[That same night, in another part of the palace - Subaru POV]
The night had been heavier than the stuffy atmosphere of the main hall.
"What torture...to have three insufferable personalities in the same room," Subaru sighed, stepping out onto the palace balcony. The cool night air caressed his face and gave him a breath of relief. "At least I didn't screw up... I think."
He leaned against the railing, looking out over the cobblestone streets dimly lit by the magical street lamps. From there, he could see the carriages arranged in perfect formation, like soldiers in waiting. Still, his mind could not manage to calm down.
"Lucien nearly drove me out of my mind with that arrogant nobleman attitude—how dare he approach my Emilia with that jerk face?"
His brow furrowed sharply. He clenched his teeth.
"I just want to smash his face in... but no, a promise is a promise," he muttered, remembering the words he had said—or perhaps sworn—after so many mistakes made on impulse.
He was silent for a few more seconds, recapitulating in his mind like a tired news anchor:
"Summary of the evening. evening or whatever you want to call it: I finally saw the candidates Emilia is competing against. Crusch seems serious and correct; she didn't interrupt Edmond even once, which already earns her my respect. Anastasia... cunning, arrogant, and manipulative; she talks as if we were extras in her story. And Priscilla... best not to even talk about it. She's already crowned herself the queen of unbearable."
He let out a long sigh. His mind was leaping with thoughts like a stone bouncing on water.
"Roswaal said he was going to discuss some matters with Lucien... and that at the end of the evening we would ride off together in the carriage to the hotel."
Suddenly, a female voice interrupted his reverie.
"You look distracted," said a young woman approaching the balcony. She leaned next to him with a charming naturalness. She had light brown hair, bright amber eyes, and wore a blue dress that stood out against the night like a flower in the dark.
"I just needed some fresh air... you know, so I wouldn't collapse in the middle of a masked dance that isn't a dance and where everyone is armed to the teeth, even if they're smiling," Subaru replied without looking directly at her.
The girl let out a light laugh, more out of sympathy than mockery.
"I don't blame you. Lugunica's candidates have rather... distinct personalities," she commented as she watched the horizon with a curious expression. "But at least they make the atmosphere interesting. This palace is usually boring."
She turned her head towards him. "Sorry for not introducing myself sooner. I'm Iris Darcourt."
Subaru looked at her with a little more attention. The name rang a bell, but he didn't know from where. Still, he returned the smile politely.
"Subaru Natsuki."
"Iris Darcourt and Subaru Natsuki...sounds good. I like your name, Subaru," she said with a somewhat playful smile.
He scratched the back of his neck, uncomfortable but flattered.
"Thank you... I think."
"You're the silver-haired girl's servant? You seemed annoyed when Lucien approached her."
Subaru clenched his fist without thinking. His expression hardened.
"It's just that guy... he was hitting on my Emilia. If it wasn't for the promise I made, he would have already made her face unrecognizable."
Iris looked at him sideways, amused.
"Mmmm... really? I would think you should have. Though of course, the bouncer with him would have snapped you in two without hesitation."
Subaru gulped. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
"Don't give me ideas that tempt me to break sacred vows..."
At that moment, a balding, middle-aged butler approached with a quick step, though without actually interrupting.
"Miss Iris, where were you? The evening is about to conclude."
"I just came up for air," she replied with an innocent smile.
"Don't you wish to speak to the other candidates before they retire?" the butler insisted.
"And for what? I have nothing to talk to them about. That's Edmond's job."
"Edmond? You work with him?" asked Subaru curiously.
Iris spun on her heels and winked at him.
"Well... actually I am part of the Council of Five. I'm the headmistress of the Kingdom Magic Academy."
Subaru looked at her as if she had just told him she was a dragoness in disguise.
"Ehh!?"
She laughed at his reaction.
"Sorry for not saying it sooner. But when you don't know who I am, conversations feel more real. It was nice meeting you, Subaru. See you."
And without further ado, she turned away, escorted by the butler, with the elegance of someone who has been navigating power with a smile for years.
Subaru stared into the void, perplexed.
"...What kind of people are on this council...?"
A while later, Emilia's soft footsteps brought him out of his trance.
"Subaru, the banquet is over. Everyone is starting to leave," she said gently.
He nodded with a small sigh.
"I see. Roswaal came back?"
"No...he told us to go back without him. Almost as if he knew we wouldn't expect him."
Subaru frowned, uncomfortably.
"How convenient..."
---
[Moments earlier, somewhere in the palace].
The room was decorated with a mix of refined antiquity and modern touches. Dark blue velvet curtains and restored tapestries failed to hide the old, dusty past of the east wing of the palace, but now it looked presentable. Warm, even cozy.
"I must admit, this place has changed quite a bit since last time. I see you did a good job remodeling the old palace, Lucien," Roswaal commented with a lopsided smile, elegantly holding up his wine glass.
Lucien, sitting across from him in a maroon leather armchair, didn't seem interested in pleasantries.
"We can save the platitudes, if you please." His fingers clasped in front of his face revealed impatience rather than politeness. Beside him, his bodyguard—a huge, stony-faced man—stood motionless as a statue.
"As you wish," Roswaal said, resting his elbow on the arm of the armchair, amused by the contrast.
Lucien got straight to the point. "You told me at the Meteor that you'd seen the diary—is that true?"
Roswaal nodded softly. "Yes. It was in the possession of one of my servants. He carried it with him from the first time he appeared at my mansion. He didn't seem to know what he was up to."
Lucien narrowed his eyes. "Is that servant someone special?"
Roswaal tilted his head, curious. "How about you better share your theory with me?"
Lucien smiled slightly, satisfied.
"I believe that diary belonged to Gerald Guildemont's firstborn. It is said that during the Great Calamity, when the Witch of Envy unleashed chaos, Gerald—in a desperate or perhaps ambitious search—found the Vainglory Factor. And at some point, he passed it on to his daughter."
Roswaal let the information rest for a moment in the air before responding, like one who savors a wine before judging it.
"And the diary... Is it the key to confirming if that's true?"
Lucien nodded. "Exactly. Not only that. That black book was a gift from Gerald and Katarina. Designed with a hole to embed the Moonlight Gem, the only way to read its contents. A receptacle of secrets that neither time nor ordinary magic could open."
Roswaal toyed with his goblet, swirling the wine slowly. "Then that is what you desire. The truth is hidden in that book."
"I need the diary before it all begins in the city. Preferably, before the chaos."
"I understand," Roswaal said with an enigmatic smile. "And you don't have to worry. I'm pretty sure the diary will end up in your hands. One way or another."
Lucien let out a dry laugh. "Perfect. You should consider going to the border fortress during the chaos. Tomorrow will be a... complicated day."
Roswaal narrowed his eyes in amusement. "So you've already contacted them, have you?"
Lucien nodded slowly. "With the information you gave me, it was simple. I convinced the 'mushroom-haired weirdo' and his fans. I also managed to negotiate with Mother, from the assassination organization. She seemed... especially interested in your servants."
Roswaal let out a short but dry laugh.
"I must say, your ability to negotiate is admirable, Lucien."
Lucien took a sip of wine. "Though there is something that troubles me.... Emilia. She's a lovely girl. I would have liked to have avoided it, but I had to offer her as bait in the negotiation with the mushroom-haired one. Are you sure your two servants will be able to keep her safe?"
Lucien raised an eyebrow skeptically. "The idiot who accompanied her tonight doesn't look capable of beating even a drunken guard in a tavern brawl."
Roswaal smiled, that meandering, mysterious smile he wore when he knew more than he was saying.
"Don't worry about them. They always find a way. Somehow, they always do."
Lucien narrowed his eyes. "And you...you won't interfere, will you?"
"Of course not. I don't want to ruin your masterpiece. This, after all, is your stage. You planned it so carefully... It would be rude of me to interrupt."
Lucien eyed him suspiciously. "Still... I don't understand how all this benefits you. What is your goal, Roswaal?"
Roswaal sipped slowly, letting the silence grow awkward before answering.
"It benefits me more than you know, Lucien."