To My Beloved, I Present My Exquisite Nightmare (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 71

While Laila went to the library, Eustar had a light lunch as he received Himiard’s report regarding Od’s birthday celebration.

The bread puffed up on the hot cast-iron pan carried a savory yet sweet aroma of butter, and the creamy stew made with freshwater clams—caught only in winter—warmed his belly.

“The palace department’s budget deliberation concluded today, Your Highness. It is somewhat larger than usual. I shall inform the Minister of Administration to send you a summary.”

“There was no real need to inflate the scale.”

Himiard stared at Eustar as if questioning his sincerity.

“That wouldn’t be possible. This is the first birthday celebration of His Majesty the King since Your Highness’s marriage. Nobles wielding influence from every region will gather at the royal palace, and now that news of Your Highness’s marriage has spread, even more will attend. The palace department took this into account when setting the budget.”

Eustar gave a brief nod, swirling his spoon lightly through the stew.

He had no particular desire to draw Laila into others’ attention, but for an event of this magnitude—unlike smaller gatherings—it would be difficult, as Marchioness Himiard had said, to avoid becoming the center of attention during the King’s first birthday celebration after his marriage.

Marchioness Himiard spoke.

“However…”

She let her sentence trail off. Eustar, who had just lifted a spoonful of stew toward his mouth, lowered it and looked at Himiard.

“However?”

“It remains uncertain whether His Majesty will be able to attend the birthday celebration.”

Eustar blinked, set down his spoon, and leaned back against the chair with a short sigh. Himiard couldn’t hide the bitterness she felt upon seeing the worry clouding his face.

Eustar said,

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