Chapter 462: Alvaraite’s Happy Troubles (4k)
In comparison to Diana’s family’s purity, Rose’s family inevitably had ulterior motives in terms of interests.
While Viscountess Floretty was willing to take risks for her, she also harbored ambitions to climb aboard the Duke’s Mansion like a big tree.
The couple did not hide this small ambition but told Rose very openly. But after understanding these things, Rose’s hesitation increased regarding this mixed emotion that became less pure due to the pursuit of interest.
Moreover, she initially stood on Diana’s side.
Her uncle and aunt’s unexpected support did not change her mind.
She could think of other ways to pursue interests.
For emotional pursuits, she ultimately hoped for something more pure.
And Diana’s position in her heart was still higher than Dark’s.
…
The progress of the birthday banquet was very well-paced.
Beautiful and lovely maid girls shuttled between the dining hall, occasionally serving new dishes and taking away empty plates, gradually heating up the atmosphere.
Without Dark by their side, the young members of the family felt much more relaxed, followed by an increase in appetite and uncontrollable curiosity.
They began to look for topics among the two outsiders invited by the Duke’s Mansion.
Unlike adults who instinctively focused on the family’s power, children first paid attention to peers of the same age.
“The two girls, I know one of them,” Kyle said with his chubby hand covering his mouth, speaking softly.
The twin brother and sister sitting at the same table exchanged glances. Jon, as the older sibling, disdainfully said, “Who doesn’t know the only pearl of the Giant Bear Family?”
Kyle was taken aback: “Who is the only pearl of the Giant Bear Family?”
Jon: “? ?”
Kyle puzzled: “I’m talking about the one from the Floretty Family.”
“No.” Jon widened his eyes and said, “Are you saying you really don’t recognize Diana?”
Kyle scratched his head, confusion deepening: “What’s wrong? Why should I know her?”
Jon stuttered, utterly speechless.
Another person at the same table—Thomas couldn’t help but laugh before saying, “Don’t talk anymore. Those two people, I happen to know. They are both Dark’s classmates. Isn’t it normal to invite classmates to a birthday party?”
Jon disagreed: “But if I remember correctly, the son of the Tudor family also joined last year but wasn’t invited. So there must be some secret between these two girls and Dark!”
Joie agreed: “Brother is right. There must be some secret! You guys, if we dig deeper, can we use it as leverage and…”
“Ah!” Kyle exclaimed, “I don’t know anything!”
“Ugh.” Joie glanced at him discontentedly, “Kyle, can you stop being so scared? Dark isn’t a real demon; he doesn’t eat people.”
Kyle muttered: “You weren’t like this when Dark was here just now.”
Joie pouted: “So when he’s not around, can’t I let off some steam?”
Then she whispered: “By the way, do you know how Dark reconciled with those two princesses? I remember they were quite at odds back then!”
Jon pretended to be solemn: “Sister, you have to know that time can wash away many things.”
Joie questioned: “But they are the two princesses!”
Hearing the twins sing a duet, Thomas couldn’t help but say again, “Speaking of which, are you really not reading newspapers? The matter between Dark and Princess Angie has been on the front page of The Wise One Daily! I still remember the name of that report.”
Joie became interested: “Really?”
Thomas said: “Can it be fake?”
Then he straightened his expression and imitated with a proper tone: “Shocking! The Duke’s Mansion may marry into the royal family; the Duke’s son and the royal princess have set their hearts on each other during Halloween!”
Joie couldn’t help but laugh: “Pfft! How does it make Dark seem like everyone is fighting for him? He’s so bad…”
Thomas remained serious: “You don’t know, even funnier is that the picture used in the report shows Dark and Diana dancing together during Halloween. The reporter twisted the facts, insisting that Diana was Princess Angie. At that time, I nearly laughed to death.”
“There’s such a thing?”
The twins’ interest grew thicker, and they quickly asked which issue of the newspaper it was.
Thomas actually recited the serial number on the spot: “0000126.”
…
As they chatted enthusiastically, time flew by, and soon it was already past eight in the evening.
“Ram” Olivia, the headmaid, estimated the time and pushed a meal cart loaded with a giant cake into the banquet hall.
The cake had thirteen layers, over two meters tall, with each layer made of different materials to ensure distinct flavors.
This was, of course, the thirteen-year-old birthday cake Olivia had made for Dark herself.
The sweet aroma of the cake attracted attention; both adults and children paused their conversations, watching as Olivia pushed the cart to the main table.
Dark eagerly stood up.
Finally, it was time for the most exciting cake-cutting segment!
He wasn’t a stranger to hosting birthday parties, so he was very familiar with the process.
The Demont family valued self-reliance, and although they might not do everything themselves, cutting the cake was certainly something they would do themselves.
If there were forty people at the banquet, they needed to cut forty pieces.
This naturally tested one’s skills greatly.
Today, with about forty people attending, they had to cut forty pieces.
Only after everyone had received a piece could he stop.
This also somewhat added a sense of ceremony.
One must ensure that the towering cake didn’t fall over.
Dark had always fallen short in this part every year.
Today, it was a chance for redemption!
“Need help, Master?”
After stopping the cart, Olivia came behind Dark, slightly bowing and whispering in his ear.
“No need.”
Dark quickly moved forward, pulling out a long knife from the lower part of the cart.
Olivia’s sudden closeness always troubled him.
Seeing this, Olivia showed a slight disappointed expression.
In previous years, she always lifted Dark to cut the cake, but this year, it seemed impossible.
“Master has grown up.”
…
The piano music changed slightly, and the adults stood up from their seats, holding their wine glasses, gathering around Dark.
Although the children were reluctant, they had to stand up too.
They couldn’t let Dark personally deliver the cake to their faces after cutting it.
The golems, after curiously looking around, also came to Dark’s side under the reminder of the maid sisters.
Dark smiled slightly, drawing the “Flight Spell” from his card deck, and silently summoned himself to float.
With a thirteen-layer cake over two meters tall, plus the height of the table, it was over three meters high.
How could he reach it without flying?
Once he reached the appropriate height, he held the knife with both hands, cutting through the top layer of the cake in front of everyone’s astonished gaze, then slicing through the gaps between layers, placing a piece on a plate, “Yomimi—”
The mana spirit that flew beside him rubbed against his face and used its ultimate skill “Telekinesis” to move the first piece down—to the vampire noble!
Dark turned a blind eye to its favoritism, cutting another piece and placing it on the second plate that was moved up.
This piece quickly landed in Deoxys’ hand.
It was already unusual for golems to attend banquets, and these golems, dressed elegantly and capable of eating, even competed for cake.
Each golem called out “Happy Birthday” after getting a piece, tasting it joyfully.
This was their first birthday party, especially for their favorite master’s birthday, and they were the first to receive cake, making them extremely happy.
Only after all the golems got their pieces did the younger generation get their turn.
Anyone who received a piece of cake, regardless of their feelings towards Dark, had to say “Happy Birthday.”
Diana, Rose, and the three princesses also gave him their blessings in turn.
Dark sliced the cake layer by layer from the top, floating lower and lower.
When he finally stood on the ground, most people already had cake in their hands.
“Claire Aunt.”
After giving Claire a piece, Dark cut another and handed it to Alvaraite.
“Happy Birthday, darling.”
Alvaraite couldn’t help but lower her head, kissing his forehead before taking the last piece.
Dark continued slicing, turning to give the final piece to Olivia, who had been standing behind him all along.
Olivia happily accepted the last piece, completely ignoring Alvaraite’s glare, and gently said, “Congratulations, Master, on growing another year older.”
“Thank you for always accompanying me and tolerating me,” Dark said softly.
“Mm. Master, let me help you cut your cake?” Olivia suggested.
Dark nodded slightly, and Olivia took the knife from his hand, slowly cutting a piece and handing it to him. They shared a smile.
Everyone present felt warm seeing this heartwarming scene.
…
The banquet continued.
…
After finishing the cake, tonight’s birthday party entered a free conversation phase.
People held wine glasses, greeting and chatting with each other.
The Duke’s Mansion banquet lacked intrigue, but everyone knew each other. They also paid attention not to get drunk, avoiding excessive noise. Only gentle exchanges made the atmosphere comfortable.
As the night’s main character, Dark walked to the open space after the piano music changed again.
Those who wanted to dance put down their utensils and stepped out of the crowd.
There was no compulsion in the social dance section. Many couples invited each other, creating a warm family atmosphere.
Dark originally planned to dance with Alvaraite, but unexpectedly, the atmosphere changed when he stood up.
The two little princesses were ready and waiting.
Princess Angie was confident, but Princess Anna, who was misled, hesitated. Suddenly, she realized: if Angie danced with Dark, who else could she dance with to enter the dance floor naturally?
Not entering the dance floor meant she couldn’t seek revenge.
This was clearly a fallacy.
So she glared fiercely at Angie and stood up too.
On the other side,
Diana, who had remained low-key throughout, couldn’t wait to leave her seat.
Rose tried to avoid her aunt’s gaze, only following Diana.
When she regained her composure,
Four girls of the same age stood before Dark.
The two little princesses were exquisitely delicate, with noble auras and golden hair shining brilliantly.
Diana was maturing, losing some of her childishness but gaining a youthful charm, with silver hair like the moon.
Rose had always been beautiful, with light golden hair that was both noble and ethereal.
Except for Rose, the other three boldly looked at Dark, their eyes filled with various hints and warnings.
…
“This scene!”
Alvaraite, sitting next to the Big Princess, supported her cheek and smiled warmly at the scene.
She had been looking forward to this moment for a long time.
A boy who could make excellent women discard their pride and compete actively was the kind of figure she hoped her treasure would be.
“Anna and Angie, although a bit mischievous, are actually quite wise and perceptive.”
“Diana is rumored to have innate strength and exceptional constitution, surely a good candidate for bearing children.”
“Rose is a child that makes people like at first sight, and she is the main bloodline of the Floretty family. Her personality is very suitable for managing the household.”
“Which one should I choose?”
Of course, such happiness troubles, she hoped for more.
Suddenly, the maid general named “Jasmine” walked up to her, leaning close to whisper in her ear.
Upon hearing this, Alvaraite immediately showed a delighted expression: “Quickly invite them.”
The maid general, over thirty years old, stood up and quickly left the banquet hall.
Soon after, two new guests entered the door.
A fiery aura spread as soon as one of them entered.
Almost everyone’s gazes unconsciously focused on them.
Viscount Gretebail and his wife, seated near the door, narrowed their eyes. Viscount Gretebail appeared alert, while Viscountess Camilla frowned, her gentle demeanor completely changing.
From the doorway came “Sun Warrior” Suna? Montiel Farley, the city lord, who also noticed them first.
“Camilla, it’s been a long time!”
Montiel Farley’s expression was stern, her red hair fluttering without wind, flames seemingly rising around her!
With half-giant blood, simply standing there made her intimidating.
