TPITT - Chapter 143




“Finding a sacrifice?”

“The host calls out the name of one of the attendees. Then, the person whose name is called becomes a human sacrifice called the ‘tribute,’ and everyone in the ballroom searches for that person.”

“What happens if you find it?”

“I can go on a one-night stand with him.”

“Doesn’t it matter what the person who is being tributed wants?”

"Yes."

When the name of a popular person that many people usually admire is called, the ballroom becomes messy. The royal family, who hosted the event, was well aware of this fact, so that year the most famous person of the social season was chosen as a tribute.

“I thought this year’s tribute would be to the 8th Princess or the 7th Princess, but I didn’t know that His Majesty would think of something like this.”

A charming twist would have been effective in heightening the mood.

“Yes. One way or another, homunculus is destined to become a prize.”

As Elijah muttered to himself, Sylvestian raised an ominous possibility with a dark expression on his face.

“Wait a minute. Then, if a member of the royal family, not the owner, finds out, wouldn’t the situation become quite dangerous?”

“That’s the fun part. Didn’t you see the audience’s reaction when I made my wish at the martial arts show? Adultery is a classic.”

“That, that..."

“Oh my, naive Sir Millard. How are you going to live in the palace like this? Tell me when you get kicked out too.”

“Are you going to put it on the wall?”

“Hey, I can’t. Even if I’m a throwaway card?”

“Then why?”

“Let’s go through punishment together.”

Sylvestian and Elijah, who were chatting away, suddenly realized that Michael was quiet. Their gaze naturally turned to Michael.

“Michael?”

“Brother, why are you like that?”

Michael didn't seem to hear their calls and just stared at the black invitation in his hand.

‘...Masquerade ball.’

Finally, he withdrew his entranced gaze and folded the invitation in his bosom.

His face, looking straight ahead, was rather solemn. It was the look of a man who had decided on something.

When Michael returned, the room of the new green was very crowded. The 8th Prince Euclid and the twin Princess were occupying Eve's reception room.

Euclid was busy studying in preparation for his entrance to the Academy this fall.

Eve often invited Euclid to study in her place. She used to check on his progress. Now, instead, she was helping Euclid with his homework.

Next to them are the twin Princesses, Bianca and Aloysia, who are newly introduced this time.

He was always talking about the released hero cards.

The way they studied and discussed possible combinations was no less than that of great magicians and great alchemists.

'The place has become noisy.'

The maids, including Cedella, were also busy in their own ways.

Soon it was time for the masquerade ball and the summer rainy season. Preparations for the banquet were made at the palace.

Even though it was everyday life, the summer rainy season was different.

During the summer rainy season, the world is in chaos due to heavy rain day and night.

It is as if it is submerged in water. All economic activities were paralyzed, so living in seclusion at home was almost an imperial tradition.

The servants of the residence secure supplies. They couldn't help but be busy preparing for the vacation.

Peony and Lian are carrying the necessities of the protocol department and outside the palace.

They were busy organizing the delivered items.

Michael took the heavy box from Peony's hands and carried it instead.

“Oh, Sir Agneto.”

“Where should I move this?”

“Her Highness’s bedroom. If you don’t mind, could you please help me tidy it up? Because I don’t have enough hands.”

“Of course.”

“Thank you. There’s a side table, shelf, and storage unit near the bed, right? Please put everything in there.”

“All of it? What is this?”

Peony smiled happily.

“This is Rahman Habiol’s stamina potion. Please handle it carefully so that it doesn’t break.”

"...I get it."

Michael avoids further conversation.

He decided to do it.

Currently, in the powder room, Lian informed them that Eve was checking her ball gown with Cedella's help.

Michael entered the bedroom through the study instead of the powder room.

He cleaned up the potions in a disturbed mood.

The bottle, which looked like a pretty perfume, contained a strange pink liquid rippling.

A total of 30. It looks like a month's worth.

As he was leaving after finishing the work he was asked to do, the bedroom door leading to the powder room opened.

Eve came in looking exhausted after a fierce battle with the dress.

“Michael?”

“Oh, Princess. I just came in for a moment because Young Lady Granice asked me to do something.”

Michael spoke hastily as if making excuses. Eve didn't particularly suspect anything.

“Peony? Well, everyone must be busy these days. Everyone has to spend the summer rainy season at home. There will be a lot of things to prepare before then.”

“Are all three going?”

The three Michael spoke of were Peony, Lian, and Hugh. Eve added one more.

“I’m thinking of sending Cedella too. Now that Cedella is a proper owner of the mansion, she has to take care of it.”

“Then does the Princess live without a servant?”

“Yeah. There are more royals like this than you think. And anyway, they live outside the residence. There will be maids on duty, and I’m not at the point where I can’t do anything by myself.”

Eve also served as a disciple under the great sage of the fir forest. It was Eve, Michael was convinced, but he still had something to refute.

“You’re not alone, are you? I’ll be with you.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I will do my best to assist you during the rainy season. First, I must learn how to make delicious tea.”

“Michael’s valet? I’m looking forward to this.”

So tea time was decided under the pretext of teaching how to make tea.

The conversation took place over Michael's strong cup of Earl Grey Rooibos tea.

“The preparations for the masquerade ball are going well. Are you going?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You know it’s open for three days, right? I have to change my dress every day.”

“Do you have to prepare three sets for one banquet? That must be tough.”

“Yeah. The mask and accessories match the dress.”

A long sigh escaped Eve's lips. Michael smiled at her as if comforting her.

“It must be beautiful. The nobleman who dances with you is very lucky.”

Despite Michael's words, Eve didn't feel particularly motivated.

“It would be nice if Michael went too.”

Michael flinched slightly as he met her eyes filled with regret.

“...When was that? You said you needed to lower the barrier to entry, but you left me behind and jumped into a group of young people, which is not like a Princess.”

“That, that was the job.”

“Seeing how good you are at work, I wonder if you’re even better at playing.”

“Why do you keep pushing me?”

Michael was being mean today. She feels so sorry that she can't honestly express her sympathy.

It must be my fault, Eve thought.

Thanks to this, Michael succeeded in cleverly changing the subject.

'Please forgive me.'

There was no choice since the imperial edict Michael received was supposed to be kept secret.

Then Eve smiled and said.

“Don’t worry, I won’t be looking at another man.”

It was a warm word. Michael felt his heart pounding for a moment, but he managed to calm himself down and respond.

“The Princess has high standards, so I believe you will do well.”

“That’s right, that’s right. Only a beautiful man can seduce me.”

“Is that so... Is that it?”

“Hopefully?”

For someone who suffered defeat in a past life after being influenced by appearance, these words were bound to sound twisted.

Eve opened her eyes wide and asked, and Michael was annoyed.

Instead of sighing, she opened and closed her mouth silently.

Michael's gaze fell on Eve's nearly empty teacup.

“Does the tea suit your taste?”

“Yeah. It’s nice because Michael gave it to me.”

Eve took one last sip

After drinking, she picked up the documents. It was a habit for her, who was always busy.

It was when Michael approached her to fill her empty glass.

He glanced at the documents absentmindedly and felt curious. There was something fancy about the documents.

Because the drawing and design of the chair were drawn.

Eve, who felt the gaze, explained first.

“I was thinking of giving a gift to Alben.”

“Are you talking about the chair?”

“Yeah. It's been hot lately, and to boost his morale, I should give him something ostentatious. Cold wind golems and cooling magic stones are too common, so I'll give him a chair studded with warming magic stones. He'll love it, as long as it keeps him cool.”

“...A warming magic stone?”

Of course, it wasn't a tone of asking back because he didn't know. The tone of voice that contained discomfort made Eve slightly flustered.

“Yeah. The warming magic stone. What’s wrong, Michael?”

Michael expressed his disappointment, saying, “Are you asking because you don’t know that?”

“I will give Lord Redmon the same warming magic stone that you gave me. I thought I was the only one who could receive the warmth of the Princess.”

“I see, that’s how you assign meaning. Yes. But, uh, um, can you let it go since it’s cold and not warm?”

“Isn’t it something you can use in the winter too? It even has a backrest and armrest. A warm magic stone on a soft chair. It must feel like sitting on the Princess’s lap and being held in her arms. Is this allowed in the palace?”

“Ah, no..."

The remark was illogical and secretly high-level. Eve was greatly embarrassed.

While he was at it, Michael started to vent other pent-up frustrations.

“Come to think of it.”

“Yes?”

“You said you didn’t need any other knights but me, but recently you even said that you would make the 8th Prince a knight when he grew up. You even did it proudly in front of me.”

“Huh. That, that’s..."

“Aren’t you going too far with me, Princess?”

“Ugh”

Michael's pensive face and sorrowful voice had a wonderful effect on Eve.

She was restless, feeling like a sinner.

She didn't notice at all that Michael's eyes were filled with mischief.

So Eve said after seriously searching for a solution.

“I’ll give Michael something better than the warming magic stone chair.”

“Are you going to hug me in person?”

It was when he provoked me as an extension of his mischievous prank.

"Yes?"

"...What?"

Eve got up straight away and went behind Michael's chair. Soon, two arms wrapped around Michael's neck from behind. It was a loose hug, a little awkward.

Even that light touch took Michael's breath away and his whole body froze. In the meantime, Eve tried to negotiate.

“Are you feeling better?”


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