I Will Be the Greatest Knight-Chapter 414: Lifting Spirits with Spirits

Irene was ready for the Winter Solstice Banquet first, while her father was second, and her mother came out a while after that. Her parents were certainly in the mood to be merry because they were both full of laughter and playful banter as they walked down the hallways and towards the banquet hall.

Out of all the knights, only she, Felix, and obviously the Commander were invited to partake in the banquet. The others were taking shifts of guarding the overprivileged, and each time she passed one of the knights, she couldn’t help but feel guilty that there she was, completely disarmed and in a dress.

More than that, however, was the looks the men gave to her as she passed, and all she could do was narrow her eyes at them. She was beginning to feel insecure. It must have been shocking to see her actually looking like a woman for once.

It wasn’t until they started walking down the halls that she realized just how much of her chest and neck were exposed for what felt like the entire universe to see. Even though some of the noble ladies they passed were wearing things much more revealing, she still felt naked, and the desire to hide never ceased. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Her collar was cut straight across, but it sat low on her chest. Her sheer long sleeves were the problem because they purposefully fell off her shoulders. Revealed to the world was the scar from the dire wolf and part of her tattoo, peeking out over the material at her shoulder. Constellations of freckles decorated her skin.

"I really do think you look beautiful," her mother insisted.

Irene offered a tight-lipped smile. She wasn’t entirely ready to be social, but with the expensive alcohol in that place, she imagined she could force herself to get there.

As they entered the banquet hall, Irene’s eyes immediately lifted to the ceiling as she looked at the giant, seemingly golden chandelier and thought of all the work that must have been done to light each individual candle. Her eyes traveled down, and she witnessed a dining hall with space in the center to dance while the area surrounding was covered in circular tables and cream colored tablecloths with cream dishes where they were to eat their meals. Utensils and cups were all golden. Gold was also present throughout many other decorations.

More than the beauty of the place, she couldn’t help her eyes and mind wander a bit more as she started thinking more like a knight. There were three entrances, and the one north seemed exclusive to the Earl and his closest guests, while the one at the south was the largest and for the rest of the guests. Irene and her family entered from the east. They were personal guests but not quite as important as whoever would likely come through the northern door.

Along the western side were tall windows with cream colored curtains and golden ropes tying them back. On every other window, there was a door at the bottom that likely led to a private balcony. She wondered if they would get much use. It was rather cold outside.

Although perhaps enough alcohol could convince someone to face the winter...

Even further than the entrances, she couldn’t help but count the knights and make sure that there was enough cover. After being almost looted by bandits, she was a bit paranoid of thieves at this sort of event.

Her father caught her because he placed a hand on her back and gently pushed her towards the table they were assigned to.

"It isn’t your job this evening, nor is it mine," he reminded her. "Try to enjoy yourself."

It was difficult. All she had was the knighthood. Her father had other things to worry about, even if it was difficult for him at first.

With one last glance, Irene knew that the Earl would invite the Duke to sit towards the northern door with him, and Irene felt relieved that her family was situated three tables away, which put quite a bit of space between them. It seemed she would be able to drink in peace and hope the night would go by quickly. Her plan was not to dance with anyone.

They didn’t arrive there particularly early, and there were already plenty of people sitting at the tables and waiting for the guests of honor to make an appearance. It was only a short time after Irene and her family were settled that the more honored guests came into the room, and everyone was required to stand.

Drinks were being served to them by maids so that guests wouldn’t be impatient while they waited, and between sips of the strong wine, Irene couldn’t help peering between those standing when Earl Auden and his wife entered and took their places at the front of the room. Shortly after, one of the Duke’s advisors, Lord Frost, appeared and took a seat. Felix came after that.

Irene smiled faintly to see Felix wearing such fine clothing. He had fussed over it so much before, she had to wonder if the maid was overbearing or if she simply did her job. Her face turned red whenever she was in Felix’s presence, and Irene found it particularly funny.

It wasn’t until her Commander appeared that she shrank back, feeling grateful that it was easy to hide in a crowd.

The entire mood of the room shifted after the Duke was announced to the room, and all eyes went to him. Irene couldn’t help glancing at the people staring. Looks of envy were evident on many men. Others seemed cautiously supportive. Young noble ladies seemed impossibly eager, as if they were holding themselves back from running forward and making themselves easier for him to choose.

Knowing the Commander, she didn’t think he would take very well to women like that.

After acknowledging the people with a nod and a wave of his hand, he sat down and, as was customary, food was served, starting with the Earl’s table.

However, to begin eating was a ripple effect. Everyone waited for the master of the house to begin eating, and it slowly spread through the room until everyone had picked up their forks and were digging into the fine foods given to them.

Irene’s favorite was fish, but the small game hens they were given hit the spot. Something she could hunt easily all over Chemois was seasoned so well that it tasted like an entirely different food. There were root vegetables with brown sauces as well as plenty of bread. Between each bite, she was interested in trying different wines as well.

Towards the end of the meal, a maid came to Irene holding a different sort of bottle, but using a towel unlike before.

"My lady, this is warmed, mulled wine. Would you like to try some? It’s a sweet dessert wine that will go well with the pastries that will be available for anyone to pick up this evening."

"Yes, please," Irene eagerly responded.

When her glass was probably too full, she tried some and responded gratefully to the maid who seemed pleased before she scampered off to deal with the many other nobles she was attending to that evening.

By that point, Irene was feeling lighter than before. Her stomach was full, and she knew she was buzzing a bit from the wine.

As she looked down at her chalice, she realized it should probably be her last drink, or she was going to become reckless. Her mother wouldn’t be too pleased by that.

However, a noise rang out through the room that caused all noise to cease and eyes to go to the Earl’s table once more. He had clanked a golden chalice with the side of a knife.

"It is my honor to have you all here to celebrate another prosperous harvest season that has allowed us to celebrate the fruits of our labor in the middle of winter like this," Earl Auden announced. "While I know that it’s customary for the host to dance first, you all know Northerners are a bit rebellious."

He paused for a response, and all his guests ate up his little joke with ringing laughter. Irene gave in and laughed as well. She was feeling loose and relaxed now, at least.

"I would like to allow my esteemed guest, Duke Mattson, to take the honor of going to the ballroom floor first," the Earl continued. "I assume it will be quite easy for him to find someone to dance with."

"I appreciate your hospitality, my lord," the Commander responded loudly enough for most of the closer tables to hear. "What a privilege this is."

Irene was full of immediate dread at that, and she angled herself away from having to stare at the center of the room and watch him stand so closely to one of the beautiful women in the kingdom that Irene knew she could not compare to.

Rather than paying attention to her surroundings, she continued sipping her warm wine and looking anywhere but the dance floor.

At least until a voice reached her ears and she nearly dropped the cup she held.

"My lord, would it be alright if I took your daughter out for a first dance?" the Commander asked. "It’s only natural that I trust one of my knights more than the others in the room, trying to reach in my pockets and see what I can offer them."