Episode 14
I pulled away from my dad’s arms to look more presentable.
“I think everything’s ready, so I’m here, Seri.”
“Good to see you! Is Reno okay?”
“Of course, he’s fine. Oh! You won’t believe it, but Reza finally wore the dress I bought…!!”
Somehow… even though it was a dress bought in a rush, the fabric and design were top-notch. The jewels on the dress alone must have cost a fortune!
Because of that, my dad started feeling competitive. He didn’t know much about it, but he promised that next time, he’d get a dress for my mom and me, a ‘mother-daughter couple look.’ He said he’d make it from the best fabrics and jewels.
Dad, who’s mixed with blood from the royal family, wasn’t about to lose to Dione.
Mom didn’t mind, so she asked for accessories as well. She’s pretty rich, too, and who doesn’t like something for free?
Anyway, to show appreciation for Dione’s compliment, I spun around in place. The blue dress, which fluttered gently, made me feel like a sea fairy. Even the adults seemed to agree, thinking that if sea fairies existed, they would look just like Reza.
Feeling good, I expressed my thanks politely.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Dione kissed my cheek lightly.
“I’m happy just to see the princess wear it so beautifully.”
Her words made me smile widely. Though, to be honest, the whole situation was a little awkward. I had goosebumps on my arms.
Ugh, I don’t like pink.
I was secretly grossed out when I noticed Reno hiding nearby.
“Hey, are you still hiding over there?”
But since I was a little more mature, I thought it’d be better if I went to him first. So I walked toward the door where Reno was hiding. As I got closer, he flinched visibly.
I didn’t let it show and called out to him.
“Prince Reno.”
Reno shook his head quickly and denied it. Then he said what he wanted to say.
“Reno.”
He asked me to call him by his name in a cute way. I smiled without it being too much.
“Reno. I’m hungry.”
“Huh?”
“There’s still some time before the banquet starts… Is there any food in the palace?”
Of course, there would be food. It’s a palace.
I purposely said something random to avoid making things awkward. If I asked directly, knowing Reno, he’d turn red and get embarrassed.
I’m so considerate, right?
As expected, Reno seemed to fall for my little trick. His eyes sparkled, and he shrugged his shoulders.
“Of course…! The palace chef is especially good at making desserts!”
“Oh, really?”
That was the most interesting thing I heard from him. But Reno seemed more excited than I.
“We have to go, Reza! I’ll give you special permission to taste it. Let’s go!”
You’re already allowed to eat there, even without permission…
Still, I acted nonchalant and grabbed Reno’s outstretched hand. The adults smiled warmly at the sight.
Okay, that worked.
With a straight face, I let Reno pull me along.
“Mmm, this is so good…!”
Reno praised the desserts, and I immediately understood why. The palace chef’s skills were exceptional. Reno, who loved desserts, seemed to be the one benefiting the most.
In fact, it seemed like a big deal. The chef was brought all the way from another country by my dad, Seriton. Apparently, the chef had been offered a huge salary but turned it down. My dad had to convince him for a month, through letters and home visits.
I had heard about it from my dad, but I learned more details from Reno, chatting away.
Whatever the reason, the dessert time was still amazing.
“It’s delicious, right? I was also shocked by our chef, Beton’s skills.”
Chef Beton smiled shyly at the praise but was clearly pleased.
“Beton?”
I called out to him softly, and he stepped forward, bowing.
“I’m Chef Beton Gliders of the Prince’s palace.”
“Those chocolate muffins are really good! By the way… could you pack some for me? I want to share them with my brother.”
After arriving at the palace, Dennis, who had disappeared to meet his old swordsmanship teacher, loved chocolate muffins too. I thought he’d really like it if I brought some for him.
“It’s an honor, Princess. I’ll pack them generously for you.”
It was possible because Reno had silently given his approval.
Excited by the thought of Dennis enjoying them, I swung my legs back and forth, humming a little tune.
“Mmm.”
“Is it that good?”
“Yep. The chocolate muffins and the milk crepes they’re both amazing.”
“Isn’t the head chef of Nehiris also good at cooking?”
“Eh? Of course! Our head chef, Matthew, is the best, the best, the best!”
“The best…?”
“Ah, it means top-notch. And chefs all have their own specialties. Matthew is great at main courses, and Beton is amazing at desserts. Don’t get me wrong, though, Matthew can make desserts too. Do you know what macarons are?”
“…Macarons? What’s that?”
Reno tilted his head, looking confused.
“Tsk. I’ll make sure to send some macarons to the palace.”
And of course, I’d get some too. A win-win!
“Reza, you’re really a kind person, aren’t you? Thank you…! I’m looking forward to it. But what do macarons look like?”
Was he subtly teasing me?
Although it felt a little uncomfortable, I decided to let it slide. I then passionately explained how amazing macarons were. Reno looked at me with bright eyes.
The peaceful afternoon was passing by, and I had forgotten we had just fought earlier.
I was still young, so I clung to my dad’s arms and glanced around the banquet hall. It was decorated with gold and expensive jewels. The huge chandelier in the center of the room, made of several gems, sparkled brightly.
‘…If that falls, isn’t it going to be a disaster?’
But when my family entered the hall, everyone, regardless of age, seemed to turn their attention to us. Suddenly, I thought about how unnecessary the tradition of entering last based on your rank was.
It wasn’t like I enjoyed all these eyes on me!
I turned my head to avoid the attention. My eyes fell on the golden royal family emblem carved on the walls. The shine on it was so bright, it almost made me want to take it and sell it.
Wow, if foreign nobles saw this, they’d be stunned.
The banquet hall, outdoor terrace, garden, and performance stage were all more extravagant than last year. Honestly, it made me feel like I didn’t want to stay too long.
But my parents and Dennis, as usual, confidently walked ahead, and the royal family, already seated, greeted us warmly as we approached.
The reason the royal family was seated first was simple. Dione didn’t care about the tradition of nobles entering last. She wanted to enjoy herself as soon as possible, which made the noble ladies feel more comfortable, too.
Of course, there were power struggles in hidden corners, but the Monmorison Empire was generally a peaceful country. I had even been surprised by how calm it was when I first got here.
Honestly, I was expecting some sword fights.
Anyway, we walked toward the royal family. Then a scene popped into my mind.
“Hey, everyone, do you know who I am?”
“Nehiris! Nehiris!”
“Today, we’re the brightest on the red carpet!”
‘…Hehe.’
For a moment, I thought of something funny, but I quickly pulled away from my dad’s arms and followed my parents, who were being formal. Seriton received the greeting with a warm smile.
And so, the entrance to the banquet hall was finished with the Nehiris’ family’s arrival. Seriton gestured, and soft music began to play in the hall, with people exchanging greetings and laughter spreading through the room.
It was the start of the spring festival and the banquet.
But more than the banquet, this event was held to celebrate the prince’s birthday, so the real competition for attention was about to begin.
And it started with the gift exchange ceremony.
“Happy birthday, Prince Reno!”
Noble families and foreign envoys presented their gifts one by one, congratulating Reno on his birthday. As the only heir to the Monmorison Empire, the attention was naturally high. It was expected that they’d want to stay on his good side, since he had a clear path to becoming the next emperor.
They must have their own heirs, but it wouldn’t hurt to get in his good books early.
The pile of gifts grew, and after about an hour, it was finally time for the Nehiris family’s turn. The attending servant bowed and announced the order.
I walked up with a small box, clearly aware of my dad’s burning gaze, but I wasn’t about to trip or anything. It was very awkward.
When we reached the royal family, Reno, who had been uninterested in the gifts, suddenly jumped up from his seat and walked down to meet me.
“Princess.”
I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or not that he didn’t call me ‘Reza.’ It felt a bit better that way.
“Yes, Prince Reno.”
“Did you prepare a gift for me?”
He looked so excited, almost like he was scheming something.
I was uncomfortable seeing him smile so widely. I didn’t think he was planning anything, but it still felt strange.
Wanting to get it over with, I quickly handed him the flashy box. Reno reached for it, and as soon as he got it, he seemed to lose his balance and nearly fell backward. If it weren’t for the waiting knight who caught him, it would’ve been a disaster.
The knight took the box from Reno, but I was puzzled.
‘Wait… it didn’t feel that heavy?’
The more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed, and then my dad started clearing his throat, as if avoiding my gaze.
“Ahem.”
…Wait, could it be?
At that moment, my right-hand ring caught my eye.
