Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: The Day of the Banquet
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"Oh, is that a pen?"
"Yeth."
"I heard you were taking lessons from Kasana. Have you learned to write already?"
"Ailing can write Daddy's name now. Lookie."
"My name?"
I pressed the pen down firmly, and black ink flowed out smoothly.
As I wrote Kaide's name, one letter at a time, a soft "Hoh" of admiration escaped him.
"Did you learn this today?"
"Uh-huh. I asked Kasa to teach me."
"So you came here to show off."
Kaide patted my head, looking proud.
Pleased with the praise, I beamed.
"It's rewarding to teach you. You bring me something new every time you learn."
"Did Ailing do a good job?"
"You did very well."
Kaide took the paper with his name on it, stroking his chin with a satisfied expression.
* * *
Finally, the day of the banquet arrived.
Today, they would announce to everyone that I was the youngest daughter of the family.
I sat at a vanity with a large mirror, getting all dolled up.
I had been sitting there for hours already, but I could bear it easily.
Today, I was going to be prettier than anyone else!
Fortunately, Madame Seri had sent the banquet dress just in time, so the preparations could proceed at a leisurely pace.
"Wosawia. Ailing is so nervous."
"You needn't worry so much. Everyone will be by your side, Lady Aileen."
"Everyone?"
"Yes. The lord and the young masters will be beside you, and all the family members attending the banquet will be there as well."
Rosaria, who was brushing my hair, smiled brightly at my reflection in the mirror.
Her reassuring words seemed to ease my nerves a little.
"Uh-huh. Then Ailing won't be nervous at all."
"That's right. There's no need to be nervous. Shall we have you stand up for a moment, Lady Aileen?"
"Otay."
I carefully climbed down from the high chair.
In truth, the preparations had been finished this morning; what Rosaria was doing now was just a final check before the banquet.
I looked awkwardly at my reflection in the mirror, still not used to the sight.
My hair was braided and coiled into a bun on top of my head, while heat-curled sidelocks swayed beside my cheeks.
A beautifully pleated, butterfly-shaped ribbon adorned the chest of the dress, and the skirt flared out toward the bottom for ease of movement.
I was now staring into the mirror, completely captivated.
The pink dress, with its charming lace, was even prettier than I had imagined.
"Wosawia."
"Yes, Lady Aileen."
"Ailing is a pwintheth. I'm a pwintheth now."
As I spoke with sparkling eyes, Rosaria chuckled softly and brought over a headband that was on the table.
The headband, adorned with a fluffy white flower, was gently placed on my head.
"And now we're really finished. All that's left is to go see your friends!"
"Yay! Fwiends!"
"It might be cold, so shall we put on your cape?"
"Uh-huh!"
The banquet was to be held indoors, but worried that the sleeveless dress might be chilly, Madame Seri had also sent a cape.
Only after putting on white stockings and a pair of round-toed white shoes was I finally ready to go.
"Shall we go see the lord, Lady Aileen? You'll be entering the banquet with him."
"Uh-huh. Otay."
Holding Rosaria's hand, I fiddled with the tails of the ribbon on my chest as we headed to where Kaide was.
*Knock, knock.*
"My lord, it is Rosaria."
"Enter."
When we opened the door, we saw Kaide dressed in a black suit. The white tie with its luxurious gold embroidery and the perfectly tailored suit suited him to a tee.
Kaide, who was looking in the mirror while putting on white gloves, tilted his head and lowered his gaze as I approached.
I couldn't help but gasp at the sight.
"Wow. Daddy looks so handthome."
"Handsome?"
"Uh-huh! The most handthome in the whole world!"
As I exclaimed loudly, the attendants helping Kaide began to chime in.
"The young lady seems to adore the lord."
"She really does! How much do you like the lord, Young Lady?"
Kaide seemed to be waiting for my answer. I smiled brightly.
"Daddy is the bestest in the whole world!"
"Oh my. So the lord is number one?"
"Uh-huh! Daddy gives Ailing an allowance, and he sent Kasa, and he's raising me, and..."
Listing them one by one, the reasons were countless. As my list grew, the corners of Kaide's impassive mouth curved up in satisfaction.
I smiled along with him.
Baon entered amidst the cheerful atmosphere.
"My lord."
"Hm?"
"It is time to attend the banquet. Everyone is waiting."
"What about Set and Arban?"
Come to think of it, I hadn't seen Set and Arban.
Weren't they coming with us?
"The two of them are waiting in front of the banquet hall."
"I see."
It seemed they had finished getting ready early and had gone on ahead.
Kaide looked at me, noticing my slight nervousness, and said,
"When the banquet begins, you'll be able to introduce yourself in front of everyone without getting nervous, won't you?"
"I can do it."
"That's my girl."
Kaide held out his hand. I grasped it tightly. The trembling seemed to subside.
"Well then, I hope you have a wonderful time at the banquet, Lady Aileen."
"Isn't Wosawia coming with us?"
I looked back quizzically at Rosaria, who had taken a step back and was bowing.
I had assumed she was coming with us, of course.
"It would be a problem if too many people from one particular family attended. I'll be cheering for you from somewhere out of sight."
"Oh... okay, Wosawia. See you later."
"Yes."
It was a shame, but it couldn't be helped.
Leaving Rosaria behind, I headed for the East Wing with Kaide.
Kaide, who had been matching my leisurely pace, spoke up.
"I've also prepared toy gifts at the entrance to the banquet hall."
"Weally?"
"Yes. You can check when we get there."
"Let's huwwy!"
Eager to see them, I quickened my pace. I hoped everyone would like them.
As we passed through the corridor connecting to the East Wing, I saw the lobby and garden bustling with people I'd never seen before.
Some were dressed in styles completely different from those in the south, and others had entirely different auras about them.
I was marveling at the sights as we passed through the crowd when someone approached Kaide in greeting.
He was a very striking man.
"Lord Astrofel, isn't it? It has been a long time."
"It has."
"It seems you've put a great deal of effort into this banquet. My child was delighted with the gift."
"Is that so? I'm glad. For the record, it was her idea."
"Her...?"
As Kaide indicated me, the man, who had a large white fur draped over his arm, turned his head in my direction.
It was my turn to be introduced.
I took a deep breath and spoke as clearly as I could.
"Hewwo. I'm Ailing."
"...Ailing?"
"It's Ailing. ...Ailing."
Oh no. My face fell. Despite my confident start, my pronunciation was the real challenge.
I repeated my name several times to correct him, but the result was the same.
Seeing my crestfallen expression, the man finally seemed to understand and spoke.
"Are you perhaps trying to say Aileen?"
"Yeth! Ailing!"
As I nodded and smiled brightly, the man's eyes widened. Then he burst out laughing.
"And who is this adorable child, Lord Astrofel?"
"She's my daughter."
"Oh? I thought you had two heirs."
I could feel the people gathered in the garden and lobby subtly turning their attention toward us.
They looked particularly intrigued when they saw me.
As I stealthily hid behind Kaide, the man, who had been glancing at me, had a twinkle in his eye.
He seemed curious about my existence.
"There are three. She is the first daughter to be born to the Astrofel family in fifty years."
"I see."
"Well, the banquet is about to begin, so I hope you enjoy yourselves."
Kaide signaled the end of the conversation. But the man didn't leave, and I could feel his stare, so I just peeked my head out.
Our eyes met for a few seconds before the man murmured in a voice full of envy.
"...A daughter is quite different, I see. I am Hoshit of the Fox Clan. If you ever visit the West, do let me know, Lady Aileen."
I nodded in agreement without thinking, and Hoshit smiled brightly before disappearing into the banquet hall.
I placed a hand over my pounding heart.
Good. I did it without getting nervous. I just have to keep this up!
Following Kaide to the entrance of the banquet hall, I saw Set and Arban waiting, handsomely dressed in their own suits.