I Will Attend to the Party

"This woman is intentionally seeking attention, it seems."

Magdalene looked at Bernadette with a displeased gaze, but she glanced at her father.

"I mustn't embarrass Aliester."

"Besides, I promised to keep quiet."

Bernadette continued to say that the party would be very lively with Aliester's presence. Of course, everyone would attend, and there would be more guests from the nobility if the King of Rumanier attended the party.

"This will be very enjoyable, Your Majesty. Moreover, our relationship will become even better," the woman explained.

"There will be many eager faces awaiting Your Majesty Aliester. This will also be a wonderful opportunity for politics, noble relations, and—"

"Ahaha, I understand. No need to explain it like that, everyone will understand, Lady," Aliester said with a small, calm laugh.

He didn't hesitate to cut off Bernadette's words because he was annoyed by their attitude of interrupting his words earlier.

Besides, there was another reason why he did so.

"I don't understand what political relationships and others are. But I don't want to make them stay here!"

"Moreover, Magdalene is still very young to know adult matters."

"They dare to come to the palace early... they must think I'll agree."

"It's very impolite to refuse them. It will be unpleasant gossip if it spreads."

Earl Ventela's and his daughter Bernadette's faces looked very confident. Maybe this was something they had predicted earlier.

"His Majesty won't refuse, surely!!" Earl Ventela thought.

His daughter, Bernadette, was no different. "Tonight, I will make sure I dance with His Majesty! After all the times he turned down our invitations!"

After thinking carefully, Aliester smiled and said, "I understand. I just need to attend, right?"

Earl Ventela and his daughter showed happy faces, "Really, will you attend, Your Majesty?"

"Of course," but behind the smile, Aliester wanted to slightly vent his emotions. Maybe this could be said to represent the real Aliester.

"You've come very early, without notice, and tried so hard to send me invitations every two weeks, shouldn't I accept it so you won't keep sending me invitations like you're haunting me?"

*Thud.

His piercing words left both of them speechless, their faces pale as they forced awkward smiles.

Meanwhile, Magdalene loved her father's sarcasm so much that she hugged her stuffed animal and giggled. "My father is a genius! Oh, wait. I mean, the real Magdalene's father is a genius!"

"I love that sarcasm! Take that, Earl and his rude daughter!"

Aliester stood up and extended a hand toward Earl Ventela. "I believe that concludes our discussion. Earl, allow me some time to digest my meal."

"I also need to spend time with my daughter."

"I shall see you at the party, Earl Ventela. And you as well, Lady Ventela."

With no choice, the two guests quickly stood. Though Earl Ventela was undoubtedly irritated, he maintained a sweet facade to avoid suspicion.

Aliester then called for Ryan to escort the guests out.

----

As Earl Ventela and his daughter walked toward the exit with Ryan, they remained silent. But within Earl Ventela's heart, his irritation simmered.

"How utterly infuriating! How dare His Majesty humiliate me like this?!"

"Tch, damn him!"

"But, it's okay...no matter. I've succeeded in making His Majesty agree to attend my party. This is my chance."

"I will deepen my connection and use this opportunity to push Bernadette closer to His Majesty."

"I'll remember this humiliation. In the future, I will be recognized as an essential part of the Royal Family."

"Ahahaha! Not bad. Let the widowed king talk all he wants for now."

His sly smile clearly reflected his inner thoughts. Ryan, noticing this, glanced back.

"Is there something wrong, Earl Ventela?" Ryan asked.

"Oh! N-no, nothing at all. I'm just pleased that our visit wasn't in vain. A-ahaha."

"...What do you mean?"

"His Majesty will be attending our family's garden party. This is truly a wonderful development."

"..."

Ryan remained silent. Of course, he couldn't read his master's thoughts.

Meanwhile, Bernadette looked absolutely delighted, her smile beaming with confidence. Who knew where she got such assurance, but she looked genuinely thrilled.

"Just one more step, and I'll be closer to His Majesty King Aliester!"

Once the two guests boarded their carriage and left the palace, Ryan promptly returned to his master's chamber.

______________

In the King's study room...

"Your Majesty, you're not serious, are you?" Ryan asked anxiously.

"We're talking about the blatant rudeness of Earl Ventela, who came here just to push a banquet invitation."

At that moment, Aliester was sitting with his daughter, sharing tea and snacks they hadn't had the chance to finish before the visitors arrived.

"Magdalene, look. It's your favorite blueberry muffin."

"Kyaa~ Thank you, daddy~" Magdalene giggled, her joy infectious.

Ryan waited until the father and daughter finished their playful exchange before he heard Aliester's voice again.

"Don't worry, Ryan," Aliester said casually, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I was just defending my pride in front of that noble."

Ryan looked confused, "Pride, Your Majesty?"

Aliester thought to himself, "I've just preserved my true dignity in the face of that impudent noble."

He smirk deepened. "Think about it, Ryan. I've rejected all their invitations so many times, and the first thing that crossed my mind was that these nobles would spread rumors if I kept refusing."

"And since they've already dared to come and invite me so boldly—what else could I do?"

"If I turned them away again, I'd become the subject of gossip and ruin relationships with the other nobles."

Aliester leaned back in his chair, his demeanor growing more relaxed. "So, I'll attend this one. But it will be the first and last time. If I like it, I'll go; if not, I'll ignore it."

Ryan took a moment to consider, nodding in understanding.

Magdalene, with a proud twinkle in her eyes, now understood her father's thoughts.

"Aliester is brilliant. My dad is so smart!"

"I'll make sure to protect you, daddy," she said with a mischievous grin. "I won't let that ugly woman named Bernadette get near you!"

______________

Later that night...

Aliester took a moment to spend time with his daughter before bed. He knew she would enjoy it, and he hoped it would be a peaceful time for them both.

Magdalene's eyes shone with excitement as she curled up on her bed, holding her teddy bear close to her chest. The warmth of her blanket wrapped around her, and Aliester sat beside her, holding a storybook.

With a gentle smile, Aliester began reading a bedtime story.

Magdalene's inner voice echoed with childlike wonder, I can't believe I'm five years old, with such a handsome daddy who reads me bedtime stories! I love my daddy so much...

When Aliester finished the story, he closed the book and gently brushed his daughter's hair.

"Are you sleepy, Magdalene?"

"Um... I'm a little sleepy, but I want to stay with you, daddy."

Aliester chuckled softly. "It's late now. You should get some rest."

Magdalene, gazing up at him with innocent eyes, suddenly asked, "Daddy..."

"Yes?"

"Are you going to the garden party tomorrow?"

Aliester gave her a soft, reassuring smile. "Just like you heard. But not just me. You're coming with me, sweetheart. We'll go together."

Magdalene's face lit up. "Eheheh~ I'm so happy to go with you, daddy! Even though I don't like that Uncle Earl. He seems bad."

Aliester's expression softened at the mention of Earl Ventela. "I see…"

The night deepened, and as Aliester saw the signs of sleepiness taking over his daughter, he gently urged her to rest.

"Don't worry about anything. Go to sleep. Tomorrow, we'll go together. Everything will be fine."

Magdalene, still wrestling with her inner thoughts, had one last thing to say before she dozed off.

"I must be the real Magdalene!"

"But I don't want to be seen as flirty!"

"Ugh, I have to get used to this! Why is it so hard?!"

"But... but Magdalene wants it too!!"

"Sigh. Whatever! For Magdalene's sake! For the little girl who loves her daddy, I'll do it!!"

She reached up to take her father's hand, whispering softly, "Daddy..."

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Magda... wants a goodnight kiss."

*Thump.

Aliester's face flushed red, his heart skipping a beat as his daughter's request caught him off guard. How could anyone resist her charm?

Trying to act like a proper father, he kissed her forehead gently and stroked her hair.

"Goodnight, my little angel."

"Ehehehe~ Goodnight, daddy."

Tomorrow would bring something unexpected, for sure.