Chapter 70

In fact, the Princess’s birthday banquet was one of Noel’s favorite events.

Because the Princess thought of Noel as an adorable little brother.

On the other hand, the Duke did not look forward to the birthday of the Princess, who was also his niece.

Of course, the Princess herself was innocent.

If one was to be guilty, it would be the Duke’s elder brother.

His Majesty the Great Emperor.

He would arrange a whole array of ‘surprises’ on the Princess’s birthday.

For example, the Emperor had once built a confectionery house large enough to fit a person.

“Is Noel not attending the Princess’s party because of the Princess of Liz?”

“Yes. The master jumped up and denied it.”

Judging from Noel’s actions, it seemed that he had indeed refused to go to the Princess’s birthday party because of Rieta.

On that day, it was Rieta’s birthday as well.

In fact, the Emperor had a proposal for Rieta’s birthday.

“My daughter asked if she could have a birthday party with the Princess of Liz. Isn’t it a wonderful coincidence that the dates are the same?”

“I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Your Majesty.”

“Why? I was planning to order a big, fancy cake for the Princess!”

“Your Majesty is going to use the excuse of being a guardian in order to increase the size of the birthday party.”

For example, procuring something like an even grander confectionary house.

“No way! I just want to properly celebrate the birthday of my niece Princess.”

“How many times must I tell you? The Princess is not your niece.”

“Oh, not yet . . . ?”

“Not ever.”

Recalling the Emperor’s bewildered expression, the Duke clicked his tongue briefly.

And now, he finally asked about Rieta.

“Are you preparing for the Princess’s birthday party?”

More precisely, for Rieta’s upcoming birthday party.

“I’m trying to find out what the Princess likes.”

That would mean that the preparation is going very smoothly.

But there seemed to be some remaining anxiety. The butler paused for a moment.

“Are there any difficulties?”

“Yes, there are.”

The butler handed out the letter he had now kept in his arms to the Duke.

“I have sinned. Duke.”

The Duke received the letter from the butler and carefully examined the envelope.

An envelope with the mark of the royal family of the Kingdom of Liz.

The Duke could easily recognize the troubles the butler had to bear during the day.

“What of the Princess?”

“She’s asleep.”

“We don’t have to deliver this letter right now.”

After speaking those words, the Duke was temporarily relieved.

* * *

But, by the next day, there was really no way he could delay sending the letter.

After much thought, the Duke directly entered Rieta’s room.

“Princess.”

As soon as he greeted her politely, Rieta also lightly nodded her head.

She naturally followed with words suggesting a seat

“You have completely mastered etiquette.”

“The teacher taught me well.”

“I think you have become more accustomed to the Imperial language.”

“If I panic, I’ll mess up again.”

It was a little difficult to deliver the letter directly to the bashful smiling child.

But he couldn’t put it off any longer, so he sent the letter straight away.

“Oh.”

Before the Duke could say anything, a sad voice came out of Rieta’s mouth.

“Ah . . . Thank you for telling me.”

Soon, two small hands politely took the letter.

Now it was the Duke’s turn to let go of the letter.

But somehow he didn’t want to let the envelope out of his hand.

For a moment, a strange confrontation ensued, with the two holding letters from both sides.

In the end, the Duke had no choice but to let go.

Rieta looked at the envelope.

Under the familiar pattern of the kingdom, there were stamps she had never seen before.

. . . Oh?

The postage stamp price had gone up a lot.

Rieta remembered some of the people she had been with in the kingdom.

For those who worked in the Royal Capital, far away from their family, their only pleasure was to write letters to their close ones whenever they had time.

I wonder if the number of times they could deliver those letters has decreased.

Not everyone was earning a generous salary just because they worked in the Royal Capital.

Rieta had a somewhat ominous feeling.

Just as the cost of the postage stamps had risen, maybe the letter contained unpleasant news as well.

She carefully removed the seal and opened the flap.

When she opened the envelope, the first thing she saw was cash.

. . . Money?

Rieta was puzzled and took it out first.

She counted and found that there was quite a bit of cash.

What’s going on?

Even when Rieta first came to the Empire, she hadn’t been given this much money.

Rieta placed the cash on the table and drew out the letter again.

The Duke watched Rieta carefully to make sure that no shadow casted upon her face as she read the letter.

Had she even noticed his concerns?