Chapter 8
Just then, someone called out in a cheerful tone and hurriedly approached, interrupting Juan's words.
As the siscon Prince hesitated and continued down the stairs, I smiled and turned to the enthusiastic banking apprentice.
"Do you enjoy the party?"
"Y-Yes, of course! It's my first time experiencing such a luxurious Christmas Eve. Thank you for inviting me."
"Of course, as your cousin's wedding, you should be attending. Did your father accompany you?"
"Yeah, he wanted to greet you, Madame Sasha. And earlier... Well, this is a humble Christmas gift from me."
I widened my eyes in mock surprise at the small gift box that Pierro shyly handed over, scratching his platinum hair.
"Oh... You really didn't have to..."
"M-My gift is really insignificant! Still, I chose it wholeheartedly... I-I hope you like it."
"I'm looking forward to seeing what's inside. I really appreciate it. I'll cherish it."
As I said this sincerely, his pretty face immediately turned as red as an apple. Like a cute little boy. How is he so different from his father?
After hastily finishing the remaining food, I got up and made my way back into the reception area. As I approached the bar, where pumpkin juice was being served, Pierro pulled his father along.
"Madame Sasha, here..."
"Oh, Viscount. You're here."
"Mm, what a splendid Christmas."
Jerome greeted me with some shyness before glancing at his son. In response, Pierro scratched his head with an air of dejection and moved away. He should spend time with his son.
While I silently filled my glass with pumpkin juice, Jerome coughed and began speaking awkwardly.
"To think that Lethias is already married... It's hard to believe how quickly the years have passed."
"That's true."
“Still, I'm glad he's marrying a noble young lady from a good family. The Orsini County has an excellent tradition…"
"If Estelle were here, she would have been delighted. It's quite a pity, isn't it?"
It seems that today, we're observing a lot of scenes where people's eyes were shaking as if there's an earthquake happening.
Jerome shifted his gaze momentarily, his expression tinged with guilt and sadness and then spoke in a hushed voice.
"Well, I couldn't attend that collateral family meeting we talked about. But..."
"Are your brothers here?"
"Huh? Oh, only the third eldest... But why do you ask?"
I couldn't help but chuckle at his rather transparent intentions with those questions. He seems quite concerned that I might direct my attention to another one of his brothers.
Well, I never expected much from you in the first place.
When I didn't say anything, Jerome glanced around as if someone might be eavesdropping, then leaned in with a more urgent tone.
"Well, I heard there was some commotion regarding that fountain pen..."
"How else did you hear about it?"
"My niece... You know, my second brother's daughter, Flor. She attended the All Saints' Day ball the other day and caused a scene while clinging to Pierro. Of course, Pierro doesn't believe a word she says... As you know, my son worries about you quite a bit."
I stopped smiling. At that time, it seems Pierro was the last person to see Flor, who messed things up and fled thanks to our Miss Heroine. How charming the two of them are.
"But perhaps... So, they're saying that you sent it... I mean, you must have your own reasons, but if you're planning something..."
What am I planning, you wonder? Would you like to join in? I took a sip of the sweet juice and swallowed it. Then, I calmly shook my head.
"That's correct, I did send it. But I sent the wrong one."
"You sent the wrong one...?"
"As you well know, that fountain pen is a very important item to both Oppa and Benya. But I got it mixed up with something else, so..."
"Would you like me to find it for you?"
It was rather amusing to see how quickly he reacted, as if he were some kind of guardian of justice, to my casually dropped words meant to tease him.
The fountain pen that had passed from Count Vivora's hands to Knoxus, from Knoxus to Assad, had long since returned to my possession.
"Well, do you know who has it now?"
"My older brother over there will know. I clearly heard that he had a conversation with our second brother. So, if Flor's claims are true... I should go and ask him first."
Sure, go ahead and do that as much as you'd like. It would be quite entertaining if another sibling rivalry akin to the hunting festival were to break out here.
With a sense of amusement, I drank another glass of pumpkin juice and started walking toward the back of the hotel. It was time to commence the charity event.
After double-checking the gifts meant for the needy who would be awaiting them tonight, the plan was to donate in the alleyway at the hotel's rear, so as not to disrupt the reception.
"Miss Sasha."
"Everyone is working diligently."
In the backyard, there was a heap of gifts that the staff had arranged beforehand. 300,000 sacks of sausages, bread, candy, corn, olives, and more, along with 30,000 barrels of beer and 10,000 barrels of rum.
I had a feeling it might not be sufficient, especially when listening to the commotion coming from outside.
"I don’t think there’s really ever been a day where the police officers feel more reliable than today."
"Hey, Mr. Pavel, are you here? I thought you were in the reception area…"
"Shouldn't I also take a break for a while? It's not like I can enjoy myself comfortably in a place like that, and more than anything, I'm tired of seeing his face. I sincerely hope that their honeymoon period gets extended as much as possible..."
Overnight, all the staff and I burst into giggles at the Chief Aide's grumbling, which made him sound five years older than he actually was.
And so, the first round of events began. The plan was to hold the first round at 8:30 p.m. and the second round at midnight.
“Because we might not have enough presents..."
“You can't distribute everything to so many people, can you?"
"That's true, but it's good to address as many issues as possible. The total number of police officers who came today..."
"They said around a thousand. I heard the warehouse is overflowing with potatoes and they're on the verge of rotting. How about distributing a few sacks of potatoes separately?"
"Ohhh, as expected of our Chief Aide."
"Don't say things you don't mean."
With the cooperation of the officers, the staff exchanged jokes with Pavel while distributing the gifts, briefly checking the overflowing warehouse, and then returning to the backyard.
As I stepped off the elevator and swiftly walked through the lobby aisle, someone hurried in from the reception area and followed me.
"Excuse me, Sasha..."
Mr. Pavel, who had halted in front of me, immediately scowled. Then, as if shielding me, he stepped forward and growled in a solemn tone.
"What do you want with Miss Sasha?"
Seemingly daunted by the Chief Aide's formidable presence, Jerome hesitated for a moment and cast a pitiful glance my way. I raised an eyebrow sternly.
"What is it?"
"I-I have discussed it, but it's a bit..."
Ah, there it was. The incident during the hunting festival must have put a dent in your enthusiasm for being my fawning supporter.
Of course, there was no way for you to retrieve a non-existent fountain pen, but I was a bit disappointed because I was expecting an entertaining sibling rivalry.
"I didn't have high expectations to begin with."
I smiled and quickened my pace, but Jerome caught up and clung to me in the most pitiable manner.
"B-but... I heard something really important. I felt like I had to tell you..."
Our Mr. Pavel was ready to grab the elder Viscount by the collar and toss him into the reception area.
I hesitated for a moment, then turned into a side hallway, thinking I might as well hear him out first, even if I wasn't sure how crucial it was.
"Go ahead, speak."
"Excuse me... But this person..."
Jerome made a series of incomprehensible gestures, seemingly convinced that Mr. Pavel was utterly untrustworthy.
At this, Mr. Pavel, who stood beside me with his arms crossed and a guardian-like presence exchanged glances with him. The image that formed in my mind was somewhat amusing.
"No one's eavesdropping. Mr. Pavel is someone you can trust. Will you tell me?"
"No, if you're guaranteeing it for real... Uhm, you see, they seem to have formed an alliance with the royal family. You know, Fibonacci."
"..."
"I don't know if that damn fountain pen is in the imperial palace or something... It sounded like nonsense, but it's not unheard of..."
Wow, what a great guess. It was information I was well aware of from the start, so I was disappointed once again. Mr. Pavel seemed equally disappointed, judging by his expression.
What a waste of time... No, I thought so at least. Until we all turned our heads in unison at an unexpected commotion, staring at the figure stumbling into the hallway out of nowhere.
Correction, not an intruder. He was a guest for the evening.
"Sasha..."
A moment of silence ensued. The scent of blood stung our nostrils as Mr. Faber and Jerome froze in place at the unexpected scene they couldn't have fathomed. My eyes widened abruptly.
"My goodness, Ducal Prince, are you hurt?"
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