CH 17

She guessed that was the point.

“At least we need to establish a basic means of communication. Then I can take you to the banquet.”

He said that he would not take her to the banquet if they did not set hand signals.

Eristella thought deeply.

She wondered if there was any hidden intention in those words.

But actually, she knew. If Heinricion really had a different plan, she wouldn’t be able to notice no matter how hard she tried.

‘Okay. This is nothing. It’s not that hard.’

‘Yes!’

Eristella agreed warmly.

“Then, we need to decide on the signals. It shouldn’t be that difficult since we just did some training a while ago.”

‘Training? Maybe like that time…’

‘No way!’

They decided to set the hand signals in a pattern similar to the ones they had trained.

“First, the basic hand signals.”

Heinricion took the lead.

“Emergency. When an emergency arises and you need to ask for help.”

Eristella was preparing to do what Heinricion said.

“Cry.”

‘Uh…?’

That mindset didn’t last long.

What signal was so simple and barbaric? Eristella’s eyes became bitter.

“In case of an emergency, be it hand signal or something, you have to draw attention first. Cry, no matter what.”

‘…….’

“The problem is, it’s when you have to stay out of sight and ask for help. Then… repeat the process of straightening and closing the soles of your feet. I’ll figure it out.”

Eristella glanced at Heinricion, then gently moved the sole of her foot.

Since then, hand signals were made to be more authentic and specific.

Left foot. RIght foot. Both feet.

Shake your head once. Shake your head twice.

Blink your eyes once. Blink your eyes twice.

Wag your tail.

The necessary expressions were set according to each action, and Eristella followed them accordingly.

Obviously, they were chosen for smooth communication.

‘Why do I feel shy?’

Eristella’s eyes narrowed.

Still, it was true that after they agreed on hand signals, she became more comfortable in many ways.

Since she was able to express what she wanted to Heinricion easily.

*******

A few days later, Heinricion almost regretted it.

They were made because he couldn’t understand what the fox was saying, but after making the hand signals, Eristella was using them as she wanted.

‘Hey, Heinricion.’

‘Don’t you call me.’

Whether it was an auditory hallucination or reality, the fox’s urgent cry could be heard.

When he turned his head… 

‘It’s urgent now! It’s an emergency! It’s a big deal!’

She drew Heinricion’s attention by repeatedly opening and closing the soles of her feet. When he couldn’t ignore it and checked what was going on, her ‘emergency’ was mostly one of these:

‘I’m so hungry. I want meat.’

‘Take out the book over there.’

‘Open the door, please.’

Eristella was very good at demanding.

‘Even if you become a fox, your personality remains the same.’

Heinricion, who had been tormented by Eristella for several days, looked at her, but soon his gaze sank slowly.

Would it be okay?

‘That would definitely be more shocking.’

In fact, Heinricion did not want Eristella to attend the banquet.

Six months after her disappearance.

It was a short time, but yet far too long.

In the meantime, many things had changed.

In particular, the things that Eristella took for granted and the things she enjoyed were gone.

The empire was already erasing the existence of Princess Eristella.

And the differences would be starkly revealed at the banquet.

It couldn’t be okay to witness the disappearance of her own traces.

So he wanted to avoid letting her see it as much as possible.

‘It’s probably just a matter of concern for me.’

Because Eristella didn’t really care about anyone and hardly looked back on the past.

She might snort as she saw the things that had changed during her absence.

However, the image of Eristella getting depressed came to his mind over and over.

Maybe that’s why it kept bothering him.

Heinricion’s face was tightly contorted.

“Rowen. The fox will accompany me to this banquet.”

“The fox too?”

“Yes. Please take note when you’re preparing.”

‘We decided to go together anyway.’ Heinricion decided not to dwell on it.

*******

Eristella was the most excited since she came to the residence of the Grand Duchy of Adelasia.

‘It has to be!’

From the morning, people started to visit the grand residence one by one.

They were also carrying something in their hands.

Eristella immediately recognized who they were.

‘It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Westen. Let’s see, what have you brought?’

It was no exaggeration to say that the most precious and rarest things in the empire were all in the Western Top.

Even the owner of that place was brought in to prepare for the banquet.

One of the characteristics of the Grand Duchy of Adelasia was that they were very good at following protocol.

Heinricion wasn’t very much interested and bothered, but this wasn’t at a level that could be avoided.

The Grand Duchy of Adelasia always prepared meticulously, down to the smallest detail.

A number of items were spread out in front of Heinricion, who looked like he was going crazy because everything was annoying.

The items were accessories. Only those that would suit Heinricion were selected and displayed.

Large, colorful jewels were especially noticeable. Precise designs that must have been painstakingly crafted by artisans. Rings, brooches, and other various kinds of accessories were all very expensive.

It was enough to take Eristella’s attention.

‘But naturally! There are many things that are much more precious to Princess Eristella than this!’

The tail of the fox, which had risen confidently, fell without strength.

It had been a long time since she had seen them.

All of those things must be piled up and covered in dust somewhere in the Imperial Palace.

Eristella felt sad as if they were right in front of her, but she soon shook her head.

‘Let’s not be sad about things that can’t be helped. Instead, there are other things in front of me.’

‘Still, this is not bad enough.’

Eristella’s eyes lit up as she looked at the jewels prepared for Heinricion.

She had forgotten about it because she had been a fox for a while, but she was attending the Imperial Palace banquet after a long time, and she couldn’t just go as is.

‘Even foxes have their own dignity!’

Eristella’s sinister laughter reached Heinricion’s ears.

“…….?”

As Heinricion turned around, Eristella, who was snooping next to him as he was preparing and carefully examining the jewels, raised her head.

The moment their eyes met, a forbidding light passed.

‘I like shiny things!’

Eristella insisted strongly.

‘Fancy!’

“……”

‘The most striking thing!’

That was the taste of Princess Eristella.

In particular, it was nothing else but the National Foundation Day banquet.

She was Eristella, who became a symbol of the empire with unprecedented abilities in history.

Even if her personal reputation plummeted, her reputation as a magician did not waver.

It was an area that no one could invade.

Eristella, on each National Foundation Day, played a major role in demonstrating that the empire’s boundless glory was still there.

Hence, her appearance was very important.

On National Foundation Day, Princess Eristella was more glamorous and radiant than anyone else.

‘I can’t go out like that now.’

‘I want to go equipped, even if only I know.’

Eristella pointed her paws at a jewel-studded brooch.

A luxurious brooch with diamonds studded in it: it was splendid and dazzling.

It was one of the things prepared to adorn Heinricion.

‘Put this on my head!’

Pointing to the brooch. Then pointing to the fox’s head.

Eristella did her best to pick, and stared at Heinricion.

Heinricion really didn’t want to understand what Eristella was saying.

But contrary to his heart, her intentions were delivered so explicitly.

“I think the fox wants this.”

Fortunately, Serian, the exclusive designer for Heinricion, noticed the fox’s heart.

‘Right. That’s right!’

“I’ll do it for you.”

Eristella’s eyes lit up, sending a more intense message to Serian.

Then Serian skillfully decorated Eristella’s hair with the diamond brooch in response.

“It suits you so well!”

‘Right!’

“Since we’re doing it, shall we add a bit of lace here?”

Suddenly, a highly motivated Serian actively came up with an idea.

Then he got excited and put his heart and soul into making the fox stand out.

‘I like it. I love it!’

The fox went round and round in front of the mirror—and again.

Even though she couldn’t reveal her identity and couldn’t go anywhere.

It was a matter of her own perception.

Sparkle, sparkle.

That alone boosted her confidence.

“I’ll prepare it perfectly by the day of the banquet.”

‘Great! I’ll be looking forward to it!’

In addition, it was even more exciting that Serian was actively involved.

Eristella smiled and was satisfied. She thought she wouldn’t be hungry even if she didn’t eat a meal today.