Finally, the banquet began.
A table filled with food was set up on one side of the banquet hall.
Damn it. This wasn't a course meal but a buffet?
I moved my table slightly to hide perfectly behind a pillar, then gestured to a passing servant.
"Here's a tip. Please serve my table exclusively."
When I pressed a gold coin into his hand, the servant's mouth gaped open as he agreed to do so.
"What would you like me to bring you?"
I peeked around the pillar to survey the food on display.
Under the soft glow of the chandeliers stretched a seemingly endless buffet table.
Food was elegantly arranged on gold and silver-decorated plates and bowls.
Beef Wellington with truffle mushrooms and beef inside crispy pastry. Golden herb roast chicken seasoned with rosemary and thyme, whole roasted lamb from the stone oven, thinly sliced smoked duck, turkey roast with butter and sweet potato purée, springy shrimp cocktail, freshly baked lasagna, potato gratin soaked in cheese and cream, seafood risotto with all kinds of ingredients, cheese platters with various cheeses from across the Empire accompanied by fig jam, nuts, and honey, chocolate fondue flowing like a fountain with numerous tarts and fruits, and so on.
There were so many varieties that choosing became meaningless, so I just ordered him to keep bringing whatever he thought best.
As I sat waiting happily, I noticed the Emperor going around the tables, greeting the attendees with thanks.
Oh dear, I need to hide.
But it was the Emperor himself who had assigned me this seat. The Emperor kept glancing in my direction whenever he had the chance, and each time, people's gazes followed his toward me.
Fortunately, I was well hidden behind the pillar, so to third parties, it would appear as if the Emperor was looking at the pillar.
Eventually, the Emperor moved to the other side, and the servant brought the first plate.
It was Beef Wellington.
The grain of the crispy baked pastry glistened golden, and when I cut a piece, juices flowed from inside. Beneath the pastry was premium beef cooked to a perfect medium-rare, wrapped in truffle mushroom duxelles that added deep flavor.
When I took a bite, the moist texture and savory taste of the tender beef filled my mouth. Following that came the subtle aroma of truffle and the nutty flavor of mushrooms. The crispy pastry added richness with each bite, perfectly harmonizing with the flavors of meat and mushrooms.
This is absolutely incredible!!
While I was enjoying my meal, a voice suddenly came from beyond the pillar.
"Master Dian. Are you enjoying your meal?"
It was Rormane, leaning against the pillar.
"Hello, Rormane. Aren't you eating?"
"How could I possibly eat knowing you're alone in such a secluded spot? I came to keep you company."
"Don't do that. Go eat with the others. There must be many people who want to talk with you."
"It's fine. I simply cannot bear the thought of you dining alone."
"No, I'm not lonely, I deliberately came here..."
"Oh, hello, Secretary General..."
Just then, another hesitant voice was heard. It was Kirrin.
Peeking slightly, I saw Kirrin holding a plate piled mountain-high with food, greeting Rormane.
"Hello, Principal. It's been a while."
"Yes. But what are you doing here?"
"Master Dian was alone, so..."
"Ah, I see..."
"And what about you, Principal?"
"Well, I... I was thinking of bringing some... food to Dian... Since he doesn't want to attract attention from others... you know..."
Kirrin's ruby eyes darted back and forth.
She seems extremely nervous in front of the Secretary General, the third-highest ranking official in the Order, just like before.
"You were trying to bring food to Master Dian?"
Rormane spoke with a look of realization.
"I was thoughtless, Master Dian."
"What was thoughtless?"
"Instead of just chatting stupidly, I should have offered practical help. I'll be right back."
"It's okay! Don't bring anything!"
But Rormane had already dashed off, her priest robes fluttering behind her.
"Hehe, Dian. I picked out all the delicious things."
Kirrin grinned as she set down her precariously stacked plate of food in front of me.
"Eat a lot. I'll bring more."
"It's fine, it's fine. I've already asked someone else. Where are you going!"
With the incredible speed of a Dark Elf, Kirrin vanished like the wind.
It's going to be a problem if those two keep going back and forth between here and the table...
"Professor Dian."
This time, a man's voice.
Wondering who it was now, I looked up to see the Emperor's aide standing there.
He was holding a tray with various drinks.
"What is it??"
"By His Majesty's order, I've been assigned to attend to you exclusively."
"What?"
"He instructed me to ensure you experience no inconvenience."
The aide glanced around my table, set down the drinks, and left saying he would bring other things.
In the meantime, Rormane returned with a plate.
"I brought items I thought you might enjoy, Master Dian."
"Thanks..."
Rormane didn't leave, but finally seemed satisfied when she saw me pick up my fork and departed.
Soon after, Kirrin came back with another armful of food and placed it on the table before leaving.
Next was the aide. "This is from Her Highness the Princess."
Just when I thought it was over, Rormane, who had left earlier, returned.
This time she brought bread and various main dishes.
"Please eat plenty, Master Dian."
"Yes, thank you..."
"Ah!"
Kirrin, who had brought similar foods, quickly ran back.
Curious, I looked over to see the aide busily filling a plate.
Beside him stood the Emperor, personally directing what to put on the plate.
Wasn't he supposed to be busy greeting people?!
"Professor Dian."
The aide returned with food selected according to the Emperor's instructions.
"These were personally chosen by Her Highness."
"Oh my..."
I slightly bowed my head as I noticed the Emperor staring intently in my direction from afar.
Only then did the Emperor finally return to conversations with others.
"I brought desserts for you."
Kirrin came running breathlessly with a plate of fruits and other sweets.
"That's enough, Principal... People are watching..."
As the Order's Secretary General, the Dark Elf Principal, and the Emperor's aide continued to shuttle like ants between the buffet table and my secluded pillar, people's gazes gradually turned in my direction.
On top of that, the Emperor was personally supervising what his aide was putting on plates.
'What could possibly be behind that pillar that makes such important people bring food like offerings?'
Noticing the suspicious movements of these influential figures, perceptive guests began approaching with plates full of food.
Then they actually placed the food in front of the pillar?
Some even clasped their hands and bowed their heads!
Oh, please stop.
This is so uncomfortable, how can I possibly eat...
The exit was too exposed for me to escape.
So I had no choice but to continue eating reluctantly while hiding behind the pillar.
Among the people, an absurd rumor was spreading that I was "the spirit of the founding Emperor who came to celebrate the coronation."
They're truly insane.
Meanwhile, where was Linus when his friend was in trouble?
He was busy eating with Celine, not paying any attention to my predicament.
That guy, seriously...
# # # # #
Somehow, after the banquet ended.
Everyone followed the Emperor outside.
Rormane and Kirrin, who held official titles, went with the crowd, while only Linus, Celine, and Kaiden remained in the hall and came over to me.
"Did you eat well, Dian?"
"Hardly. I'm about to get indigestion."
Linus laughed when I pointed at the food piled in front of the pillar.
"I heard there was a rumor about the founding Emperor's spirit possessing the pillar. So that was you. By the way, Kaiden told me everything."
Linus said.
"About what happened at the Imperial Castle. And how wisely you managed state affairs afterward. Impressive as always."
"You think I wanted to do that? I only did it because I didn't want the chaos to spread to the Academy."
"True. You hate having your peaceful life disrupted the most."
Celine smiled.
"But His Majesty kept looking in your direction."
Celine's intuition was incredible and had saved us from death many times.
If she noticed it, I was definitely caught.
"Could it be that the Emperor...?"
"I refused. I don't even want to talk about it anymore."
"My goodness. Shouldn't you be thinking about marriage soon? Princess Mirelis would be an excellent match."
"If he weren't the Emperor, I might have considered it. But I decline becoming an Emperor's husband."
"Master Dian is simply full," Kaiden spoke up.
"With so many women showing interest in him, that's why he feels that way."
"Can't be helped. Dian is popular everywhere. Regardless of gender, age, or race."
"Hmm. Speaking of which," Linus stroked his chin.
"Dian, what about that female Orc warrior you used to like? Are you still in contact with—"
"Shut up!!"