TWPND 24

Chapter: 24

The Emperor’s Birthday Banquet

The imperial palace was breathtakingly beautiful as the sun began to set.

Looking down below, a long procession of nobles could be seen arriving for the Emperor’s birthday banquet.

Come to think of it, had the delegation from the Rilberg Empire arrived safely yesterday?

‘They’ll be attending the birthday banquet today, right?’

I had tried to spot them yesterday but failed, not knowing who the Rilberg delegates were. Still, not giving up, I eagerly peered down again today.

It was then.

Suddenly, from a distance, something black came falling toward me.

‘What is that? Dust? A rock?’

Jusielia walked across the terrace and leaped onto the railing.

She felt as if she’d passed through a cool barrier, but she paid it no mind.

All she felt was an instinct telling her she had to swat it down.

Her supernatural ability had reawakened after her grave illness, so Jusielia gathered a small blue flame in her front paw.

And she threw a perfect punch.

*Poof!*

“Kyang.”

A sense of satisfaction washed over her as she watched the black stone vanish without a trace.

It was strange, though.

Who would be so bold as to throw a rock at the Emperor’s terrace? It was nothing serious, but still.

Jusielia tilted her head.

‘But I feel like someone’s watching me.’

Feeling a gaze from somewhere, Jusielia glanced around. Something glinted on the roof of the Emperor’s palace, and she stared intently at it.

‘Golden chains?’

Jusielia narrowed her eyes.

*Slink.*

But the chains vanished in an instant, and the presence disappeared with them.

“Your Highness~ It’s time to get ready for the banquet.”

“Kyahng.”

At Sophie’s gentle call, Jusielia replied that she was coming and leaped down from the railing.

Something was definitely off.

If they were golden chains, they must belong to that boy from her dream.

With a lingering gaze, Jusielia stared at the spire of the Emperor’s palace before heading inside.

“Wow, you look absolutely beautiful!”

“She’s right! Oh, I wish I could capture this in a painting.”

“Kyahng.” (Ah, sure.)

After she was all ready, Jusielia responded nonchalantly to the applauding maids.

In truth, as a white tiger, Jusielia didn’t require much preparation for a banquet.

Placing a sparkling tiara on her head was all it took.

The only other accessory she wore was the white tiger necklace around her neck, a matching set with her father.

There was also a bracelet she wore because Ijeten had pouted, insisting they have a matching couple item of their own.

‘This is such a pain.’

But even with just these, Jusielia felt like she was weighed down by jewelry.

The white tiger princess was now being carried to the banquet hall like a doll in Ijeten’s arms.

“Kyaaahng.” (Put me down.)

Jusielia wanted to walk.

But today, Ijeten was resolute in his refusal.

“No. Jusi, you’re a princess.”

“Kyahngaahngahng!” (What! And you’re the Crown Prince!)

“That’s why you can’t.”

“???”

Jusielia looked up at Ijeten in disbelief as he presented his nonsensical logic, determined to carry her all the way.

Ijeten smiled softly, looking down at Jusielia. He stroked her head and began to walk with slow, graceful steps.

“My pretty Jusi.”

“Kyahng……” (Why so suddenly……)

Jusielia sighed.

*You’re* prettier.

Jusielia genuinely thought so.

Today was the Emperor’s birthday; was it alright for Ijeten, the Crown Prince, to be dressed so dazzlingly?

His shining blond hair was elegantly styled, half swept back and half left down.

I never realized his forehead was so handsome.

The gleaming golden medals adorning his red Crown Prince uniform also suited him perfectly.

Just how many merits had he earned at such a young age?

Just then, Ijeten’s golden eyes crinkled as he looked down at Jusielia and smiled.

‘Well. If it’s nice to look at, I guess it’s all good.’

Looking at the brilliantly shining, golden Ijeten, Jusielia nodded, thinking he was growing up well.

‘Come to think of it……’

Back when she was Anash.

Not all her memories had returned, but she felt that her brother, Ganash, had a similar air about him when he took human form instead of his golden tiger form.

‘Though I don’t remember the details.’

Jusielia chuckled, thinking that her current older brother, Ijeten, and Anash’s brother, Ganash, were similar in both looks and personality.

As they neared the entrance to the banquet hall, Ijeten stopped walking.

“Why did you smile?”

“Kyang?”

Jusielia looked up. But Ijeten’s expression was uncharacteristically serious and stiff.

‘What’s with him?’

“Kyarung?”

“Jusi. Listen carefully. No matter how many people in the world treat you well, family is the best. Understand?”

It came out of nowhere.

Jusielia was so dumbfounded that she rolled her eyes and growled.

“Grrrwl?” (What are you talking about?)

“You understand? That’s right. I know too. You’re the best to me, too.”

Ijeten hugged Jusielia tightly once more before they reached the banquet hall entrance.

‘What a weirdo.’

After all the times he’d hated her and said mean things.

And now he was spouting nonsense. Jusielia grumbled to herself.

When Count Talon, who had accompanied them, gave a nod, the guards opened the doors to the banquet hall, and an attendant announced loudly.

“The Penterin Empire’s Little Guardian and Little Angel now enter!”

Jusielia’s face grew hot at the titles used to describe her.

An angel, really.

Normally, when siblings entered, they were called the two guardians.

Jusielia grumbled internally, but Ijeten wore a satisfied, smug expression as he stepped into the hall.

As befitting an emperor’s birthday banquet, the beautiful hall was adorned with fountains, flowers, and gold.

Crown Prince Ijeten’s etiquette was flawless as he walked along the red carpet.

Even while holding his little sister, the white tiger princess, in his arms.

Naturally, the eyes of everyone in the banquet hall turned to the two of them.

“That must be her!”

“She’s so small and cute!”

“The one His Majesty and His Highness cherish so much?”

“The reincarnation of Anash, the white tiger?”

“Adorable.”

In truth, today was Jusielia’s first official public appearance.

Jusielia found the attention burdensome, but Ijeten had been eager to show off his little sister.

And as for Ritain, it went without saying.

Ritain, who had been sitting on the dais far away, rose from his seat.

Jusielia was about to smile at the sight of Ritain grinning foolishly, forgetting all his imperial dignity, but her expression quickly turned cold.

It was because of the large, ornately decorated card displayed on the wall above the Emperor’s head.

[Made by My Daughter]

Jusielia was so embarrassed that she covered her eyes with her front paws while still in Ijeten’s arms.

I can’t look.

As Ijeten approached the dais, Ritain spoke affectionately.

“Come, Jusi, come to Papa.”

I don’t want to go, Papa.

Jusielia lowered the paws covering her eyes and cautiously observed the situation.

But what if she really refused to go to Ritain now?

The aftermath would be far worse than when she hadn’t given him a birthday present last year.

Jusielia decided to sacrifice herself for the peace of the empire.

After being transferred from Ijeten’s arms to Ritain’s, Jusielia secretly let out a sigh.

Ritain laughed heartily and raised his champagne glass.

“Well, thank you all for coming. I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! Happy birthday!”

“Yes, yes, that’s all well and good.”

Ritain grinned.

“Make sure you all get a good look at my birthday card. Understood? My daughter fell gravely ill making this for me. That’s how much she loves me.”

“Yes, yes!”

“Yes, we understand, Your Majesty!”

The nobles, already well aware of Ritain’s bizarre obsession with Princess Jusielia, nodded and replied immediately.

The absurdity was all Jusielia’s to bear.

Why are you all agreeing!

Am I the only one who’s embarrassed?!

Jusielia shot her foolishly doting father a quiet glare.

Ritain’s golden eyes widened.

“What’s wrong? Are you hungry?”

“It might be that she’s nervous, since this is her first time before so many people. I’ll go get her something myself.”

Ijeten quickly descended to the table where food for the royal family was laid out.

He returned with a plate piled high with all sorts of sweet treats, a wide smile on his face, and set it down in front of Jusielia.

He even cut the food into small, bite-sized pieces for her before picking one up with a fork to feed her.

‘What’s gotten into him?’

Ijeten was usually nice to her, but he was overdoing it today.

Jusielia eyed Ijeten suspiciously but still ate the food he offered her with a happy munch.