“Did you turn off the broadcast just because you were that curious?”

As expected, the manager’s tone had returned to normal.

I nodded. I was willing to face the viewers’ complaints just to satisfy my curiosity.

The manager, looking annoyed, tousled his hair and replied,

“Angels often visit the human world during breaks. Since human lifespans are incredibly short compared to ours, it’s common for us to form families.”

“Doesn’t it make you sad when you have to leave them?”

“Would I really develop genuine feelings for a human? Whether it’s marriage or friendship, it’s all just a way to pass the time.”

That seemed a bit harsh… I felt sorry for the humans who had been involved with angels.

“Have you ever been married, Manager?”

“I’ve experienced it a few times in human form. Four times, I think.”

That’s a lot. My engagement was nothing compared to that.

It was ambiguous whether to consider him a married man since these marriages happened while he was disguised as a human. Of course, he’s single now.

Noticing my thoughts, the manager lightly thwacked my head with the back of his hand.

“Don’t think too much about it. Interactions with humans mean nothing to us. Drop any weird ideas about me being a married man or anything.”

“Hey, did you read my mind?”

“It’s obvious without looking…”

It seemed I had gotten too close to the manager. He could guess all my thoughts.

“Have you ever really been in love?”

“Why are you digging so much?”

The manager, slightly irritated, paused before answering.

“…Never.”

He grumbled but answered faithfully.

A married man who’s actually a lifelong singleton… quite fascinating. If the manager could read my mind, he’d probably be grumbling again, denying he’s a married man.

I pretended to be sad and said,

“So angels never really give their hearts to humans. After all, to them, humans are just insignificant beings…”

“Well, it’s not always like that.”

The manager shrugged.

“Just look at Ian. He truly cares for the saintess as if she were his own daughter. Angels with saintesses usually do. Besides, there are cases where they act like humans and end up accepting them as real family.”

Ian’s extraordinary devotion was known, but it was surprising to hear that other angels did the same. Perhaps angels do have feelings of affection.

“Have you never felt that way, Manager?”

“I’ve already told you. No.”

“And what about me?”

I looked up at the manager with sparkling eyes, full of expectation.

The manager flicked me on the forehead.

“You’re just a troublemaker. I always have to clean up your messes.”

Pouting, I rubbed my forehead where he hit me.

Then, in a deflated voice, I muttered softly.

“I rely quite a bit on you, Manager. It feels a bit disappointing to think I mean nothing to you…”

“Again, don’t jump to conclusions.”

The manager sighed deeply.

“If I had no feelings for you, I wouldn’t bother cleaning up after your messes. Nor would I get angry every time you cause trouble.”

That made sense. Even the severe scolding I received recently wouldn’t have happened if I were just nobody to him. Besides, the fact that he was reluctantly playing the role of Bates right now was also because of me.

“Know that I’m always worried about you.”

Moved, I asked the manager,

“Can I give you a hug?”

“Don’t even think about it.”

The manager was as firm as ever.

* * *

On the day of the banquet. It was almost time to get ready when Irmin was scheduled to come and escort me.

“Ah…”

Here comes the preparation time again. I was already feeling tired.

Why are there so many ceremonial events in this fantasy world? Of course, there were such events in the modern world I lived in, but as a commoner in my previous life, I wouldn’t have known about that world.

Sitting gloomily on the bed since morning, the chat window was bustling.

[Ian: Manager, check the shop section]

[LLoading: Look at the shop window!!]

[NyamNyamoo: Master Jiha! The shop!!]

[Gold2: What’s been added new?]

[MadelineTastesGood: Oh]

[Woongcha: What is it? So excited]

The shop window? I immediately opened the shop window.

There, among the familiar items, one item was shining and highlighted.

〈Celestial Realm Point Shop〉

* Resurrection Ticket: 80,000P

* Teleport Scroll: 5,000P

* Transformation Magic Scroll: 10,000P

* (★Limited Time★) Banquet Dress: 20,000P

– Current Points: 74,300P

What’s this now…? Among the familiar items, there was one I hadn’t seen before.

It seemed like a new update, and there was a description for each item.

《Resurrection Ticket》

– Consumable item

– Description: An item that allows you to resurrect upon death. Available for purchase in the shop, and the price increases with each purchase.

《Teleport Scroll》

– Consumable item

– Description: An item that allows you to move anywhere. Available for purchase in the shop.

《Transformation Magic Scroll》

– Consumable item

– Description: An item that allows you to transform into anyone. Available for purchase in the shop.

《(★Limited Time★) Banquet Dress》

– Semi-permanent item

– Description: A limited-time item available only during the palace banquet period. A unique dress that exists nowhere else. Available for purchase in the shop.

It feels like the shop’s creativity is increasing. The quality of the shop items was improving steadily.

As I quietly observed the chat window, the manager typed a message as if he was caught off guard.

[Manager: Gabriela insisted on adding it -_-]

[Stress: Did Gabi design it?]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: She said she wanted to try making one, and she actually did LOL]

So, Gabriela designed the dress. It was quite expensive, but since it was my first palace banquet, it seemed like a nice idea to try it out as a memento.

[PleaseShakeACarrot donated 10,000 points!]

– I want to see it! Everyone, hurry up and gather the money!

[Woongcha donated 2,000 points!]

– Good good

[Stress donated 5,000 points!]

– Good thing I saved up points LOL

[MadelineTastesGood donated 1,000 points!]

[Ian donated 20,000 points!]

– Go for it

[Poppopo: Oh, I don’t even need to contribute]

[PleaseShakeACarrot: Hyung making us feel awkward by covering the entire cost of the dress at once…]

[Ian: Work hard, kids]

[OnlyFinley donated 5,000 points!]

– This is Jiha’s allowance♡

The flood of points made the corners of my mouth rise involuntarily.

I was already planning to buy it, but it’s nice to be taken care of like this. Covering my mouth with my hand, I said,

“There was no need to go this far… But well, let’s buy it then.”

[Manager: We can see you smiling]

[Stress: Jiha is more serious about points than anyone…]

[Isaac donated 3,000 points!]

– A bit late, but here’s my contribution too

I wish there were banquets more often. The donations far exceeded the cost of the dress.

I pressed the purchase button. As it was a limited-time item, it disappeared from the shop window as soon as I clicked to buy it.

And just like the scroll, a hanger and dress materialized out of thin air.

I looked at the chat window.

“Do I have to return the hanger?”

[Manager: Just keep it…]

Seems like it’s a freebie. Probably not very useful though.

“Lady, I’ve come to help you get ready.”

A maid’s voice came from outside.

Then, a group of maids entered in a flurry.

“……?”

The maids were taken aback by the dress hanging on the hanger.

I casually said,

“I’ve brought my own dress. I’d like to wear this one, please.”

“Ah, yes…”

The maids started preparing quietly.

After quite some time, the preparations were complete. I stood in front of a full-length mirror to see how the maids had adorned me.

The first thing I checked was the dress designed by Gabriela.

The dark-colored dress gradually lightened toward the bottom in a gradient. The densely embedded jewels on the dress were reminiscent of the night sky.

The deep neckline was heavily adorned with lace, and flowers and jewels added points of interest, enhancing the dress’s uniqueness.

In a word, it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen. It was a dress that perfectly matched Anais.

‘It’s truly exquisite.’

It was beautiful when I saw it hanging on the hanger, but wearing it on Anais’s body made it even more stunning.

The hair ornament, matched with the dress decorations, was suitably opulent due to the jewels, yet it didn’t stand out too much. It complemented the black hair without being overwhelming.

“The crown prince will be arriving soon.”

A knight guarding outside the door informed us. The maids checked my hair ornament one last time before leading me towards the entrance of the room.

‘Now that I think about it, it’s the first time I’ll see Irmin’s true appearance.’

I wondered what he looked like. I only knew his hair and eye color, so his appearance was a matter of curiosity.

I walked through the door opened by the maid. It was difficult to walk in the unfamiliar dress, but I managed to move forward.

There were plenty of guards outside. And among them, there was a man with golden hair.

“Ah.”

The man turned to look at me.

He was a handsome man with gentle features, golden hair, and red eyes. The smile on his lips and the twinkling in his eyes, accentuated by the sunlight, gave off a radiant glow.

‘…Irmin?’

Was this the same playful person? Judging by his current expression, he seemed too kind-hearted to harm even a fly.

“Lady Erpeso, you’ve arrived.”

Irmin brought one hand to his chest and slightly bowed his upper body. It was a polite greeting.

“I am Irmin Ginger Jekylhyde, entrusted with escorting Lady Erpeso. I look forward to accompanying you during the banquet period.”

(tl/n: I will never take his name seriously)

Irmin looked at me and smiled radiantly.