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nIn fact, the Princess’s birthday banquet was one of Noel’s favorite events.

nBecause the Princess thought of Noel as an adorable little brother.

nOn the other hand, the Duke did not look forward to the birthday of the Princess, who was also his niece.

nOf course, the Princess herself was innocent.

nIf one was to be guilty, it would be the Duke’s elder brother.

nHis Majesty the Great Emperor.

nHe would arrange a whole array of ‘surprises’ on the Princess’s birthday.

nFor example, the Emperor had once built a confectionery house large enough to fit a person.

n“Is Noel not attending the Princess’s party because of the Princess of Liz?”

n“Yes. The master jumped up and denied it.”

nJudging from Noel’s actions, it seemed that he had indeed refused to go to the Princess’s birthday party because of Rieta.

nOn that day, it was Rieta’s birthday as well.

nIn fact, the Emperor had a proposal for Rieta’s birthday.

n“My daughter asked if she could have a birthday party with the Princess of Liz. Isn’t it a wonderful coincidence that the dates are the same?”

n“I don’t think that’s a very good idea. Your Majesty.”

n“Why? I was planning to order a big, fancy cake for the Princess!”

n“Your Majesty is going to use the excuse of being a guardian in order to increase the size of the birthday party.”

nFor example, procuring something like an even grander confectionary house.

n“No way! I just want to properly celebrate the birthday of my niece Princess.”

n“How many times must I tell you? The Princess is not your niece.”

n“Oh, not yet . . . ?”

n“Not ever.”

nRecalling the Emperor’s bewildered expression, the Duke clicked his tongue briefly.

nAnd now, he finally asked about Rieta.

n“Are you preparing for the Princess’s birthday party?”

nMore precisely, for Rieta’s upcoming birthday party.

n“I’m trying to find out what the Princess likes.”

nThat would mean that the preparation is going very smoothly.

nBut there seemed to be some remaining anxiety. The butler paused for a moment.

n“Are there any difficulties?”

n“Yes, there are.”

nThe butler handed out the letter he had now kept in his arms to the Duke.

n“I have sinned. Duke.”

nThe Duke received the letter from the butler and carefully examined the envelope.

nAn envelope with the mark of the royal family of the Kingdom of Liz.

nThe Duke could easily recognize the troubles the butler had to bear during the day.

n“What of the Princess?”

n“She’s asleep.”

n“We don’t have to deliver this letter right now.”

nAfter speaking those words, the Duke was temporarily relieved.

n* * *

nBut, by the next day, there was really no way he could delay sending the letter.

nAfter much thought, the Duke directly entered Rieta’s room.

n“Princess.”

nAs soon as he greeted her politely, Rieta also lightly nodded her head.

nShe naturally followed with words suggesting a seat

n“You have completely mastered etiquette.”

n“The teacher taught me well.”

n“I think you have become more accustomed to the Imperial language.”

n“If I panic, I’ll mess up again.”

nIt was a little difficult to deliver the letter directly to the bashful smiling child.

nBut he couldn’t put it off any longer, so he sent the letter straight away.

n“Oh.”

nBefore the Duke could say anything, a sad voice came out of Rieta’s mouth.

n“Ah . . . Thank you for telling me.”

nSoon, two small hands politely took the letter.

nNow it was the Duke’s turn to let go of the letter.

nBut somehow he didn’t want to let the envelope out of his hand.

nFor a moment, a strange confrontation ensued, with the two holding letters from both sides.

nIn the end, the Duke had no choice but to let go.

nRieta looked at the envelope.

nUnder the familiar pattern of the kingdom, there were stamps she had never seen before.

n. . . Oh?

nThe postage stamp price had gone up a lot.

nRieta remembered some of the people she had been with in the kingdom.

nFor those who worked in the Royal Capital, far away from their family, their only pleasure was to write letters to their close ones whenever they had time.

nI wonder if the number of times they could deliver those letters has decreased.

nNot everyone was earning a generous salary just because they worked in the Royal Capital.

nRieta had a somewhat ominous feeling.

nJust as the cost of the postage stamps had risen, maybe the letter contained unpleasant news as well.

nShe carefully removed the seal and opened the flap.

nWhen she opened the envelope, the first thing she saw was cash.

n. . . Money?

nRieta was puzzled and took it out first.

nShe counted and found that there was quite a bit of cash.

nWhat’s going on?

nEven when Rieta first came to the Empire, she hadn’t been given this much money.

nRieta placed the cash on the table and drew out the letter again.

nThe Duke watched Rieta carefully to make sure that no shadow casted upon her face as she read the letter.

nHad she even noticed his concerns?

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