CH 39

“Now that His Grace has returned, we plan to expand the coal mining business in the Delis estate to the north. We need to inform the central system that Vallois is moving in earnest.”

“Yes. The most important thing is to restore Vallois’ reputation, which has been deteriorating lately. So…”

Dizzyㅡ

Gold. Flowers. Food.

It was to the point where my eyes were swirling at the extravagant party.

Living as the daughter of a villain, I was used to parties like this, but this time it was different.

In my last life, I lived neglected.

In fact, in Billishia’s life, I had never participated in a party.

I died when I was 19, and before that, I was alone.

‘As expected, it’s gorgeous.’

The banquet was bustling with life.

It was thanks to the vassal families still remaining in Vallois Castle.

They freely roamed the hall and informed the nobles of Vallois’ revival.

However, I was a little anxious.

I held Dad’s hand tightly and looked up at him.

‘The assassination case hasn’t even been finished yet.’

Can we have a regular banquet?

At that time.

“Except for the hall, the guard level has been raised to the highest level.”

“While enjoying the party, inspect the rooms of each head of household so as not to be seen. If something happens, report it right away.”

“Yes.”

Agasa muttered like a ventriloquist, and when his eyes met mine, he smiled.

He disappeared like a shadow.

‘As expected. It could have been dangerous to hold a banquet like this when the assassin appeared, but I’ve thought about it all.’

I mean, my Dad has plans!

“Ahem!”

Somehow proud to be Cassis’s daughter, I put my cotton fist on my waist.

“I’m greeting Your Grace. Hello, Princess.”

“Uncle Candy?”

A huge black figure charged at us from afar.

The figure who approached us with a relaxed smile was Viscount Candice of the Swittie family.

“That strawberry fountain is so cool.”

“…It’s a banquet for my daughter.”

A triumphant low tone flowed from the top of my head.

And Dad’s hand was gently placed on my shoulder.

“The flowers at the banquet here are the color of her eyes, and that strawberry cream fountain is also her favorite, so you can see it as her idea.”

Cassis, who boasted as if he got 100 points on a test, silently continued.

“Holding a banquet after the appearance of an assassin is an act of showing off the strength of Vallois. My daughter thought of everything.”

Right, Billie?

He, who created his daughter’s heroic narrative in seconds, touched my cheek with his thumb.

‘My Dad is good at lying.’

Well, what else. What’s good is good.

“Of course!”

As I shamelessly nodded, the Viscount’s eyes widened.

He clapped as hard as he could with his thick palms, as if it was beyond his imagination, given the fact that I was a 5-year-old princess.

Clap, clap, clapㅡ  

“…To think it was the Princess who held the banquet. This regular banquet is gratefully treated.”

The more I see this guy, the more I like him.

“It’s because Uncle responded well.”

Viscount Candice was especially grateful to me.

Even at the regular meeting, he relaxed the atmosphere well, and in conclusion, when the vassals were paying attention to my opinion, he voted in favor first.

‘I want to express my gratitude. There’s no point in giving my allowance to a head of a family.’

“Wait, Uncle.”

“Yes?”

“Billie?”

Stepping between the two heads of the families, I clutched my hand into the candy basket near the strawberry cream fountain.

‘Since his name is Candice, he must like candy, right?’

Run, runㅡ  

I handed out an armful of candies to the Viscount with two small fists.

Red, orange, green, and blue.

It’s specially brought in various flavors.

“It’s a gift!”

“For me?”

Surprised by my words, he pointed his finger at himself.

A few vassals around even glanced at us.

Maybe they saw us by chance while trying to find the right time to talk to Dad.

And Cassis, who was next to the Viscount, too.

Glareㅡ

I fixed my laser-like gaze on the candies in my palm.

“I don’t have anything right now. I want to give you candies as a present!”

“Princess!”

I smiled and handed out candies.

The Viscount, who received the candies that were overflowing in my hand at once, got his lips hanging near his ears.

(read: he grins widely)

‘Hmm, the reaction is pretty good?’

At the reaction that was better than expected, I glanced at the other vassals.

My 5-year-old self has nothing to do.

There would be nothing wrong with leaving a good impression on the heads of families in advance.

‘Just in case? Maybe I’ll get some help later.’

“Please take good care of me from now on!”

I nodded my head in anticipation of the soybean flour (unexpected profit) that would fall in the not-so-distant future.

Viscount Candice’s smiling face turned pale for an instant.

Zap!

It was time to cross the center of the hall towards the other heads of families after completing their duties.

“Give it to me.”

“Pardon me?”

“Give me what my daughter gave you.”

‘…What’s going on?’

An atmosphere like someone ripping others off.

“…No way. With Dad standing there with his eyes open, would the heads of families do such childish things among themselves?”

It won’t be a big deal.

Ignoring the noise behind my back, I held out a bowl of cookies to the other heads of families.

“I was grateful at the regular meeting.”

“Oh my, Princess!”

“Are you giving it to us too? These are cookies with the Vallois family engraved on them.”

It was a group of vassals who had been watching us from earlier.

“Yes! Please take care of me from now on.”

At my words, the corners of the lips of the vassals went up and accepted the cookies.

“See you next time!”

There were still many vassals to present desserts to.

Run, runㅡ  

After hastily lifting the hem of my dress to say hello.

I ran to the other vassals.

“Give me the cookie.”

“…Your Grace. If it’s a cookie, there are many…”

“Give it to me.”

“Hiiik!”

‘…I keep hearing a buzz behind my back…’

Feeling strange, I turned around.

Yet all I could see from afar was Dad and the vassals conversing peacefully.

Hmm. Is it because of the mood?

‘This time, let’s greet the nobles I’ve never seen before.’

The moment I turned my head.

Swooshㅡ

Waves of blonde light swayed in my field of vision that expanded in surprise.

As if I was possessed, I turned my gaze in the direction of the wave.

Following my gaze, it was a woman’s hair.

Light blue dress.

Her blonde hair, almost white, shone in contrast with the purple banquet of Vallois.

Her appearance was like an angel announcing the beginning of spring in a graceful winter.

Sniff, sniff.

‘What is this nice scent? Is it the scent of freesia?’

Wasn’t it just me who felt that way?

Several nobles around me were staring at the woman with dazed eyes.

I don’t know where she came from, but there was no doubt that she was a noble whose frame was thick.

‘I like a pretty sister.’

The next main character of the candies present is that sister!

Blinking my bright eyes, I ran to move my plan right away.

“It’s the first Vallois banquet in five years, so of course I should come.”

Whoa. Her voice is also beautiful.

Luxurious mid-bass.

Run, runㅡ    

I was getting closer and closer to the sister.

“!”

When I saw the woman stretching herself with a smile, my whole body froze.

“I’m greeting Her Imperial Majesty the Empress.”

“It’s all welcoming faces.”

The identity of the pretty sister is the mother of the female lead.

She was Empress Isilis.

***

The treatment room.

Bang!

Sian, who was breaking something with the scabbard, hurriedly hid the piece under the bed.

“Phew.”

Normally, the servants didn’t come at this time, though.

The people of Vallois didn’t know that he was carrying a dagger.

“…”

As he hurriedly pretended to lie down on the bed, the footsteps of the servants passing by the door of the treatment room became faint.

“Phew.”

He let out a small sigh and wriggled down onto the bed.

His thoughts completely changed after he was treated by Billishia.

‘I like Billie.’

Although he didn’t know exactly what ‘like’ means.

[If it hurts a lot, would you like some painkillers? Uncle Doctor had prepared medicine in advance in case you’re in pain.]

It was nice of her to worry about him in a mysterious way.

[I like you, but why do you keep lying? You’re really annoying!]

He also liked that Billie was honest with her feelings.

[I will take responsibility. Promise.]

She even said that she would take responsibility for him.

When she handed him her little finger, he thought his heart would explode.

Sian had more and more reasons to like Billishia.

Now he could give ten reasons without even counting one or two on his fingers.

The thought deepened in Sian’s dark eyes.

I even got the urge to tear up the slave documents that were traded for 5,000 gold.

“…But I can’t do that now.”

First of all, he intended to work as a servant in Vallois, just as Billishia said.

And now that Vallois is wary of the Kingdom of Law.

Sian gathered the broken pieces of iron with the scabbard in earnest.

A curved shape.

A winding figure.

When the seven pieces were put together like a puzzle, it became the shape of a rose with thorns.

It was the crest symbol of the ‘Law’ Kingdom.

[What is it! If you, such a kind person, are from the Law Kingdom, of course you’re welcome!]

He could still see Billishia’s big smile on her face.

At that time, Sian was so captivated by her laughter that he almost spit out his origin.

It was like that even now.

Yet Sian wasn’t stupid enough to reveal that he was an assassin.

So he had to give hints bit by bit.

Without anyone noticing.

Just enough for Billishia to understand.

‘Because I will be with Billie for the rest of my life. I can’t lie any more.’

Sian was going to give her each of the chopped pieces.

When all seven pieces are collected.

Billie, unable to overcome her curiosity, can solve the puzzle alone in her bedroom.

Vallois was said to be the four largest families.

At the very least, if they find out that Sian is from the ‘Law’ Kingdom, Vallois will soon find out who is behind him.

‘That the person who traded me into slavery for 5,000 gold was Empress Isilis.’

“…Did you hear that? At this banquet…”

The voices of the servants were heard from outside the door again.

It was when he hurriedly put the pieces of iron into his pocket.

“Her Imperial Majesty the Empress attended the Vallois Banquet?”

“That’s right. I want to see the real thing at least once while pretending to be an attendant…”

“Empress?”

“Slave, where are you going!”

Sian, who subconsciously responded to the word ‘Empress’, stormed out of the door and ran out.

Billishia was in danger.