This year, the youngest daughter of Duke Morifrid, Mireil, turned ten, and astonishingly, word spread that Golden Hand Niruin was specially hosting a grand birthday banquet in her honor. And it would be the most splendid and beautiful event on the entire continent!
The nobles speculated whether or not Niruin’s grandson and the duke’s youngest daughter had secretly become engaged to each other, but this remained mere conjecture without certainty.
Bella was also quite surprised by Yuric’s ability to involve even Golden Hand Niruin in his plans.
Of course, Yuric himself didn’t know how to explain it either. Honestly, he hadn’t imagined that Elder Niruin would rush here so quickly.
Nevertheless, they couldn’t afford to miss this golden opportunity. Especially Bella, who hadn’t factored this chance into her calculations, knew she absolutely could not let it slip away.
“Let’s start by looking for suitable partners.”
They found three young men with excellent reputations and noble bearing, explained their circumstances to them, and asked if they would inquire about the Magic City of Verzig while attending as the ghost princess’s partner. In exchange, they promised to secure their attendance at the banquet. Naturally, the young men accepted upon receiving their invitations.
Not only that, they reviewed the list of noble youths attending the banquet. They approached two individuals who had passed strict criteria, introduced themselves as acquaintances of Niruin, and explained the story of the ghost princess. The young men, intrigued by the tale, agreed to their request.
“So, all we have to do is ask about the Magic City of Verzig, right? Fine, it doesn’t sound too difficult.”
“Thank you very much.”
“It would be wonderful to be chosen by the ghost princess.”
Preparations for the banquet stretched on for over twenty days. Rumor had it that the money spent on the banquet hall alone already approached sixty thousand gold coins. Moreover, the cost of hiring top chefs, premier musicians, and well-trained waiters with grace and refinement was astronomical.
Yuric visited the banquet hall ahead of time with Niruin, and from the entrance alone, he was astonished. The hall was nothing short of the epitome of elegance and splendor.
“At this level, the ghost princess can’t help but show up.”
“Indeed, that seems likely.”
Of course, both Yuric and Bella were invited as acquaintances of Niruin. However, Bella decided to stay as inconspicuous as possible, just in case someone might recognize her.
As the long-awaited day of the banquet approached…
Golden Hand Niruin began distributing food to the poor and orphans in the city at noon. This act of giving food before banquets was a tradition in the central regions.
Yuric also personally went to the orphanage run by the church to distribute bread and meat to the children, extending heartfelt thanks to the priests and nuns who worked tirelessly there. Bella observed his actions with meaningful eyes.
After finishing their volunteer work at the orphanage, the two prepared to attend the banquet. After bathing and dressing up, their appearances transformed instantly. Particularly, Yuric looked like a gentleman capable of stealing the hearts of maidens.
Waiting outside the door, Yuric greeted Bella with a handsome smile as she finished her preparations and emerged, making her heart race for the first time.
“You look absolutely beautiful.”
“And you look dashing.”
Bella gently took Yuric’s arm offered as an escort.
The two boarded a carriage and headed toward the banquet hall.
Before the banquet started, the hall of the earl’s castle was bustling. The two entered early, securing a spot on the second floor where they could clearly see and hear the entrance. They then took out the invitation list they had prepared.
A total of 114 people were invited. If everyone brought a partner, the number would increase significantly.
Yuric had already memorized the guest list thoroughly, just in case.
As the evening twilight gradually faded, guests began entering the banquet hall one by one.
Bella crossed off names on the pre-prepared list. Soon enough, the hall was filled with people.
The nobles were speechless at the opulence of the banquet hall. Although many had attended various grand events, none had seen such elegant and luxurious decorations.
Beautiful artworks delighted the eyes, refined music pleased the ears, fragrant spring blossoms titillated the nose, and delicious food tempted the palate.
Just as the list was almost complete, the hostess of the evening, the youngest daughter of Duke Morifrid, Mireil, appeared hand-in-hand with her father. Applause erupted, and Mireil’s face beamed with joy.
“I wish to thank the gentlemen and ladies who have graced this occasion with their presence.”
“Thank you all for celebrating my birthday in such a grand manner.”
After the Duke and his daughter conveyed their gratitude, another thunderous applause broke out.
The music resumed its enchanting melodies, and the guests laughed and enjoyed the feast. Naturally, many gathered around the Duke to greet him.
At last, the invitation list was fully checked off. The two began to worry slightly that the ghost princess might not appear.
Right at that moment, a stunningly dressed woman walked confidently into the banquet hall.
“Iselda of the Alans family!”
Clearly, neither Yuric’s memory nor the list included this name. Both Yuric and Bella exchanged glances; it seemed this woman must be the ghost princess.
She exuded a mysterious aura. She was taller than average women by half a head, her jewelry carried a slightly antique charm, her skin was strikingly pale, and her appearance was beautiful. She looked to be in her mid-twenties.
Yuric and Bella moved to the ground floor, finding a corner to observe her continuously.
On the surface, she seemed no different from any ordinary human. She conversed lightly with others and ate food like anyone else enjoying the banquet. There was no sign of mana within her, nor any magical phenomena detectable. Yuric even began doubting if he had made a mistake.
Still, Yuric firmly trusted his memory. The surname “Alans” was definitely absent from his knowledge.
As the banquet grew livelier, the time for dancing approached, prompting those without partners to actively search for one.
Typically, men would propose to women, though cases of women proposing to men weren’t uncommon.
While Yuric watched the woman closely, hoping the ghost princess would find a satisfactory partner…
Suddenly, Iselda turned her gaze toward Yuric, catching his eye directly.
At that instant, Yuric felt as if the world had momentarily paused.
Ah.
Ghost Princess Iselda slowly, very slowly, approached Yuric.
With loving eyes and a tender smile.
And then, she stood before him… He had never expected she would come to him.
“Yuric.”
The woman spoke his name accurately.
“Good child, come here.”
Iselda extended her hand, taking Yuric’s, and led him somewhere.
With every step, the surroundings began to change. The bustling banquet hall transformed into a forest at sunset, with a beautiful lake spreading out before them.
“Shall we dance together?”
The two positioned themselves, holding hands. Then heavenly music echoed from above.
They danced. To be precise, Yuric followed her lead. She was an impeccable guide, requiring him only to move his feet accordingly.
Overwhelmed by the atmosphere, Yuric found himself unable to speak.
It felt similar to when he had entered the spirit of Earth Dragon Alaldur.
When the dance ended, the two bowed to each other. She smiled faintly at his bewildered expression.
“How should I address you?”
“Call me Iselda.”
“Miss Iselda… I have a few questions.”
“Speak your mind.”
“Who are you, Miss Iselda?”
Iselda’s eyes twinkled prettily.
“A common woman who loves dancing and banquets. But also a mage who could not defy the times.”
“People call you the ghost princess.”
“That isn’t entirely wrong. I was once a princess of the old empire.”
“Then was the Alans family the royal family?”
“Not exactly. Alans was my mother’s family. Descendants of fallen nations inevitably lose their surnames forever. I lost mine as well.”
Spirits gathered around them.
“Countless ages have passed. The sun, moon, and forests remain unchanged, yet the heroes have vanished. Time is truly impermanent.”
Iselda gazed wistfully at the rippling lake.
“But heroes are always born in every era. Six hundred and thirty years, two hundred and seventy-four days… I met Yuric.”
Iselda gave him a light kiss on the forehead.
“For a brief moment, it was delightful.”
The world began to ripple.
Yuric urgently spoke to Iselda, remembering his purpose.
“Miss Iselda, do you happen to know where the Magic City of Verzig has moved to?”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know that.”
Ah. Yuric swallowed his disappointment, feeling the opportunity to discover Verzig’s location slipping away.
However, Iselda wasn’t finished speaking.
“But the entity that always existed there knows. He must have seen it.”
Iselda gestured with her hand. An illusion appeared in the air.
It was a crouching dragon.
“Wingless Wyvern Ashborn. He knows.”
The forest with the lake disappeared, and the banquet hall reappeared. Yuric saw Iselda smiling at him.
“Until next time, my boy, my hero.”
Iselda kissed his cheek lightly and turned to leave.
Yuric quietly watched her retreating figure.
The appearance and disappearance of the ghost princess at the banquet became a secret known only to Yuric and Bella.
