In the adventurers’ tavern beneath the castle, where the view was relatively open.

A burly bald man slapped the table and bragged loudly. Beside him, adventurers had gathered to watch the spectacle, all hoping to catch a glimpse of Princess Elina’s beauty today.

“You have no idea. The first time I saw Princess Elina, I fell in love with her. I don’t care if you call me a lolicon—it’s just that the person I love happens to be a little girl. Of course, I know I could never be good enough for her. I just want to tell you all that I absolutely adore Princess Elina!”

“Is Princess Elina really that beautiful?” a young adventurer asked curiously.

“Yeah, yeah. Is she really as amazing as you say?” another adventurer, a middle-aged man with stubble, asked with his arms crossed.

“Of course! You don’t understand how pure and adorable her angelic face is, or how her golden hair flows. I can almost smell the sweet fragrance drifting through the air. Her ocean-blue eyes cleanse my soul, and her tender skin is like white jade—I can hardly resist licking it a few times. Ahh… And those unique cat ears and that tail! I really want to touch them… I’d be happy if Princess Elina kicked me a few times…” The bald man stroked his chest and cried out in rapture.

As everyone around him looked at him like he was some kind of hentai, two knights in silver armor walked up to the gentleman and took him by the shoulders.

“Hey! What do you two think you’re doing?”

“We’re law-enforcement knights, brother. Come with us,” the two knights said flatly.

The law-enforcement knights hauled the gentleman out of the tavern, his anguished cries still ringing through the air: “Nooo! I’ll be happy if I can just see Princess Elina one more time!”

Elina was trying to figure out how to put on the elaborate princess dress when a chill suddenly ran down her back, as if someone were watching her.

Could it be…

A terrifying thought crossed Elina’s mind.

Someone was fantasizing about her!

That’s downright deranged! From now on, I should take part in fewer social events. Let those damn hentai forget about me and go bother some other women!

After the bald man was hauled away, even more townspeople gathered beneath the castle. Every one of them gazed longingly at the raised platform, hoping to see Princess Elina’s adorable face on her birthday and have their souls cleansed.

Inside the room.

“Elina, hurry up! Come out and see all the people waiting for you. The streets are packed! I’m so jealous. I bet only our Frank Empire’s imperial flower has this kind of charm.” Caro cupped her cheeks with both hands and sighed.

“Sigh, I don’t want this kind of charm. It’s so boring, meow~” Elina said disdainfully.

“Pfft. You’ll understand someday. All right, you’re dressed. Let’s go—everyone’s waiting,” Alaya said meaningfully.

“Mm.” Elina finished putting on the last part of her outfit and nodded.

……

Beneath the platform at the Frank Empire’s castle.

The streets, the taverns, the rooftops of the houses…

Everywhere was packed with people. All eyes were fixed on the platform, determined not to miss a single moment.

“Is it about to happen…?” The stubbled man gave a crooked smile.

“Yeah! I can’t wait,” a young man shouted excitedly.

“Sigh… Calm down. Save that excitement for when it actually happens,” an elderly man said with a smile, stroking his beard.

At the old man’s reminder, the crowd quieted down and waited in silence for Princess Elina to appear.

At last, a few minutes later, Princess Elina slowly walked to the center of the platform. Bright sunlight fell in delicate flecks across her smooth golden hair, making it glimmer, as if the gods themselves were welcoming the princess’s arrival. She was the brightest star beneath the heavens.

Her pale blue eyes were deep and beautiful, and the shy emotion hidden in them made her all the more endearing. Her smooth, snow-white skin was enough to make anyone marvel at her angelic beauty. Her slightly parted pink lips made people long to kiss her deeply, to feel that softness. A black ribbon was tied around her slender, swan-white neck. She wore a pure white, ruffled dress with a pale blue bow at the chest, and a white ribbon cinched her slender waist. White stockings covered her slim legs, and she wore little white leather shoes.

Yet amid all that sacred beauty, the pair of cat ears on Elina’s head and the tail behind her stood stiff with nerves, adding a touch of cuteness that made her feel less distant from her subjects.

At the sight, everyone had just one thing they wanted to shout: “Princess Elina is the best!”

But they were afraid they might startle the shy Little Kitty and never see such a breathtaking sight again, so they kept quiet and admired her in silence.

After a brief silence, everyone etched the sight of Elina’s appearance deep into their memories. They would never forget it.

Meanwhile, the bald man who’d been taken to prison struggled to reach the tiny window and peer out at the platform. Tears of joy streamed down his face as he shouted, “Princess Elina is the best!!!”

The silent crowd erupted in an instant, cheering together: “Princess Elina is the best!!!”

……