Karez Alucard

The young man carrying a plate alongside the beautiful woman beside him began to stop walking. He seemed to remember something.

"Wait, Lyn."

"What's wrong?" the woman asked.

"Earlier, you said we had to meet King Aliester, right?"

"Yes. At least we should meet the ruler of this country before–"

"If His Majesty, I remember seeing him with some guests a while ago. The little girl I told you about also went to that place."

"Really?! Then let's go! Is the place nearby?"

"I think I still remember. Let's go. Maybe King Aliester is still there."

The two of them headed in the opposite direction from their current location. The young man felt a strange sensation.

"I hope the girl is there and meets her father. I hope she's still there. Maybe this time we can talk."

A sweet smile reappeared. The woman beside him also smiled, "It seems our goal of meeting King Aliester has changed now."

"What?" the young man was slightly startled, "What do you mean?"

"I remember earlier that the little girl you met was mentioned again. Is the girl who's the source of your happy smile earlier also wanting to meet King Aliester?"

The young man looked slightly embarrassed, but he only gave a simple answer. "I don't know, but maybe so."

The woman smiled.

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Meanwhile, little Magdalene, who was about to reach her Daddy's location, saw Lady Bernadette confidently holding her Daddy's arm.

Her little heart screamed loudly. Not only that, her beautiful face turned red with anger, as if she was about to throw her expensive shoes at Lady Bernadette's face.

"WHAT IS THAT SEDUCTIVE WOMAN DOING?!"

"How dare she hug my Daddy's arm! That could create unwanted gossip!!"

"I'll definitely scratch her face later! Watch out, you ugly woman!"

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Meanwhile, Aliester, who was trying to maintain his positive image as a leader, had to accept the reality that he was being hugged by the daughter of the party's owner.

"Why is this woman hugging me as if I'm her partner? I hate this."

Of course, Aliester's thoughts reflected his serious expression. Not staying silent, after the other nobles left and they decided to go elsewhere, Aliester immediately released himself from Lady Bernadette's grasp.

The woman looked confused and thought it was strange. "Why, Your Majesty?" Lady Bernadette asked, looking innocent. Or maybe she was just pretending to be innocent.

Aliester didn't intend to ruin his own reputation, but he still had to protect his little daughter Magdalene's feelings. Making her wait just to accompany Lady Bernadette in showcasing a false image of her relationship with Aliester was nauseating.

"Lady, I'm very impressed with this party. It's truly an enjoyable party. However, it seems you've forgotten that I'm not someone who enjoys being touched by stranger."

"What? A...stranger?" Bernadette was shocked by the statement, but it wasn't an incorrect one. "Wh-why did Your Majesty say that?"

"Is there something wrong with my words, Lady Bernadette? Why were you so taken aback by that?"

His eyes were icy cold, his tone different. This might be a glimpse of the real Aliester. Bernadette's hands trembled slightly, but she still forced herself to smile. It was a genuinely fake smile, meant to cover up her embarrassment.

"I-I apologize for being too forward. B-but as my father said earlier..."

"T-this party is for Your Majesty, so—"

"Lady Bernadette..."

Aliester just mentioned her name but suddenly, she looked frightened. Even though Aliester had only called out to her and hadn't said anything else, she looked terrified.

Aliester gazed at Bernadette with a cold expression.

"This party isn't for me. It's your family's garden party, Lady. But I hope Earl Ventela and Lady Bernadette will see who I truly am."

"I may be a guest, but I am still your king."

To make Lady Bernadette realize her boundaries, Aliester firmly said, "I request that you restrain yourself and avoid spreading unnecessary rumors."

"Honestly, false rumors will only give me trouble, and I hate getting involved in such problems."

"With your behavior, Lady Bernadette, clinging to my arm like that, it will only create unnecessary rumors. I hope you understand what I'm saying." 

It seemed like he wasn't considering the girl's feelings, but this was for the best. Aliester turned to leave Lady Bernadette. Just a few steps away, he saw the figure of his beloved little girl.

The girl ran towards him, calling out, "Daddy~" Aliester's cold face instantly softened, filled with a happy smile. He extended his hand, ready to welcome the little girl into his arms.

When the little girl arrived, he hugged her and knelt before her to gently stroke her beautiful hair.

"Magdalene, daddy's sorry to keep you waiting. Forgive daddy, my sweetheart."

"Magda was just...is daddy alone?"

"Yes, daddy is alone now."

"What about Lady Bernadette?"

Aliester looked back, "She was just...where did she go?" But the woman seemed to have already left her previous location. Nevertheless, Aliester didn't care and smiled again at the princess.

"Maybe she went back to Earl Ventela's place. Don't think about it. Let's enjoy the rest of the party and then head home so you can rest, okay?"

"Okay~" A smile full of happiness appeared on the little girl's face.

"Yes! My daddy is the best~"

"I thought I was going to be the one to get rid of that annoying, drama-filled woman. Turns out my daddy already took care of her himself! Good job!"

"A king must be resolute, particularly when dealing with women who seek to exploit him for their own gain."

"Serves you right, you flirt! You should've known better than to hit on my daddy without permission! You have no shame!"

Aliester had just stood up and was about to take the princess's hand.

Only a few minutes later, someone approached them and greeted, "Good evening, His Majesty King Aliester?"

Aliester and Magdalene looked at the person who came. A beautiful woman and a young child, precisely a handsome young boy. The beautiful woman who greeted him was extremely elegant.

Moreover, her greeting was perfect. Magdalene realized the person next to the woman. The young boy she had accidentally bumped into a while ago was there.

"You're the one Magda accidentally bumped into, right?"

The boy smiled, "We meet again."

Magdalene approached him and greeted him, "Earlier, Magda was in a hurry, so Magda forgot to apologize."

"Magda apologizes for bumping into you and thanks you for helping Magda when she almost fell."

The young boy smiled, "It's okay. I'm glad you're alright. Besides, I'm very happy to meet you again."

"Hmm?" Magdalene looked confused.

Aliester responded to the beautiful woman's greeting, "Good evening," then asked the princess, "Do you know him?"

"Magda just met him earlier." Since Magdalene was also unfamiliar with the two guests in front of her, Aliester asked them directly, "I've never seen you here before. Are you relatives of Earl Ventela?"

The woman replied, "Forgive us for not introducing ourselves." She curtsied, spreading out her dress and bowing slightly, "My name is Aslyn Astaford, personal assistant to Prince Karez, and—"

"Karez Alucard..." The young boy next to the woman greeted Aliester and Magdalene. "The Prince of the Kingdom of Varseil, paying respects to His Majesty King Aliester Hohenzollern."

"Karez...Alucard?"

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At the special guest table prepared by Earl Ventela for Aliester and Magdalene, they invited the two newly met guests to sit together and enjoy some sweet snacks while chatting.

"So, a young prince invited by Earl Ventela as an old friend?" Aliester asked.

"Actually, my father was invited by him. My father, King Karl Alucard, is an old friend of Earl Ventela's from when they attended the noble school together."

"I see. I've never heard of it before. Is King Karl unable to attend tonight?"

"My father is busy handling some issues in our kingdom's border regions, so he sent me and my personal assistant, Lyn, to attend the garden party in Venti."

Aliester didn't respond after hearing the young prince's explanation. He was slightly surprised to learn that Earl Ventela's connections were quite extensive, even reaching neighboring countries.

Moreover, he noticed his little princess looking shocked by the encounter. Magdalene's face flushed with embarrassment, and she couldn't help but think to herself.

"No wonder he seemed different. Turns out he's a noble, no, a prince."

"Doesn't that mean..."

Magdalene imagined what had happened to her earlier. "I accidentally bumped into him, he helped me, just like the main character in a teen comic, and it turns out he has an incredibly high status."

"Isn't this just like a fairy tale?!!!"

The little girl was even more shocked when the prince looked at her and gave a dazzling, sweet smile.

"It's wonderful to meet you, Princess Magdalene."

Blush.

What a lovely encounter at the garden party.