The banquet finally ca to an end.
As the saying goes, all good things must co to an end—even a royal birthday celebration.
In fact, the event ended much earlier than planned. Originally, it was supposed to last until sunset, giving the nobles the entire afternoon to mingle, strengthen connections, and form alliances.
But…
It was only mid-afternoon, just around tea ti, when the doors to the banquet hall were opened, signaling that guests were free to leave.
Will’s gaze lingered on the one area of the banquet hall that remained guarded—the section reserved for the higher-ranking “adults.”
It seed that the more elite social circle had encountered so sort of issue.
Will wandered back and forth behind their table, using the brief monts to eavesdrop on their conversations.
While most of it was the usual polite chatter about family matters…
Their discussions had noticeably dwindled halfway through. The reason?
The “boss” had gone silent.
King Edward, starting midway through the banquet, seed unwell. He interrupted discussions several tis, asking people to repeat themselves. Eventually, he stopped speaking altogether, silencing the others as well. Finally, it seed he could no longer endure and left the hall.
Adding to this, Treya had already made her rounds. Not one for idle chatter, she kept her greetings with relatives and acquaintances brief. She fulfilled her ceremonial duties and left it at that.
These factors combined led to the early conclusion of Treya’s birthday banquet.
“Co to think of it… was he already in poor health at this point in the original story?”
The tiline of the original story began about four years from now, within a month or two of—
King Edward’s death from illness.
His declining health and eventual passing sent shockwaves through the royal family, stirring the already fragile and volatile emotions of his heirs.
It was said that even a single cough from him during that ti would have everyone on edge, straining to catch his final words, ready to act.
When he died, Entark plunged into chaos.
This was largely due to his failure to establish a clear successor, his deliberate encouragent of competition among his children, and the overall decline of the royal family.
But…
Four years ago, at this point in ti…
Was he really this frail?
This detail should have been ntioned, but in the original story, Edward was little more than a plot device—a character who died upon introduction. Will’s mory of this was understandably hazy.
“Forget it. It’s normal to forget things… I’ll deal with it when the ti cos.”
Will looked up at the grand hall where the banquet was held.
He felt…
As though he was gradually becoming part of this world.
The version of himself from before would have been extrely reluctant to attend such an event, but now he found himself adapting with ease.
Being called “Will” felt natural, even pleasant.
He was growing more accustod to this magical, fantastical world…
“Will-sensei, you’re still here? I thought you didn’t like these kinds of events and would’ve left early.”
Treya suddenly appeared before him, bending slightly to et his gaze.
“…Do I really seem that uninterested?”
“It’s pretty obvious…”
Hearing this, Will thought to himself that Treya had truly matured overnight—she could now read his emotions from his expressions.
“Because, Will-sensei, you haven’t spoken to anyone the entire ti. You’ve just been sitting here, pouring yourself glass after glass of juice.”
Alright, he took back his earlier thought. Her deduction was based on sothing so blatantly obvious that anyone could’ve noticed. She hadn’t made much progress after all.
Still…
Treya stood with her hands behind her back, as if she had sothing to say…
“I stayed because… I have sothing to give you after everyone leaves…”
“I have sothing to give you!”
Both of them spoke at the sa ti.
Then…
In the now-quiet banquet hall, where most of the guests had already left, the two fell into silence.
“Honestly, it’s your birthday. Of course, I’m the one giving you a gift. What kind of birthday involves the celebrant giving things to others?”
Will scratched his head, not giving Treya a chance to insist. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the item—
An earring.
A black crystal earring that shimred when it caught the light.
It perfectly embodied the concept of “shining black.”
“This is…”
He reached out and gently clipped the earring onto Treya’s right elven ear.
Her ear twitched nervously.
“Ah… sorry, your ears are sensitive, aren’t they? Did I touch them?”
Treya shook her head and lightly touched the earring on her right ear with her hand.
“Ahaha, it’s sothing I picked up from a dungeon. It’s a magnetic earring, so no need for piercings, and it won’t irritate you. I just thought your beautiful ears deserved a little decoration.”
“Thank you… it’s just one side…”
“Let be clear—it’s not because I’m cheap and only bought one. Though saying the Hysterm family is broke does sound like a bad joke.”
Will cut her off.
“It’s because… wearing just one gives off a stronger dark aesthetic.”
“In that case, Will-sensei, please accept this as well.”
“Hmm?”
Treya spoke lightly, but her movents were swift and decisive. In an instant—
Before Will could react, Treya shoved sothing into his hand.
“Take it! I… I’m leaving now!”
Then…
She quickly ran off.
Will looked down at the item in his hand…
It was…
A stocking.
And not just any stocking—it was the one Treya had worn during her sword dance on stage, the one that had been torn in the process.
More importantly…
It…
Hadn’t been washed!
Will’s mind flashed back to the note he had written in his Task System a week ago—
[Reward: Command Treya to let sll her worn black stockings.]
And then…
He ntally checked it off.
Was this how it was going to be completed?!
Will had always toyed with the idea of asking Treya to let him “inspect” her stockings after training—but he knew it would make him look like a complete pervert. After much deliberation, he had shelved the idea.
Besides…
He wasn’t entirely sure Treya had truly grasped her “desires.” While he had written the system himself, claiming the reward prematurely felt wrong.
But…
Now…
It was in his hand!
Because it had only been worn for an hour or two, the stocking carried a faint sourness at the toes, while the calf area still retained a subtle fragrance.
Running his fingers over it, the tear was perfectly placed.
“?!”
There was also a note attached.
Judging by the neat handwriting, Treya had written it with great care.
But the hesitant strokes suggested she had been conflicted while writing it.
[Since Will-sensei kept looking at it… and wasn’t satisfied with the washed ones.
I’m sorry it’s torn…
I’ll return this to you for now, and I’ll buy a new pair to replace it later.
I don’t need it anymore, so consider this a perfect conclusion to the effort we’ve put in together these past few days.
(￣▽￣)／
I just learned how to express my feelings. Sarah said writing letters is trendy now.
Did you feel it?]
Will silently read the note, holding the stocking with a sense of reverence.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk… Treya, you really don’t understand, do you?”
“This is…”
“Perfection!”
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