* * *

The Emperor and Empress hurriedly arrived that evening.

“We apologize for the unpleasantness you experienced during the ball, Tower Master.”

“It’s no trouble. I should apologize for leaving midway…”

While glancing at my gauge to ensure it didn’t drop further, I kept the conversation going.

Then suddenly, the status window started blinking.

Oh, is now the time? How considerate of it.

“Ahem…”

I cleared my throat unnecessarily.

Sensing I had something to say, the Emperor and Empress turned their full attention to me.

It felt a little embarrassing.

“The Fourth Prince…”

Their faces darkened, assuming I was about to say something unpleasant.

“Surprisingly, he seems like a promising individual.”

“…What?!”

I thought such unexpected praise might lighten their mood, but not at all.

The Emperor and Empress looked as if I had just told them their house had been robbed.

“So… I’m considering assigning him to accompany me during the festival.”

At my following words, their expressions now resembled those of people whose house had not only been robbed but set ablaze.

They were stunned for a moment but quickly regained composure.

The Empress leaned toward me in clear dismay, an uncharacteristic reaction for her normally calm demeanor.

“Perhaps I misheard…?”

“I said I wish to assign the Fourth Prince to accompany me for the festival.”

After exchanging disbelieving looks, the Emperor spoke next, his tone more measured.

“It would be an honor for the royal family, but are you sure about this? The Crown Prince is already preparing to serve. His attendance would be more befitting of your stature.”

I had expected resistance, but not to this extent.

True, in terms of status, the Crown Prince might be the better fit.

However, for me, any royal—prince or otherwise—was all the same.

What unsettled me more was their blatant difference in attitude.

Both the Emperor and Empress were clearly reluctant, as though treating the Fourth Prince as unworthy.

“It’s an honor simply to have a royal family member accompany me, as always.”

At my words, they fell silent.

Though they didn’t openly exchange glances, their unease was palpable.

I understood their feelings.

For such an important festival, having someone like the Fourth Prince suddenly take part was bound to cause concern.

But still, was it really something to oppose so blatantly?

The Emperor hesitated, then asked carefully.

“Tower Master, might you reconsider?”

“Reconsider? It’s just a festival escort.”

With a faint smile and the clinking of teacups in the background, I replied.

The Emperor and Empress grew noticeably pale, my eerie laugh seemingly chilling the room.

Though they looked like they had more to say, what could they do?

If I insisted on this, that was the end of it.

“Then it shall be so. The Fourth Prince will undoubtedly consider it an immense honor.”

“As do we.”

“The honor is mine, truly.”

And so, it was decided: the Fourth Prince would accompany me for the festival.

After some trivial conversation devoid of substance, the Emperor and Empress left, still visibly uneasy.

Once they were gone, I let out a sigh, my shoulders slumping.

My stamina had dropped to 8, leaving my body feeling heavy. My gauge was only at about 70%.

Wanting to catch my breath, I headed toward the resting area inside the Daffodil Garden.

But, of course, the gauge started clinking again, interrupting me.

Ah well, back then, I hadn’t known there was a cozy spot inside where I could lie down alone.

I glanced wistfully at the sunny, daffodil-surrounded retreat but had no choice but to turn away.

Sertar escorted me back to my quarters.

“Do you need anything?”

Cloden approached and asked. I shook my head and flopped onto the bed.

It wasn’t like I was sleepy.

Even keeping my eyes closed felt like a chore, so I just lay there blankly.

Suddenly, the status window blinked to life.

[Quest Triggered!
How about taking a stroll in the garden?
Accept
Decline]

A quest…?

Why now?

I was too tired to move.

I hit the decline button, but like a persistent Windows warning popup, the window immediately reappeared.

ꔚ

[Quest Triggered!
The sunset in the garden is particularly beautiful. How about taking a stroll?
.˚ * ⊹ • Accept • ⊹ * ˚.
Decline]

“…You’ve got to be kidding me…”

This time, the “Accept” button flashed gaudily, as if coaxing me to click it, like some virus-laden installation prompt.

It was clear: the only real choice was “Accept.”

Still, just to be sure, I hit “Decline” again.

The window popped up once more, with the “Accept” button now even flashier—blinking like a neon sign.

‘Fine. Guess I can’t avoid it.’

Resigned, I pressed “Accept.”

Normally, interacting with the status window just felt like waving at empty air.

This time, though, a cheerful sound played, and I even felt a physical sensation on my fingertip.

For a brief moment, I wondered what might happen if I kept hitting decline until the end.

But I didn’t have the energy for that.

When I pressed “Accept,” the quest details appeared.

[It’s the perfect time to enjoy the sunset. Let’s take in the view from the garden.]

Which garden, though?

Ah, probably the one Serta mentioned.

The one newly refurbished to enhance the sunset view.

So that was foreshadowing for this quest, huh?

With a deep sigh, I got up. Sensing my movement, Cloden promptly entered the room.

As an experienced attendant, he could easily distinguish between me moving with a purpose and moving absentmindedly.

Or maybe I just moved so rarely that he checked in every other time.

Either way, his timing worked out.

“I’m heading to the outer garden.”

“I’ll prepare your robe.”

Cloden handed me a robe, which I draped over myself and pulled the hood low.

Declining any attendants, I headed there alone.

What would await me in the garden?

A new character to conquer?

An event?

Maybe a gauge-raising cutscene?

I walked straight through the garden but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

When I reached the exit leading further outside, I furrowed my brows.

“……”

Standing at the garden’s entrance was a tall, suspicious-looking man with golden hair.

So, it was an event.

This was a secluded area outside the labyrinth, past the daffodil garden.

Accessible, sure, but not somewhere people came casually.

Ateol was there.

He probably tried to request an audience but got promptly denied.

Still, because of his status, the guards could only hover around him without taking further action.

After all, he was a prince.

Noticing my presence, Ateol turned his head, and our eyes met.

[Quest Complete – Enjoy the Sunset in the Garden!]

Enjoy the sunset?

I hadn’t even looked at it.

How absurd.

Still, on second thought, this was convenient.

In my previous life, I would have had to scheme endlessly to meet Ateol.

If the system was going to serve him to me on a silver platter through quests and events, I wouldn’t complain.

Of course, I didn’t let any of that show as I spoke.

“What brings you here?”

I initiated the conversation, but Ateol remained composed, waiting for me to invite him to speak.

Only then did he respond.

“I heard the news.”

“What news?”

“That you’ve chosen me as your companion for the festival.”

That news traveled fast.

I shrugged, and Ateol took a step closer.

Turning, I headed back into the garden.

Interpreting this as permission, Ateol followed a step behind.

The sunset-filled garden was undeniably beautiful.

About halfway through, Ateol spoke up.

“My father and stepmother are calling me a stray cat, scheming against them.”

“A… stray cat?”

What kind of soap-opera-worthy language was this?

I stopped and looked at him blankly, and Ateol chuckled.

“It felt quite satisfying.”

“…Why would that make you feel good?”

“Because I got a taste of power.”

What an unhinged thought process.

* * *