The Princess Imprint A Traitor - Chapter 33. A Toast to Sisterhood in the Belladonna's Poisoned Cup (6)

“How are Yuka’s relationships with his peers?”

“Ah, well…”

Eve’s eyes flickered as Kalis showed a hint of embarrassment.

“There were some who tried to bully him, but they’re gone now.”

“Gasp. Don’t tell me Yuka…?”

“No. His Highness is being careful in everything he does so as not to bring shame upon Your Highness. I understand he has also built quite a rapport with the noble children of his age.”

Not knowing whether to believe him, Eve didn’t interrupt, wanting to hear the important details quickly.

“Then what happened?”

“The group that was bullying him was caught frequenting the ‘Masked Gambling Den.’ Thanks to that, the disciplinary committee was activated, and it was quite a commotion.”

“Ah, I see.”

Eve, understanding, finally felt relieved. Around that time, Alvin, showing interest in the conversation, chimed in.

“Isn’t the Gnosis Academy a place where the children of prestigious families gather? A student there frequenting a gambling den? This is a huge scandal.”

“Yes. It’s being hushed up, but rumors will spread soon. And it doesn’t seem like it will die down easily. Quite a few children of high-ranking nobles are involved.”

“Did you find out who they are?”

“One cannot bring the family’s power into the academy, so please take this information with a grain of salt. According to rumors, Young Lord Demir Tinus is also under investigation.”

“Oh? Demir Tinus is a distant relative of Marquis Raymkal, isn’t he? That’s quite an interesting story.”

Around that time, Eve’s lips, subtly hidden by her teacup, curved into a smile. It was the smile of someone who already knew a great deal.

Eve opened her mouth.

“Young Lord, please continue to share news from the academy from time to time.”

“Yes. I will visit often.”

“Oh, and good luck with your exams.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

The slight hesitation before answering suggested he was indeed worried about the upcoming exams. With that, she concluded her conversation with Kalis. He had other important matters to attend to and couldn’t stay long.

“Then, I’ll see you again at the birthday banquet.”

“Take care, Young Lord.”

As soon as Kalis left the drawing room, Alvin grinned slyly, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“One of the fuses has been lit.”

“Indeed.”

Eve put down her teacup and ordered, “Investigate the source of the gambling funds for the distant noble relatives.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The groundwork for cutting off Brigitte’s remaining two factions, Belteor and Raymkal, continued even now.

❇

Kalis was heading alone toward the main palace. Having frequented the imperial palace since he was a child, he knew the layout well enough that he didn’t need a guide. He was walking along the evergreen hedge-lined path when he encountered someone unexpected.

“Kalis Limitielo, Young Master.”

“And you are…?”

A woman with black hair stopped him.
Just from the sharply tailored wine-colored uniform she wore, Kalis could already guess her status — and her face was familiar.

“Sir Snoret Wint?”

The name slipped from his lips with a puff of white breath.
She was the homunculus who had served directly under the late Sixth Prince, Derek.
What could she possibly want with him now?

While Kalis was puzzling over it, Snoret spoke politely:

“After the meeting, would you please come to the marble fountain garden east of the outer palace?”

“What business do you have with me?”

“I’m sorry. I cannot explain right now.”

Without even a hint of explanation, it wasn’t tempting — it only made him more wary.
Seeing Kalis’s reluctant expression, Snoret added the kind of words typically used by those proposing secret meetings:

“It will not be a bad offer for either you or the one you serve. Please make sure to come.”

❇

As Eve’s birthday approached, the Chamber of Verdure filled with valuable gifts. They came from noble families eager to win her favor as the leading candidate for Crown Princess, and from young lords hoping to propose marriage. The attendants had a hard time sorting and organizing the gifts, but they all seemed to enjoy themselves nonetheless.

Separate from the formal birthday banquet, a private birthday party was held at Eve’s residence. It was organized by her closest companions, led by Sedella, based on the idea that the banquet was merely an extension of political activity.

“Your Highness, happy birthday!”

Among the guests were: Sedella, Piony, Lianne, and Hugh from her household; her personal knights, Mikael and Silvestian; her business partners and same-sex allies, Anais, Yulia, and Olivier; Alvin from the protocol office and Cayden from the treasury; the twin youngest princesses, Bianca and Aloysia; and even Rimona, a famous singer from the capital.

Even excluding those who were away at the Academy for exams, it was quite a large gathering. Everyone sat around a massive three-tiered birthday cake.

“Eve — no, Your Highness. Happy birthday,” Rimona said, standing up and clearing her throat before singing a celebratory song.

Rimona’s beautiful performance, prepared just for Eve, was unforgettable. When everyone joined in during the chorus under Rimona’s lead, Eve’s chest tightened with emotion. For the first time, she truly felt she was being celebrated wholeheartedly.

‘I thought having a crowded birthday would feel awkward…’

But numbers weren’t the issue. It depended on who surrounded you. After that, each person stepped forward one by one to offer their congratulations — and often, a gift.

“I’m truly happy to be able to celebrate Your Highness’s twentieth birthday up close. If I had known this would happen, I would have spoken to you more boldly much earlier. Maybe I could have been congratulating you since your eighteenth birthday,” said Yulia.

Eve recalled the many earnest attempts Yulia had already made to get close in her own way but didn’t say anything aloud.

“We’ll have plenty more time together going forward,” Eve replied.

“That’s right! Until your twentieth becomes your eightieth, and even after that, I’ll come holding my grandchildren’s hands to celebrate your birthday! So please live a long, long life, Your Highness!”

“…Thank you, Yulia.”

Eve suddenly wondered what it might have been like if she’d had a playmate like Yulia growing up. Next, Anais stepped forward.

“Congratulations on reaching adulthood. Please continue to allow me to stay by Your Highness’s side and watch over your growth.”

“Of course, Anais. I’ll strive to be someone worthy of your trust.”

A warm bond, like that of a lord and vassal, passed between Eve and Anais. Then Alvin, unwilling to be outdone, took his turn.

“Sniff! Your Highness! Thank you so much for being born! You are the savior of my life! What a sacred day this is! Sniff! We at House Linus will officially declare today a holiday! Sob!”

“Good grief, your flattery skills are… Wait, are you actually crying?”

“Your Highness! I shall serve you for life!”

Eve comforted the surprisingly emotional Alvin. Afterward, the adorable youngest princesses presented drawings they had made for Eve and offered their congratulations. Then it was the knights’ turn.

“Your Highness,”

Silvestian said, kneeling respectfully on one knee.

“Congratulations on your birthday — and thank you.”

“Sir Millard?”

“I consider it the greatest honor to continue serving the one I have admired for so long. Though I am lacking, I pledge to dedicate my body and soul to you until the end of my life.”

Eve was slightly startled by his words, which recalled his confession at the masked ball. At first, she wondered if it was just the way the training academy taught its knights to speak — but seeing the earnest, straightforward look in his eyes, she realized it wasn’t.

“I’m lucky to be served by such a fine knight as you.”

“Your Highness…”

This bond between ruler and knight carried a faint, wistful feeling. Alvin, visibly stirred again, shot Mikael a meaningful glance.

“Time to defend your third-place ranking, Sir Agnito.”

“You needn’t remind me,” Mikael said curtly.

“Ah, that determined look — very reassuring.”

With disciplined steps, Mikael approached Eve. Like Silvestian, he knelt on one knee and held out his hand. Everyone expected the customary kiss on the back of the hand.

However, he didn’t stop at one. Mikael kissed Eve’s hand more than ten times.

“M-Mikael?”

The prolonged time made the act feel increasingly bold. Flustered, Eve’s cheeks grew redder by the second as she realized how it must look with everyone watching. After kissing her hand a total of twenty times, Mikael spoke in a voice full of sincerity:

“I offer my congratulations for all nineteen birthdays I couldn’t be there for.”

“…….”

The left side of Eve’s chest tightened painfully. Next to her, Yulia and Olivier covered their mouths, exclaiming softly, while Alvin gave a big thumbs-up.

But the true finale always came last. Sedella — Eve’s steadfast first-ranked confidant — now stepped forward, overwhelming all the others.

“…….”

“…….”

Sedella said nothing. No — she couldn’t speak. For Sedella, who had cherished Eve since childhood, her coming-of-age birthday at twenty was something extraordinarily emotional.

Especially since Eve had changed so much since last year, now becoming someone admired by all. There was no way Sedella wouldn’t be moved.

Just exchanging tearful glances was enough. Alvin quietly muttered to Mikael:

“Sniff! As expected of Lady Arpel, our number-one! No one can match that eye contact.”

“I will win… one day,” Mikael whispered back.

Meanwhile, Sedella collected herself and, representing all of Eve’s attendants, formally spoke:

“I will continue to follow and serve Your Highness wherever your path may lead.”

“We will follow as well!”

Lianne, Piony, and Hugh echoed robustly, bowing deeply.

Eve made her own request:

“Yes. Stay with me — to the end.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

The party lasted a long time. It had been ages since Eve enjoyed a gathering purely for fun, without the pressures of politics or social obligations.

And in this moment, surrounded by these irreplaceable people, Eve renewed her determination to run forward — to protect them and this precious happiness.

❇

White moonlight poured through the elegant arched window. Perched somewhat precariously on the windowsill, someone was gazing up at the moon.

“You look just like my sister.”

The girl in a white nightgown was so beautiful she looked as if she had angel’s wings. She was Rosenitte, the owner of the Scarlet Room. Bathed in the pale moonlight, she appeared even whiter and purer — truly worthy of her title, the White Rose of the Empire. Yet her sunken expression was neither innocent nor pure.

“Tomorrow…”

It was the night before her half-sister’s birthday banquet — a day that, for Rosenitte, could well be called the day of reckoning. Perhaps that was why she couldn’t sleep. Insomnia brought endless thoughts. Sitting at the windowsill under the moonlight, memories flooded back.