Chapter 403: A Joyful, Enviable Atmosphere

Chapter 403: Chapter 403: A Joyful, Enviable Atmosphere

As for Princess Truffles’ dress, which was capable of blinding others...

Princess Truffles herself, standing at the center of the light, seemed extremely satisfied with this effect.

She held her head high.

Her face was flushed with pride and joy.

She continuously showed off her magnificent skirt to the guests on either side.

It was as if she were the most brilliant star of the night, and indeed, of the entire kingdom.

She clearly adored Lamb’s "masterpiece."

"This taste..."

Ironhide, who had been holding it in beside them for a long time, finally squeezed out two words.

"Something else."

Clayton Quinn’s mouth seemed to twitch almost imperceptibly.

He then silently looked away.

It was as if the glow of the "Orb Princess" was too dazzling, or perhaps, too challenging to his preconceived notions.

Seraphina Sullivan, however, did not look away.

She narrowed her eyes, like a sniper searching for a bullseye in the glare.

Her gaze traveled past the dazzling princess and landed on the king and queen, who were slightly ahead.

What she saw sent an unexpected ripple through her heart.

Unexpectedly,

The king and queen of the Peach Kingdom, judging by their appearances, were actually "normal people."

Yes, that’s right!

Normal people who conformed to conventional human aesthetics and biological traits.

The king was tall and upright.

His dignified face showed a slight roundness from a long life of comfort and privilege.

The queen, meanwhile, was still graceful and elegant, her bearing poised.

Her attire, though magnificent, was not as eye-catching as the princess’s.

Their conduct was proper and fitting.

The occasional glances they exchanged also revealed a formulaic sort of understanding and intimacy unique to a royal couple.

’I really don’t know if the king had an affair or if the queen cheated...’

The absurd thought uncontrollably popped into Seraphina Sullivan’s mind.

’How could they possibly give birth to a... being like Princess Truffles?’

Of course, this was just Seraphina Sullivan’s own nonsensical jab.

Perhaps it was a genetic mutation, or maybe some unknown royal secret.

In a bizarre instance like this, anything was possible.

She didn’t have time to delve into this genetic mystery.

Because as the royal family took their seats, the banquet officially began.

Melodious music began to play—not Joy Hughes’s piano solo, but a court orchestra starting a prelude.

Guests flocked to the dance floor, their clothes fluttering as they laughed and smiled.

The delicacies on the long tables were taken more frequently, and the waiters bustled about even more busily.

The atmosphere was instantly pushed to its first peak.

"The banquet has begun!"

"How wonderful! The king and queen still look so in love!" 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

"Goodness, this cherry tart is truly the most delicious one I’ve ever had!"

All sorts of exclamations, laughter, and clinking glasses intertwined, weaving a massive net called "Joy."

It was an attempt to envelop everyone within it.

On the other side, Joy Hughes finally began to play as well.

The sound of the piano, clear as spring water, flowed out, strangely blending with the court orchestra’s performance.

It added a unique, slightly detached undercurrent to the magnificent feast.

"The banquet has started,"

Clayton Quinn’s voice was exceptionally calm amidst the noise. He moved closer to Seraphina Sullivan and Ironhide, his words quickening.

"Our second main quest—protecting the banquet—is also about to begin.

Stay sharp, watch for any abnormalities, and make sure the banquet’s proceedings are not disrupted."

Ironhide nodded heavily, the simple, honest look on his face replaced by vigilance.

Before turning to blend into the flow of waiters, however, he snatched several different kinds of small pastries from a passing tray with lightning speed.

He stuffed them all into his mouth at once, his cheeks puffing out like a hamster’s, and mumbled, "Mmmph... gotta eat to have the strength to work!"

At first, everything seemed to be immersed in supreme bliss.

Looking at the scene before her—a dazzling spectacle of lights, wine, song, and dance—Seraphina Sullivan was momentarily lost in a daze.

Certain long-forgotten fragments deep within her memory were awakened.

Before the Disaster System descended and the world was turned upside down,

she too had once had a similar life of entertainment and socializing, one that belonged to ordinary people.

It wasn’t a life of constant partying,

but she had experienced this kind of bustling yet relaxed atmosphere, whether online or in reality.

’When... when can we go back to days like these?’

A barely perceptible sigh brushed across the softest part of her heart.

"What do you think? A world like this... isn’t it wonderful?"

A gentle and magnetic voice suddenly spoke, extremely close to Seraphina Sullivan’s side.

Every hair on Seraphina Sullivan’s body instantly stood on end.

Her body went rigid, and she nearly adopted a defensive posture.

It was Eureka!

’When did he get so close without making a sound?’

’She hadn’t noticed him at all!’

Forcefully suppressing the alarm in her heart, Seraphina Sullivan turned her head to meet Eureka’s deep eyes, which seemed to hold starlight, and tried her best to keep her tone calm:

"It is wonderful."

It was the truth, even though she knew it was a false illusion.

But this moment of "normalcy" and "abundance,"

held a fatal attraction for someone who had long struggled in the apocalypse.

"Then... how about staying here forever?"

Eureka’s voice lowered, and it seemed to be laced with a strange, bewitching rhythm.

It was like the song of a deep-sea siren.

Gently stirring the deepest desires for peace in Seraphina Sullivan’s heart.

"The Divine Kingdom of Sweet Dreams, or rather, the God of Sweet Dreams, will absolutely welcome you with open arms."

Alarm bells screamed in Seraphina Sullivan’s head!

’What is this guy trying to say?’

’Is he recruiting me?’

’Or is this some kind of test?’

’It’s like he... knows I’m a ’Player’?’

But there had been no notification from the System, nor had the quest difficulty shown any increase.

She put on a perfectly timed expression of fear and confusion.

As if she had been startled by the sudden invitation,

and as if she hadn’t quite understood the deeper meaning of his words, she hastily waved her hands and said:

"Huh? S-Stay here?

Hahaha, you’re quite the kidder, Mr. Eureka... Oh, I think the princess is calling for me over there. I have to get back to work!"

She grabbed the first excuse she could think of and practically fled from Eureka’s side.

It wasn’t until she had blended into a group of noblewomen discussing jewelry

that Seraphina Sullivan felt the prickly gaze on her back finally move away.

She gently patted her chest, her heart still pounding.

’What is with that guy? He’s definitely trouble!’

Eureka’s appearance and his words cast a shadow of doubt over the seemingly "wonderful" banquet.

Meanwhile, Eureka watched Seraphina Sullivan’s hasty retreat, the corners of his mouth lifting into a meaningful, almost playful smile.

"Such an... interesting reaction."

He murmured to himself, as if admiring a meticulously choreographed play.

But in the next second, the relaxed smile on his face vanished.

His gaze turned sharp.

His line of sight shifted past the tall, arched windows with their stained glass on one side of the banquet hall,

and out toward the distant night sky, which was dotted with heart-shaped clouds and fake starlight.