Prince Karez noticed the change in Aliester's expression. Previously, he had seemed so friendly, full of smiles and sweet words, but now he had turned cold, cruel, and seemed to be devoid of compassion.
The scene was a stark reflection of reality, and now it had been observed by several individuals at the party.
Those who had greeted the king had witnessed Lady Bernadette grasping Aliester's hand with an intimacy that rivaled that of a couple.
Initially, such familiarity had not existed, but with her own volition, Lady Bernadette had substantiated the rumors she had spread among the nobles regarding her association with King Aliester, and this was the consequence.
As if feeling entitled to the closeness that had occurred at the party, she approached her father, crying because Aliester had decided to leave her.
For Earl Ventela, planning the party solely to attract Aliester's attention was crucial, and now that everything was going as he had wished, the first thing he wanted to do was bring his daughter, Lady Bernadette, closer to Aliester.
Aliester had been patient enough, allowing Lady Ventela to be close to him like that.
"I don't want to repeat myself, but it seems that's not enough for you, Earl."
"It seems the night has grown late for me, and I must attend to my duties come dawn."
"Thank you for the party."
"Y-Your Majesty!!" Earl Ventela, of course, looked panicked.
It was not just Earl Ventela who was caught off guard, but Karez and Aslyn as well.
Lady Bernadette, whose countenance had previously been adorned with a charming smile, now appeared pale and intimidated. Her eyes were fixed on Aliester, who wore a warm smile as he approached his young daughter, Magdalene.
Lady Bernadette's countenance was twisted in terror, "No...this...cannot be..."
"Your Majesty must not...cannot depart..."
"No...no..."
Prior to his departure, Aliester offered a courteous farewell to his two new acquaintances, "I offer my apologies, but I must take my leave forthwith."
"If you wish to meet with me, I would be delighted to receive you at a tea gathering at the palace."
"You are welcome to come at any time, as long as you remain in Venti."
Aslyn could only respond to the offer on behalf of Karez with a smile and respect, "Th-thank you very much, Your Majesty..."
Thereafter, Aliester and Magdalene walked over to Earl Ventela and Lady Bernadette. They merely bid their farewells and departed from the party. Although they had only briefly enjoyed the festivities, they felt sufficiently exhausted and irritated by it all.
--------
As they made their way to the exit, Lady Ventela chased after Aliester and Magdalene.
"Your Majesty!! Please wait a moment! Your Majesty!!'" The woman shrieked with a panicked face that was red and eyes that were brimming with tears, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
Reluctant to be yelled at like a criminal, Aliester was forced to stop. At the very least, he would try to hear what the woman wanted to say to him. Even though he was already fed up with her.
"Your Majesty! Why?!"
Lady Bernadette's emotional state reached a fever pitch, and she dissolved into tears.
Whether her tears were a genuine expression of distress or merely a calculated performance, Aliester's demeanor remained unwavering.
He gazed at her with a flat, expressionless face, a calm and serene countenance that betrayed no excessive emotion.
Bernadette realized her precarious situation and spoke in an attempt to garner sympathy.
"I...I didn't mean to cause any trouble or create bad rumors about Your Majesty!"
"I...I offer my sincerest apologies for causing Your Majesty any discomfort. However...however, I implore Your Majesty not to regard me as a woman of ill repute, unworthy of your presence!"
Magdalene's emotions were stirred by these words.
"Huh? What did she say? She doesn't want to be considered an unworthy woman?!"
"GO LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND SEE YOURSELF, YOU'RE UGLY!!"
"If you don't have a mirror, I'll give you one! Magda has plenty to share so you can see yourself a little!!"
Fortunately, the little girl's scathing remarks were confined to her innermost thoughts. Nonetheless, her countenance betrayed her discontent.
Her expression conveyed an unmistakable aversion towards the woman, and it seemed her emotions were on the verge of overflowing.
"Lady!!'" Magdalene cried out, "You shouldn't utter such words! You ought to be ashamed!"
"...!"
"...!"
Her words left Aliester and, naturally, Bernadette taken aback. Magdalene's demeanor shifted, and she began speaking with the poise of an adult.
"You should refrain from actions that would incur Daddy's displeasure. If Daddy is angry, it signifies that you are indeed at fault."
"No explanation is required to be by Daddy's side. What is it that makes you so eager to be by Daddy's side?"
"Daddy shouldn't be approached forcefully, and yet, Lady, you've just gotten him into trouble."
"You didn't apologize sincerely, Lady. You have no right to say you're worthy of being by my daddy's side."
Bernadette's pale face grew even paler. The little girl, who was Aliester's young daughter, seemed to be expressing her dislike for Bernadette.
"You don't need to force your will on Daddy!" Then the little girl took Aliester's hand, "Come on, Daddy, let's go home. Magda wants to have a meeting with Mr. Teddy~"
Aliester left Lady Ventela standing alone in the darkness. They soon boarded the palace carriage and departed from the location.
---------
Throughout the journey...
The young girl's face remained scrunched in distaste. Aliester attempted to placate his daughter by gently stroking her hair.
"Magdalene, what seems to be the matter?"
"Magda dislike that woman intensely! Humph!"
The scowl on his little daughter's face made Aliester smile.
"Who would have thought that this little princess would possess such a sharp tongue?" he thought to himself.
Aliester realized his current situation. He felt that this wouldn't end well. His position as a widowed king with a single child made him vulnerable to rumors that might spread.
"The real Aliester would likely struggle," he thought. "If he were to get close to another woman at a high-society event like that, he'd probably hear even more bizarre rumors circulating around him."
"But I myself don't want to make Magdalene uncomfortable. Besides..."
"A partner, huh. I'm not sure, but I think getting married is difficult."
"Basically, I'm still single, never having fallen in love or loved anyone else. However, for the real Aliester, it might be different. He's a king, he must have loved his late wife."
"Yet, I've started thinking about Magdalene. Does she have to grow up without a mother by her side? If so, wouldn't that be sad?"
"Must this young child grow up without a mother's love? I may be her father now, but no one can replace the figure of a mother in the eyes of this little princess."
Aliester was deep in thought about Magdalene. However, the little princess had a better idea.
"Daddy..."
"Yes, my dear?"
"Daddy, Magda wants a new mom!" Magdalene requested.
"WHAT?!" Aliester couldn't hide his shocked expression. He looked at his daughter with a panicked face, "W-what do you mean by that, Magdalene?!"
"Magda wants a new mom! Be a good daddy and give Magda the gift of a new mom!" asked Magdalene
But will it be that simple? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
"I'm still single?! How do I find a new mother for this child?!" Aliester thought.
"Besides, why did this child suddenly say something like that?! What got into her?! We didn't even experience anything that would trigger her to say...ah, I forgot."
"Don't tell me it's Lady Bernadette who's behind this little girl's sudden change."
Aliester gazed at his daughter's smiling face, radiant with sparkling light and her rosy cheeks.
"Magda will find the perfect partner for Daddy~"
"That's why, Daddy needs to find Magda a good mom."
Only one phrase echoed in his mind. "How can I grant her that wish?!"