Chapter 242 - Banquet Formal Greetings

- Later that morning -

Inside the foyer of the Rossana-Valentine Estate, Kurt stood idly while adjusting the cufflinks on his black formal suit. The dark fabric fit his lean, muscular frame perfectly, lined with subtle crimson accents. His usual bangs had been styled and neatly combed back to go with the look.

Waiting beside him were the usual three maids.

Sadie was bouncing excitedly on her heels, making wild guesses about what kind of dress Diana would wear. She turned, eyeing Kurt up and down with a teasing grin.

"Look at you! Who knew our resident bossman could actually clean up like a proper ’young lord’?" She nudged the girl hiding behind Yuna. "Doesn’t he look good, Isabel?"

Isabel flushed bright red and squeaked softly. She peeked out from behind Yuna and spoke in barely a whisper. "Y-Yes... Master Rossana looks very... very handsome..."

"You two, maintain proper decorum." Yuna scolded sharply.

The light banter stopped as soon as soft heels echoed from the top of the staircase.

Diana came into view.

’Oh my god...’ Kurt’s usual composure broke inside.

She wore a breathtaking, midnight-black formal dress lined with delicate crimson stitching along its sweeping train. The high neckline framed her graceful collarbones, while a daring side slit exposed her long, toned leg with every step she took. Her vibrant platinum hair was styled into an elegant updo, exposing the smooth curve of her neck.

Sadie’s jaw dropped open. She clutched her cheeks and whispered, "Oh my goddess... Bosslady... she looks like an empress..."

Isabel could only stare at her in reverence, while Yuna’s eyes shone with deep pride.

At the same time, Diana paused on the step above as she caught sight of Kurt in his tailored suit. A subtle blush warmed her cheeks as she took in the handsome sight of him.

Wendy, standing just behind Diana, shook her head with a tired sigh. "Did you two seriously just fall for each other all over again... Keep staring like that and you’ll miss the entire royal banquet. Please get moving, Ms. Valentine."

Clearing her throat, Diana finally stepped down to the main floor. A shy, affectionate smile touched her lips as she met Kurt’s gaze.

"Good lord, Ana. You look absolutely amazing."

"And you look extraordinarily handsome, Rosie," Diana replied softly. "Before we leave... I have a small present for you."

Wendy stepped forward, handing Diana a small box. Diana opened it, revealing a custom-embroidered black eyepatch with a crimson rose pattern.

"For me?"

"Mmhm. Because you’re my Rosie."

"Ana..."

Kurt unclipped his plain black patch and swapped it for the embroidered one. Diana stepped close, adjusting the strap over his eye before resting her hands on his chest. "It looks perfect on you."

She leaned up, pressing her lips to his in a deep, tender kiss.

Sadie let out a low, mischievous whistle. Isabel buried her burning face in her hands, though she peeked through her fingers, while Yuna simply rolled her eyes with a fond smile.

Breaking the kiss, Diana took Kurt’s arm and began making their way to the exit.

"Bossman! Don’t forget to bring back exotic royal treats from the buffet, you hear?!"

"""Sadie!!!"""

"What? I wanna know what they eat up there."

Outside, two rows of estate servants and maids stood lined up along the driveway. Hope was at the very front, her eyes sparkling as she clapped her hands together. "Ms. Valentine! Master Rossana! You both look so gorgeous!"

The staff offered warm compliments and respectful bows as Kurt escorted Diana to the waiting carriage. He helped her step inside, following right behind.

As the wooden door clicked shut and the driver signaled the horses, Diana immediately leaned into his side, cuddling close against his arm as the carriage rolled out toward the Royal Palace.

...

The carriage glided through the colossal iron gates of the Royal Palace grounds where the grand plaza featured manicured greenery and smooth stone paths packed with pristine noble carriages. Royal guards in their polished silver plate lined the perimeter.

Kurt stepped out first, offering a steady hand to Diana as she got off.

The moment she appeared, accompanied by the young man who had been dominating the front headlines, whispers rippled through the arriving crowd of nobles.

Ignoring the staring eyes, Kurt and Diana walked arm-in-arm into the floral archway path leading straight toward the open-air Royal Gardens.

Directly ahead of them, two familiar figures were moving at a slow and steady pace.

Jason Campbell was patiently pushing a padded wheelchair. Seated inside was Nichole Firestar, looking thoroughly annoyed with her arms crossed tight over her chest.

"This is stupid, Jason! I can stand! I can walk! I look like an invalid sitting in this dumbass chair!"

"Haaa... Nichole, please... The doctors specifically said your mana veins are still fragile after that final match. Pushing yourself will only delay your recovery."

"Hmph! Screw those doctors.... Tch... Is there still no news about that strange other doctor?"

Jason shook his head. "You’re still hung up on him? Nichole, the head doc checked every record. They don’t have a single person on staff matching his description. He was an intruder – someone sneaking around where they shouldn’t have been. Thankfully, nothing was stolen and nobody was hurt."

"Whatever... Could’ve at least said goodbye... I swear I’ll beat you if I ever see you again..."

Walking a few paces behind them, Kurt’s eye twitched slightly behind his calm facade. He mentally recalled the sloppy doctor disguise he had thrown together when sneaking into the hospital rooms.

’Note to self, stay at least fifty feet away from that girl for the rest of the afternoon.’

The walkway soon opened up into an astonishing garden expanse filled with beautiful flowers, a giant central fountain, draped pavilions, and tables laden with delicacies. Classical orchestral melodies floated through the air alongside the gentle clinking of glasses.

Jason pushed Nichole through the floral gazebo and toward their group, while Kurt and Diana veered toward the Eldorian representative table.

The Eldorian student immediately stood up, offering respectful bows as their principal approached.

"At ease, everyone," Diana smiled proudly. "I said it before and I’ll say it again, you all performed brilliantly."

Amber stepped forward, looking remarkably healthy despite her terrifying supernova clash with Ayako. She flashed Kurt a confident smile.

"Hi, Kurt."

"Hey. You did awesome out there, Amber," he greeted her warmly. "Say, how are you even standing upright after yesterday’s disaster?"

"You can thank her for that." Amber grinned, tilting her head toward a nearby pavilion.

Kurt followed her gaze. Sitting at a private table was Christy Donna, the Saintess, looking unpleasantly bored while a flock of persistent nobles tried to strike up conversation with her.

Nearby, Autumn Wingard was squinting intensely at him, her eyes narrowed so tight her brain looked ready to burst as she tried to place his face.

Noticing her aggressive glare, Kurt offered a polite wave. "Hello, Autumn. Sorry again for all the commotion Dominik and I caused with you and your sister way back then. By the way, you both did great in the tournament."

The memory clicked in Autumn’s head.

"YOU! I remember! It was you and that prefect who–!"

Before she could launch into a fiery, loud tirade in front of everyone, Summer slapped her hand firmly over her sister’s mouth and locked her in a graceful headlock.

"Please excuse my sister, Mr. Rossana," she smiled serenely while ignoring Autumn’s muffled thrashing. "And thank you for the kind words."

Victor Moor, Lily Mathers, and Zack all joined in, casually greeting Kurt with respect.

Scanning her students, Diana noticed an empty seat other than Emelie’s. "Has anyone seen or heard anything regarding Gary?"

The students exchanged quiet, uneasy glances, shaking their heads and saying that nobody had seen him the whole weekend.

Diana clicked her tongue softly, her eyes darkening with subtle frustration as she noted his absence for later investigation.

"MASTER!"

A bright, energetic voice cut through the ambient chatter. Junior came running over with a huge, joyful grin, completely ignoring any royal decorum as he rushed to greet Kurt. "Master! Good morning! I’m glad you came! Also, you look so cool!"

"Haha. Good morning, Your High–"

"Please! Call me Junior! It’s only right–!"

"No, it’s not ’right’, Junior. What he said was correct."

Kiana walked up behind her brother, puffing out her chest while doing her best to maintain a cold, aloof, and dignified royal composure. However, a faint, betraying tint of pink dusted her cheeks as her eyes flicked over Kurt’s fitted suit.

Amber caught the Princess’s rigid posture and leaned in with a teasing smirk. "My, my... why are you so stiff all of a sudden, Your Highness?"

"Wha–?! I-I have no idea what you are talking about, Amber!"

Diana softly excused them from the students. "I must pay my respects to the visiting academy principals. Walk with me, Rosie?"

"Sure."

They approached the Tricean group first. Upon seeing Diana’s authoritative presence, the Tricean triplets flinched visibly. Remembering their past disrespect toward her, the three boys stepped forward and offered a stiff, deeply sincere apology. Diana gracefully accepted, praising their maturity, but warning them that there is no next time.

Next, they greeted the Riverton Principal, Jack Axel, and his lineup. Kurt kept his expression completely neutral, aggressively avoiding eye contact with Nichole seated in her wheelchair nearby.

Nichole squinted hard at him as he passed, but Kurt smoothly navigated Diana away before the girl could connect the dots – leaving the Riverton Principal huffing in annoyance at their swift departure.

Finally, they offered congratulations to the Myrians. Izumi Ayako bowed deeply to Kurt.

"Thank you, Rossana-sama. I hope my victory inspires you to perhaps challenge me to a duel in the future?"

"I’ll keep that in mind."

"Hehe. Yes. Please do."

Beside her, Ryuuji let out a bitter huff, muttering curses under his breath before stomping off toward the snack tables.

Suddenly, a wave of quiet whispering washed over the garden entrance.

Emelie had arrived, wearing an intricate, high-society noble dress. Although she looked profoundly annoyed by the suffocating layers. Walking beside her was none other than her brother, Everett Herst.

The surrounding people held their breath, expecting drama as Everett marched directly toward Diana and Kurt with a rigid, dead-serious expression.

He stopped three paces away. Instead of addressing Diana first or making a scene, he turned to Kurt and gave a respectful(???) nod.

Then, facing Diana, Everett spoke in a steady, calm voice. "Diana... I stand before you to admit that I have been bested. I am formally declaring that I will no longer pursue you romantically."

".... What?"

"I can see how genuinely happy you are alongside Rossa– No, K-Kurt," Everett continued, his eyes sincere. "I wish you both the absolute best. However... just know that as your childhood friend... I will always be here if you ever require aid."

Diana genuinely couldn’t believe what was happening. In all the years she had known him, no matter how harshly she had rejected his advances, Everett had never spoken like this. Recovering her composure, she offered a warm smile and accepted the hand he extended.

"Thank you, Everett. As your childhood friend, I too wish that you will find the right person for you."

Everett turned to leave, but Kurt called out from behind. "Hey, Everett."

"Y-YES?!" he practically jumped out of his skin and nervously turned around to face the devil.

"I just wanted to say, despite you being a pompous dick... I really enjoyed our fight. Hope we can be friends."

Overwhelmed by relief and raw emotion, a single, dramatic tear rolled down Everett’s cheek. He beamed, nodding vigorously. "YES! I would like that very much!"

Emelie walked up, staring at Kurt in utter, dumbfounded disbelief. "Seriously... What in the world did you do to my brother?"

"I would very much like to know as well, Rosie."

Before he could craft an evasive excuse, a deafening herald’s horn blasted across the courtyard, plunging the entire Royal Garden into an attention of silence.

A court servant stepped onto the high marble balcony overlooking the garden and shouted:

"Announcing the grand arrival of his royal majesty, King Maxwell Dorothy of Eldoria! And the First Princess, Faye Dorothy!"