Dietrich's celebration was held late at night.
Presepe became extremely busy from the afternoon onwards, as she was being dressed up.
Since she had already gone through the same struggle in Normal mode, it wasn't that difficult.
Instead, while applying a face mask to help her makeup adhere better or gazing at her unkempt appearance, practically sliced in all sorts of fragrant oils, Presepe merely thought, "I wish this were the last time I’d have to do this."
However, that thought did not last long.
With the plot having subtly shifted, and having to meet everyone except Archmage Ivan at the celebration, she had no idea what might happen or where. Therefore, she had to stay alert.
And Attar would also be attending. She didn't want to get involved as much as possible in a situation like this, but it seemed worthwhile to see if anything had changed.
'I have to find the real male lead too, just in case he attended.'
There were many things to do and many things to be careful about.
While Presepe was lost in thought, the time for the celebration was already right around the corner.
Having finished dressing up, Presepe arrived in front of the banquet hall in a carriage. The area near the banquet hall was already filled with people who had arrived.
"..."
Presepe quickly scanned the people passing by, but no one had a visible affinity window.
...It seemed like it was going to be a very hectic and very long day.
'Let's go in first.'
Phew. Presepe took a short, deep breath. Then, slowly, she stepped into the banquet hall.
She didn't notice it while doing that.
Far away.
The eyes of someone hiding amidst the crowd...
The fact that it had been relentlessly chasing her from the moment she stepped out of the carriage.
The celebration took place in the exact order Presepe remembered.
Dietrich, making a dignified entrance, briefly expressed his gratitude to everyone present.
The people gathered in small groups were interacting with one another, while Presepe was watching Dietrich's reaction, afraid that she might offend him.
'...There are no new people.'
Presepe, who was sitting quietly in her seat, had been frantically scanning the banquet hall for some time.
However, it was exactly the same. Filling the banquet hall were nothing but disposable NPCs. Among the new characters, excluding the male protagonists, none of them displayed a friendship status window.
'I don't have time...'
There was a reason why Presepe was so impatient.
In Normal Mode, Presepe had no acquaintances or anyone to comfortably socialize with. Eventually, unable to bear the stifling feeling, she left alone. She then wandered through the flower garden in solitude, and that is where the core of this event begins.
Since this was a mandatory event, no separate option was given. This also meant that Presepe had no right to veto.
So she had no choice but to become urgent.
"..."
However, unfortunately, the next event began not long after.
Contrary to her own will, Presepe turned her head and looked at Dietrich sitting on the throne.
He was conversing with a noble from a neighboring empire, so he showed not even the slightest interest in Presepe.
Soon, Presepe slowly rose from her seat. Then, she began to walk, looking for a quiet place with as few people as possible.
***
The place Presepe headed to was the flower garden located behind the banquet hall.
The flower garden was quiet and still, just as in her memories.
'Normally, it would be Attar's turn to appear soon...'
The key to this event.
First meeting with the male protagonists, excluding Emperor Dietrich and Archmage Ivan.
The sequence was as follows. Presepe first met and exchanged greetings with Attar Hanan, and on her way back, she encountered Noah DeVern, the Duke of the North.
Upon realizing that Presepe has disappeared, Dietrich rushes out to find her. He is practically a stalker.
Thus, Presepe returns to the banquet hall. Dietrich orders Siegfried, the Grand Master who happened to be waiting for him, to take Presepe to the tower.
Presepe returns to the tower with Siegfried, and the celebratory event comes to an end.
Right. This is the correct order, but...
Will Attar appear, just like in Normal Mode?
Attar's favorability window and case log, which were filled with unknown question marks. Also, his illustration, painted pitch black as if black ink had been carelessly poured over it, flashed through her mind.
And it was that moment.
"Lady Presepe."
A low voice came from behind her, and Presepe's head slowly turned.
"There are guards, but it is still dangerous for someone as beautiful as Lady Presepe to be alone in a place like this."
However, it was not Attar who called Presepe.
"Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Noah DeVern."
[Noah DeVern/Affection Level 0]
"...Nice to meet you. My name is Presepe."
The lines that had already been decided flowed naturally from between Presepe's lips.
She actually felt relieved that she wasn't given any choices during the celebratory event. It was more comforting to have this than to see another bug worse than that.
However, Presepe's mind was filled with only one thought.
'Why is he showing up? Where is Attar?'
"It may sound rude, but I had many questions, and it is an honor to meet you."
Noah’s eyes curved nicely, and Presepe quietly looked back at him.
...Red hair fluttering in the muggy breeze, dark brown eyes that exude a subtle chill, and even features of unparalleled elegance.
Noah DeVern was very handsome and beautiful, but the current Presepe was well aware that his true nature was the exact opposite.
Yeah, you must have been curious, like an extension of a hobby of collecting stuffed animals, statues, and famous paintings.
"...What do you mean by curious? Do you have something like that for me?"
However, completely contrary to her thoughts, Presepe merely recited the predetermined lines as an innocent child.
"I really like beautiful things."
"..."
"I was simply curious. Whether Lady Presepe was really that beautiful, as people say. But now that I have seen you with my own eyes..."
Noah DeVern chuckled and continued speaking.
"I think I know why such rumors were circulating."
"I don't really know what that means...."
"It is okay if you do not know. After all, beauty is clearer when one is unaware of it, and it is meant to shine when someone appears to recognize it."
...This perverted bastard is just all tongue.
"It seems you were getting some fresh air. If you don't mind, may I join you? As I mentioned earlier, a place like this is dangerous for someone as beautiful as Lady Presepe."
To be honest, the person who said that was also one of the dangerous elements.
“I think that’s….”
She felt her clear cheeks turning red. Of course, it wasn't by choice. Anyway, this is why the Presepe in the game is a problem. Excessively shy, timid, and had an excessive lack of immunity to men.
“Then let's go.”
Noah smiled and gestured.
Well, it didn't really matter. Dietrich was going to show up soon anyway, and Presepe was scheduled to be dragged away like a dog.
'...But what really happened to Attar?'
Just as she had taken about three steps with these thoughts in mind, she heard a voice that sounded somewhat annoyed.
"Lady Presepe has a prior engagement with me."
It was Attar who had a distorted expression.
"...Isn't this Prince Attar?"
"If you know who I am, you surely know that you need to get out of here right now."
Noah's left eyebrow furrowed slightly. It was a chronic habit of his that would pop out whenever he was in a bad mood.
"I'll take care of escorting you once we're done talking, so move aside."
"..."
“Hey.”
Attar was a madman, but Noah was no less so. However, Noah was a man of considerable intelligence. Therefore, he must have known it well. He knew that no matter how much of a noble he was, he could not challenge Attar, a member of the royal family of a neighboring empire.
"...I see.”
Noah, finally admitting defeat, muttered with a cold expression.
"I have committed an offense, Prince Attar."
What's going on....
"Lady Presepe, I will be taking my leave now. I hope we have the opportunity to meet again."
That was the last time. Noah bowed respectfully and began to slowly walk away.
And in the flower garden where silence had descended, Presepe, who had absolutely no idea what was happening, and...
Only Attar remained, staring down at her intently.
"I thought you were just a noble lady, but you weren't."
It was Attar who finally broke the silence.
But why the sudden informal speech? Attar only started using informal language after he revealed his true colors.
"You were stripped of your status as an imperial princess after your mother's illegitimate condition was revealed."
"..."
"But I heard you keep staying at the palace because of the Emperor."
"..."
“Lady Presepe!”
"Yes, yes?"
Taken aback by the unexpected shouting, Presepe instinctively pursed her lips.
Then, she realized that she could speak of her own accord.
[◆ Would you be okay with that? You stupid bastard.]
Just like when she met Attar last time, after she chose a strange option.
"There is one thing I want to ask."
Attar, speaking slowly, had a very unfamiliar appearance.
A somewhat confused expression.
So, just like Presepe.
"Are you acquainted... with me?"
"... Yes?"
"I mean, have we known each other before?"
...What?
At that moment, Presepe's face froze.
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