"So, it's you who have returned."
Having already received the servant's report, the Hero's father looked unperturbed, as if his daughter had only stepped out and returned, rather than having been away for more than half a year.
"Princess, I sincerely apologize, it seems I was inconsiderate."
Facing the stern-faced Fourteenth Princess, the Hero's father slightly bowed in greeting before she could speak, showing no sign of rudeness or panic.
"Because she traveled far, I instructed her room to be temporarily sealed, so the servants wouldn't have to clean so many places."
"Viscount..." Upon hearing this lightly glossed-over explanation, the Fourteenth Princess' pink eyes slightly narrowed, clearly displeased with his attitude, about to argue when the Viscount gently raised his hand to signal.
"As a gesture of apology," the Hero's father flipped his palm downward, "I will take on the cleaning work here myself."
The Hero blinked in astonishment, and before she could speak, a gentle breeze swept through the corridor and into her room.
Accompanied by the sound of the window creaking open, when the Fourteenth Princess turned her head, the thick dust in the Hero's room had vanished without a trace, leaving the furniture and bedding spotless as new.
Witnessing this, the Hero's eyes widened, even she, blessed by the Wind Element, was amazed by her father's precise and delicate control.
However, the Fourteenth Princess remained exceptionally calm, quickly soothing the lingering anger on her face.
She smiled faintly, her gaze subtly suggestive, "I never expected someone as strong as the Viscount would be willing to clean his daughter's room."
"Just a trivial trick."
After the Hero's father responded calmly, he turned his gaze to the Hero.
"Father, it has been a while."
Seeing the slightly restrained Hero, he nodded.
"I heard about your deeds at the border, well done."
Upon hearing this, the Hero's face lit up with joy.
"Perhaps I should have invested more time in nurturing you earlier, at least sent you to the Warlock Association sooner, then you might have grown stronger."
He surveyed the daughter in front of him, transformed beyond recognition, his tone carrying a touch of sentiment.
"Father, actually I have also learned magic..."
The Hero's heart leapt with joy, she couldn't help but speak, eagerly anticipating her father's judgment.
"Magic does not align with your path, it is better to abandon it and not waste time on it." However, before she could finish her sentence, she was calmly interrupted.
His tone held no fluctuation, not even an air of denial, merely stating an obvious fact.
"There's little I can teach you in terms of being a magician; since you have already found your own path, persevere on it."
No longer looking at the Hero, the man turned and left, his unchanging voice reaching everyone's ears, "Thereafter, whether you return to the countryside or continue staying here is up to you. Remember to greet your mother later and prepare your gown, we will attend the banquet together tonight."
Watching her father's departing figure, the girl's expectancy gradually faded away, leaving behind a trace of desolation.
The soft reply reached only the ears of the tightly-fisted Fourteenth Princess.
Next, no unexpected events occurred, and the evening banquet commenced smoothly.
Outside the Viscount Mansion, carriages engraved with noble family crests lined up like a long dragon, symbolizing the city's upper class gathered in one place; presidents and executives from the Six Major Guilds were also present. It could be said that those assembled here tonight were almost the entirety of this city's powers.
Inside the mansion was brilliantly lit, drinks and wine flowed, light music and graceful dance prevailed. The city's elites surrounding the banquet's main character chatted merrily, praising his talent and genius. Young men admired the impressive battle feats, while girls, gazing at that handsome face, swirled with admiration and budding affection...
This undoubtedly was a banquet spotlighting the main character, ensuring a joyous atmosphere for guests and hosts alike—
[Brothers' Presence (Main Stage +50)]
D93+50=d93(79)+50=129
[Hero's Presence (Princess +50, Non-initiative -30)]
D105+20=d105(94)+20=114
If not for the girl standing in the corner.
The Hero wore a simple white gown, silently standing at the periphery, without conversing with anyone.
Her expression was slightly confused, feeling as though everything around her was separated by a faint veil, like being in a dream.
However, despite her standing there silently, people's gazes kept being drawn to her.
Curiosity, amazement, compassion, and an indescribable desire...
Like a busy street with carts and carriages, suddenly appearing a delicate piece of porcelain, its out-of-place beauty created an unusual presence,
even though the main character of the evening took the stage, his upright stance and confident words garnering wave after wave of applause, people's eyes still occasionally drift towards her in the corner.
"She belongs to the Viscount's House..."
"Heard she's officially a Hero..."
Whispers floated around the banquet, though the voices were softened, unable to escape the Hero's keen perception, yet this time, she paid no mind to the content.
All the discussions, all the praise, seemed so vague to her at that moment, including the speech being delivered by her brother on stage, words flowed in one ear and out the other.
The Hero lowered her head, her gaze falling upon the metal card in her hand.
This was given by her mother.
Just moments ago, when greeting her mother, as the Hero mentioned the pouch of gold coins her mother had given her when she left, before she could explain she hadn't squandered it and even made money, her mother slipped this card into her hand.