The Princess Imprint A Traitor - Chapter 33. A Toast to Sisterhood in the Belladonna's Poisoned Cup (8)

“Your Highness, look over there.”

Then, Alvin directed her gaze to another part of the banquet hall. This time, it was Marquis Raymkal, Brigitte’s relative by marriage, who caught her eye. He was surrounded by central nobles, along with his younger sister, Fourth Imperial Consort Remiyu.

“Marquis Raymkal has been at the forefront of donations and relief efforts for the 13th District, which suffered a disaster recently. He truly is a model for the great nobles.”

“Her Highness the Fourth Imperial Consort has also taken the lead herself. There is no one as suitable as Her Highness the Fourth Imperial Consort as the head of the inner palace.”

“Haha, I couldn’t participate directly in the relief efforts due to circumstances, but I donated a large sum to the Raymkal Foundation!”

“Me too. I expressed my heart and sincerity with money!”

A time of nobles boasting about their donations continued in a row. It would have been a heartwarming sight, but Yulia’s gaze was not favorable.

“Why is the atmosphere so sycophantic?”

“Isn’t that how it actually is?”

Then, there was someone who caught Eve’s eye. It was a middle-aged man bowing and scraping next to Marquis Raymkal. Eve removed her smile and lowered her voice.

“Alvin.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Who is that man next to Marquis Raymkal? A new vassal?”

“That is Baron Ecum. He was the one who hoarded mana stones, but he somehow managed to pay off the Penalty and retain his position.”

“Hmm, he’s resourceful, isn’t he?”

Just looking at his move from associating with Chansley to switching to Raymkal, it was clear that his resourcefulness was not clean. As expected, Alvin whispered in Eve’s ear.

“I heard that he is running a large financial business in the East. There are allegations that he embezzled money entrusted to him by the commoners under the guise of management fees to pay off the hoarding Penalty.”

That meant he was a heinous swindler who was preying on the backs of good commoners.

“Ha, how is it that they’re all trash over there? Ah, I shouldn’t use such words. I’m an Imperial Princess. Ha.”

“I’ll say it for you. It’s only natural that trash gathers in a trash can.”

“Thank you. Hmph, I guess the only advantage is that I can clean them up all at once.”

Eve was lost in thought for a moment.

“There will be a large-scale Imperial delegated project in the financial sector in conjunction with this subjugation war. If that guy is by Raymkal’s side, the future is obvious.”

“Baron Lapliere is an expert in this field. Shall I entrust the investigation to him?”

“Yes. Make sure that innocent commoners are not harmed.”

“Of course. There will be no more mistakes like the Great Fire.”

Alvin, who bowed deeply, answered resolutely. Only then did Eve realize. It seemed that Alvin was subtly blaming himself for not properly stopping Chansley while she was dispatched to Dandelion. Seeing that, which somehow overlapped with her former self, Eve couldn’t help but say a word.

“It’s because the enemy is evil. It’s not your fault.”

“…”

“I cherish you as much as your competence. Keep that in mind.”

“Yo, Your Highness…”

Even if she squeezed them dry when the time came, she had no intention of treating her people harshly. Alvin was moved and clutched his chest.

“Hngh! I really wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met Your Highness…”

“What would it have been? Ah, it reminds me of the old days.”

“Yes?”

“It’s nothing.”

It would be troublesome to make Alvin cry in such a public place. Eve deliberately laughed lightly to dispel the unnecessary solemnity.

Just then, the grandfather clock announced that it was time for the official start of the birthday banquet.

“Then I should go and keep my place as the main character of today. See you later, Alvin. See you later, Yulia.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Happy birthday.”

Eve said goodbye to Alvin and Yulia and went to the center of the banquet hall with Mikael. There, along with a lavishly decorated couch, a pyramid of wine glasses filled with mousse cake was stacked enormously. It was the Imperial family’s custom for the main character of the birthday banquet to greet the nobles who came to offer their greetings and hand out the cakes one by one.

“Your Highness the Seventh Imperial Princess, congratulations on your twentieth birthday.”

“Thank you for coming from afar, Countess Modred.”

It was after repeating the series of processes of receiving congratulations, responding, and handing out cakes dozens of times. A welcome face appeared that would be a change of pace.

“Happy birthday, Your Highness the Seventh Imperial Princess.”

“You came, Young Master Kalis Limitielo.”

Eve was delighted and handed Kalis a mousse cake. But his eyes, seen up close, were slightly hollow.

“You don’t look well. I suppose the exam results weren’t very good? My condolences.”

“Ah, no, Your Highness. My grades are very good, so please don’t misunderstand.”

“Oh, is that so?”

Eve swallowed her laughter as she watched Kalis react seriously to her joke. Kalis confessed the truth on his own before Eve could even ask why.

“Actually… I’ve been under sudden pressure to marry since the day I entered the palace last time.”

“…Ah.”

The desire to tease him disappeared with those words, and pity welled up. It was a case of shared suffering.

“That’s… it feels like it’s not someone else’s problem.”

“Yes. It’s really not someone else’s problem, Your Highness.”

Was it just her imagination? The part he emphasized seemed meaningful.

“I may have to make a decision soon.”

Kalis seemed to have a lot of worries. As he was now in a full-fledged competition with his eldest son, Phellioz, for the succession to the marquisate, Kalis’s situation seemed to be changing rapidly as well. The place was not suitable for sharing personal stories in depth. The conversation with Kalis ended there.

After that, a not-so-welcome face appeared.

“Eve.”

“…Sister Nia.”

It was Stephania, the full-blooded sister of the deceased Derek. She, who had refused to face Eve so much, was now standing before Eve on her own. Her sunken, expressionless face was gloomy. Soon, Stephania spoke softly in a voice that only the two of them could hear. It was not a congratulatory greeting that should be given to the main character of the day.

“Do you remember the teachings you gave me the other day?”

“Teachings?”

Somewhat taken aback by the contextless remark, Eve couldn’t help but ask, “The day you tried to bury Derek and me alive?”

“……”

“You taught me that when exposing something, you don’t need connections or backing.”

It must be a bad memory, so what was her intention in bringing it up herself? Eve scrutinized Stephania, as if trying to gauge her. Only then did things she hadn’t noticed before come into view. In the middle of her hollow eye sockets, her pupils emitted a fierce glint.

“You have the face of someone who has nothing to lose. It’s too late to stop, isn’t it?”

“You know me well.”

Eve approached to hand over the mousse cake, whispering, “You’ll regret it.”

“If anyone does, it’ll be me.”

That was the end of the bleak conversation. Stephania’s back receded into the distance. Mikael, who had been standing behind the couch, muttered just loud enough for Eve to hear, “The Sixth Princess seems to have prepared a great birthday present for you.”

“……What a foolish thing to do.”

Eve lowered her eyes bitterly. The encounter with Stephania was just a prelude. Soon, the real villains revealed themselves. Ignoring the long line, Bridgette and her younger fiancé, Antonio, approached.

“Ivienrose.”

“Yes. Welcome, Betty sister. And Belteor Young Master.”

Eve and Bridgette’s gazes met. After a silent staring contest, Eve spoke first.

“I didn’t expect you to show your face. It’s a surprise.”

“Of course, it’s your birthday. You seem to be having the best time of your life, it’s good to see.”

Bridgette emphasized “best.” Despite her curse that there would be no more success, Eve smiled kindly.

“I don’t know. I don’t think my life has reached its peak yet. Just as your life hasn’t reached its lowest point yet.”

“……”

Bridgette seemed to understand perfectly that she meant she would drag her down even further. Her expression turned coldly pale.

“You should smile, sister.”

“That’s right. It’s a good day.”

The sisters smiled at each other affectionately, even as they exuded a murderous atmosphere.

“You’ve brought a lot of Southern nobles. Is this an all-out war?”

“I’m just planning to take it easy today.”

“By inciting Nia sister? Where’s your conscience?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Bridgette feigned ignorance, playing dumb. It was a waste of time to talk any further. Eve gave her the mousse cake and sent Bridgette away.

“Take care.”

“Alright.”

Bridgette arrogantly raised her chin, turned, and walked away. Antonio bowed apologetically and followed Bridgette. As Eve was dealing with the nobles again, something suddenly occurred to her.

‘Come to think of it, where’s Rosie?’

Where was the person who had arranged for Eve’s birthday party to be held? Eve’s amber eyes scanned the banquet hall. After a short search, she found a luscious head of blonde hair.

‘Ah!’

The timing was good. Rosenitte had just separated from Bridgette’s cronies and gone out into the hallway alone. And the line of nobles in front of Eve had temporarily broken. Eve immediately got up from the couch.

“Mikael, watch my spot for a moment.”

“Eve?”

Eve immediately followed the direction Rosenitte had disappeared. Thanks to the stealth magic she had cast, Eve was able to leave the banquet hall without attracting the attention of the nobles.

Her feet led her to the corridor surrounding a small garden. The camellia garden, deep in the winter night, was very beautiful. Amidst the flowers blooming red even in the darkness, cherry-like magic lanterns twinkled everywhere.

Eve stopped, having lost sight of the person she was following. Because of the cold weather, there was no sign of anyone anywhere. Only Amber was circling around her.

“Who are you looking for so intently?”

“……”

Drawn by the voice, Eve turned around. There stood her stepsister, looking pretty and lovely.

“Sister.”

“……Rosie.”

It was a meeting that had been a long time coming. Eve took a deep breath.

“You’re the main character, why are you in a place like this?”

“……”

Eve didn’t answer the commonplace question. She just looked at half of Rosenitte’s face, where the light flickered. Perhaps it was because of the deep shadows, but she felt more depth than before. Looking at her, it was not easy to tell whether she was a friend or foe.

As expected, the returner confuses those around her. Just like the people around Eve when they first saw her after her regression. As the silence continued, Rosenitte took her turn to speak again.

“Sister, happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

Eve hadn’t followed Rosenitte to have this kind of pointless conversation. And neither had Rosenitte, who had led Eve here. Rosenitte smiled like a flower again.