Chapter 30

Chapter 30

“Greetings, honored guests. I am the eighth princess, Rosenitte Nadia Hadelamid. I thank you all for celebrating with me today in honor of my 18th birthday and the selection of my personal knight. I wish you all a lovely evening,” Rosenitte announced from the center of the great hall, ready to greet people as they came up.

There was a loud round of applause, and the birthday celebration began in earnest. Rosenitte took a seat in a chair covered with blooming white roses. She began to greet the nobles one by one, handing them each a wine glass of mousse cake. A long line quickly formed in front of Rosenitte.

“Happy birthday, Eighth Princess.”

“Thank you, Viscount Oberto. Have a good time at the banquet today.”

“The silver homunculus fits you perfectly as the White Rose, Eighth Princess. Congratulations.”

“Thank you for coming such a long distance to see me, Count Favelion.”

The imperial siblings also came up to congratulate Rosenitte. The 4th and 5th princes, Rubens and Icallis—her doting followers—arrogantly ignored the line of nobles and walked right up to her, flaunting their closeness with Rosenitte. Rosenitte made sure to smile as they approached, but was annoyed by their rude disregard.

“Rubens, Ica. You have both come! I’m so glad.”

“Ah, Rosie. Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you to arrive? I heard the selection ceremony took quite a while. Good work, dear sister.”

“This silver-haired homunculus must be the one that gave you so much trouble with the imprinting. I’m sure he is a talented one since you chose him, but the gall of the creature to give you such trouble! I shall have to punish him!”

Rubens and Icallis spoke like they were trying to curry favor but Rosenitte frowned. Their big mouths had let slip that the imprint ritual had taken so long because of her poor alchemy skills.

You stupid brothers!

The nobles, who’d all been puzzled by the delay, began murmuring amongst themselves, making Rosenitte’s ears grow hot. It was Brigitte who stepped in for Rosenitte.

“Happy birthday, Rosie.”

“Oh, Betty!”

Brigitte moved in and cut the brothers off with her retinue of other princesses and her personal knight. Rosenitte saw her opportunity and turned away from Rubens and Icallis, ending the conversation.

“I didn’t know you would come, dear sister. I’m greatly honored.”

“You shouldn’t be so surprised. Today is the day my beloved little sister completed her selection ceremony! You don’t think I would miss out on that, do you?”

Brigitte was just acting the part of an affectionate older sister. It was all politically motivated, of course. Having a good relationship with such a popular public figure served to boost her own reputation. This large crowd was the perfect setting to show how good of terms she was on with Rosenitte. It would be even better if their sisterly relationship got reported in the papers or gossip magazines, spreading the information to the public as well.

Brigitte offered Rosenitte a friendly hand.

“In any case, Rosie, I heard that you had a bit of trouble breaking in the greatest knight in the palace. Many princesses have desired Sir Millard for themselves, but none of them had the stomach to attempt such a challenge. I see that you’ve succeeded, being the fully qualified princess that you are. I congratulate you.”

“Oh...”

Brigitte smoothed over the embarrassment of her sister’s lack of talent so well that Rosenitte was caught tongue-tied. Sylvestian quickly jumped in to help her.

“I feel ashamed to have given Her Highness so much trouble. I shall make up for my infraction through my future loyalty.”

Sylvestian gave a polished knight’s bow, putting all the blame on himself for the delay. He went down on one knee and gave a respectful kiss on Rosenitte’s hand. He looked the model of a perfect knight, as if he was straight out of some romantic fairy tale. Some of the ladies standing nearby actually let out audible squeals of jealousy. These exclamations brought Rosenitte back to her senses. Grasping the situation, she gave a smug smile.

He’s quite perceptive, as he should be.

After thanking Brigitte and her other siblings and offering them cake, she resumed greeting all the nobles. In about an hour’s time, the pyramid of cake glasses was nearly gone and the long line had shortened significantly. Custom required that Rosenitte stay seated in her spot, however, so she continued to sit amongst all the blooming roses, smiling and getting up to say hello whenever the occasional noble came up to congratulate her. Rosenitte was beginning to grow bored when she heard some people murmuring.

“Oh my. The seventh princess must be going to offer her congratulations as well.”

Rosenitte rarely doubted the sensitive listening ability of her ears, but she did now. It seemed impossible that her half-sister might have actually come—she’d only sent the invitation out of formality. And yet, shockingly enough, there was Eve, approaching with Mikael following just behind. Rosenitte started when she saw her half-sister walking in the light of the colorful chandeliers.

Eve looked practically regal as she walked. There was no trace of the reclusive princess who always walked as if ready to run and hide at any moment. She now held herself proudly, like an experienced, graceful noblewoman who could gaze confidently through a crowd. Not even Rosenitte could pull off that look so perfectly.

Then Rosenitte heard whispers that put her on edge.

“The two princesses both selected knights at around the same time, didn’t they? I can’t wait to see what they’ll talk about.”

“You’re right. I was thinking the same thing. Doesn’t it almost seem like they’re competing?”

“I’ve heard that Sir Agnito is quite an amazing homunculus himself, despite Sir Millard’s reputation. Apparently he was even called the ‘Monster of the Floating Prison...’”

“Not only that, the seventh princess looked phenomenal today. Before the eighth princess arrived, I almost thought today’s banquet was being held for her!”

This was unacceptable to Rosenitte. The banquet was a celebration for her, and her alone. To think people were comparing her to her distasteful sister, Eve! Her ruby eyes flashed with a glint of hatred. Only Sylvestian was close enough to notice the brief crack in the angelic facade of the White Rose.

Eve came forward to offer her congratulations.

“Hello, Rosie. Congratulations on your birthday and your appointment of a personal knight. I hope you will continue to bloom as the precious and beautiful flower of the empire.”

“Thank you for the kind words, Eve,” Rosenitte replied hollowly. She handed Eve the ugliest glass of cake she could find.

But Eve was not done. She turned to also congratulate Sylvestian. Since he was now the personal knight of a princess, she spoke formally to show respect.

“Sir Millard, congratulations on becoming the personal knight of the White Rose of the Empire. I pray your path be paved with honor and dignity.”

“Thank you... Your Highness.”

Sylvestian bowed with his hand on his chest. His voice seemed to catch ever so slightly as he said this, but no one noticed. While Eve and Sylvestian spoke briefly, Rosenitte’s eyes moved to rest on Mikael.

So this man is Eve’s personal knight... The famed Monster of the Floating Prison.

Rosenitte had been eyeing him ever since he’d walked up with Eve. He was much too attractive for a knight. He might have stood out from the crowd because of his open shirt and lace eye patch, but he also stood out against the other homunculi. Rosenitte did not hide her interest in Mikael.

“Oh right, you appointed a personal knight of your own. Would you introduce us?”

Eve didn’t relish the idea, but she had no good grounds to refuse.

“Ah, of course. This is my personal knight, Sir Mikaelis Agnito.”

“Greetings, Your Highness. I am Mikaelis Agnito.”

Mikael bowed with one arm on his chest. The gesture was perfectly executed, and very appropriate for the situation.

“...”

However, Rosenitte did not respond.

“Rosie?”

Eve asked, puzzled. Rosenitte silently reached out her left hand. It was a request for a formal greeting where he should kiss her hand.

Rosie, you never do that!

All the nobles who’d been watching were also surprised by Rosenitte’s act. It was a well-known fact that the White Rose did not request that anyone kiss the back of her hand. Sick of having her hand treated like public property by male nobles, she never extended her hand first.

Eve grew nervous. Rosenitte had been obsessed with Mikael in the previous life, so Eve suspected that she might fall in love with him at first sight just like last time. Eve quickly recovered her composure, however, upon remembering that Mikael’s irresistible beauty was partially covered with an eye patch.

She’s just making a pass at him.

She did that sometimes. The innocent—or rather, inexperienced—men of high society would immediately form deluded fantasies if Rosenitte so much as smiled at them. Rosenitte knew this and sometimes got a laugh out of making fools of them. If Mikael was given the astonishing honor of kissing the hand of the White Rose, his affections for his mistress would not be the same afterward. No doubt it was this that motivated Rosenitte to be so coquettish.

That’s a cheap shot, Rosie.

Eve was angry and at a loss for words. Then she noticed Mikael starting to let her hand fall from his arm.

Ah... Mikael...

The request had been made by Rosenitte, and a homunculus who’d completed the allegiance ritual couldn’t refuse it. Mikael stepped closer to Rosenitte to give the formal knight’s greeting. As he kneeled, he took Rosenitte’s hand gingerly to his lips.