Chương 18: Chapter Seventeen: Preparation For The Feast

"Oh, darling. You read my mind. Call for her in the morning?"

"No. I'll just wait for my mother to arrive and request one from her."

"Splendid." I almost spit out my food. Excuse you?!! I'm a baby! You can't do this to me. That's child abuse! Normally I would have erupted in fury already. But my newfound discoveries have made me wary of the both of them. Besides, I shouldn't even know what a nanny from the palace is. It's all Hadrian's fault anyway. She's been using them as ghost stories or something like that to encourage me to eat less. Skinny bitch.

"Wipe your mouth, Ria." No. Erichean wipes for me anyway and I snuggle into his arms. No one loves—I mean likes me like you and Harley. You guys are the best and our parents are such crap. The triplets are cool too. That night I ate merrily on the ground with my siblings. We made a mess of the rug and Niathe was peeved, to say the least. Everyone was lectured about manners and the cost of the rug. The Duke carried the triplets who were in a food coma away along with Erichean.

Hadrian was a bit late to arrive so Harley taught me how to move around my magical tattoo on my body for secrecy. We eventually moved it to my inner thigh. Secretive and nobody but us will ever know about it. After that, we put all of the money I had earned inside the pouch. Which is a lot. I'm a little rich lady now. Past me would be so proud. Which got me thinking. With all this danger and scheming around me. What if I just ran away with my money and left? It's not a completely bad idea.

I just need to work out a few kinks in the plan. Hadrian picked up Harleen later personally and had a small conversation with Niathe. That morning I woke up to torture. They call it dress and make-up here. Sarabse cheered me on from the sidelines as I was primed and prepared for the most important night of my life. My first birthday. As Miseria Noxcissa Duccanes. Bleh. A lot is riding on this occasion. Especially now that I have the system. It's been badgering me all of this morning.

It's not enough that it got to me when I was asleep to remind me of my mission. Yeah, you heard me. As soon as I drifted off into dreamland it ripped me out of my sleep into the soul space. I sat there in a daze for a while before it shook me anxiously. Its little blue eyes were wide with fear.

"What?!"

"You have a time-sensitive Urgent Quest! Host get up! Wake up!"

"Just call me Ria. I hate it when you call me Host. What is it?!" It brought up my mission board and clicked on the ominous red tab. Oh god. [Urgent Quest: A Birthday to Remember] [Time Limit: 27: 54: 36]"A time limit? That's concerning. Summarize the requirements please."

"Yes, Ria." [Don't open the Cursed Present.][Refuse a gift from Druvis.][Impress the Queen.][Pick a sworn Guardian.][Do not let your identity as a Godkiller be revealed.][Pick a suitable Imperial Nanny.][Do not Die.]"…"

"…"

"What kind of bullshit mission is this?! How am I supposed to do any of those things?"

"I have a suggestion."

"Fine. Go ahead." The penguin raises a flipper and says.

"Wing it."

"…"

"Get it? Because you have no idea how to—" I kicked the penguin in the face and it went flying into the darkness of my soul.

"Asshole." If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. I fumed in front of the mission and read it thoroughly top to bottom. It was a laundry list of precautions. With no real insight into what exactly I'm supposed to do. Damn it!

"How am I supposed to find and avoid a cursed present?" The Penguin glowered at me and rubbed its beak."You now have the system function of Inspection. You can use it on your gifts."

"But it's going to look weird if I just say that out loud."

"Then I can add a system control over that specific function."

"Which means?"

"I will automatically inspect every single present that you receive. Just for tonight." Ok. I nodded and mused over the other red flags. What do I do about the rest of those? Let's start with Druvis… All last night I brainstormed with the gloomy penguin about what to do. We have a rough outline of a plan but we didn't have much to go on when making it. A leaf could hit me in the face and mess up the plan. I'll just have to improvise. This is so going to disrupt my circadian rhythm.

The only upside about this entire scenario was the reward.

"Read the rewards to me."

"Upon completion of the Urgent Quest Ria will receive: One thousand experience points! Ten Skill Points! Two Rookie Gift Bags! One Bonded Pet!???!"

"What's???." The Penguin was at a loss about??? too. But the other rewards seemed just barely worth it. However, I can only get the full reward if I complete every single step. The Penguin mentioned that even missing one task could result in a terrible penalty. It's too early for this. I'm only one.

"There! Doesn't she look, darling?"

"It's perfect Ulis. Should we show her?"

"Of course. Princess? Look over here!" A maid held out a handheld mirror towards me and I glanced at my reflection. Disgusting. My entire body is encased in pastel purple fabric and frills. My silver locks of hair have even been styled into a pixie cut. I want to go back to being an adult. This sucks.

"She's pouting again."

"That's her resting face. Sarabse! We're done here. What time is it?"

"A quarter till the second bell. We have enough time. How about we take her to the madam?"

"Wonderful idea. Come here, Princess." Ulis, a spunky elf with short brown hair, handed me to Sarabse. Who then took me across the hall to Niathe's room. I've only been in there a handful of times. A servant, standing patiently at the entrance, rapped gently on the door, announcing my arrival with a polite formality. Upon receiving a sound of approval from within, she gracefully ushered us into the lavish room. There, in all her resplendent glory, stood Niathe, preparing herself for the momentous occasion.

She looked gorgeous. Her hair was intricately braided into exquisite shapes, each twist and turn elegantly adorned with luminous pearls that caught the light and shimmered like stars in the night sky. The floor-length form-fitting evening gown she wore was a stunning shade of primordial night—deep and mysterious—crafted from soft, flowing fabric that draped around her figure like a celestial shroud.

It was intricately beaded with diamonds that sparkled like distant constellations, capturing every glimmer of light and reflecting it in a dazzling display. Her arms were encased in black lace gloves that reached up to just below her armpits, the delicate fabric enhancing the elegance of her presence and leaving an air of mystique about her. In that moment, she truly resembled a goddess descended from the heavens, evoking awe and admiration.

She was stunningly unreal, a vision that seemed almost too magnificent to exist in the mortal realm. I can't believe she just dropped a baby. If only she had a personality as beautiful as her face. Cool eyeshadow though.

"Is she ready?" Sarabse responded cheerfully.

"Yes, My Lady. She looks splendid. She'll be the envy of all and a great pride today. Just like her mother." Niathe sighed, turned around, and stared at me. Her eyes flickered and returned to stillness.

"She'll do for tonight. Have her sit on a pillow. No snacks."

"No snacks?!" I hadn't eaten anything today before being tortured. She repeated solemnly." No snacks." I squinted and pouted at her. Hadrian must have said something about my eating habits to her. Her ladies-in-waiting revolved around her and added more pieces to the masterpiece herself. The third bell rang and everything stopped. It was time. Seven bells ring throughout the day indicating time. The first bell signals early morning, around 8 a. m. The second bell indicates that it is just past noon.

The third bell signifies that it is approximately 2 p. m., which usually means that it will start to get darker soon.

"Are you ready Madam?"

"Yes. Let's not delay." She strides towards me. Scoops me up in her arms and continues out the door with her entourage. Her face is covered in shimmery glittery makeup but she wears it well. On anyone else, the makeup would turn them into a clown. She makes sparkles look regal. Her smoky eyes glance at my appraising ones.

"Is there something on my face?"

"Yeah." There's a lot of things on your face.

"…"

"Is it bad?" Is she serious? I mutter nonchalantly."No. You look pretty. Knock 'em dead."

"…" Her gait slows and then quickens.

"Alright." Wait a minute. I eye her suspiciously. That's just a saying. Don't actually knock anyone—"Presenting! Rejoice in the presence of Naithe Noctiluca Lark. First of her namesake, Queen of the Sunless Forest, and treasured wife of Duke Eligia Duccanes. Accompanying her is Miseria Noxcissa Duccanes. First of her namesake, daughter to Princess Naithe, and Duke Eligia. Rejoice!" The doors open, and we step into the ballroom. I remember it well. It feels different in the hour before midnight.

The sun is setting toward the horizon, casting orange hues across the sky. Stars begin to twinkle, but the moon has yet to appear. From the balcony, Mother introduces me to the audience, and they cheer joyfully. From up here, I can see everyone and everything, including the large table in the back filled with presents. Scanning targets… I keep my eyes on the presents as Penguin inspects them.

"Greedy. That's enough." Niathe rips me away from the balcony and descends the stairs to the main floor. It looks so different in the daylight.

"Your Highness." A series of men and women bow before Niathe.

"Rise." She gives them permission to raise their heads and their eyes immediately curve to inspect me. Oh boy.

"What a beautiful child! She must be blessed by Freya herself!"

"Surely not! Venus must have shown her favor." They argue amongst themselves and I realize who they are. Followers or Acolytes of the gods. Much like priests they baptize children, marry couples, host funerals, and perform the tasks given to them by their patron god. One of those tasks is to slay the heretics wherever you see them. Hello. I'm the heretic you're looking for. Please spare me. Sweat collected on my brow as I stared at them. Holy shit. One of them is going to baptize me. Penguin?

Can you tell which ones are above level one hundred? Yes! Their level indicator will appear as question marks. Penguin scanned the acolytes and came back with a large number of results. One hundred and three! What?! Yes. I also took the liberty of noting the acolytes below level one hundred. These acolytes are suitable to use for your baptism. Please review the— Niathe lost her patience and interrupted their debate." Thank you for your attention and support. My husband is waiting for me.

Please allow me to see him."

"Of course. I wouldn't dare—Please." The acolytes moved out of Niathe's way and she glided down the path they had made. The round tables were gone and were replaced with long tables. In the center of the large room is my entire family. Dressed to the nines and eagerly awaiting our arrival. Especially Erichean. He looks amazing. Oh, and Harley! I love her dress. She looks so cute today. She and I had cracked a deal last night. No matter what. The pouch will be my favorite gift.

I get forty percent of the profits this time. Which is at least four hundred gold! She bet a thousand gold on me. This girl. Harley squeals and waves at me." Ria!" Meng Jialin flatters me." Oh, my goddess. She looks adorable!" I blush as the other kids shower me with compliments. I'm a grown woman. This is only temporary. Just ignore it. Is that—Why is he here? Derrick stands in between the triplets and his sister. That's not good. His head is down and he reeks of despair. His poor ears are even drooped.

He won't even look up from his feet. What happened to him? My brows knit and I looked at the Duke. I thought he was—well I guess he's probably trying to keep up appearances. That's a huge thing with him. He's so vain. Niathe's grip tightens on me and I know she sees what I'm seeing too. No matter how much of a menace this kid is to me. I still don't like seeing him look so dejected and scared. It just doesn't sit right with me. It makes sense why he was acting like a father to me yesterday.

He was trying to score points for this. That still doesn't explain why Derrick looks that way. Maybe I can ask Eris what happened later. We don't talk that much. She mostly keeps to herself. But maybe she'll make an exception this time. Niathe utters salutations dryly and walks around the table to the Duke. He smiles obsequiously and she ignores him. His finger reaches out to poke me and I flinch. Disgusting.

"That broke my heart." I snapped back without thinking."Then get another one."

"…" Dorothea chokes on her drink and coughs. Her shoulders shake and the Duke flushes red. Oops. Niathe spoke sweetly.

"She has your wit." Wow! Go Niathe.

"It appears she does. Let's start my love." Niathe stands on the Duke's right and Dorothea on his left. The Duke raises a golden glass of red wine and toasts to the room. Instantly everyone is quiet and he continues to release the most boring speech I've ever heard.