A Gut-Wrenching Performance (4)

A marchioness…

…

…

…who is that exactly?

I knew that back in the olden days in my world some noblemen were ranked by their title. ‘Marchioness’ sounded like one of them, but I wasn’t that familiar with their order. I could assume Eleanor was higher than a viscount with the wide berth everyone gave her, or at least from the few close by. As for a duke… I’d say fifty-fifty.

“I greet the esteemed Marchioness Devereux.”

““““We greet the esteemed Marchioness Devereux.””” The white mage got down on one knee, bowing their head with his right hand over his heart. The other knights and mages followed half a beat later – a complete reversal from how they treated me.

“If I recall, you are the commander of the Royal Mage Unit. Kael, correct?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” His tone is annoyingly respectful too.

“How intriguing. It is quite the sight seeing you around someone not of the royal family.”

“He is a most important guest of His Majesty, so we are acting as his bodyguards.”

“Of Duke Engres? Is that so…” she glanced over at me with a thoughtful look. I vehemently shook my head.

“May I ask how you know this… man, Your Grace?” A snide tone slipped into his formal speech.

“...of course. I have had the honor of attending a few of his performances before.”

“...you have?”

“Why, yes. I must say, his acts were truly awe-inspiring. And his mana techniques? Transcendental. If Duke Engres has requested his presence, I am looking forward to what show he will display for us today. It must be truly splendid to debut at a banquet for Her Highness’s birthday.”

“...what say you,” the white mage threw the comment over, not even bothering to say it like a question. I could only let out a sigh at his either rampant jealousy or immaturity, something I didn’t expect from him.

“I assure you, it will be a grand experience. Rather gut-wrenching, so to say,” I responded.

Eleanor let out a small laugh. My ‘bodyguards’, on the other hand, weren’t amused by my choice of words, not that she cared. “I would like to have a quick word with Sir Jester, in private.”

“But Your Grace, we cannot leave you–”

“A private word, if you wouldn’t mind.” Although she spoke kindly, there was a sharpness to her words. Her smile contained the grace of a noblewoman while emanating an immense pressure that not many could withstand.

“...of course, Your Grace. We will see to it,” the white mage reluctantly took a step back, though they were much more cognizant of my actions.

“I supposed this will have to do,” she sighed, keeping her voice low.

“It’s fine. I assumed this would happen,” I said with a shrug.

“I must say, I am rather surprised that Duke Engres invited you to the palace. I would say be careful, but I imagine that is rather unnecessary.”

“Ha ha…” I forced out a laugh. She was right though. All the threats so far had already been dealt with, and based on what I saw, I was confident I could handle the rest…

“Actually, I have a question, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Oh? What is it?” she inquired.

“Do you happen to know what’s passing beneath the floor? I can only tell it’s some kind of spellstone circuit.”

“I see your skills are superior even in espionage.”

Huh? What in the world is she talking about?

“Not to worry, it is not anything dangerous. You will see as soon as the banquet begins.”

“In an hour then? That’s a long time to wait.”

“What are you talking about? All of the… ‘important’ guests have already arrived. It should begin shortly.”

“What are you–”

“All bow for His Majesty Duke Engres!” The herald’s voice echoed through the hall, interrupting my conversation. The guests immediately fell onto one knee like the mages and knights had done for Eleanor, or at least the ones on the opposite side of the room – about three quarters of those currently present. The other quarter remained standing, Eleanor and I included, with a few expressing their silent disapproval. The red carpet was a surprisingly good separator of the two groups.

The first to enter were the knights, moving to stand guard along the border of the carpet. Yes, one border. Specifically on our side. Then came the mages, holding their implements at the ready towards us once again. It was so blatantly hostile that I was surprised there were still a quarter of the people resisting. And then finally…

““““We greet His Majesty, Duke Engres.””” the hall shook from the noise as the usurper king entered, clad in a gold trim military uniform and blood red cape. He briefly took a glimpse of the two sides, nodding his head, before taking a stand right in front of the elevated throne.

“You may all rise,” the usurper king began. “Thank you one and all for attending this banquet. Today, we are celebrating Her Majesty Valerie Reale’s ninety-second birthday. Unfortunately, Valerie will be unable to join us until the rest of the guests have arrived. However, like years prior, we have arranged a prelude for your enjoyment.”

Ah, that’s what Eleanor meant by ‘important guests’. Most likely, the people present were those from the top of the upper castes. The others were technically guests, but by the way the usurper king spoke, they probably didn’t wield much influence. The queen treated them all equally, but the king only catered to those that mattered for his reign, probably diligently for the past–

TTTHHHRRRRRRUUUUUUUMMMMMM!!!!

All of a sudden, the spellstones beneath the floor filled with mana. The next, the pressure of gravity increased for a brief instant, causing my real self to stumble. The walls slid down… no, rather we were moving up. The entire floor was rising towards the ceiling one floor, two floors, three floors before coming to a stop. Off to the side, the maids were opening the walls, some revealing exits to the nearby hall, and some to a staircase heading downwards.

This is a giant elevator, I thought, but I didn’t have much time to ponder on how it was possible.

“Now, for this year’s prelude,” the usurper king continued, “I have found a skilled mage who has been recently making his name known throughout the capital. To the people of his city, his performances are pure flights of wonderment. Some of those here have also professed his skills transcend castes.”

“‘Transcend castes’?”

“What absurdity.”

“Even we are bound by those rules.”

Throwing me to wolves, are you? Well then.

“Now now. If you are concerned, you are welcome to request anything for your–”

With a snap of my fingers vibrating across the room, I teleported in front of the usurper king, facing the crowd before he could say anything more. Quite a few mouths dropped at the sight, but most were simply dumbfounded about what I had done.

So, with a bow and a tip of the hat, I gave my introduction.

“I am the Jester, and I’m here to entertain.”