This Three-Year-Old Is A Villainess - Chapter 25
The next day.
I woke up early in the morning and moved quickly.
There was lots to do.
By the afternoon, I had to prepare for the banquet.
Mrs. Rita’s dress arrived in the morning with no trace of yesterday’s ink stain.
‘She must have worked hard to remove the ink stain and reattach it.’
Seeing that I was getting all dolled up, Conrad said,
“You look very beautiful today.”
“Becwus am a dwookal pwincess.” (Because I’m a ducal princess.)
As I puffed up my chin proudly, he burst into a cheerful laugh.
“Yes, you are a wonderful ducal princess.”
“Thane yew fow thwe dwess.”
“What’s to thank for?”
Then, Conrad explained what I needed to know for the party.
“The party is divided into two parts.”
The first part was the meal at the dining table, and part two was the party with light drinks in the banquet hall.
“Am in pawt one.”
As I said that, Conrad nodded.
“Yes. Miss Riantine is also assigned to part one.”
Then he hesitated with a worried expression.
“You can just greet and leave. You’re still young, after all.”
“Owkay.”
I nodded quietly.
‘I think he’s worried because of Riantine.’
Conrad witnessed the inkwell incident yesterday, so it’s understandable that he’s concerned.
***
Finally, the sun set, and the dining hall was open.
It was the beginning of the birthday celebration.
As I entered the dining room, my eyes widened.
‘Amazing….’
A smooth black marble floor.
Columns adorned with gold decorations that climbed up like ivy.
Behind the table was a waterfall cascading coolly.
As I looked around the dining hall, everyone’s eyes were on me.
There was only one noble lady who’s as small as an adult’s arm that could enter this dining hall, and that was me.
“Hello, Miss Erylotte.”
People who recognized me started to gather.
“I am Stein from the Morizo County.”
“Pleasure to meet you. I am Gildas of the Jovert household.”
I spread my skirt wide and lightly curtsied.
“Am Ewylotte Attwa.”
Seeing me speak so confidently, people smiled.
Of course, not all the looks were friendly.
“She’s the one born out of wedlock?”
“They say the celestial alignment has opened, and a Blessing manifested with her. Is it even possible? I heard some talk about mutations…”
Conrad’s expression in the distance stiffened.
He seemed worried that I might get hurt, but I remained unfazed.
I hadn’t expected any different reaction.
If anything, this was milder than I had anticipated, and most importantly—
‘Networking! It’s all about building connections here.’
Making friends here would undoubtedly help me in the future.
I confidently greeted and chatted with people.
Even without even one parent by my side, I stood proudly at the party, earning admiration.
“Oh, but she’s cute, too.”
“My daughter had her moments like this, too.”
Just then,
“Count Morizo!”
A cheerful voice reached my ears.
“Oh, Miss Riantine.”
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes, about six months, I think.”
“I’m thankful for the previous invitation. I told ‘Grandfather’ that the garden was so beautiful.”
“You mentioned it to His Grace!”
The man’s eyes twinkled.
Riantine giggled.
“Yes, I enjoy sharing various things with my grandfather.”
“His Grace seems to make time for Miss Riantine…!”
“Well, he tends to talk to you the most among his direct descendants. Right, Daddy?”
Riantine looked behind her.
A man with a plump figure and brown hair appeared.
‘It’s uncle.’
He was Grandfather’s third child, Deacons. In other words, ‘uncle’.
“That’s right. Our Riantine has always been dear to Father.”
“My Daddy is also like that. Grandfather also seems to have a soft spot for me, right~?”
“Of course. He’s exceptionally fond of you.”
Uncle laughed heartily.
For a moment, all eyes in the party hall were on Riantine.
Duke Astra was famous for being a heartless old man who shed neither blood nor tears.
There was even a cold-blooded rumor going around that he had personally killed one of his children who had sought to rebel against him.
He wasn’t a person to approach, and even if you wanted to, there was just no way.
If the Duke doted on his granddaughter, it would be an advantage to get closer to her.
“The garden of my mansion is quite beautiful as well, Young Miss Riantine.”
“You and my daughter are the same age, Young Miss Astra. How about coming to my residence sometime…”
Riantine quickly became the star of the dinner party.
She giggled.
“It’s difficult for me to find the time since I have to attend lessons, but since you all asked…”
Just then,
“Duke Astra has arrived.”
The dining hall fell silent in an instant.
People separated as if they had made an appointment, and shortly thereafter, he entered the room.
Owner of the El Dorado.
Ruler of the most vast and prosperous territory in the West.
The center of the Empire’s world.
Duke Astra.
“We greet Your Grace.”
“We greet Your Grace.”
Grandfather made his way through the crowd and headed for the high seat at the table.
As he sat down, everyone else followed suit.
