New Year

In his past life, Edward once watched an antique appraisal show. A young man brought a large diamond ring and asked the expert for its price, saying: "This is the ring I used to propose to my ex-girlfriend. Since the proposal failed, I want to sell it. If I meet someone suitable in the future, I'll buy a new one for her." The expert said: "Selling a diamond ring after buying it means you'll only get 40% of the price, which isn't worth it. You might as well keep it. If you don't say anything later, who will know?"

Edward agreed wholeheartedly at the time and praised the expert's wit. But... what if he did say something? Now the problem arises: Edward, whose past romantic experience was "thin," has no experience in this area. Was he being treated as a 'scumbag'? What should he do now? Waiting online, it's urgent!

Princess narrowed her gem-like green eyes, gazed at Edward, took a deep breath, and asked:

"Monica? Are you planning to give the ring to Monica? Because she has a Spatial Ring, you didn't give it to her?"

"I..." Edward turned his head away, not daring to meet Princess's gaze.

"Also, you just said you 'don't lack money anymore.' What about the 1000 gold gold you got from selling the sword? Did you give that to Monica too? Don't you think someone who can use a priceless Spatial Ring would lack your little bit of money?"

"I... I don't have any other intentions. I was just worried about her, being a girl alone and far from home..." Edward said, rubbing his nose.

"Fool! Who cares about your broken ring..."

Princess angrily threw the Spatial Ring back to Edward, turned, and slammed the door shut, leaving.

The young Alchemist was left stunned. Just as he was about to chase after her and say something, he saw Princess storm back in.

The suddenly opened door almost hit his nose, and the strong gust of wind made his nose sting.

Andrea snatched the ring from Edward's hand and shouted:

"My armor is still in the ring!"

Then she turned and left again. After a couple of steps, she turned back and cursed:

"You're a fool! A big fool!"

With that, she left without looking back, pulling Alice, who was playing happily, along with her. The squinting priest, holding the Prism, looked at Edward, who was standing dumbfounded at the entrance of the Guest Room, and then at the retreating back of the angry Princess, feeling like he had missed out on some 'big gossip'...

Time flew by, and a few days passed. This was the last day of the year. People in this world, like in Edward's past life, held grand celebrations on the last day of each year to mark the passing of the old year and the arrival of the new. The southern Rainforest Country and several surrounding countries would hold a grand carnival, reveling for a full week. It was said that many children were born in those countries in September and October of the following year...

In the past few days, Edward hadn't dared to seek out Princess, and Andrea hadn't returned the Spatial Ring. Besides visiting the Magic Tower once for routine Magic Array maintenance, Edward had been tinkering with his so-called 'surprise.'

The borrowed soldiers had undergone Edward's so-called "secret training" and were prepared to give all the city residents a big surprise at midnight tonight in Fountain Square.

Mr. Hunter, the head butler of the Duke's Mansion, had visited a few times. He had ordered a batch of Edward's supposedly super energy-saving Magic Lamp. In reality, energy efficiency wasn't important for the Duke's Mansion; they had Red Stone mines. The key was that Edward's Magic Lamp, while having no other special benefits, was cheap!

Seeing Mr. Butler Hunter lavishly spend hundreds of gold gold to purchase over a thousand Magic Lamp bulbs, reportedly to illuminate the entire Duke's Mansion on New Year's Eve, Edward felt he had set the price for the Magic Lamp too low.

To complete the order, Edward had worked tirelessly for two days.

This afternoon, Edward politely declined Harry's invitation to a New Year's dinner. In the evening, he changed into a Sapphire Bluegold-embroideredformal dress brought back from Ailande. This formal dress resembled his double-breasted suit from his past life, with large, conspicuous gilded buttons. He didn't wear a tie, but instead a 'slightly heavy' black bow tie. He placed his AlchemistPocket Watch in his left breast pocket, with the chain hanging outside. He looked down at his polished leather shoes, then up at his shiny slicked-back hair in the Dressing Mirror. He smiled, feeling his smile possessed a beauty comparable to "Little Li (nickname for Leonardo DiCaprio)," then put on his top hat and dark trench coat before heading out.

Upon leaving, he noticed the streets had a different atmosphere than usual. From Flower Street to Fountain Square, the roadsides had transformed into a massive open-air market. There were various vegetables and fruits from the south, as well as frozen meats, clothing, shoes, hats, pots and pans, and small crafts.

Pedestrians bustled back and forth, purchasing various goods. People's attire had also changed from the usual black, white, and gray to vibrant, colorful hues. Young women and married women, who usually didn't go out often, were also out and about, selecting their desired items...

Looking at the crowded streets, the childhood memories of this life merged with those of his past life, creating a sense of temporal displacement. He shook his head and, amidst the throng, headed towards the Duke's Mansion.

As he reached Fountain Square, he suddenly saw a familiar figure flash by. He quickened his pace, squeezed through the crowd, and looked around, but found nothing. He muttered to himself:

"It must be my imagination. He couldn't possibly be on the New Continent."

He then stopped dwelling on it and proceeded directly to the Duke's Mansion.

Among the Guards on duty at the entrance of the Duke's Mansion, a young man who had delivered a letter to his Alchemy Shop stepped forward, bowed, and said:

"Lord Smith, you've arrived quite early. Most guests arrive after nightfall, when Mr. Hunter, the head butler, personally greets distinguished guests at the mansion gate. Shall I escort you to the living room to rest while I inform Mr. Hunter?"

"Thank you. May I first go to the guard room to see how they are preparing?" Edward asked.

"Certainly. I'll lead you to the guard room." He then turned and instructed another young man to notify the butler. It seemed he was a junior officer.

Edward followed the man to see the soldiers lent to him. These soldiers were currently busy preparing the "props" made by Edward. Edward nodded with satisfaction and gave a few more instructions. He then followed the soldiers to the living room within the Duke's Mansion.

In the meantime, Edward took an interested look at the entire Duke's Mansion courtyard. The Duke's Mansion covered an area of about thirty to forty mu. High walls surrounded it, with watchtowers at the four corners. Of course, the taller one in the northwest corner had become the Magic Tower. This architectural style reminded Edward of prisons from his past life. However, prisons in his past life kept people inside, while these castle-like residences were designed to keep people out. It seemed many castles in his past life had similar designs. No wonder they could be converted into prisons with minor modifications; the most famous being the ""Bastille"," right?

The buildings along the walls within the Duke's Mansion included barracks for soldiers and dormitory for servants. There was also a larger stable near the east wall. The center of the courtyard was planted with many evergreen trees and shrubs, meticulously pruned by the gardener into various regular shapes.

The main building of the residence was where the Grand Duke's family lived. It featured a tall pointed-top tower in the center, a five-story structure, with symmetrical sloping roof three-story buildings on either side. Counting them, there must have been hundreds of rooms. Edward couldn't help but lament the extravagance and decadence of the feudal Lord's family...

Entering the main hall of the Duke's Mansion, the hall was resplendent with gold and brightly lit, making Edward feel as if he were in Catherine Palace from a documentary in his past life. Servants were still busy preparing and arranging various necessary items. Mr. Hunter stood in the middle of the staircase in the main hall, directing the servants as they busily moved things.

Mr. Hunter appeared to be around fifty years old, with salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed back with hair wax. His neatly trimmed mustache gave him a somewhat stern appearance. He wore a whiteshirt and a black vest, with a small black bow tie at his collar.

Edward glanced around at the waiters, all dressed similarly. He subconsciously touched the bow tie around his neck, wondering if he should change his tie.

Upon seeing Edward arrive, Mr. Hunter walked up to him with a smile and greeted him warmly:

"Oh, Mr. Smith, you've arrived very early! You can witness this historic moment. Your great invention will be recorded in history, and our Duke's Mansion will be the first illuminated residence on the New Continent."

"Mr. Hunter, you flatter me. This is merely a small application of alchemy. It is Grand Duke Your Majesty and you who have discerning eyes and remarkable courage." Edward said these meaningless words while thinking, I'm in trouble. I've always acted low-key, how could I forget this? If I attract so much attention, how many eyes will be on me! Edward slapped himself mentally.

"You've come so early, are you here to see Princess? Unfortunately, Princess is currently preparing for the banquet and cannot come out. How about I take you to the small lounge to rest? There's still some time before the banquet begins," said Butler Hunter.

"Then I'll trouble you, Mr. Hunter." Edward also felt he had come too early. The hall was bustling with activity, making him feel somewhat superfluous.

As he passed by the side of the hall staircase, he saw a group of musicians holding various instruments. He asked:

"Mr. Hunter, is there a concert tonight?"

"You didn't know? Oh, look at my memory. This is your first time attending a Duke's Mansion banquet. After tonight's banquet, there will be a New Year's Ball, and everyone will dance until the new year!"

"Oh." Edward thought, Then there's nothing for me to do, I don't know how to dance.

However, Mr. Hunter suddenly leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially:

"Do you know what's special about the ball this year?"

"No, what's special?" Edward responded appropriately.

"This is Princess's first ball since coming of age. Young talents from across the country and even neighboring countries are said to be attending. Who do you think will invite Princess to dance the first dance this year?"