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  The night was deep and the winds were cold. The stars sparkled above the sleeping world, the whispers of owls and bats drifting along the frigid breeze, pying along the sweet ale melody of endless night.

  CLIP CLOP CLIP CLOP NEIGHHHH

  A series footsteps echoed freely in the air, heavy aallic tracks pying oreets as carriages passed oer ahe merry ughter of the passengers eg like the bell chimes and the shadows dang along its tunes.

  The party has finished and everyone has gone back to their warm and happy homes, carriages leaving the Royal Castle oer another. It was a merry night with a lot of ughter aivities, everyone bringing back wonderful memories of the night.

  "Ahh～! We could finally rex..." ［Yuna］

  Of course, the main characters had also retired for the day. A young dy jumping towards the sofa as soon as she found it and relishing on its warmth and fort, an adorable little angel sitting with her as if trying to copy her.

  The night was already deep, ae the fact that Grey could simply use "Gate", it was decided that they would be staying over the Royal Castle, not because it was inve for them, but because the Little Princess requested it.

  "Nalia, sit on Big Sis' p." ［Natalia］

  "Fufufu! If that's what the Little Princess wants, then so be it. Big Sis' p will be your Royal Throne for the night!" ［Yuna］

  "Yaay～! Nalia has a shrone!" ［Natalia］

  It may already be te at night, but it was still the Little Princess' birthday, and so, Yuna decided to spoil the little one even more than usual. A bright and blinding smile blooming oer's face as soon as she heard Yuna's words.

  Natalia didn't waste any more time, and with her little legs, she climbed up on Yuna's p, trying to be careful as to not hurt Yuna as much as she could. Well, not that Yuna would get hurt anyway. Still, it was adorable seeiry to do so.

  "Oh, dear... I'm really sorry for this, Yuna. You have been dealing with Natalia all night. Are you sure it's okay?" ［Natasha］

  "That's right, Yuna. You don't have to force yourself just to please Natalia. Just tell us if you need someoo take over watg over her." ［Talia］

  "No, it's okay. I appreciate the , Your Majesty, Missus Natasha, but I really enjoy this so you don't have to worry that much. Right, Little Princess?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Nalia enjoy with Big Sis!" ［Natalia］

  There was o worry. Yuna may be exhausted, but there was still more than enough energy to spare. She had fought endless battles in the Labyrinth already. A couple hours of pying with the Little Princess was not a big deal.

  Of course, it was also to repay the Little Princess for their ck of visits over the past couple months. They have been quite busy, retly, after all. If they could make her happy with such a little thing, they have nht to take it away from her.

  The only problem here is that there wasn't just the Little Princess in the room. While they would just usually lie on the ground itle Princess' bedroom, when in the drawing room, doing so would be inappropriate. Natlia was still a princess, so they would like to refrain from any impropriety.

  "Grey, could we have a table please?" ［Yuna］

  "Hm? Sure..." ［Grey］

  The young man didn't ask any further and quickly took out a and able from his "Iory". It was her too high nor too low, just perfect for the Little Prio reach. It was a table they usually use when pying games with her.

  "You really have a good ste ring, huh, Grey? What grade is that? Superiradeー No, maybe it's Legendary Grade?" ［Galleus］

  "Hahaha. Well, let's just leave it at that for now." ［Grey］

  "You say that, but that makes me even more curious..." ［Galleus］

  Of course, as they already took out the pying table, what came after was the board and card games Grey made along with the toys they just bought as presents for the Little Princess, all sitting atop the table.

  Before anyone could even notice it, a mountain already appeared before them, full of different colors, shapes, and sizes. The Little Princess' eyes sparkled at the glorious sight before her, having troubles deg what she should py first.

  There were ones she was already familiar with, but also new ones she was curious about. While most children would just pi a whim, the Little Princess utting a lot more thought into it. She looked so adorable, deeply p over a silly topic.

  "Mama... What should Nalia py...?" ［Natalia］

  In the end, the Little Princess couldn't decide what to py and decided to ask for help from her lovely mother. Yet despite wearing such a troubled face, her eyes were still sparkling with excitement. She really was adorable.

  "Fufufu! It 't be helped then. Mama will help out sweetie." ［Natasha］

  "Then Grandma would also be helping out～!" ［Talia］

  Before long, everyoarted digging into the mountain of toys and searched for one which looked the most fun to py. They may be royalty, but uhe closed doors, they were just a loving, doting, and a little too carefree of a family.

  There were dolls and stuffed animals present, but knowing the Little Princess, she preferred one which would use her min. Board and puzzle games which are pyed with many people were something which they focused on finding.

  "Oh, how about this one, Dear? I think Natalia would love this." ［Galleus］

  "Oho... Isn't that a tangram? It's been quite some time since I've seen one." ［Grey］

  "A tang... What...?" ［Julius］

  A tangram. It is a puzzle game posed of various shapes of different sizes which be used to create different, more plex shapes. For example, one could be tasked with making a square with those shapes with all the puzzle pieces. It was a game which required logical thinking.

  Of course, despite it sounding so plex, it was also a game which could be pyed even by toddlers. Creating the shapes of animals or various objects with the simple geometric shapes is also a way to pass time with family and friends.

  But perhaps the best thing about tangrams is that, the more shapes there are present, the more plex and intricate shapes could be made. Grey could even remember people making dragons using tangrams ba the i.

  "Iing... It looks so simple yet so intricate... If it's this, then couldn't we py with multiple teams and see who make the shapes faster?" ［Julius］

  "Well, that's the point of it. You actually looked smart for once, Julius." ［Grey］

  "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" ［Julius］

  Of course, with Grey and Julius present, things were bound to get rowdy. Thankfully, because the Little Princess resent, things dide any further. They don't want to serve as a bad influeo her, after all.

  "Then, since we bought mas of tangrams, should we have a little bit of fun? What do you think, Little Princess?" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Let's py! Let's py!" ［Natalia］

  There was o waste any more time. As soon as the game was decided, the ames were quickly cleared off the table and the teams separated pces to make sure the others wouldn't eavesdrop on them.

  There were four teams in total, eaposed of two people. Team 1 was the King and Julius, team 2 was the Queen and Iris, team 3 was the married couple, Galleus and Natasha, and stly, team 4 was posed of Yuna and the Little Princess. Grey served as the referee of the match.

  Of course, si would be no different thaing if Yuna uses her wits, it was decided that the Little Princess' decisions would be prioritized, with Yuna only helping out from time to time. The goal was to have fun, after all.

  "Then, the first shape would be a rabbit. Ready... Set... Start!" ［Grey］

  As soon as Grey gave the signal, everyone's hands quickly started moving and they all started making their shapes resemble rabbits. It seemed simple, but the one sidered the best looking after the time is over would be the winner.

  It was only a simple petition, but everyone seemed strangely fired up. They were all giving it their all, pieg the shapes together to make the best shape of a rabbit they could. Before long, all the sand had fallen off the hss.

  "Alright, time's up! Anyone who moves their pieces will be disqualified." ［Grey］

  "Pretty～! Nalia and Big Sis made bunny!" ［Natalia］

  "Mmn... The ears look weird, don't they, Mother?" ［Iris］

  "Hahaha! Prepare to go down, Yuna! Today is the day I beat you!" ［Julius］

  Everyone roud of their works, with a certain pair which were too overfident. However, it wasn't for them to judge who would be the winner, but frey. He then started examining everything with his eyes to pass on judgement,

  Yuna and the Little Princess' work looked abstract, but beautiful. Iris and the Queen's piece was elegant with only a couple minor issues. The Prind Princess' work was and elegant. As for the King and Julius, well...

  "What... What the hell is this...?" ［Grey］

  "'t you tell, Grey? It's a muscur rabbit! We made it a sword as well!" ［Julius］

  "That's right! Strength is beauty, after all! We really are geniuses! Hahaha!" ［Ernes］

  ... They really were father and son, going above and beyond Grey's expectations. His expectations of stupidity and idiocy, that is. He was so dumbfounded, he didn't even know what to say. They were two peas in a pod.

  "Haah... Whatever... The winner of the 1st round is Team 3. Mister Galleus and Missus Natasha get a point!" ［Grey］

  "Yaay～! We did it, Dear! The first point goes to us!" ［Natasha］

  "Grey! This is absurd! Don't you see the greatness of our warrior rabbit?!" ［Julius］

  Or so he says, but what was absurd was the King and Julius' interpretation of a rabbit which they butchered without mercy. But rather tha crestfallen their spirits only burnt brighter and fiercer like victory-hungry warriors.

  Just like that, everyone tio py the game, the shapes ging from a star, a tree, a dragon, and many more. The King and Julius' ridiculous interpretations also tinued along their losing streak, not winning a single round.

  In the end, the one who took grasp victory was team 2 posed of the Queen and Iris. The moment they got a feel of the game, they grasped wi and right, until they domihe game with their wonderful skills and cooperation.

  "Fufufu! That was really fun, wasn't it?" ［Talia］

  "Ugh...! Damn you, Grey... You have a grudge against us, don't you?!" ［Julius］

  "Shut up. If you didn't add muscles and swords to your pieces then you might have scored some points. I'm not the o fault here." ［Grey］

  "Tsk! Tsk! You just don't uand the beauty of strength." ［Ernes］

  And as one would expect, the King and Julius' team came in st pce at 0 points. Team 3 with Galleus and Natsha came in 2nd, while Team 4 with Yuna and the little Princess came 3rd. Still, it was a lot of fun.

  "The's take a break, shall we? I've got some snacks prepared here, so everyone, go ahead and take one." ［Grey］

  What came after the game was a break of course, plete with light snacks which Grey had already prepared. It was already te in the night and they had eaten quite some meals before so it was not a good idea to upset their stomachs.

  Everyoook a serving of some sweet and tasty pudding, their hands reag out oer ahere were just enough servings for everyone, each of them getting a serving... Or so it would seem to be.

  "Sorry, Your Majesty, I'm afraid there aren't any more puddi." ［Grey］

  "Hm? What are you talking about? There's still ht there." ［Ernes］

  "Ah, this... This one is also for the Little Princess. It's her birthday, after all, so she gets two of them. Isn't that right, Little Princess?" ［Grey］

  "Yaay～! Nalia gets two!" ［Natalia］

  But as it turned out, two of them were actually meant for the Little Princess. One for the night, and one for her to enjoy tomorrow, sort of a te birthday present from Grey to his favorite Little Princess, to the tter's delight.

  The King waue aaliate, but with his granddaughter wearing such a happy and adorable smile on her lovely face, how could he bear himself to take away such pure and i joy from her. It was just wrong to do so.

  Though, it didn't take them too long before the King realized what was Grey's aim. After all, it hasn't been too long since Grey and Yuna fronted him about the topic. It might as well be their revenge for his own shortings.

  "Grey, you... Don't tell me... Are you doing this just because I fot to send you your party invitations? Is that it?" ［Ernes］

  "Oh, my... I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, Your Majesty. Is that perhaps something worth doing revenge on?" ［Grey］

  "Guh... So it's because of that, after all..." ［Ernes］

  The King was right, but there was no need frey to firm nor deny it. It may be petty and childish, but Grey still holds some grudges over the King, not just for the ret i, but the past ones as well. A silly, little payback.

  The King wants to retort, but with Grey having the upper hand at the moment, there was only so much he could do. He may be a King, but so was Grey. All he could do was admit defeat and leave the rest of the matters for the days to e.

  "Ugh... These petty brats..." ［Ernes］

  "Hm? Did you say something just now, Your Majesty?" ［Grey］

  "Tsk! It's nothing. I'm just happy for Natalia, is what I said." ［Ernes］

  The night went deeper with time and the games tio unfold. Midnight was fast approag, but strangely enough, everyoill had the energy to spare and have fun. Evetle Princess' eyes were sparkling brighter thaars.

  It was already past the Little Princess' bedtime, but they decided to just let it go for the meantime. A birthday happens only once a year, after all. They might as well let her enjoy the whole day in fun aement until sleep takes her away,

  They pyed othello, poker, chess, snake and dder, memory, checkers, jigsaw puzzles, and a lot mames. Their test game they pyed was old maid, only Julius and the Little Princess remaining in the pying field.

  "Then, it's your turn now, my lovely ake your pick." ［Julius］

  "Um! Nalia will pick!" ［Natalia］

  The tension was high in the air as Natalia decided which card to pick, her little arms trembling ever so slightly. Julius was the plete opposite of her, only fidence painted in his eyes, a sh*t-eating grin pstered on his face.

  Soon enough, the Little Priook her pick, but oh how unfortu was. The card she picked was the old maid, dread and gloom painted on her face as clear as day. The match was already decided, soon ing to an end.

  "Haha... It's truly a pity, Natalia. But it seems that Iー" ［Julius］

  Julius was about to pick the obvious card and grasp victory, but he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Before him was the sulking and crestfallen expression of his adorable niece, looking as if the world was crumbling down before her.

  Since she was young, Natalia's expressions were quite easy to read so she easily lost the game every time, and now was no different. However, she was already oh losing streak, so losing aime would be really depressing, thus the gloominess.

  Julius wants to win, but his heart couldn't beat to see the niece he is fond of to be sad. It was a battle against pride and sce, his neurons firing off at lightning speeds as he thought of what was the right thing to do.

  "Guh... Dammit..." ［Julius］

  In the end, the happiness of his ill weighed heavier and so, he picked the old maid. He also made sure not to shuffle his cards so that Natalia knows which card to pi order to win. And the result...

  "Waah～! Na-Nalia got it! Nalia wins!" ［Natalia］

  "Fufufu! gratutions, Little Princess～! You got your 1st victory!" ［Yuna］

  "Um! Nalia got wictory!" ［Natalia］

  ... It was the Little Princess' viceroy, a bright aed smile spreading on her face as she raised her arms, hopping like a little bunny. She was giggling and g as if she just wotery. Such pure and i happiness.

  It was a bummer that he lost, but seeing hoy his niece was, Julius didn't regret his asー Or at least, he didn't regret it at first. That is until he saw Grey's warm and proud smile whily sent shivers down his spine.

  "Wow～! I didn't know you have such a soft side, Julius." ［Grey］

  "Shut up..." ［Julius］

  Of course, the tter didn't spare any effort to tease and make fun of the princes while he could. He teased him without giving any leeoking fun at him from all angles and dires, much to the tter's annoyand embarrassment.

  Just as Grey was making fun of his friend, he suddenly remembered something he has yet to give to the Little Princess. The presents before were just ohey gave were nothing before it. It was his and Yuna's true gift to the Little Princess.

  Grey suddenly stopped messing around and took the present out of the "Iory". It was a hand-sized crystal with threads of gold and silver running inside, a pure core of white in the middle. It gleamed beautifully before the moon outside the window.

  "Little Princess, this might be a little te already. But here is mine and Yuna's true present for you. I hope you like it." ［Grey］

  "For Nalia? Present?" ［Natalia］

  "U that during our travels, and thought we'd give it to you. It looks really pretty, doesn't it? Just as pretty as our Little Princess!" ［Yuna］

  It wasn't just pretty, it was mesmerizing. The Royal Family has seen tless types of jewels aones before, but it was their first time seeing one like it. It wasn't the prettiest of them all, but it was something mystical one could help but admire it.

  Other than Grey, only one person in the room knew what it was. It may have looked a little different from the ones he's seen before and was much smaller than the ones in the Royal Treasury, but there was no mistaking it.

  "Oi, oi, oi! Isn't that a beast crystal?!" ［Ernes］

  And the King was right. It was the very beast crystal which Grey and Yuna got back at the Labyrinth to Stars. It belongs to a D-rahon, which is of the Light-attribute and is capable of light. A good enough guardian for the Little Princess.

  "A beast crystal?! Isn't that really rare and precious?!" ［Galleus］

  "Hm? It's only D-rank, though. So it's no big deal." ［Grey］

  "Even if it's D-rank, that would still illions of kiels. If you au it, I'm sure it will fetch at least 10 million, maybe even more." ［Ernes］

  "10 million... That's more than a town's annual revenue..." ［Natasha］

  That's right, beast crystals are just that precious. After all, unlike knights and soldiers which could be hired, familiars are pletely loyal to their masters and would not hesitate to give their life in order to save them.

  What's more, familiars have insanely long lifespans and also an astonishing level of intelligend growth rate. It may be D-rank now, but it grow stroer with training, able to serve a house for several geions which improves its strength.

  It was also the reason why Beast Crystals are sidered treasures by all people all over the world. Even Royal and Imperial Families have trouble getting them. It was just absurd to give them to a child, especially a toddler at that.

  But perhaps the most important fact was that it came from a Labyrinth which it had the same attribute of. It was a strengthened beast crystal which would already be at the pinnacle of D-dank during summoning, barely any difference from a ks. It would cost a couple hundred million kiels at the very least.

  "True, it is precious, but pared to the Little Princess' safety... I think we know which is more important, don't we?" ［Grey］

  Though, if Grey puts it in such a way, there was no way anyone else would rebut their decision. They may not be able to summon it now due to Natalia's young age, but it would surely be an asset iure.

  "Haah... Fine, suit yourselves. I'm not the one losing money here, anyway. You do whatever you want, just don't gretting it ter." ［Ernes］

  "A beast crystal, huh... How envious..." ［Julius］

  "Fufufu! Isn't that good for you, Natalia? Yoing to have a pet soon," ［Talia］

  Everyone was supportive of the idea and simply went along with the flow, and though the Little Princess didn't really uand what was happening, she knew from other people's rea that it was a good thing.

  "Big Bro! Big Sis! Thank yuu!" ［Natalia］

  "Fufufu! As long as the Little Princess is happy!" ［Yuna］

  CHAPTER 353 END