Compared to the Diana family's pure intentions, the Flotly family inevitably had some pursuit of self-interest mixed in.
While Viscountess Flotly was willing to bear the risk on her behalf, she also harbored the idea of using this to climb up alongside the Duke's household.
The couple hadn't hidden this small calculation — they'd told Rose about it quite candidly.
But once Rose understood this, she felt even more hesitant about a romantic pursuit that had become less than pure, tainted as it was by self-interest.
Especially since she had stood on Diana's side from the very beginning.
Her uncle and aunt's unexpected support ultimately didn't change her mind.
As for the pursuit of self-interest, she could find other ways to handle that.
As for the pursuit of the heart, she still hoped for something purer, in the end.
And besides, in her heart, Diana's standing still ranked above Dark's, for now.
...
The birthday banquet proceeded smoothly, at just the right pace.
Pretty, adorable maids moved between the tables, bringing out fresh dishes and clearing empty plates, and the atmosphere gradually warmed up.
With Dark not right beside them, the family's younger members relaxed considerably, and along with that came hearty appetites and curiosity they could no longer hold back.
They began looking for conversation topics among the two outsiders the two Duke households had invited.
While adults instinctively focused on family power and influence, children were more inclined to focus first on their peers.
"I know one of those two girls," Kyle said in a low voice, covering his mouth with his chubby hand.
The twins sitting at the same table exchanged a glance, and Jon, the older brother, said disdainfully, "Who wouldn't recognize the one and only pearl of the Greatbear family?"
Kyle blinked. "The one and only pearl of the Greatbear family? Who's that?"
Jon: "...?"
Kyle looked puzzled. "I meant the girl from the Flotly family."
"No," Jon said, eyes widening. "I mean, you really don't know Diana?"
Kyle scratched his head, even more confused. "What's wrong with that? Why would I need to know her?"
Jon's expression froze, utterly speechless.
Thomas, another boy at the same table, couldn't help but chuckle. "Enough, you two. As it happens, I know both of them — they're Dark's classmates. Isn't it perfectly normal to invite classmates to a birthday party?"
Jon disagreed. "But if I remember right, that kid from the Doron family started school last year too, and he wasn't invited. So there's definitely something suspicious going on between these two girls and Dark!"
Joy chimed in in agreement. "Big brother's right, there's definitely something fishy! What if we dig deeper — we could use it as leverage, and then..."
"Whoa!" Kyle suddenly cried out. "I don't know anything!"
"Tch," Joy said, giving him an unhappy look. "Kyle, can you not be so scared all the time? Dark isn't actually a demon, you know. He doesn't eat people."
Kyle muttered, "You weren't like this when Dark was actually here."
Joy pouted. "So I can't run my mouth a little now that he's gone?"
Then she lowered her voice again. "By the way, do you two know how Dark made up with those two princesses? I remember things got really ugly between them at first!"
Jon put on a look of deep wisdom. "Little sister, you should know — time smooths over a great many things."
Joy questioned him. "But those are the two princesses we're talking about!"
Listening to the twins play off each other, Thomas couldn't help but speak up again. "Do you two seriously not read the papers? The whole thing between Dark and Princess Angie made front-page news in the Great Sage Daily! I still remember the headline."
Joy perked up with interest. "Really?"
"Would I lie about something like that?" Thomas said.
Then he straightened his expression and, enunciating each word with perfect clarity, imitated the headline: "Shocking! Duke's Household May Marry into the Royal Family — Duke's Son and Royal Princess Fall in Love on Halloween!"
Joy burst out laughing. "Pfft! Why does that make Dark sound like the most sought-after catch around? He's such a brat..."
Thomas kept his straight face. "You don't know the funniest part — the photo they used for that article was actually of Dark and Diana dancing together on Halloween! The reporter got it completely wrong and insisted Diana was Princess Angie. I nearly died laughing at the time."
"Wait, that actually happened?"
The two twins' interest only grew, and they hurried to ask which issue of the paper it was.
Thomas actually recited the serial number on the spot: "0000126."
...
While the conversation over there heated up, time flew by, and before long it was already past eight in the evening.
Maid Captain Ollie of "Aries," judging the timing carefully, pushed a serving cart bearing a massive cake into the banquet hall.
The cake stood a full thirteen tiers high, over two meters tall, with each tier made from a different material to ensure a distinct flavor for every layer.
It was, of course, the thirteenth birthday cake Ollie had made for Dark with her own hands.
The sweet, rich fragrance of the cake caught everyone's attention. Adults and children alike paused their conversations briefly to watch Ollie push the cart up to the main table.
Dark stood up, eager to get started.
Finally — the most exciting part had arrived: cutting the cake!
This wasn't his first birthday banquet, of course, so he knew the routine well.
The Demon family valued self-reliance above all else. Other things could slide, but the cake absolutely had to be cut by the birthday boy himself.
However many people were present, that many slices had to be cut.
This was, of course, an extremely demanding test of skill.
For instance, tonight there were about forty-some guests attending, meaning he'd need to cut out forty-some slices.
He couldn't stop until every single person had received their piece of cake.
In a way, this was also a kind of ritual.
The key thing was making sure the towering cake didn't topple over.
Every previous year, Dark had failed at exactly this step.
Tonight would be his chance to wash away that shame!
"Do you need any help, Young Master?"
After parking the cart, Ollie came up behind Dark, bent slightly, and whispered in his ear, her presence pressed close to his mind.
"No need."
Dark quickly stepped forward, pulling a long, narrow knife from the lower shelf of the cart.
Ollie always caught him off guard by getting so close, which left him a bit flustered.
But seeing him react this way, a faint trace of disappointment crossed Ollie's face.
In previous years, she'd always been the one to carry Dark up to cut the cake, but it seemed that wouldn't work this year.
"The young master really has grown up, hasn't he."
...
The piano music shifted slightly, and the adults rose from their seats with tall glasses in hand, gathering loosely around Dark.
The children, though reluctant, had no choice but to get up and come over too.
After all, they couldn't very well expect Dark to personally deliver slices of cake to each of them once it was cut.
As for the group of Magic Guide Spirits, after a few curious glances, they too made their way over to Dark's side at the maids' gentle prompting.
Dark smiled faintly, pulled the "Flying Charm" from his card pouch, murmured the summoning words, and rose into the air.
The cake was a full thirteen tiers high, over two meters tall, and adding in the height of the table, that made for well over three meters.
How could he possibly reach it without flying?
Once he'd risen to a sufficient height, he gripped the knife handle with both hands and, under everyone's astonished gaze, first sliced through the topmost tier, then made a cut through the gap between layers, lifting one piece of cake onto a plate. "Meow~"
Drifloon, floating beside him, nuzzled against his face, then used its Ultimate Move, "Psywave," to send the first slice of cake floating down below — straight to the Vampire Young Lady!
Dark turned a blind eye to its blatant favoritism and casually cut the second slice, setting it down on the second plate that had risen up to meet him.
That slice quickly ended up in Gatomon's hands.
It was already rare enough for Magic Guide Spirits to attend a party at all, but here they were, not only dressed in fine outfits and able to eat, but even squabbling over cake.
Every Magic Guide Spirit, upon receiving its slice, let out a cry to mark the moment — "Happy Birthday!" — before happily taking its first bite.
This was the first birthday party of their lives, and their favorite master's birthday party at that. Being the very first to receive a slice of cake naturally filled them with pure joy.
Only once every Magic Guide Spirit had received its slice did the cake finally make its way to the younger generation.
Whatever any of them privately felt about Dark, everyone who received a slice had to say "Happy Birthday" first.
Diana, Rose, and the three princesses each offered their well-wishes in turn.
Dark cut his way down tier by tier, drifting lower and lower as he went.
By the time his feet touched the ground, most of the guests already had their slices in hand.
"Aunt Claire."
After handing this slice to Claire, Dark cut another and passed it to Alvit.
"Happy birthday, baby."
Alvit couldn't help but lean down and kiss his forehead before accepting the very last slice.
Dark cut yet another slice and turned to hand it to Ollie, who had been standing behind him the whole time.
Ollie's face lit up with delight as she accepted this truly final slice, utterly ignoring Alvit's glare, and said gently, "Young Master, congratulations on turning a year older."
"Thank you for staying by my side all this time, and for putting up with me," Dark said softly.
"Mm. Young Master, let me cut your slice for you," Ollie offered.
Dark nodded slightly, and Ollie took the knife from his hands, slowly cutting a piece and handing it to him. The two of them exchanged a smile.
Everyone present, seeing this heartwarming scene, felt a warmth spread through their chests.
...
The party continued.
...
After finishing the cake, tonight's birthday banquet moved into a phase of free mingling.
People held their wine glasses, greeting and chatting with one another.
There was none of the usual scheming at a Duke's household banquet — everyone knew each other well, took care not to drink too much, and there was no excessive rowdiness, only gentle conversation. It felt remarkably comfortable.
As tonight's guest of honor, once the piano shifted into another variation, Dark walked out onto the open floor.
Those who wanted to dance also set down their utensils and stepped out from the crowd.
The ballroom dancing segment carried no obligation, of course, and mostly consisted of husbands and wives inviting each other, filling the room with family warmth.
Dark's original plan had been to dance one song with Alvit and call it done.
But the moment he stood up, the mood in the room quietly shifted.
The two little princesses, with their home-field advantage, had already been primed and ready to go.
Third Princess Angie was brimming with confidence, but Second Princess Anna, whom Angie had talked into this, kept hesitating — until she suddenly realized: if Angie danced with Dark, who would she dance with to justify entering the dance floor herself?
And if she couldn't get onto the dance floor, how could she get her revenge for that kick?
That logic clearly didn't hold up.
So she shot Angie a fierce glare and stood up as well.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Diana, who had kept a low profile the entire evening, also couldn't wait any longer and left her seat.
Rose, doing her best to avoid her aunt's gaze, simply followed along behind Diana.
By the time everyone came to their senses, four girls of the same generation were already standing in front of Dark.
The two little princesses looked delicate as porcelain, carrying an air of noble elegance, their long golden hair shining brilliantly.
Diana had gradually grown up, with less of her childish softness and more of a young lady's presence now, her silvery-white hair gleaming like a bright moon.
Rose, who had been beautiful since childhood, had pale golden hair that, while still noble, carried an elusive, ethereal quality all its own.
Of the four, all except Rose stared boldly at Dark, their eyes full of every kind of hint and warning.
...
"There it is — this is the scene!"
Alvit, seated beside the Eldest Princess, rested her chin on her hand and watched the scene with a bright smile.
She'd been looking forward to this for a long time.
A boy who could make excellent women set aside their reserve and openly compete for him — that was exactly what her precious son ought to be like.
"Anna and Angie may be a bit mischievous, but they're both clever girls, really, with clear and open hearts."
"Diana, from what I hear, was born with tremendous natural strength and an outstanding constitution — surely a fine match for bearing children."
"And Rose — that child is instantly likable, and as the main bloodline of the Flotly family, her temperament suits managing a household perfectly."
"Who should I pick, in the end?"
The first to walk through the door and the second to walk through the door were, of course, never quite the same.
As part of an ancient family, the Demon clan, though its members were fairly open-minded and quick to embrace new things, still held firmly to certain important traditional values.
Alvit looked back and forth among the four girls, unable to make up her mind.
Of course, this was the kind of happy dilemma she wished would only grow bigger.
Suddenly, the Head Maid Steward named Jasmine came up beside her and leaned in to whisper something in her ear.
Upon hearing it, Alvit's face immediately lit up with delight. "Bring them in, quickly."
The Head Maid Steward, now in her thirties, rose and stepped back, then hurried out of the banquet hall.
Not long after, two new guests pushed the doors open and walked in.
A fierce, blazing presence spread outward the instant one of them entered.
Nearly everyone's gaze was drawn there instinctively.
Viscount and Viscountess Greatbear, seated near the door, both stiffened. Viscount Greatbear looked as though he faced a great enemy, while Viscountess Camilla's brows shot up coldly, her gentle demeanor vanishing completely.
And the "Sun Warrior" Suna, City Lord Montielfali, walking in through the door, spotted them at once as well.
"Camilla, it really has been a long time!"
City Lord Montielfali's expression was cold and severe, her hair, red as the rising sun, drifting on its own without any wind, flames seeming to rise around her body.
Possessing half the blood of giants, she inspired fear in others simply by standing there.
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