“Stop talking nonsense, and while cleaning up, start to gather the encampment as well. It seems like time to end this expedition.”

When the awaited words came from Vlady’s mouth, not only Balter but also the faces of the soldiers around them brightened noticeably.

“In two days, I will lead the entire army back to the capital.”

(This is a time divider.)

The news that the expeditionary force was returning arrived at Rose Palace the next afternoon.

“Finally, the Lord is coming back! It feels like half a year has passed, time flies so fast.”

“The royal palace will be noisy. I wonder what gifts will be given this time?”

I swallowed a large spoonful of custard pudding, watching the maids who were gathered and talking excitedly.

‘Giving spoils to ordinary palace people too, that’s quite fascinating.’

They were all quite valuable things, so the palace people were all waiting for this moment.

The difference was sky and earth compared to the empire that recouped everything obtained from conflicts or wars to the national treasury.

‘It must be one of the political means to maintain public sentiment.’

If it were an interstate dispute, they would confiscate land and wealth for profit, but the nature of the expedition to annihilate the monster legion was different.

Sending expeditionary forces regularly consumed enormous military expenses and manpower, and this must have been a significant burden on my father.

Hence, distributing the acquired spoils for free to win the hearts of the people, and giving rewards and medals to the noble families to provide them with actual benefits and honor.

Even for vampires who instinctively devoted loyalty to the Lord, in a systematic nation, they had to care for these minute details just like humans.

I was thinking such thoughts and put the springy pudding in my mouth once more when it happened.

Knock, knock, with the sound of a knock, a welldressed knight opened the door and entered.

“Excuse me for a moment. Is that Her Highness Bella Akkad Tzepes?”

“……Yes, but what business do you have without any notice? As you know, this place is in a state of prohibition against external entry.”

Sione stood in front of me, her face like a warning to him.

It seemed she was quite angry at the rudeness of the man who came suddenly and tried to confirm the royalty’s status first.

“I am Michael, a member of the Royal Knights. I came to deliver a letter sent by the Lord.”

“The Lord, a letter to Her Highness……?”

“Yes. It’s a somewhat urgent matter, so I apologize for visiting suddenly. Confirming Her Highness’s status was just a procedural matter, I hope you don’t find it too offensive.”

Sione’s face showed a surprising look as she opened the envelope handed over by the man who responded in a stiff tone.

“It’s an invitation to the royal hosted ball. Then…… Is there any word that you will cancel the closure of Rose Palace?”
“That is not the case. As you know, it is customary for all the royalty to participate in the celebration of the expedition’s return. Princess Bella had a prophecy from the Lord to participate.”

“……I see. Thank you.”

Of course, the greeting was nothing more than a superficial formality.

That was because Sione’s disappointed face seemed to say, should I be grateful for this?

“Then I will take my leave now. I have to deliver invitations to other palaces and noble families.”

“It’s been a while since the royal banquet, a lot of people will gather.”

“Yes. Not only the capital but also prominent nobles from other regions, I heard that there are hundreds of invitees. It seems like it will be a very largescale banquet.”

The kindly explained brownhaired knight bowed to me and Sione and left the palace.

Unlike Sione, who was lost in thought, others who heard the unexpected news were all delighted.

“A banquet hosted by the Lord! I wonder how long it has been. I’m really looking forward to it!”

“It’s also the first time Princess Bella formally appears before people. Oh my! I need to order new dresses and jewels quickly. You’re excited, aren’t you, Princess Bella?”

“Huh? Ah, sure.”

My hesitant reply was followed by glancing down at my clothes and shoes.

The highquality silk toddler dress and the shiny leather shoes were more than enough for the retired princess, but the people around me didn’t seem to think so.

‘A banquet. Honestly, I’m not up for it…’

Of course, I knew the time would come for me to appear before people, but it was not the right time.

Although I had grown a little taller thanks to eating and sleeping well, I was still tiny.

‘That’s not the only problem.’

My short tongue made my pronunciation leak, and because of my chronic lack of magical power, I had to be careful all the time, so it was hard to see it as the right time for my first appearance.

Since I wanted to wait a little longer to show a perfect appearance, I felt a bit disappointed.

“Then, do I really have to go?”

When I showed signs of reluctance, the surprised Rosa bent her knee with an apologetic expression.

“Oh, I didn’t know you disliked it, and we were too excited. I’m sorry, Princess Bella.”

“No, it’s okay. But, can I just not go there?”

“If a royal member wants to abstain, you have to send a representative of a similar status. But right now, there’s no one in Rose Palace to do so…….”

Rosa, trailing off, glanced at Sione.

It seemed she was worried about indirectly saying that I was a princess with nowhere to lean.

Sure enough, the expected answer immediately popped out of the annoyed Sione’s mouth.

“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to. Such a royal command, I’ll somehow take care of it…….”

When Sione tried to defy the royal command again, I quickly changed my words, raising my hands in panic.

“No, no! Wow, I really want to go. Wearing a beautiful dress, I’m really looking forward to it!”