Casual Heroing, Chapter 253

WHAT THE F—!!! ⛔⛔⛔

Next chapter comes out on March 22th!

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Chapter 253 – Dark

[Princess] Laurealia and Joey stepped out of the kitchen with their entourage close behind. The recent abductions weighed heavily on them. The princess spoke urgently, "This might have something to do with the abduction. Let's go."

As they entered the ballroom, their eyes were immediately drawn to Irene standing beside Marcella, a silver-lidded plate in her hands. The [Princess] couldn't help but notice the subtle exchange between Marcella and Brutus – a smile from the former and a nod from the latter. Suspicion crept into her thoughts as she watched Irene approach them.

Marcella's voice rang out, filled with pride and a touch of something else the [Princess] couldn't quite place. "Your Highness, after being moved by what Joey Luciani has taught this girl, I've decided to sponsor her business. In fact, I've spoken to your Royal Uncle, [Prince] Brutus, and we both agreed, after hearing the heart-rending story of her orphaned family, to offer her a position as a [Royal Chef] in the capacity of [Chocolatier] – a new class no one has heard of before!"

Confusion etched itself onto Laurealia's face. This was unexpected, to say the least. She glanced at Joey, trying to gauge his reaction, but his expression remained unreadable.

Marcella continued, turning her attention to Irene. "However, in order for Irene to be allowed into your family's service, we thought it well to give her the opportunity that she’s so desperately sought – a small test. We asked her to put into use all the knowledge Joey Luciani has passed onto her and create her own personal masterpiece."

With a gesture, Marcella prompted Irene. "Irene, please."

Irene stepped forward, coming to a stop in front of the [Princess]. With a slight tremor in her hands, she lifted the silver lid, revealing a stunning chocolate cake adorned with intricate swirls of red jam. The rich aroma of the chocolate and the sweet fruit wafted through the air.

Laurealia's gaze shifted between the cake and Irene's face, trying to decipher the emotions playing across the young woman's features. There was pride in there, certainly, but also a flicker of something else – nervousness, perhaps, or even fear.

The [Princess] couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The timing of this offer, the involvement of her Uncle, and the sudden appearance of this cake all seemed too coincidental. She glanced at Joey again, silently questioning, seeking reassurance or guidance in the face of this unexpected turn of events.

...

A few minutes earlier

Irene stood nervously by Marcella's side, her heart racing with anticipation and uncertainty. The influential woman had summoned her after Marcella had somehow acquired some of her chocolates. As Marcella listened intently to Irene's explanation of her work, the young woman found herself opening up and sharing details she had never revealed to anyone before.

Irene confided in Marcella about her personal life. She spoke about the challenges she faced, the responsibilities she had to take on for her siblings, and the sacrifices she made. Irene also talked about the dreams she had to put on hold due to her family's struggles.

To Irene's surprise, Marcella had seemed genuinely moved by her story. The older woman's eyes softened, and she reached out to place a comforting hand on Irene's shoulder. "My dear," Marcella had said, her voice filled with warmth, "I have a proposition for you. With my influence, even within the Capital, I can secure you the offer of a lifetime. All you need to do is prepare properly."

Irene's eyes had widened, her heart leaping at the prospect of a better future. She had listened intently as Marcella continued, "I know Joey has doubted me, even ousted me unjustly from the business. But this isn't about revenge. It's about recognizing true talent and giving it the platform it deserves."

Irene nodded, recalling the moments when Joey had been unfair and the times when his actions had left her questioning his judgment. While she didn't know all the details of what had transpired between Marcella and Joey, she found herself siding with the woman who now offered her a chance to shine.

Marcella leaned in closer, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "I'll make a strong case to the [Princess]. If you prove yourself worthy, Irene, I promise you, your wildest dreams will come true."

Irene's heart soared at those words. She had always yearned to be more than a background figure, to have her talents recognized and celebrated. 

The lingering hurt from her fallout with Joey had only fueled her determination. She would show him – show everyone – what she was truly capable of. 

...

The present

[Princess] Laurealia's gaze swept over Irene, assessing the young woman who stood before her with a beautifully crafted chocolate cake. The aroma of the confection was enticing, but for a fleeting moment, the [Princess] entertained the thought that Marcella might have poisoned the cake. But she quickly dismissed the notion, realizing that Marcella and her own family were likely aligned in their interests. It seemed improbable that they would resort to such measures, especially considering the assistance she had provided to Joey throughout the evening.

Marcella's voice cut through the crowd's murmurs, addressing the [Princess] directly. "Your Highness, we request a [Royal Sigil] to be bestowed upon Irene, should you find her work satisfactory."

A collective gasp bubbled through the crowd of the assembled guests, and even Laurealia found herself taken aback by the unexpected request. The [Royal Sigil] was a skill inherent to all members of the Royal Family, granting them the ability to bestow an evolved version of any class upon the recipient, denoted by the prefix "[Royal-]" preceding the class name. This powerful gift had been instrumental in the strength and dominance of the Elves, particularly in the formation and empowerment of the esteemed [Royal Guard].

Laurealia recalled her father's stern warnings, cautioning her to exercise great care and deliberation when considering the bestowal of the [Royal Sigil]. The wise management of this skill had been a cornerstone of their family's legacy, passed down through generations. The [Princess] herself was destined to inherit the golden skill [Army: The Royal Guard], a testament to the judicious application of the [Royal Sigil] by her ancestors.

And now, Marcella was suggesting that she bestow this sacred gift upon Irene, a woman whose abilities and loyalties remained largely unknown to her.

[Prince] Brutus stepped forward, his voice carrying a note of persuasion. "Your Highness, what this woman has learned from the Human is remarkable, beyond belief. Marcella and I were thoroughly convinced of her abilities, and I even sought permission from Your Royal Father. He has acquiesced to this request."

Laurealia felt the weight of their expectations bear down upon her while the eyes of the crowd were fixed on her every move. She knew that refusing the request would be seen as a slight against her Uncle and, by extension, her own father. The political ramifications of such a decision could be far-reaching and damaging.

With a heavy heart, the [Princess] reached out to accept the proffered plate from Irene. The silver fork gleamed beside the tempting chocolate cake, and yet, Laurealia hesitated. 

...

At that moment, a realization struck Laurealia like a bolt of lightning. Throughout the night, she had harbored doubts about Joey, even entertaining the notion that he might be working against her. The motives behind her Uncle's apparent attempts to drive a wedge between them remained unclear, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was hoping for a public confrontation, a spectacle that would undermine her authority.

With a resolute determination, Laurealia turned to her right, her gaze falling upon Joey. She could see the worry etched into his face, undoubtedly consumed by the thoughts of Camilla and Clodia's well-being. In that instant, she made a decision that would destroy the expectations of those around her.

"I bestow my choice upon Joey Luciani," Laurealia declared, her voice ringing with conviction. "He's a better judge of food and people than I'll ever be. And if he agrees to this, it shall be one of the many decisions he advises me on. I, [Princess] Laurealia Aemilia Iridata, bestow upon you, Joey Luciani, my favor and my choice."

The room fell silent; the weight of her words hung heavily in the air. Joey, caught off guard by the unexpected turn of events, struggled to find the right response. He understood, however, that refusing was not an option. With a nod of acceptance, he reached for the fork and the platter while a frown still lingered on Irene's face.

"I hope you're not poisoning me," Joey quipped, attempting to lighten the tension with humor.

Marcella, sensing the shift in power, hurried to interject. "[Princess], this is a breach of—"

"Silence, Marcella!" Laurealia thundered, her voice cutting through the murmurs of the crowd. She noticed the disapproving frowns on both Marcella and Brutus's faces, but she stood firm in her decision. "This is my final choice. Joey, go ahead and decide whether this woman in front of me deserves the [Royal Sigil]."

Joey, feeling the weight of the responsibility, took the first forkful of the chocolate cake and gently placed it in his mouth. He savored the flavors, his palate attuned to the nuances of the confection. After a moment, he looked up with an apologetic expression on his face.

"Damn, this is a bit too sweet, honestly," he admitted, his words tinged with a hint of regret.

Laurealia sighed, preparing to respond, when a sudden clatter shattered the momentary calm. The silver platter and fork fell to the ground, the sound echoing through the ballroom. Joey, with his eyes wide open, collapsed, and his body crumpled to the floor.

Gasps of shock and horror rippled through the crowd as they witnessed the scene unfolding before them. 

It was Joey's eyes that drew the most attention. Instead of their usual vibrant hue, they were pitch black – the cornea, the sclera, and everything in between was consumed by an inky darkness.

Laurealia rushed to his side, her heart pounding with fear and concern. She knelt beside him, searching for any signs of life, any indication of what had caused this sudden and terrifying change.

"Joey! Joey!" The [Princess] shouted. 

The room erupted into chaos as voices rose in a cacophony of confusion and panic. Laurealia, her focus solely on Joey, barely registered the commotion around her. She placed a trembling hand on his chest, hoping against hope to feel the steady beat of his heart.