Chapter 225. Not that, this2022.03.29.
Time passed quickly after the long-absent emperor returned safely. Despite the chaotic international situation, the banquet to celebrate the birthday of the emperor could not be omitted.
“Even if you reduce the size and simplify the payment, you should not omit it. We must inform the whole continent of His Majesty’s health.”
“I didn’t see Her Majesty’s dignified appearance at the coming-of-age ceremony, so let’s hold a banquet this time to show off the majesty of Ermano!”
There were only two days left until the birthday banquet, amidst the expectant gazes of the servants and the servants of Esteban and the nanny.
‘Anyway, I have to let you know that I’m safe, because Veron’s costume will be turned inside out.’
Despite Mabel’s busy schedule, she had to make time for banquet preparations. When I turned around wearing the bastinged dress, Larimar smiled broadly and clapped her hands.
“You look really good!”
“Your Majesty really has no color that doesn’t suit him.”
According to mercy, he smiled happily and helped out with a word. Mabel, who was watching them standing side by side and praising them, also smiled happily.
‘They look like a couple happily watching their children entering elementary school.’
Even today, Mabel’s pink delusion toward Larimar and Xavier was still the same. The nanny, who was combing Mabel’s hair, admired again.
“Now, His Majesty is also turning seventeen.”
“Eh. It’s been 16 years since I was 17.”
I wondered if I was slurping my age too much these days. The nanny smiled softly as she looked through the mirror at Mabel, who had a somewhat rugged face.
“Whoops. Do you still miss one month?”
It was still impressive in Nanny’s memory that Mabel, who was five years old, said with a deep sigh like an old man, when they went out for a walk one day. Mabel, who thought for a moment with her finger on her cheek, nodded.
“huh. miss.”
I still have regrets about rejecting the affection of my family.
‘If I could go back to the past, I would love you with all my might.’
Then Mabel suddenly felt ominous. She looked around at the servants with eyes full of fear.
“Have you ever heard of something Dad prepared?”
“well…?”
It was a fear that raised its head every birthday. I was already afraid of how much I would stir up the world with an extraordinary gift.
***
Arriving at the office, I saw Dad sitting in my seat.
“Dad what are you doing?”
“hmm. To see how much work is behind you? Quite a lot. I’m going to have a hard time, Mabel.”
My dad often helped me with housework, so it wasn’t a very strange scene. I didn’t care, and as I approached the desk, I realized something was wrong.
“Hmm…”
I narrowed my eyes.
‘As expected.’
It seems that he deliberately took out other documents to disguise himself, but he couldn’t fool my eyes. What Dad was looking for was the final list of attendees for the birthday banquet. The names of the domestic nobles selected by Gustav and the names of people who announced that they would visit from each country except for Devlin were written. My dad, who secretly covered the list with his arm, asked with a bright smile.
“Mabel. The partner order this time is this dad. Didn’t you forget?”
“They say Oscar is you? The last banquet is not an official event, so it cannot be acknowledged.”
“That guy, Oscar… no, he’s definitely my dad. You know that.”
The competition for partners that takes place every time was the same this time as well. Instead of answering, I just smiled. Dad, who had been flipping through the papers for no reason, glanced at me and opened his mouth.
“Hey, Mabel. I have a question for you.”
“What?”
“A birthday banquet invitation. It looks like you didn’t send it to Count Aserad, is that true?”
“huh.”
Dad made a surprised expression at the answer without hesitation. I couldn’t believe I didn’t invite Aidan on purpose.
“Why didn’t you invite me?”
“Ugh. That’s how it happened.”
He answered vaguely without giving the exact reason, but his father’s expression was relaxed. In any case, he seemed to like that he hadn’t invited Aidan.
“okay. Good idea Mabel. It’s still early to date.”
“Then when is it not early?”
“A hundred years old.”
I seriously looked up at my father’s serious answer.
“dad.”
“hmm?”
“Seeing this, they call me Naero Nambul.”
“To me… what?”
“If I do it, romance! My dad dated my mom, so why doesn’t he let me?”
“Where on earth did you learn such bad words? Are you Lisandro? Or Casey?”
“It’s a word I used in my previous life. and dad Combined with my age in my previous life, I know everything I know, but there’s nothing I can’t do with Aidan!”
“…”
At my well-thought-out words, my father widened his eyes and put on a slightly surprised expression.
‘Oh right. Now I have to reassure Dad.’
The rest of the moment, I shot at my dad. The plan might fail. Hurrying to my senses, I hugged my dad and patted him on the back.
“Anyway, I didn’t send Aidan an invitation, so relax, Dad.”
“Yes…”
The weak father regained his strength only after I calmed him down.
‘First of all, step 1 of making dad careless has been completed.’
Next was the start of the second phase of the operation.
***
Oscar, who had come to discuss with Esteban about who would be Mabel’s partner at the banquet (read it as quarrel) stopped by Mabel’s bedroom as usual. Oscar, who was climbing the stairs, killing his presence like a habit, listened to the welcome voice that came at first glance. The voice came from the gap between the slightly open door.
“…transplant. How did your request go?”
[Who am I? Aren’t you Casey, the most competent mage and top lord on the continent? Of course, I prepared perfectly, lady. Don’t worry about anything.]
“You weren’t caught, right?”
[Ummm, what do you look at this casey for? Of course, it was done in secret. It’s the finishing stage.]
“Okay. I’ll trust Casey.”
[Nep yep. Just leave it to me!]
After finishing communication with Casey, Mabel smiled with satisfaction and arranged the communication magic tools. Then, when I suddenly turned my head, I was startled by the look of Oscar.
“When did Oscar come?”
“Just before. But what’s the matter?”
“huh. I’ve entrusted Casey with investigating the information. It’s better to keep an eye on Devlin. You never know what will happen all of a sudden.”
At Mabel’s nonchalant attitude, Oscar nodded without question.
“I see. You have a lot of trouble.”
“I can’t help it.”
Oscar smiled at Mabel, unaware that her hands were shaking with embarrassment. Mabel, who already knew why Oscar stopped by the imperial castle today, asked insinuatingly.
“So, did you come to a conclusion?”
“no. Because the emperor didn’t take it lightly. But I have no intention of backing down either. The order of the partners this time is me!”
Oscar blazed with determination. Then, he asked seriously.
“My father wants to leave it to Mabel’s choice, so what are you going to do?”
“Hmm…”
As Mabel pondered, Oscar gave a twinkling expectant look. But Mabel didn’t give Oscar the answer he wanted.
“Then you decide what to do.”
Oscar was quite disappointed with the answer that left room for him, but he did not give up.
‘I should buy Mabel for dessert.’
Oscar had no doubt that he would be chosen as a partner. You never know what will happen on the day of the banquet.
***
The long-awaited day of the emperor’s birthday banquet has arrived. The annual birthday banquet was held splendidly, but this year, the scale was somewhat reduced and held simply. But even though it was simple, it was never shabby. The second largest hall in the Imperial Castle of Ermano has been opened. With Langard’s envoys already arriving, he had to accept guests from all over the world, so he limited the number of guests. When the banquet began in the early evening, the invited carriages lined up to enter the imperial castle.
“This is the first official banquet held since His Majesty returned.”
“I heard that you are healthy, but I am already looking forward to seeing you in person.”
“Can’t you see Count Aserad yet? Are you going to enter with His Majesty as an escort this time?”
The nobles glanced at the empty throne and waited for Mabel to appear. Those who heard about the couple’s announcement especially wanted to see a picture of Aidan and Mabel together. Everyone was seated in the hall except for a few late guests and the emperor, the host of the banquet. After a while, the protagonist of the birthday banquet finally entered the hall.
“Thank you for coming here to celebrate Jim’s birthday. Please enjoy this time.”
The banquet began with Mabel’s greetings. Gustav, who was waiting, asked Mabel.
“your majesty. Who do you want to do your first dance with?”
It was a very important question in deciding on a partner, and it was the moment the Ermano father and son waited for more than anything else.
“Hmm…”
Oscar and Esteban waited for Mabel’s choice. The gaze that had reached the two of them fell refreshingly and then headed towards the entrance of the hall. It was right after that.
“We have Casey, the wizard of the upper ranks of the Evil Merchant, and his attendants!”
With the shouts of the attendant, the last attendees entered the hall. Of the people who were surprised, the most surprised were Oscar and Esteban.
“Aidan?”
“Why is that bastard here…”
Aidan, who was obviously not on the invitation list, entered with Casey. Costumes and decorations that harmonize as if they deliberately matched Mabel’s dress code.
‘It’s also Casey.’
It was Casey who perfectly prepared the costume as Mabel requested. Casey winked at Mabel. Except for the father and son of Ermano, everyone present had no choice but to admit it. You are His Majesty’s partner.
‘I was tricked.’
Only then did the Ermano father and son realize that they had fallen for Mabel’s cute trick. If he had been on the attendance list, he would have stopped it at all costs, so he secretly invited him to attend so that he would not be disturbed. On top of that, even the meticulousness of making clothes similarly and putting them on…! Aidan, who walked confidently, stood in front of Mabel. Mabel smiled brightly as she saw her lover whom she hadn’t seen in a long time. Aidan held out a hand to Mabel.
“Will you give me the honor of being Your Majesty’s first dance partner?”
“Gladly.”
Because of their eyes, the rich man could not hastily separate Mabel and Aidan. A large number of people watching the couple’s first dance laughed heartily. It was the moment when Count Aidan Aserad’s position as the Emperor’s lover was solidified. Of course, that also came under Mabel’s reckoning.
***
The two of them danced to the gentle music.
“I’m sorry that my brother and dad are like that.”
“…it’s okay.”
“I don’t say no…”
To say no, the two of them were too much of a hindrance. After a moment of silence, the two enjoyed the joy of the meeting.
“Actually, I asked Yang to lend me her body, but she said she didn’t want to die.”
“I don’t like Shinsoo either.”
Aidan blatantly disliked it. No matter how much Mabel is assimilated, isn’t the shell a divine beast?
“Aidan. Did you often skip meals?”
“…”
Even Mabel’s regards for a meal that everyone he meets has ended. At the end of the music, Mabel looked up at Aidan. Light twinkling under the chandelier. Many people’s gazes staring only at them, humming. And you and I facing each other
“I missed you too, Aidan.”
I’ve always wanted to give this answer. Borrowing the body of a squeak to express one’s heart as much as one can, rather than listening one-sidedly.
“I have more.”
But Aidan didn’t lose either. . . . After the song ended, Mabel took Aidan’s hand and climbed onto the balcony. Esteban and Oscar tried to come in after them to prevent them from being alone, but Mabel was faster. bang!
“It’s the chaff barrier, Father.”
“…shit.”
Mabel, who even used the holy barrier to block entry, let out a sigh of relief. Finally, we can have some alone time.
“Congratulations on your birthday, Your Majesty.”
“thank you.”
Aidan couldn’t reach Mabel. It was clear that if I touched it once, all the patience I had been holding onto would be worn out. But Mabel, unaware of his heart, savagely approached him.
“Aidan.”
“yes.”
“It’s my birthday today, so can I get a present?”
At Mabel’s question, Aidan put his hand in his arms without hesitation to take out the gift. But Mabel’s thin hand was quicker to grab Aidan’s arm. Seeing Aidan’s puzzled face, she opened her mouth.
“No, not that.”
side.
“this.”
Mabel kissed Aidan on the cheek and laughed bitterly.
