5.29.

The venue of the banquet would be the backyard garden of the royal villa inside the campus. The celebration actually didn’t tie into any department, and the fact that it was held on the night of the last day of the semester came as a coincidence.

Evelyn was the one arranging this party, selectively inviting the people who would be attending.

It was getting dark, there were already guests present in the garden. A beautiful white arbor where all the food was catered, the tables were clothed in white cloth, mood candles and flowers on top. There was a space for dancing, and even a free flow bar for those who liked to drink.

“What does someone typically do in a place like this?” Daizo asked.

“Wait around until the main event begins. Let’s take a drink.”

“There’s our instructors.”

“Where?”

While the others were busy pointing out the details of the venue, Leticia noticed how her presence gathered a lot of attention in her surroundings.

‘Right.. I’m one of the stars..’

One by one, people began gathering around them. Daizo and Dorry, who had never before attended a banquet like this, wanted to run away. Nynim and Quora held them by the scruff.

Leticia greeted each of them individually. The total participants for the party didn’t number more than a hundred, so it shouldn’t be impossible to at least talk to them one by one.

Memories of her past sprung up. The contrast of then and now– the timid self of her past who often cried herself to sleep, to the now more confident, self-assured her.

It was evident here, despite all the pain and suffering she went through, the joys and learning, that she had grown up.

“Leticia, hello?” Sequencee stroked her head carefully so as to not mess up the braid she had made.

“H-Huh?”

‘When did I..’

Leticia found herself in Sequencee’s arm.

“Sequencee, when..”

“Let’s go to the side,” he took her hand and tenderly led her out of the crowd. Mixed reactions of embarrassment and smiles could be seen from the people.

Sequencee was wearing a white suit. Gold-black epaulets adorned his shoulders, lapels hanging from one side of his coat to the other, the silver lotus pin attached to his blue tie.

‘He looks just like a prince.’

“Are you alright?”

Leticia stared into his bright blue eyes. Though she would’ve preferred Sequencee’s normal look, his tailored hair matched well with the occasion today.

“You look really pretty today,” he smiled.

‘Ah.. I hate this look..’

“Don’t say that, I know you don’t mean it,” Leticia retorted.

Sequencee rolled his eyes.

‘That’s much better..’

Leticia didn't like how he acted so courteous, it felt fake. She preferred the Sequencee who was honest and open.

“Where are the others? Nynim, Daizo, Dorry, Quora..”

“I.. actually don’t know. I lost them, I think?” Leticia couldn’t find them anywhere either.

“Hm, let’s look around for them then. Evelyn, Shiro, Risa, Linzy and Linton will come a tad later.”

“Eh? Why?”

“That’s how it's supposed to be for them, you know?”

“Schwii and Iona? Are they not here?”

“They have some errands to run, they’ll be late. Evelyn is already aware of it.”

“Sure…” whatever it was, Leticia was glad to have this time alone with Sequencee.

His firm hand gripping around her delicate fingers, they went around the venue greeting people while trying to find Leticia’s gang.

On the way of course, they bumped into Ro and Lilian.

“Wow! You look so pretty Leticia,” Lilian exclaimed. She wore a beautiful purple dress which complimented her lavender coloured hair.

“That reminds me.. have I told you that you’re making much more progress than Dylan’s when it comes to his dreams?” Ro was wearing a white uniform with a dark blue vest over it.

“Shut up,” Sequencee groaned.

Leticia laughed.

Quora and Nynim were found observing the orchestral musicians.

Dorry and Daizo were talking behind a pillar, the latter consulting the former over how he should approach the confession. Should he bring Quora deeper alone into the garden? What if she rejected him? What if he messed up his wording? What if she did like him? Those kinds of things.

“He should do alright,” Sequencee mutter.

“I’m sure he’ll do fine,” Leticia said.

“I know this may not be the best time to talk about it, but are you aware that there’s an uninvited guest coming? Did he tell you anything?”

“Who?”

“So you’re not aware?”

‘Uninvited guest.. does he mean ‘that’?’

“I think I know who you’re talking about.. you know, I..” Leticia really wanted to laugh, “I’ve been expelled from the academy.”

Sequence exhaled. “.. to think they would choose this sort of time to make a mess.. ”

“What should I do now?” Leticia asked.

“Your brother? Is he involved in this too?”

“I don’t know, I don’t care.”

Cold, cruel, whatever people it was, she had enough of trying to reconcile with her past. She couldn’t care less about the threats written in the letter.

“It’s good you think that way.”

“Speaking of which, where’s your bodyguard?”

“You mean Reese?”

From underneath the Sequencee’s feet, a black shadow sprung up. A huge black blub grew from it, and like a flower reaching maturity, the shadow petals peeled open to reveal Reese’s portentous figure.

A tight fighting oriental dress with a slit to the narrow bottom, black silk fabric wound around her both arms which crossed over to her back. Parts of her hair were pinned by a barrette behind, her curly bangs loosely flowing down towards her open cleavage.

“Good evening Leticia, you look as beautiful as an edelweiss today,” Reese’s golden eyes drooped.

“Good evening Reese,” Evelyn greeted with a slightly dazed look.

Reese Rine. That third year student who kept buzzing around Sequencee, calling him master all the time. When Leticia learnt about the story behind how she became like this, she thought it was a lie until Reese grew an extra pair of fingers to prove it. Taking things to a tangent, Leticia thought if duplicating a finger was possible, what would happen if she were to duplicate other parts of her body? Taking it to a derogatory level, thinking about all the possibilities made her head hurt.

And for good measure, Reese who was and still known to be a cardinal of the Saviors cult, was now free of charges. After all, she was an official member of the heroes’ party.

“That’s..”

“When did she get here? Could it be that she’s also..”

“Look.. it’s Reese!”

“Greetings, I am Daiji Raon from..”

Reese’s appearance also happened to garner a lot of attention in some way. She gracefully excused herself to placate this weird crowd. There were many men in the party who took notice of her beauty, Leticia wondering just what criteria Evelyn had when picking the attendees of the party.

“Her Imperial Highness and members of the Heroes’ party have arrived!” announced one of the banquet staff. It was also at this time that the small orchestra began playing– warm music filled this venue.

The swarm very quickly shifted from Reese to the more important opportunity to greet the heroes alongside the heroes.

“Are you nervous?” Reese asked.

“Nervous?”

‘I’m not nervous?’

It was only after Reese asked this question did Leticia snap back into some sense. A wave of unease washed over her as she began to sweat at the palms.

The three stars of the show were Sequencee, Evelyn and herself.

“Y-You don’t need to worry about it.”

“Mn? So you’re nervous. I imagine how uneasy it is to be in your position.”

‘Did she need to sympathize like this?’

“Oho, what beautiful ladies are around you Sequencee,” Judy giggled, holding a wine glass. Her attire for today, despite it being a dress, still had the magician feel to it.

“You’re adding to the numbers, that you do realize do you?” Reese chuckled.

“Don’t be silly!”

Grian from afar waved at them, they waved back. Jonathan was exchanging a light conversation with Aaron alongside the other instructors.

“If nothing, should I go now?” Reese whispered.

Sequence nodded, “I almost forgot. Yes, please.”

Reese nodded and disappeared into the shadow.

“You look beautiful– Leticia! Hello Reese, hello Sequencee,” it was also around this time that Risa somehow managed to slip out and came before them.

“Good evening Risa, you look well yourself,” Sequencee responded.

Wearing a traditional dress from their world: a kimono rich with paintings on the fabrics beginning from simple fishes to the intricate layers of the lotus flower fields. Her black hair had been tied into a bun held together by a ribboned barrette. A complex obi clung tight to her waist, making her look much smaller overall and more innocent compared to her usual self.

“Where did Reese head off too?” Risa asked.

“You know right?”

“Oh, there?”

Sequencee nodded, turning back to the crowd. Leticia noticed how he was trying to find someone, so she too turned towards the direction of his gaze.

Shiro also wore a kimono, except his was gray in colour with a much simpler design.

And last but not least, Her Highness Evelyn.

A long white dress which resembled that of a wedding gown, her hair was adorned with white flower ornaments. A light blue coat draped over her shoulder to hide her exposed shoulders, light makeup added to her already beautiful face.

Her amethyst eyes happened to look over. Then she approached them, excusing herself from the crowd.

“Good evening Sequencee. Good evening Leticia,” she greeted with a bright smile.

With three of the four stars of today’s banquet gathered, the invitees were feeling a lively excitement brewing.

As for the banquet’s main agenda– it was to finally announce Sequencee’s engagement to Evelyn. While it may not be the grand party which the royal family planned to hold to make news public, this small party would at least get some rumors going, revealing some of the public opinion and expectations.

“I thank everyone for coming to this occasion, it is an honor to have so many guests arrive during such a late hour. I ask that everyone enjoy themselves during the party, food and drinks are open for you to take, please don’t feel any reservations. Hero Risa and Hero Shiro are open to questions, so please use this opportunity to get to know them better,” Evelyn’s speech rang clear on stage.

‘Schwii..?’

They were supposed to be standing on stage in preparation for the declaration later. But she was nowhere to be found.

“Moving into the real matter of concern, I’m sure some of you were already aware– this banquet here is to let those who hadn’t yet heard know of an important piece of news, something entrusted to me by my family,” Evelyn’s voice wasn’t too slow nor fast, having a perfect ring that most wouldn’t realize just how much she was shaking inside. She turned to the man who stood a couple steps behind her.

“Sequencee..”

He took to center stage and looked down upon the crowd solemnly.

Judy, Grian, Jonathan, Aaron, Ro, Lilian, Nynim, Daizo, Quora, Dorry, Linzy, Linton, Risa, Shiro..

He lowered his head for a bow.

His close friends, these people who he had made him into the person who he was today. Yet despite this, the one most dear to his heart was nowhere to be seen.

He raised his head and started.

“I am Sequencee Arch, who will from henceforth be engaged to the imperial princess Evelyn Equestria.”

Many of those in the crowd gasped– stunned into a contemplative silence, a small rare few of them caught onto something incredulous.

Sequencee held Evelyn’s hands.