>> Meanwhile in the banquet, the atmosphere becomes lively as the attendees were chatting while eating. Their faces don’t show any bothersome from the commotion awhile ago.

Astarte as well, eating quietly on the table, all while recalling the happenings from recently.

“Still thinking of him, Your Highness?” beside her, Abigor whispers. Astarte jolts out as she turns to look at the servant. “What happened tonight is quite troublesome.”

“Indeed, it is.” Astarte languidly replies. She knows not everyone here will accept her proposal. A mortal, not kin to her race will be the next King of this Kingdom.

“And here I thought I can enjoy a fulfilling night with him.” She added. Abigor clenched her hands. It’s an unprecedented thing; she can’t help it.

Although she feels the fear succumbing on that man, all she needs to do is to make this night a great one for the Queen. The passing of Queen Juno hasn’t been subsided yet.

But now, the Queen finds her purpose to live and continue once more. Abigor doesn’t want Her Highness to succumb on grief ever again.

“Your Highness...” someone calls out. Abigor turns her head and sees Alecto standing beside. “His Highness is resting on his chamber. Kroni and Eisheth is with him.”

With a little monotonous voice, Alecto reported. “I see.” Astarte let out a relief sigh and nods. “Thank you, Alecto. You should eat and get rest.”

“As you wish, Your Highness...” Alecto bows at her and Abigor. “I should take my leave.”

Leaving the hall, Alecto walk forward the door and exits the banquet.

“It’s time for the gift-giving.” Abigor utters.

“Proceed with it.” Astarte commands. She then advices the other servants on call. Musicians then plays a soft melody with the flute, lyre and violin.

Opening the door of the banquet, each person carrying gifts come the center aisle. “Your Highness... since the time I last saw you, you’re an innocent girl but now, I am pleased to meet a pure maiden like a peak of flower.”

One noble deliberates his speech. A man in his prime, wearing an emerald coat and stature of a noble. “Count Ipos from Gehenna,” he bows before the Queen.

The Queen nods on his introduction. “I am presenting to you my gift, Your Highness...” behind him are the servants walking with a peculiar creature on a lead rope.

It gallops on the porcelain floor, and beaming with pure whiteness through. A single straight horn plucks on its forehead. “A unicorn?” Astarte amused from what see saw. It is indeed, a unicorn.

“It is, indeed. I’ve been raising this child since the time you were born. And now you’re a maiden, she’s all yours to take.”

An uproar rises up from what they saw. “That’s... I like it.” Astarte smiles. Ipos look at the Queen as he shows a sincere smile. “I’m glad you like it, Your Highness.”

He then bows and leaves right after to give way on the next one. “My Queen,” a young kid holding a tattered doll and wears a cloak comes forward. “Tristitia? One of the Mages?” Astarte called.

The kid nods, as he walks forward her. “I didn’t prepare any good gift for you, but I made something to protect you at all times.” He rummages on his cloak and picks a mini-sized person resembled the King.

“It’s a charm to protect you at all times.” Tristitia reaches the Queen’s hand. “Carry it wherever you go.”

Astarte looks at the doll she got from the mage, and shows a sweet smile. “How adorable it is. Thank you, Tristitia.” With full gratitude, Astarte replied.

The mage nods and waves the doll’s hand to her. He then quicky leaves as everyone stares at him with awe. That’s the first time they saw the Queen smiles so sweetly in a gift.

Everyone takes turns to show their gifts to the Queen, as Astarte nods. Gold and luxury items such as silk fabrics and pearl necklaces crafted by finest jewel smiths resided in the Kingdom were offered.

“Thank you, everyone... for giving luxurious gifts for the commemoration of my birth.” Queen Astarte announced. “As well, I am happy to receive all of these and grateful to have you all here, this feast has reached the final. I announced to have a good night to you all. Safe trip on your way home.”

So as the announcement, all the attendees dismissed the banquet after giving a round of applause.

All the servants gathered up to clean the banquet area, as Astarte left to go back on her room. “Your Highness.” From her back, a young girl called out.

Astarte turns to look, “Beelzebub?” she called. The young girl named Beelzebub, one of the Kingdom’s Elite mages comes over. “Uhm, if I may, can I ask how’s the King’s doing?”

Her voice frets out. She knows the responsibility for summoning the mortal out of the blue. And it makes her worried that there might be bad happen.

“I—-I am not in position to do so, but I want to be responsible for anything will happen to him! I—I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, Beelzebub.” Astarte calls out. “I know you never intended to summon a mortal. You never intend to do it in the first place.”

Beelzebub grits her teeth after hearing the Queen’s words. Such wonderful thing that made her chest feel warm. “... And I’m grateful to you, for summoning him. You don’t need to feel sorry about it.”

“Th—thank you, Your Highness!” Beelzebub’s eyes got teary, as her smile shows to the Queen. “I’m going to visit him on his chamber, want to come along?”

“Ye—yes! Certainly!” with that, the mage follows the Queen, together with the servants to visit the mortal on his chamber.

* * *

>> As Alecto leaves the banquet per the Queen’s orders, she decides to visit Justine, her Master’s chamber to check up to him. From the previous happenings, her mind’s still taunt out of uncertain thoughts.

“I should be firm. He is my Master, and it’s my duty to serve him.” Alecto utters to herself. Arriving at the chamber, she opens the door and sees Justine tucked on the bed.

“Must be, this was Eisheth and Kroni’s doing...” walking towards the bed, she then sits at the edge. His face seems calmed now. The flickering light of candles sways the shadowy silhouette of his.

“It must be troubling, huh? For you, a mortal who came here out of nowhere.”

Alecto mumbled. Her eyes gazes at him, as she reaches to touch his face. “And the fact you tamed us Demons from the time you arrived. I never thought this will happen.”

His skin’s soft and smooth; it entangles on Alecto’s palm. “...If only the time the Queen proves her noble cause for this Kingdom, I want to get along with you mortals.”

Uttering those words, Alecto closes her eyes and heaves a tepid sigh. “But I know that’ll be a pipe dream. I want to believe that noble cause the Queen wants to implement. Yet, us Demons won’t be getting along with likes of you.”

She knows of it. The Queen’s agenda is a twaddle one; a pacifist ruler who thinks of ideal thing for everyone. That is something she can’t just hoped for.

“However, as long as I’m here, I promise not to leave you. I promise to be loyal and someone you can lean on. Master—-no, Justine. I will be here to be your servant ‘till the day you perished.”

Grabbing his hand, she clutches it together and kisses it. A crest appears on her hand right that moment. “Use me at your disposal, for I am serving no one but you alone. You’re my only Master I will serve.”

Letting go of his hand, Alecto stands up and walks towards the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Master. Have a good night sleep.” Holding the doorknob, she opens the door, only to see the Queen’s face standing in front of her.

“Alecto?” the Queen called.

That made Alecto twitched, calling her name. “Ahm, Your Highness...?” she quickly composed. Oh crap, the Queen’s here... I bet she didn’t see what I’m doing?

Alecto frets from what will happen, should the Queen take a grasp of it. “I came to see how he’s doing so—-"

“I’m glad you’re here. And I’m here also to see how he’s doing...” Astarte smiles at her. Alecto then opens the door wide, beckoning the Queen to come inside.

“Good evening, Alecto.” Beelzebub greeted. “Good evening, Ms. Beelzebub.” She bows and greets as the mage follows. “Well, then... I’ll be taking my leave, Your Highness.”

“Yeah... thank you.” Astarte answers. Leaving the room, Alecto briskly walked away. Abigor, who stands in the door, looks at her. “.......”

She only grunts and decide to close the door, all while pondering what Alecto does inside the King’s chamber, all by herself.