You didn't ask either?

Warm steam wafted over the carved dome of the washroom. The gilded bronze bathtub was filled with warm water mixed with rose essential oil, its surface covered in fine white foam.

With the help of the three, Altair stepped into the bathtub, the warm water instantly covering his waist and abdomen.

In reality, his sprained ankle had already been healed by a potion given by Hether. He had been pretending to be unable to move independently, merely putting on a show for outsiders.

As Altair felt the three begin to evenly massage his shoulders, neck, and back, he experienced an unprecedented comfort and closed his eyes to enjoy it.

Altair was not surprised by Freya's desires. Everyone had desires, and he found her choice unsurprising.

Thus, Altair eventually agreed to a transaction with her. It wasn't a major issue to become an "Extraordinary"; it wasn't difficult for him, requiring only a small, insignificant amount of materials.

Irene's actions, however, left Altair feeling puzzled. She had no ulterior motive for doing this; her heart was as calm as still water.

Vera, that silly girl, was truly just silly. It wasn't until she entered the washroom that she realized Altair was different.

After being cleaned, Irene woke Altair and took the pre-warmed flax towel, gently drying the water droplets from his body as if wrapping him. Her movements were so precise that not a single drop of water splashed out.

Altair looked at Vera, who had come out with him, and shook his head. "What's this? Are you distancing yourself from me after discovering my identity?"

Vera lowered her head, not daring to meet Altair's eyes. "Vera doesn't mean to distance herself from Altair. Vera just feels that what happened tonight is a bit unreal."

This matter was indeed difficult for Vera. They had been like sisters, eating and living together, and now he was a man. It was truly hard to accept.

Before the last two emerged from the washroom, Altair was already lying in bed resting. He wasn't in a hurry about matters between men and women.

When Freya and Irene came out, they saw Vera standing nearby and Altair lying in bed.

Only when they approached did they realize Altair had already fallen asleep. Freya gave Vera a helpless eye-roll. She directly took off her nightgown, revealing her smooth skin, and got into bed.

After Irene turned off the room light, she found Vera by the moonlight and pulled her into bed to rest.

The night was very quiet, with only the rustling sounds of movement coming from the bed.

The next morning, as dawn broke with a hazy mist, dew still clung to the rose trellis. A gust of wind sent fine water droplets falling, dampening the neatly trimmed lawn.

A gardener in a white apron was bending over, pruning rose branches. The metallic shears opened and closed, carrying the coolness of the morning mist.

The glass roof of the greenhouse gleamed under the rising sun. The tropical orchids inside bloomed vibrantly, their fragrance mingling with the freshness of the dew and drifting into the bedroom.

The canary in the gilded birdcage began to chirp, one call after another.

The palace, located on the outskirts of Bexland, began to stir on its fringes.

For instance, the kitchen was already bustling with activity, responsible for the breakfast of nearly 300 nobles attending the banquet.

"Where are the eggs? Who took the eggs?"

"Oh no, no, no, this plating is wrong. You should do it like this."

As the "Crimson Moon" completely set and the sun rose, the sound of a wake-up bell echoed through the room's corridors.

Hearing the bell, Altair slowly opened his eyes. He looked around and found that the three were already awake.

Altair got up and went directly into the washroom. He couldn't afford to sleep in these past two days. If others found out, it would be a joke, and he might even be accused of disrespecting royalty.

When he emerged from the washroom, he found that they had also gotten up. As Altair approached, the three began to take turns helping him get ready.

During this time, they not only had to dress Altair but also pay attention to their own attire. Fortunately, the servants were required to wear uniforms during the banquet; otherwise, just choosing clothes would have taken a long time.

While Altair was still struggling with what to have for breakfast, a greeting sounded from behind him.

"Good morning, Count Altair."

"Has your ankle sprain healed?"

When Altair turned around, he saw the girl before him and smiled. "Good morning, Audrey."

"It's almost healed. At least normal walking isn't affected."

"You seem to be in a good mood today."

Audrey said to Altair with a smile, "Thanks to you, my father was very happy when he returned last night. I took the opportunity to ask him for something I needed."

Altair felt curious and asked Audrey, "Oh? Did Count Hall encounter something good last night that might be related to me?"

Audrey didn't hide anything. "I'm not sure about that. When I left last night, he was preparing to negotiate with Count Strauss."

Strauss. He must have secured something from Uncle Leif.

After selecting their food, the two left the serving area together. Audrey had no intention of returning to her parents and instead chose a nearby table with Altair to dine.

Watching Audrey's elegant dining style, Altair also began to eat slowly and deliberately.

After leaving the dining hall, Altair temporarily returned to his room and saw Vera, Freya, and Irene, who had already returned.

He casually asked, "How was breakfast?"

After the delicious breakfast and Irene's guidance this morning, Vera had already returned to normal. She happily said, "Count Altair, this morning's breakfast was very unique. Although the presentation wasn't very appealing, the taste was quite good."

Altair sometimes truly envied Vera, that optimist.

After changing into a dress suitable for going out, Count Altair left the room with the three of them and headed to the hunting grounds. However, he didn't participate in the hunt itself, instead entering the observation deck. Finding Hether, he casually sat down beside her.

Hether smiled at Count Altair and asked, "How was the ball last night?"

Count Altair wasn't in the mood to answer that question and directly asked, "How did you manage to evade the mandatory attendance order for the ball yesterday? I'm certain you weren't there at all last night."

Hether feigned a deep, yet pitifully soft tone, saying, "You know how it is, women have a few uncomfortable days each month."

Count Altair didn't believe a word of it and retorted, "Then why didn't you remind me I could use that excuse?"

Hether turned and shook her head, casually replying, "Mainly because you didn't ask yesterday."

Listening to Hether, Count Altair became furious. Because he hadn't asked, he had been put on display like a "Curly Baboon" for two hours last night.

"Good morning, Count Altair."

"Good morning, Madam Donovan."

Audrey, who had arranged to watch the hunt with Count Altair, entered the observation deck and greeted them both.

Hether turned to look and was completely captivated by Audrey. She immediately pulled her hand and sat down, initiating "Girl's Playfulness."

Through the binoculars with carved ivory handles, Count Altair could clearly see that "George III" below had already begun leading the nobles, dressed in "Scarlet Hunting Attire," at a slow trot on horseback.

Their hunting rifles were polished to a gleam, their stocks inlaid with carved ivory, and their barrels reflecting a cold light. These were mostly custom-made double-barreled shotguns from Bexland's top workshops, costing hundreds of gold pounds each, far beyond the crude firearms of ordinary gentry.

"George III" rode at the very front, followed closely by a dog trainer leading over a dozen purebred hounds.

Only after he, as the King, fired the first shot did the other nobles officially begin to join the hunt.