Chapter 96

We retrieved the holy relics and holy water and arrived at the Imperial Palace. In the Imperial Palace, it is forbidden to use magic for unauthorized purposes unless it is a special matter. So we arrived at the Imperial Palace and were heading to the reception hall as if we were walking together.

Walking comfortably with Isaac, I gave Dominic a short telegram.

'Dominic, can you come in the middle of the reception?' 'Yes, it's almost over.'

It was faster than expected. I thought it would take quite a while to organize the villa and collect suspicious things. I'm glad he was efficient. I was going to take time to celebrate separately with Dominic. Still, I hoped he could attend my reception.

"You can come at any time in the middle, I'll tell you in advance."

'Okay. I want to eat dessert, so make sure you eat everything else in advance!'

When I heard Dominic's words, I laughed. While the sound was blown several times, we reached the front of the reception hall.

Before that, I gave Isaac a brief word. "Before I go in, first of all, I'm sorry that I haven't been able to tell you exactly about Dominic's identity so far."

Isaac was probably surprised by this incident. He had never been told for sure about Dominic's identity. But Isaac simply shook his head.

"You don't have to be sorry. I had some guesses." I shook my head.

However, Isaac concluded the conversation succinctly. "Dominic had a glimpse of the flow of ancient magic."

As soon as he finished speaking, the gatekeepers guarding the gates of the huge villa at the right time briefly inspected our clothes.

"Rather, I know that you and Dominic are simply contractors…" Isaac smiled mischievously, whispering in a passing tone. "I feel fortunate."

"…?"

"I was worried the whole time."

Isaac said lightly, but I didn't know what that meant, and my face turned red on its own. Just as I was about to slow down and ask what exactly that meant.

"It's all here."

We arrived at the reception hall. In front of the large gate, the knights stood with grim faces.

I probably went to play the game, and everyone here knows.

I swallowed what I was about to say and said to him with a sad face. "Shall we go in and eat first?" To fight against the axis of evil, you must eat first.

He smiled softly and held my hand as if escorting me. "Yes." The fingertips that were clasped were warm.

When the guards opened the door, the front door began to open with a squeak. However, the reception hall, which should have been gorgeously decorated, was dark.

…Why is it so dark?

The interior was black without any lighting. It felt like my eyes were covered by a dark eye patch.

The people I invited should be seated.

In an instant, an ominous imagination passed by.

Could it be that evil Duke Hesmann plotted to steal our Mirisa…

I quickly ran into the door and started walking. Isaac also walked in step beside me, supporting me in the middle so that I wouldn't fall. In a matter of seconds, all kinds of bad imaginations flooded his mind, and Isaac said:

"Just in case, it won't be strange."

"Then what's going on?" I replied in a sharp tone.

And as soon as I finished speaking, the candles around me lit up one by one and illuminated the hall. In an instant, it brightened up as if a large light bulb had come in. In front of me, I saw a huge rectangular-shaped table. And the Emperor and Empress sitting on the top seat, and the Second Prince Cassian and Axion sitting on the left. Princess Mirisa, Carat, Henry, Hailey Young-ae, and Moodsela Young-ae… Among the people I invited to the award ceremony, people who were special to me were gathered here.

"…I see His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and the two suns of the Empire."

With a puzzled expression, I bowed to the Emperor, and Axion jumped up.

"Mel!"

Axion, holding a cake as big as his body in both hands, squeezed over and stood in front of me.

"…Axion?"

"Congratulations on becoming a Marquis, Mel! This surprise party was conceived and planned by me! You were surprised, huh?" The child's cheeks were flushed. I looked down at the cake, which was too big for the child, and then I lowered my head and made eye contact with Axion.

"Did you prepare it for me?"

"Yes! I had a hard time preparing something as unique as Mel!" Axion shuddered.

Then, at the table, Henry raised his hand and whispered. "Carat and I did it!" Henry tried his best to appeal to himself. His short, chubby arms swayed vigorously on the table, asserting themselves.

In the meantime, Mirisa got up and came to my side, handed me a fork and smiled. "Try it, sister!"

I nodded, picked up my fork and took a bite of the cake. As soon as the sweet cream flavor touched the tip of my tongue, I chewed on the soft cake sheet. It was a sweet taste that made me feel good.

The problem was the following.

"Close your eyes, Mel!"

"I wanted to make it like cotton candy in a happy dream, but it was difficult. What do you think?"

"Yes, I'll close my eyes and taste it."

I slowly closed my eyes, savoring the taste of the cake. My heart began to pound and quicken. I felt like I was under a spell that made me feel better. There was no illusion magic, and it didn't increase magic, but it felt very special. A smile appeared on the corner of my mouth.

If there was a problem, it was one.

…This cake had a strange taste, right?

I feel better, but it tastes a little bitter like mugwort at the end.

I wondered why the cake tasted bitter. However, when I thought of the sincerity that the children had prepared, I couldn't bear to drop my mouth.

At that moment, I heard Henry speaking in a very excited voice. "We made a cake and put a potion in it that makes you energetic! But it was difficult!"

Oh, it was because they put a potion of happiness in it. Carat took Henry's words and continued happily.

"The effect of the potion of joy lasts about five minutes."

When I opened my eyes, I smiled at the two children waiting in front of me with excited faces.

"It's so good!" I put down my fork and said goodbye to Henry and Carat and thanked them. Then I stretched both the cheeks of Axion and Mirisa in front of me. "It tasted better than cotton candy in a happy dream."

Mirisa laughed and dyed her cheeks red. "It's not a big deal, sister."

"Thank you all very much." I didn't expect these cute little ones to come up with a touching event for me.

I was seated at the table with the children and Isaac. The Emperor, who looked like a bear, warmly addressed me.

"Yes, sit down. I've been waiting. There are so many things I want to ask you." It was probably a topic related to Dominic. I seriously answered. "Oh, yes, I'll tell you anything."

This time, the Empress spoke. "I was surprised to see the video." It seems that she also witnessed all of my actions in it. The Empress continued, biting her tongue. "But when will the hero come? Why can't I see him…"

Dominic was currently collecting items left behind by the adulterous couple at the villa, but I couldn't tell them the whole story. So I decided to come up with a suitable excuse.

"My contractor says he will come soon. He told me to eat at least a simple appetizer first."

"Oh, yes. Then I'll prepare a meal." The Emperor and Empress looked at each other with a grin. Most of the people present had smiles on their lips.

I ended my relationship with my family, which was not even like family. And I received warm hospitality from those who did not share a drop of blood with me. However, there was still revenge to be had, and it was a self-evident reality that turmoil would soon hit my stationery store. Lennox, Sheria, and the dark side that might be behind them would surely fight back. I had to prepare for revenge to catch them right after this time was over.

Could I be happy enough now? Perhaps because I was so happy at this moment, anxiety came over me momentarily.

"You can be happy enough." At that moment, Isaac, who was sitting right next to me, whispered in my ear.

I cast a questioning look at him. "Can I be happy now?"

I'm the type of person whose facial expressions are all on my face, right? I replied, scratching my head awkwardly.

"Let's be happy as much as we can on happy days, right?" He smiled faintly at the corner of his mouth. The languid impression on his smile only felt affectionate.

"Yes, I will continue to be happy every day."

How can you guarantee that? I was about to ask, but suddenly I smelled a sweet scent on the tip of my nose. While we were having a simple conversation, the appetizer began to come up on the table. He laughed hesitantly as he looked at the food that came out, and he whispered in a low voice.

"You will be happy every day."

It was like a spell.

"Thank you." I nodded at him and replied.

But suddenly, I felt someone's gaze. When I looked up, it was Cassian. Cassian's eyes really touched me.

I thought I wouldn't be able to attend because I was busy, but he came.

I gave him a short wink and smiled. His face stiffened for a moment when he met my smiling face.

What is it? Is my smile weird…

Or do you think you have an awkward relationship with me?

I've heard a lot about Cassian, so it's not too awkward.

I smiled at him again. Then his expression became even more seriously stiff.

That man, the tips of his ears seem to be strangely sticking up, but is it my mistake?

However, there was no time to focus more on Cassian. It was so cute that Axion, who was sitting diagonally opposite, opened his mouth wide and put his hands to the corner of my mouth!