Entropy's Servant

Chapter 59 - Ball

Hello everyone, Astaroth here.
As expected, high-class parties really are something else, aren't they?
A live orchestra, good-tasting alcohol, fancy dresses...
Fortunately, because of my position as ruler, I'm able to avoid the common 'story hook' of a lady trying to seduce me in such a place.

The location I was in...

To describe it in a word, 'extravagant' would do. A ceiling more than twenty metres tall, a floor polished to perfection, gorgeous black chandeliers providing atmospheric lighting...

In a sense, it was like my throne room, save for the fact it was built more for dancing than for combat. Yes, this was the castle's ballroom. It was also like the throne room in that there was a throne present, raised from the floor with a small staircase, though this one was more 'impressive' than 'terrifying', what with the gold and the glimmering red cushions. Next to it was another, but with more iconography.

Currently, that was where Lady Entropy was seated.

Charlotte had taken centre stage, in that she was standing only a single step down from my throne, and was using some kind of spell or magic item to make her voice heard in the whole room.

"Everyone who has gathered here on this dark night of the full moon," she said, "from the depths of my heart, I am grateful for your presence. As all who would reasonably call themselves his underlings should already be well aware, our lord has recently become yet greater. Let us celebrate His Highness's continued growth."

A nearby maid poured wine into the glass I was holding--yet, the grin on her face was unheard of even for a Ghostly Trickster Maid. It felt like the temperature dropped a few degrees as she approached, and returned to normal rather quickly the moment she left, though I couldn't help but follow her with my eyes.

"Your Highness?" Charlotte asked, canting her head to the side.

"Ahh, I was a little distracted. What do you need?"

"If I may be so bold as to make a request--a few words, please."

"Hmm... Let's see, here..." I bore my gaze into the deep red wine for a few moments, then stood up, taking a step forward, my black and gold robes fluttering. "As Charlotte said, you have my gratitude for gathering here. Barely eleven years ago, I was nothing, and only five years ago did I manage to unify the area... Well, that aside. Everyone! We have successfully acquired the cooperation of both the elves and the drakonids in our conquest against Lady Luciel. Some of you shall soon be repositioned to work with them, but enough of that! Tonight is a night of celebration, so celebrate we will! In the Prince of Darkness's name, I raise my glass to Lady Entropy!"

I didn't even stop to consider how strange it was to raise a glass to someone who was present and raised my glass, appraising the wine inside while I was at it.

As I had suspected from the maid's expression, it was poisoned--a poison aimed specifically at me, no less. I poured a little mana into the ring on my right middle finger to use the fire-attribute spell [Purification], causing the wine to glow slightly--I decided it'd just add to the atmosphere, so I made no particular attempt to hide it.

"To Lady Entropy!"
"To His Highness!"
"To Lord Astaroth!"

As I had planned, my words created rather the boisterous mood as I sat back down. I gestured to the musicians to start playing and took a sip of the wine.

As if I were drinking dyed water.

I looked to the side to gauge Lady Entropy's reaction, only to find her hiding her face behind her sleeves, her ears wiggling as if there was no tomorrow. I shook my head. "Come now, Lady Entropy. You must show them a dignified goddess--one they can look up to."