Party Invitation part. 4

"Daddy wants to go there? A ball hosted by some noble Magda doesn't even know?"

"Are you sure? Magda doesn't like parties from strangers!"

"I don't like it! Magda doesn't know them! Puu!"

Magdalene glared at her father with sharp eyes, her cheeks puffed out in an adorable pout. She wasn't intimidating at all, even though her tone was firm for a little girl.

Meanwhile, her father was desperately trying to control his thoughts.

"Dear God, why is the daughter of a cold widower like Aliester so ridiculously cute?!!"

"I feel like a parent even though I've never dated or gotten married. Magdalene, Daddy loves you~"

"Haaa~ my daughter is so beautiful. She'll definitely grow into the most stunning woman in the entire kingdom. Rumanier has the perfect princess."

"Hoo~ what a peaceful life."

"Oi, get a grip!! Don't be a creep over someone else's child!"

Aliester finally snapped back to reality and put on a gentle smile for his daughter.

"Hahaha, what is Daddy even thinking? Don't worry, Magdalene," Aliester let his daughter sit beside him and gently stroked her hair. "Listen, Daddy will only go if Daddy wants to go."

"Besides, Daddy feels like this is a great opportunity, maybe even one that will never come again."

Magdalene tilted her head, looking confused. "What do you mean, Daddy?"

Aliester pulled his daughter into a hug and spoke softly, "Daddy has made you feel lonely. Daddy has been so selfish, leaving his beautiful daughter all alone, making her endure sadness."

"..." Magdalene fell silent, her eyes trembling. Who would have thought she would hear such words from Aliester?

Her heart pounded so fast, as if her body was responding to his words. Magdalene's face turned red as she struggled to hold back her tears.

Aliester continued stroking her hair gently. "Daddy is sorry. When Daddy thinks about how cold he's been, it feels like Daddy has been a terrible parent."

"Your mommy would definitely cry if she saw Daddy like this. Please forgive Daddy, okay?"

"This is Daddy's chance to make you smile again. Daddy will do his best for you, my precious daughter."

Aliester said this after finally understanding the full story between the two of them. Now that he knew everything clearly, he intended to mend the bond between father and daughter.

"This is better. I don't want the real Aliester to regret and feel sad when he returns."

"At the very least, I have to fix their relationship."

Magdalene hugged her father tightly. "Magda won't be lonely. Magda will also try to be strong like Daddy."

"Daddy, don't be sad either."

"Magda is also sorry for making Daddy sad."

The atmosphere in Aliester's study was incredibly heartwarming.

Ryan and Magdalene's two maids, who had been eavesdropping outside, were equally moved. Viona and Selina even shed tears as they listened.

After a moment, Ryan stepped away from the door to give them privacy.

"You don't want to listen anymore, Head Butler?" Selina asked.

"I'd rather let the moment be special just for His Majesty and the Princess."

Viona and Selina smiled and also moved away from the door. No one else eavesdropped on their conversation.

---

The warm and gentle atmosphere between father and daughter continued. After some time hugging each other, the little princess suddenly shifted the topic.

No, she was trying to steer the conversation toward something serious.

"Daddy…"

"Yes, my dear?"

"Magda wants Daddy to be honest."

"Alright. Daddy won't lie to his beautiful daughter. What is it?"

"You're not going to marry some weird person, right?"

"Cough!!"

Who would have thought a five-year-old child would ask such an adult question? Who taught her this? Aliester's expression screamed that exact thought.

"Ma–marry?! Who? Me?" he panicked internally. "Oi oi, sweet child, I already have my hands full managing a mountain of documents and trying to maintain the real Aliester's reputation!"

"Don't go asking such sensitive questions to an unemployed bachelor!!"

He really wanted to say that, but he held back. After coughing from shock, he forced a smile for his daughter.

"Ma–Magdalene, Daddy won't get married. Besides, who would even want to marry Daddy?"

"Huh~ but Viona and Selina said the Earl who sent the ball invitation really wants you to come."

"W-Why would that be?"

"Because you never go! That's why he keeps sending invitations every two weeks, right? Magda knows that!"

"…Eh?"

"The other nobles too! They're all suspicious, Daddy! You absolutely can't marry someone weird!"

"Y-yeah. Daddy still loves your mother, sweetie," Aliester reassured her.

Magdalene seemed happy to hear that and hugged her father.

In her mind, she only hoped that Helene remained the most beloved in his heart. But she also knew that a widower might want a partner again.

"If Aliester ever wants to remarry, as the person inside Magdalene's body now, I'll support him."

"But I won't let him marry someone weird!"

Such an adorable thought from a sweet child. Thankfully, she didn't know that the soul inside Aliester's body was actually a complete bachelor.

---

After their deeply private father-daughter conversation, Aliester and Magdalene continued to spend their days together happily.

Nothing unusual happened. Everything seemed peaceful.

At least… until the third day.

On the morning of the third day, right after breakfast, Aliester—who had invited his daughter to keep him company in his study—suddenly received an unexpected guest.