/
The next day.
I woke up early in the morning and moved around busily.
There was lots of work to do.
By the afternoon, I had to prepare for the banquet.
Mrs. Rita’s dress had arrived in the morning.
The area which was stained with ink yesterday was now clean without a single mark.
‘She must have had a hard time cutting out the ink part and attaching it again.’
Seeing me who was dolled up, Conrad said.
“You look wonderful today.”
“Because I am a Pwincess.” [Because I am a Princess.]
(t/n: the ‘Princess’ here is not referring to the Princess from the Royal Family, but from the Duke’s Family.)
As I puffed up in pride and raised my chin, he let out a pleasant smile.
“Yes, you look like a wonderful Princess.”
“Thanksh for the dressh.” [Thanks for the dress.]
“It’s nothing.”
Conrad patiently told me the things that I should know about the party.
“The party is divided into two parts. Part 1 and Part 2.”
Part 1 is enjoying a meal at the banquet hall, and Part 2 is enjoying the party while being accompanied by light alcohol in the hall.
“I’m in Part 1.”
Conrad nodded.
“Yes. Young Miss Liantyn has also been assigned to Part 1.”
Then he continued with a worried face.
“You can just greet them and come out right away. Because Young Miss is still young.”
“Yesh.”
I nodded my head calmly.
‘It looks like he became worried because of Liantyn.’
Conrad witnessed the ink bottle incident yesterday, so it was normal that he was worried.
When the sun went down, the lights in the banquet hall were turned on.
It was the beginning of the birthday banquet.
***
Entering the banquet hall, my eyes opened wide.
‘It’s amazing….’
The shiny black floor.
Pillars with golden attachments that flowed like ivy vines.
Right behind the seat of honor of the table, water was falling slowly like a waterfall.
While I was looking around the banquet hall, people’s eyes focused on me.
Since there was only one little noble lady who could enter the banquet hall and was as small as a forearm.
“Greetings, Miss Erylotte.”
People who recognized me began to gather one by one.
“I’m Stein of the Count Morizo Family.”
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Gildas from the Jover Family.”
I held my skirt wide and bent my knees lightly.
“I’m Erywotte Astwa.” [I’m Erylotte Astra.]
People smiled at me when I spoke cleverly.
Of course, there were also gazes that were not so good.
“I heard that she’s an illegitimate child?”
“I heard that her fonticulus anterior opened and her Blessing was awakened, but is it even possible? The talk about how she might be a mutant…”
I could see Conrad, who was in the distance, have his expression harden.
It seemed that he was worried I would be hurt, but I didn’t mind.
It wasn’t like I didn’t expect this reaction.
Rather, this was more mild than expected, and more than anything,
‘Gold mine! It’s a gold mine!’
It would definitely be helpful in the future if I build a lot of connections here.
I greeted people bravely and walked around.
People were proud of me, who was bravely at the party alone even without any parents.
“She surely is cute.”
“There was a time when my daughter was also like this.”
At that moment.
“Count Morizo!”
A cheerful voice was heard.
“Oh, Miss Liantyn.”
“It really has been a long time.”
“Aah, that’s right. It’s been… I think it has been about four months.”
“Thank you for inviting me last time. I told ‘Grandfather’ that the garden was wonderful.”
“Are you talking about the Duke!?”
The man’s eyes flashed.
Liantyn burst into laughter.
“Yes! I like to tell Grandfather about this and that.”
“It looks like the Duke is taking time out for Miss Liantyn…!”
“En, among the direct lineages, he talks with me the most. Right, Dad?”
Liantyn looked back.
I saw a fat, brown-haired man.
‘It’s Uncle.’
It was Uncle Decones, Grandfather’s third child.
“Yeah. My Liantyn is always sweet to Father.”
“Dad said so. I think Grandfather is weak to me. Right~?”
“Of course. He is especially affectionate to you.”
Uncle who said so laughed outright.
The gaze in the party hall was focused on Liantyn in an instant.
Duke Astra was an elder famous for having no blood nor tears.
He was cold-blooded with rumors that he even killed his own child who planned to revolt with his own hands.
Since he was a person who didn’t offer his hands, even if one wanted to approach him, there was no way.
If she was a granddaughter who was treated affectionately by such a Duke, it would be beneficial to get close to her.
“The garden of my mansion is beautiful too, Miss Liantyn.”
“My daughter and the Miss are of the same age, right? Someday, to my castle….”
Liantyn quickly became the center of the banquet hall.
The child bursted into laughter.
“It’s hard to make time because I have to receive education, but since you’re asking…”
It was then.
“Your Excellency, the Duke of Astra is entering.”
The banquet hall quickly became quiet.
People split as if they had practiced beforehand, and shortly after, he entered the door.
Owner of the golden scent.
King of the most vast and thriving territory in the West.
Center of the World behind the Empire.
—The Duke of Astra.
“We greet the Duke.”
“We greet the Duke.”
Grandfather passed through the crowd and headed to the seat of honor at the table.
One by one, people gathered at the big table.
When Grandfather sat down, they also sat down.
Grandfather’s closest seat was occupied by Uncle and his wife, as well as Liantyn. I sat next to Liantyn.
One glass of champagne went around to each seat. Orange juice was placed in front of me and Liantyn.
Uncle Decones got up from his seat, and shouted.
“For Astra’s endless glory!
“Cheers—!”
“Cheers—!”
A loud sound rang out.
The atmosphere of the banquet was good.
Even if one had tried to make it bad, it couldn’t be bad.
Since everyone was fretting and trying hard to look good for Grandfather.
By the time about half of the course meal was served, Uncle Decones opened his mouth.
“Father, Liantyn prepared a gift for Father’s birthday.”
Grandfather’s eyes turned to Liantyn.
Liantyn smiled shyly.
Uncle Decones laughed and put his hand on his daughter’s shoulder.
“She has been trying so hard to prepare a gift, she has prepared something really special. Hahaha! Now, Liantyn.”
Liantyn beckoned a servant.
The servant soon brought a small box. Even the box was very luxurious.
Liantyn blinked and said to Grandfather.
“It was really difficult to get. It was only possible to get it yesterday after much hardship.”
“….”
“I really, really tried because I wanted Grandfather to be happy…”
“Hoo.” People let out exclamations.
They seemed to be interested in the object that even Astra’s direct descendant had found difficult to get.
Liantyn pursed her lips and said, “Please open it.”
Grandfather slowly opened the box.
In the meantime, Liantyn’s eyes met with mine.
Keke,
Liantyn laughed with her mouth skewed. It was an obvious sneer.
She then leaned her shoulders toward Grandfather who opened the box.
“You can eat it now. The effect will come out right away.”
“Eat what.”
“That thing. The one that I gave—”
Grandfather took out the medicine bottle from the box with a dull look.
Even at first glance, it contained a liquid that humans could never eat, full of mold.
“…!!”
Liantyn’s face hardened.
The corners of my mouth raised.
‘Why? Did you think you stole it properly?’
Liantyn glared at me.
“What…”
I pointed to the medicine bottle that Grandfather held.
“Mustn’t touch! It’s a dirty thing!”
***
This is what happened.
Before Liantyn entered my room, I put the medicine away just in case.
And I put something else in it.
‘Fake Physical Regression Pills.’
What Liantyn took was the failed batch of Physical Regression Pills.
In [IPTVG], it was Erylotte who first started making Physical Regression Pills.
But it failed.
When one took the medicine, the tooth pain seemed to go away, but only more pain came in three days.
In addition, even if the medicine was made with great effort, the expiration date was less than a day.
After 24 hours, it just becomes rotten liquid.
‘The real physical regression pills were improved by adding green lilyturf to the formula.’
Last night, after returning to my room, I found out when I saw the desk drawer empty.
Liantyn took the physical regression pill.
Uncle Decones was flustered and looked at Liantyn.
“What happened? Is it right that that is the gift you prepared? Is it really medicine that can be taken?”
“A-About that…”
Liantyn turned red.
‘You don’t know what to do, do you?’
If she insists without knowing anything that he can eat it, and something happens to Grandfather who took the medicine, things would be irreversible.
People talked in whispers.
Liantyn boasted so much before opening the gift, that it looked even funnier.
“How should I say this? Miss Liantyn is a bit…”
“Yes. Words surely tend to take the lead.”
“Rotten things as a birthday present…. Only the Duke’s side is harmed.”
Uncle Decones was very embarrassed, and Liantyn’s hands trembled. It was an expression that showed it was the first time for her to be humiliated like this.
It was at this moment the atmosphere of the banquet became funny.
Grandfather didn’t say much, but his eyes deeply sunk.
Viscount Debussy said to refresh the atmosphere.
“Come to think of it, Young Miss Erylotte also said that she prepared a gift.”
“Yesh.”
“Please show us.”
I jumped up and got something from Hilda, who was waiting by the wall.
Viscount Debussy spoke in a voice that was filled with a smile.
“What kind of gift is that?”
I took something rustling out of the envelope which Hilda packed.
And ta-da! I lifted it up.
“Oh my?”
“That’s….”
Hahaha.
Laughter burst out at the party.
Because what I prepared was chocolate.
This morning, the reason why I was busy was because of this.
I made chocolate with the maids.
And when the maids didn’t see…
‘I put medicine in the chocolate.’
The reason why I inconveniently prepared it like this was because there was no way that he would just take and eat the medicine that a three-year-old prepared.
Who would think that I put something in it?
People’s reactions would certainly be like that.
The nobles at the banquet hall burst into laughter.
It seemed like the people thought it was cute because it was something only a child would prepare.
I quickly went to Grandfather and gave him the chocolate.
“I’ll gibb ith to you.” [I’ll give it to you.]
When I put it on Grandfather’s hand, people were taken aback.
“Uh, Miss….”
One of the nobles was flustered and tried to stop me.
Who would dare give food to the Duke of Astra like this?
However, Viscount Debussy, who was concerned that the atmosphere would become subtle again, made a move.
“It is the gift that Young Miss Erylotte work hard preparing it. Why don’t you taste it?
“….”
Grandfather glanced at me.
And soon, he put the chocolate in his mouth.
Viscount Debussy also asked Grandfather with his eyes bent.
“How is it?”
“It doesn’t taste bad.”
“Haha, I’m curious about the taste.”
The party hall became harmonious again.
After I gave the chocolate, other people also gave their gifts to Grandfather.
A talking bird from a foreign country.
A fist-sized five-colored diamond.
There were all sorts of incredible things.
The kitchen also served tremendous food to commemorate Grandfather’s birthday.
There was a whole roasted meat dish of a whole calf.
The food went to Grandfather first.
The meat may be tender, but since it was meat, it would be harder to chew than vegetables.
Even so, Grandfather put the food in his mouth without showing pain as usual.
However,
“….”
Grandfather, who was chewing meat, paused.
When he froze, people who were paying attention to Grandfather were confused about what was going on.
“Duke?”
Viscount Debussy asked.
But Grandfather looked at the meat without answering.
I thought it was time, so I went to Grandfather and whispered.
“Now ith doesn’t hurt anymowe, wight?” [Now it doesn’t hurt anymore, right?]
“…What did you say?”
“It’s for Gwandfather. Your teeth hurth. But if you eat the chocowate, it doesn’t hurth. Because there’s a medicine that makesh ith not hurt!” [It’s for Grandfather. Your teeth hurt. But if you eat the chocolate, it doesn’t hurt. Because there’s a medicine that makes it not hurt!]
Grandfather’s eyes widened.
“You, how did you….”
It was like he was asking me how I knew his teeth hurt, and what’s with the medicine, with his expression.
But he couldn’t say anything else. Because people were paying attention to this side.
Glancing around, Grandfather closed his mouth.
The question seemed to have been postponed for later, so I returned to my seat.
Grandfather ate again.
Like he was trying to make sure that it really didn’t hurt anymore.
And he didn’t look uncomfortable the whole time.
‘He emptied a whole bowl.’
Indeed, he’s a person with a good appetite, but he couldn’t eat because of his teeth.
He must have been hungry until now.
The end of the banquet.
Viscount Debussy said.
“So many great gifts have been received. But, which one is the gift that you like the most?”
The people at the banquet hall looked like they were anticipating it.
It seemed that they knew the secret of ‘Grandfather will repay the person whose present he likes the most’.
Grandfather glanced around the precious gifts piled up on the edge of the banquet hall.
Eventually, he slowly opened his mouth.
“Erylotte’s gift… turns out I like it the most.”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
Among the tremendous gifts, my chocolate inevitably looked the most worthless.
Therefore,
“The Duke is quite fond of Miss Erylotte….”
“Yes, it seems that he is more affectionate with this side, even more than Miss Liantyn.”
“Come to think of it, she looked very friendly towards the Duke?”
People’s reaction to this was also understandable.
Conrad, who was standing far away, raised his thumb at me.
Viscount Debussy also burst into a hearty laugh.
The powerful melodies created by the musicians filled the banquet hall.
Within it, Liantyn’s face had turned white.
Of course, Viscount Decones’s expression was also not good.
The Liantyn father and daughter pair couldn’t say a word properly throughout the banquet.
***
Grandfather got up from his seat.
It meant that the banquet was over now.
‘So after taking a break for a bit, Part 2 will start.’
All the nobles also got up from their seats.
There were also people who greeted Grandfather by chasing him to the doorstep.
‘Greet, greet.’
I was about to get up quickly, but Liantyn next to me was faster.
I lost my balance because she got up roughly.
I almost fell, so I grabbed the table strongly without realizing it, and suddenly the juice glass fell.
Clang—!
A sharp explosive sound rang out.
“KYAACK!”
Liantyn shouted.
Uncle Decones, who was chasing Grandfather, quickly came this way.
“Are you okay?”
“I think I got a cut from the fragments of glass.”
When he saw his daughter had a teary face, Uncle frowned and looked at me.
Then, without asking the whole story, he violently rushed me.
“You can’t even be careful!”
It’s unfair.
‘But it’s only like that because Liantyn pushed me.’
He didn’t seem to have any intention of listening.
Uncle Decones was evaluated as the most stupid among Grandfather’s children.
He was hot-tempered, narrow-minded, and violent.
He gave me a fierce look and said,
“Hurry up and apologize.”
“….”
“Can’t you hear me?!”
People paid attention to us because of the commotion.
It was at that moment when Grandfather looked this way that–
“Turns out you still make the sound of a bag of cats, Decones.”
With the unfamiliar voice, someone strode into the banquet hall.
Attractive golden hair that was accompanied with a dangerous scent.
A sharp jawline that curved smoothly.
Delicate features that were located in the perfect places to see.
A tall stature and actual fine battle muscles that were established during many battles.
And… Red eyes like mine.
He was a man with a beautiful appearance, enough for one to hear exclamations from everywhere.
Human hair was held in his hand.
He threw a bloody man to the floor.
“KYAAAACK—!”
People near the fallen man hurriedly stepped down.
The weak people covered their mouths with faces that had turned pale.
The bloody person who was thrown by the beautiful man was serious.
The beautiful man glanced at Grandfather.
“What is it, I couldn’t come empty-handed to your birthday, could I?”
I got goosebumps all over my body.
Even though I had never seen the man, I recognized him at once.
This man was Daymond Astra.
And he was my father.