Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The banquet welcoming Prince Mikhail was held in the great hall of Jurnova Castle, just like the recent celebratory feast.

During the previous feast, other halls had also been opened, but this time only the great hall served as the venue. Most of the invited guests had attended the earlier celebration as well, and for that very reason many were seen stepping into the hall and expressing surprise at the difference in concept.
In reference to the blue butterfly in the prince’s crest, blue butterflies crafted in fine detail were perched here and there—resting their wings upon the arranged roses, upon the candelabra. The motifs of roses and butterflies were incorporated in various forms into the presentation of the dishes as well. In some drinks, butterfly-shaped jelly lay submerged, revealing itself only after the glass was drained. Those who noticed it reacted with surprise and delight, and upon hearing of it, others began calling for drinks from the attendants in quick succession.

The most striking of these decorations was near the grand staircase: the prince’s crest and the crest of the House of Jurnova, depicted side by side in glowing blue prismites. The lighting in that area had been deliberately dimmed, so that the fantastical blue crests appeared to float in the air.

Enjoying these touches, the guests eagerly awaited the prince’s entrance.

The musicians, who had been standing by in a corner of the hall with their instruments in hand, received the signal and raised them into position. The music that began to flow announced the arrival of the guest of honor. The guests held their breath and fixed their gaze upon the grand staircase.

There were few present who had ever seen Prince Mikhail in person, but as subjects of the Empire, all had seen portraits of the imperial family. In those images, the prince was depicted as a handsome youth strongly resembling his father, Emperor Constantine, with hair and eyes the color of a summer sky.

The moment that long-awaited figure appeared at the top of the stairs—
The great hall was enveloped in a great cheer and thunderous applause.

.

Wow, as expected of a royal prince. Even with fewer attendees than the previous feast, the reaction is bigger!

Following behind Mikhail under Aleksei’s escort, Ekaterina was thoroughly impressed.
What impressed her most was Mikhail’s composure—he did not flinch in the slightest at the overwhelming reaction.

She believed that a person’s back told fewer lies. One might compose one’s expression, but one cannot see one’s own back; there, a lack of confidence or fear inevitably shows.
She remembered thinking this back in high school in her previous life, when a boy from her choir club had been assigned a solo at a recital. When he stepped forward, his back—usually so confident—had appeared stiff and small.

In any case, Mikhail’s back as he walked ahead was entirely natural. If anything, it seemed larger than usual.
Watching him at the academy, she had sometimes wondered whether, being born destined to stand at the top, he was always holding himself slightly back.
The number of guests at this welcome banquet had been considerably reduced compared to the celebratory feast, yet it still approached three digits. If, looking down upon that many people, Mikhail’s back appeared larger than usual—
Then that intuition must have been correct.

Mikhail was escorting Flora. Dressed in white accented with blue at the collar and sleeves, lavishly adorned with gold braid, he appeared splendid yet youthful and refreshing. Standing beside Flora, who resembled a goddess of spring, he seemed like a god presiding over summer.

Following behind them, Aleksei and Ekaterina, clad in black-based attire, might have been likened to a king of winter and a queen of the night.
The guests, thrilled to behold with their own eyes Prince Mikhail, the future emperor, also felt their local pride stirred by the beauty of the ducal siblings, who were in no way outshone by the resplendent prince.

.

When they reached the landing of the grand staircase, Mikhail came to a halt. Aleksei stepped forward to stand beside him.

Aleksei raised one hand smoothly, and silence fell over the great hall.

“Everyone, thank you for gathering today for this banquet in welcome of His Highness Prince Mikhail and his friend Miss Flora. We shall now receive words from His Highness. Listen with due attention.”

Having spoken concisely, Aleksei inclined his head toward Mikhail.
Every person in the hall gazed at Mikhail with eyes filled with ardor.
Surveying them, Mikhail smiled gently.

“People of Jurnova, thank you for this wonderful welcome.”

In contrast to Aleksei’s baritone, Mikhail’s voice was a sweet tenor. Though different in timbre, it carried just as clearly. The tone, befitting his princely appearance, left the women visibly enraptured.

“Since arriving here, I have been deeply impressed by the beauty of your forests and mountains, the diligence and sincerity of your people, and the profound loyalty of my friend Duke Aleksei and his domain to the imperial house. My stay here, and this banquet tonight, will surely become a wonderful memory etched in my heart. I am delighted to have this opportunity to spend time together with you all. Please, enjoy yourselves as well.”

As he concluded and smiled, the crowd burst into cheers.

“Long live His Highness Prince Mikhail!”

.

Behind him, Ekaterina maintained a pleasant smile.

Yup, that’s the Prince alright.
Concise and flawless—the epitome of social courtesy. That screams Mikhail! As one born a royal prince, the number of occasions you have stood upon must be entirely different.
Your older sister is impressed, Prince.

.

Whether Mikhail would be pleased to hear such thoughts was another matter, but in any case, the four descended the grand staircase and stepped into the center of the hall.
A murmur of confusion spread among the guests. That the first dance would take an unusual form this time was known only to a handful of well-informed invitees and those close to Novak or his wife Adelaine.

The music began to play.