The Ambush in the Imperial Court - part 2

The Decline of the Rosen Clan - Episode 3 |

William, prompted by the Emperor, performed a dance. The courtiers, however, began to mock him by singing satirical songs, poking fun at his physical traits and the rural lifestyle of his family. Although the Rosen family were descendants of Emperor Hadrian, their estate had long been far from the capital, and William’s condition, a slight squint, made him the target of their ridicule.

There was little William could do in the face of this cruel harassment. The evening's festivities of music and dance were still ongoing, but he quietly decided to leave. Calling over a maidservant, he handed her his sword in front of the nobles, then left the palace without a word.

At his family's residence, Wulf, who had returned early and waited for William, asked, "So, how did it go?"
William wanted to tell him about the mockery he had endured, but he feared that hot-blooded Wulf might rush back to the palace to seek vengeance. So instead, he simply replied, "Nothing out of the ordinary."

During the harvest festival, it was common for songs to be sung and dances to be performed, often with humorous or playful themes. But over time, the tone had shifted. Songs that once entertained now felt laced with ridicule, and this change had not gone unnoticed.
"Back in the old days, this wouldn’t have been an issue," the people whispered among themselves. "But now? It's unsettling."

This is a story based on a Japanese classic.