time..God, this was dangerous.

Thank you, your Majesty, I will do as you wish.

Ah! Were not in the audience hall, you dont have to be this stiff. Once you become the 1stRank youll be a marquis, you can talk more informally with me.

His Majesty laughed wildly.

Then..No, I cant actually do that. I grasped the situation and decided to keep my distance.

Thank you, I will do as you please.

Good. Youre still stiff but I guess youll get used to it soon. Anyway, thats all I wanted to tell you for now. The banquet starts tonight so be at easeoh! That might be impossible, right? Just, dont let the nobles catch you! Hahaha

We bowed to the Emperor who left the room, laughing heartily.

The 1stRank Imperial Mage, huh?Its too much of a promotion all of a sudden.He actually meant I should be careful for other nobles envy and flattery.

Well, thats it. Theres still a little bit of time until the official announcement, which will take place after the three day long banquet will finish. Youll have to comply with this.

The Prime Minister left the room in a hurry as well.

After all, he had to take care of a national level affair all of a sudden, theres no degree to this mans engagement with his work.

Only my master and I were left. We thought about going back to the mansion, but the maid told us to remain in the palace.

I requested for someone to send word to our mansion, and I went to rest for a while in the room prepared for me.

I was worried that the nobles would come to my room while I was resting there, but it seemed it wasnt really the case.

Because theres a national event in preparation all of a sudden, it wasnt really the time for visits.

Thanks to that, I was able to take my time and rest.

However, master. If I become the 1stRank Imperial Mage, will I have to work in the imperial capital?

Its all right. Normally, that would be the case, but the Frontier Counts Household is an exception. It would be troublesome if you cant be on the front lines in case of a war, you know? Originally, the title of imperial mage was alternately bestowed, and everyone who had it was supposed to work in the Frontier Counts Fortress.

Then, instead of staying at the fortress, I will live inside the Frontier Counts territoriesWill the things be no different from how theyve been until now?

Thats right. It actually works for us too.

I see. If thats the case, Im fine with this as well.

The only thing thatll change is my title.

(Master, I want some tea too.)

Ok, but its hot. Be careful.

The spirit started drinking her tea from a small cup.

I decided Ill call her spirit for now.

Ive never seen another spirit before and if I call her exchange diary my head would be in a state of chaos. Once Im back, Ill talk to Bea and decide on a proper name.

Haha, she really looks exactly like Bea. Its so nostalgic.

Beas childhood? Tell me more about it, master.

My master smiled pleasantly and corrected his posture on the chair.

All right. Well, where should I start? When she was born, she was thiiiiis small, you know, and I really worried she was a fleeting existence that would break at any moment. However, maybe because of her nursing mother she quickly grew bigger, you know, and when she was 2 years and 5 months old she..

It seems I stepped on a land mineI kept on answering him once in a while, but I ended up ignoring him completely.

.she did that and then

Master, theres still more?

As one would expect, I was already pretty dispirited.

And then, as if the God himself answered my prayers, someone knocked at thedoor.

Enter.

Excuse me.

Im savedThank you, maid-san, thank you so very much.

My stomach is already full.

Everything is set, please follow me.

We were led to a room inside the palace.

It was a completely crammed dining hall. It had extravagant furnishings and it seemed it was ready for the dinner party.

So for the opening day, we had a banquet only for the Imperial household, for the second day there was a banquet for nobles, and for the third day, an open party on the parade grounds where anyone could attend to.

This was the schedule.

Since I wanted to know about what was going to happen, I asked the maid a little while ago.

Todays attendees were only his Majesty the Emperor and the Empress.

Was it in sign of concern for us or simply a precaution? I dont really know, but Im glad.

Since I was really nervous, I gladly welcomed the small number of people.

Their Majesties were waiting for us.

Because we were guests to their dinner party, it was natural for their Majesties who invited us to be there earlier.

Thank you very much for inviting us today.

My master greeted and I lowered my head as well.

Leave aside the formalities for tonight, come and sit.

We sat on the indicated seats and my eyes stopped on the Empress.

Standing next to his Majesty, they would make for a wonderful picture, a good looking man and a good looking woman.such a foul play combination.

She is Empress Natasha. Natasha, you already know Sonia, right? The one next to him is Zest, Sonias son-in-law and the next 1stRank Imperial Mage.

With a wonderful smile, she opened her mouth to speak.

Im Natasha. Its been a long time, Lord Sonia. Im happy to meet you, Lord Zest. And this is spirit-sama?

(Master, do I have to bow?)

Its been a long time, your Majesty, Im really sorry for my long silence.

Im very pleased to meet you, your Majesty. I am Zest. Now, you have to bow.

The spirit lowered her head obediently.

This little thing, her entire behavior is charming to the extreme.

Haha, since theres a small number of people at this dinner party, you can simply call me Natasha. Spirit-samais so adorable. Can she eat?

(Master, I want to eat.)

You want to eat, I see. Then please, Natasha-sama.

For some reason, next to Natasha-sama, a set of small tableware was prepared.

Well, spirit-sama, its all ready. Come and eat.

The Empress, her face covered in smiles, was watching the spirit.

I nodded and she smiled broadly then started to eat.

Well, well, isnt she lovely?

Yes, Natasha-samawas already caught inthe charms of the spirit.

Ill leave things at that for now.

Now, since spirit-donoseems to enjoy herself too, shall we start?

Thus, the dinner party began.

Ill be honest.

It was extremely tiring.

I had to pay attention at my eating speed, since making sounds while eating would have been rather nasty.

I couldnt even feel the taste of my food

It cant be helped, Im a Japanese after all.

Ive only used a fork and knife when I went to family restaurants.

Midway, his Majesty the Emperor has fallen for the spirits charms too, and it was fortunate that he stopped being so vigilant about it.

Even so, it was so tiring..I so wanted to grab that piece of meat with my bare hands and eat it like that..

Once the dinner party ended, we were moved to a lounge close to our previous location and we started making conversations while drinking tea.

It was annoying.

Its not allowed to talk during the meal, I already knew that. Only after changing the room was it allowed to do so.

I already want to forget the conversations we had in that lounge.

So, what was spirit-donos origin?

.An exchange diary.

Pffu.

Did Natasha-samajust spout?

An..an exchange diary, you say?

Your Majesty, you cant withstand this either, huh?

Its something you and Bea wrote in everyday, right, Zest?

Master, please be silent.

After all, I ended up severely teased on the subject of the young lady.

My face was so hot I thought it would burst into flames.

It was already late at night when I was finally able to return to the room that was prepared for me.

They even prepared a bed for the little spirit.

The palace maids sure are serious about their job.

The moment I got into my soft bed I was attacked by drowsiness.

Oh! When should I go buy the souvenirs?.

Ill think about it tomorrow..Good night

Lord Zest! Please have a match with me!! Lord Zest ~ !!!

My waking that morning was the worst..Who the hell is it?This early in the morning

(1) The author makes a word play with the word which basically means neck/head, but it also means to be fired (lose onesjob).

Translation: Nana

DA BEST (among the worst): Mockii