As dancing became tiring, the sound of bells, like water, began to intersect from all directions.

It was a signal to announce the host of the banquet.

“The Lord is entering. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”

The steward’s voice echoed throughout the hall, and the atmosphere around changed in an instant.

The space, which was heated by people’s warmth just a moment ago, now felt as cold as a winter lake.

So still, you could even hear people’s breaths, and finally, Dad appeared.

‘Wow, he’s still so cool and handsome. Our dad.’

Seeing Dad after a long time, he was wearing a perfectly fitting white uniform.

His appearance was so stunning that even without any accessories and wearing all white, it was dazzling.

The Road’s family crest was embroidered small on the left chest, so it seemed like the Lord’s official attire.

“Now, lift your heads.”

Awkwardly preparing myself and standing up, I saw that Sione had returned to my side instead of Cain.

“You were with Earl Fernan earlier. He didn’t say anything strange, did he?”

“Huh? No…… nothing happened?”

“Don’t pay attention to that young one’s words, even if you meet him again. Especially anything related to the future.”

Ah, Sione already knows.

That little devil, who hides his tail on his butt, is my betrothed.

‘Engagement, what the hell. I won’t do that in this life.’

Having suffered once in my previous life, I had no intention to fall into strategic marriage.

When I grow up, I’ll love all I want, and then think about a man I like.

‘What’s the point of thinking about this already…….’

Unexpected appearance of a betrothed started to give me a headache as I planned my future.

I didn’t even care about my dad, who looked like a picture on the stage.

“Shall we sit somewhere comfortable, Bella? The Lord has arrived, so we can go to the royal family’s exclusive seats.”

“Yeah, I want to rest.”

Worn out from being bothered by people and dancing with Cain, I gladly accepted and followed Sione.

She led me to a special place underneath the stage where Dad was, reserved for the direct royal family.

“Quiet, please. The Lord will now praise the efforts of those who participated in this expedition.”

The indoor atmosphere became solemn, and the courtier holding parchment called the names and families one by one.

Among them, there were names I recognized.
Wilhelm Akkad Tzepes. Despite it being his first deployment, he was awarded for annihilating a unit of monsters with outstanding leadership. He is encouraged to continue doing well.

“Thank you, Lord.”

The stiff and formal greeting, devoid of any familiar terms like father or son, ended, and Wilhelm turned around.

For a moment our eyes met, and I hastily swallowed my saliva.

‘Why does that child look so fierce?’

The thirteenyearold boy, with his wellshaped body and black hair tossed to the side, had bright red eyes just like his father.

His slightly pinkish complexion was in sharp contrast to mine, and his cold, hardened face was so devoid of life that I could barely sense any vitality in it.

‘Aside from his hair color, he seems to have taken more after his father.’

My father and I almost had the same silver hair. Both Luca and Wilhelm seemed to have been heavily influenced by the maternal side of the family.

But in Wilhelm’s case, it was a little different.

I guess he had inherited his father’s dry expression and chilly feeling, which made him seem devoid of emotion.

Our eyes met for just a few seconds, and during that brief moment, many thoughts passed through my mind. Wilhelm, who perfectly ignored me without even a glance, sat next to a woman with a calm appearance.

‘Is that woman Charlotte, the head of the Repel family?’

As Cain had subtly told me, her first impression didn’t seem so malicious.

She didn’t seem to have the bad character to send an assassin to her former husband’s daughter.

‘But you never know with people.’

No one can know what kind of dirty deeds a person with such an honest face might be doing behind the scenes.

‘It seems to be wrapping up slowly.’

Luca, who seemed to have been scolded by Reira, looked defeated, rubbing his behind without even raising his head. Wilhelm, whom I thought I might be able to exchange greetings with, was no longer even looking in my direction.

With the boring ceremonies like the awarding of medals and the announcement of spoils over, all that was left was to slowly clean up.

“Dione, shall we go back soon? I’m sleepy.”

“Let’s leave a little later. When the Lord leaves, we can follow.”

Was she trying to at least maintain basic courtesy?

I frowned as much as I could at my father, who was nearby but didn’t come to say a word, and simply sat obediently.

In fact, there was nothing else I could do yet.

‘I’m angry…….’

Next time I attend a banquet, I hope I’m taller, and can speak more clearly.

Then I’ll tell my father properly.

Don’t live your life like that, pay attention to your only daughter.

‘Ugh, I’m sleepy to death.’

Maybe because I had the most intense day lately, my eyes were closing on their own, and I felt like I might have to be carried back to the palace by Dione.

I struggled not to doze off, looking around the now more relaxed hall.

While still a considerable number of people were leisurely enjoying the atmosphere, those who had a particularly long way to return were sneakily glancing at the exit, playing the waiting game.

‘When is my father going back?!’

As I was enduring the situation by pinching my thigh to maintain the dignity of the youngest royalty, a long shadow was cast in front of me.

A person I had not anticipated at all revealed himself.