The Retired Supporting Character Wants to Live Quietly
Chapter 223

Chapter 223 – Side Story, or (3)

The banquet had finally begun.

A long buffet table, heaped with food, had been set up at one side of the hall.

Damn it. This wasn’t a course dinner—it was buffet-style?

I shifted my table slightly, hiding myself completely behind a column, then waved over a passing attendant.

“This is a tip. I’d like you to serve just this table.”

I slipped him a gold coin, and he beamed like a fool.

“Certainly, sir! What would you like me to bring?”

Peeking around the column, I surveyed the spread.

Beneath the gentle light of the chandeliers, the buffet table stretched endlessly, overflowing with luxurious dishes.

Golden and silver-rimmed plates and bowls cradled everything in ornate splendor:

Beef Wellington with truffle mushrooms and seared beef wrapped in golden puff pastry.

Herb-roasted chicken seasoned with rosemary and thyme.

Whole roasted lamb, grilled in a fire oven.

Thinly sliced smoked duck, delicate and aromatic.

Roast turkey with butter and sweet potato purée.

Plump shrimp cocktails, steaming lasagna, creamy potato gratin, a chaotic seafood risotto overflowing with ingredients.

A cheese platter loaded with imported cheeses, fig jam, nuts, and honey.

A chocolate fondue fountain, dozens of fruit tarts, and more, and more...

There was no point choosing. I told the servant to bring me whatever, just keep it coming.

Sitting happily behind the column, I waited. The Emperor was making rounds, thanking the guests one by one.

Ugh. I should stay hidden.

But of course, he’d been the one who had this seat assigned to me. The Emperor kept sneaking glances this way—and every time, people’s eyes followed.

Luckily, hidden behind the pillar, it looked like he was just admiring the marble.

Eventually, he moved on. The first plate arrived.

Beef Wellington.

The golden pastry shimmered. Cutting in released a wave of juices. Inside, the beef was perfectly medium rare, wrapped in a delicate layer of truffle mushroom duxelles.

The first bite was heaven. The juicy tenderness of the beef filled my mouth, followed by the earthy fragrance of truffle and the savory mushroom. The crispy pastry crunched delightfully, pulling it all together in a perfect harmony.

This was… incredible!!

I was enjoying my meal when a voice spoke from beyond the column.

“Professor Dian. Enjoying your meal?”

Leaning against the pillar was Lorimane.

“Hey, Lorimane. Aren’t you going to eat?”

“How could I, when you’re sitting here alone in the shadows? I thought I’d keep you company.”

“Don’t worry about me. Go eat with the others. I’m sure there are lots of people who’d love to talk to you.”

“It’s fine. I just can’t stand the thought of you dining alone.”

“No, seriously, I’m not lonely—I chose to be here—”

“Ah, hello, General Secretary…”

Another nervous voice interrupted. It was Kirrin.

Peeking out, I saw Kirrin holding a plate stacked absurdly high with food, bowing to Lorimane.

“Hello, Headmistress. It’s been a while.”

“Yes, it has. What are you doing here?”

“Well… I saw Professor Dian eating alone…”

“I see…”

“What about you, Headmistress?”

“Oh, I, uh… thought I’d bring Dian some food… you know, since he doesn’t like attention and all…”

Kirrin’s ruby eyes darted everywhere. As always, she was extremely nervous around Lorimane, the third highest rank in the Church.

“You were bringing Professor Dian food?”

Lorimane's eyes lit up with realization.

“I’ve been careless, Dian.”

“What now?”

“I was foolish to just talk. I should’ve done something useful. I’ll return shortly!”

“No, don’t—!”

But Lorimane’s priestly robes were already fluttering away.

“Hehe, Dian. I brought the best stuff.”

Kirrin grinned, carefully lowering her towering plate onto the table.

“Eat a lot. I’ll bring more!”

“No, it’s fine, really. I already asked someone else. Wait—!”

Too late. The dark elf was gone in a blur.

This was getting out of hand...

“Professor Dian.”

A man’s voice this time.

Who now?

It was the royal aide, carrying a tray of assorted drinks.

“What is this?”

“By Her Majesty’s order, I’ve been assigned to serve you.”

“Excuse me?”

“She wishes for you to experience no discomfort whatsoever.”

He glanced at the table and muttered something about bringing more suitable items before walking off.

Lorimane returned with another plate.

“I selected things you’d enjoy, Dian.”

“...Thanks.”

She only left after watching me lift my fork, satisfied.

Kirrin returned next, unloading another pile of food.

Then the aide again. “These were handpicked by Her Majesty.”

And just when I thought it might finally stop—

Lorimane returned again.

This time with bread and more entrées.

“Please eat plenty, Dian.”

“Thanks, really…”

“Ah!”

Kirrin zipped by with a nearly identical spread. They were now unintentionally competing.

Worried, I looked out.

Sure enough, the aide was loading up another plate.

Standing beside him, directing the choices one by one—was the Emperor.

Wasn’t he supposed to be mingling?

“Professor Dian.”

The aide returned again. “These were chosen by Her Majesty personally.”

Of course they were.

Far off, the Emperor was staring straight at me. I bowed slightly, and only then did he return to his conversations.

“I brought dessert.”

Kirrin was back with fruit and sweets.

“Please, enough, Headmistress… People are starting to look…”

The back-and-forth between a church general secretary, a dark elf headmistress, and the Emperor’s aide ferrying food between the buffet and this hidden table was drawing serious attention.

Especially since the Emperor himself was now micromanaging the plate contents.

“Who’s behind that column?” people were starting to murmur.

“What kind of person are those big shots serving like temple offerings?”

Curious aristocrats began mimicking the behavior—carrying full plates over and placing them in front of the column. Some even bowed.

Oh for the love of—

This was now too awkward to enjoy eating.

The exit was too exposed to sneak out, so all I could do was continue eating behind the pillar as discreetly as possible.

Rumor was spreading that “the spirit of the First Emperor” had come to bless the coronation.

Utter madness.

Meanwhile, Linus?

That bastard was calmly enjoying his meal with Celine—completely oblivious to my predicament.

That guy…

---

Somehow, the banquet ended.

Everyone followed the Emperor outside.

Lorimane and Kirrin, both with official titles, left with the crowd. Only Linus, Celine, and Kaiden stayed behind and approached me.

“Eat well, Dian?”

“Like hell. I’m stuffed.”

I gestured toward the mountain of food piled up before me.

“They’re saying the ghost of the First Emperor possessed that pillar. So that was you, huh?” Linus grinned. “Kaiden told me everything.”

He continued.

“About what happened in the capital. And how you skillfully handled the national affairs afterward. Impressive, as always.”

“I didn’t do it because I wanted to. I just didn’t want the chaos to spill over to the academy.”

“Yeah. You hate it when your peaceful life is disturbed.”

Celine laughed.

“By the way, the Emperor kept staring in your direction the whole banquet.”

Of course she noticed. Celine’s instincts had saved us more than once.

I was caught.

“Don’t tell me the Emperor…?”

“I turned her down. I don’t even want to talk about it.”

“Tsk. Isn’t it time you got married, though? Her Majesty’s not a bad match.”

“If she weren’t the Emperor, I might’ve considered it. But I have no desire to be the Emperor’s husband.”

“Professor Dian simply has the luxury of choice.”

Kaiden chimed in.

“Surrounded as he is by women who admire him.”

“It can’t be helped. Dian’s popular everywhere—age, gender, race—it doesn’t matter.”

“Hmm, that reminds me…”

Linus stroked his chin.

“Whatever happened to that orc warrior woman you used to like—any contact lately—?”

“SHUT UP!!”