Imperial Capital, Viscount Karl's Villa.
"Mother, Have you heard about Princess Mia's soon-to-open hotpot and BBQ restaurant?"
"I've heard some of the other ladies mention it. Why?"
"They say it's a brand-new dining experience, and even His Majesty André can't stop praising it~."
"So what are you getting at?"
"Hehe, I was thinking… how about we go there on opening day and try it out?"
"If you want to go, why not just go with your friends?"
"Ugh… I just bought new blush, accessories, and a dress a few days ago, so I'm kinda broke~ Mother dearest~."
"Then wait until your father gives you next month's allowance. It's already the end of November, only a few days left."
"Nooo! Everyone in our circle is talking about it. Lots of people are planning to go together to check it out. If I don't go, I'll have nothing to talk about with them—how awkward would that be!"
"Coming to me won't help. I already spent all my money on blush, accessories, and dresses, too. I can't afford it either."
"Then why don't you ask Father~?"
"Why don't you go ask him yourself?"
"If I do, he'll definitely scold me!"
"Then just wait until next month."
"Ugh… Mother dearest~ The Ascent Diary—ahem ahem—you know what I mean~."
"..." The Viscountess shot a fierce glare at her daughter and snapped, "Just you wait!"
Betty stuck out her tongue cheekily as she watched her mother head toward her father's study, a victorious grin spreading across her face.
And so, on the morning of November 25th, Viscount Karl set out with his wife and daughter in a carriage headed for Central Street of Peace Square.
Inside the carriage, Betty and the Viscountess chatted idly about makeup, fashion, and other gossip, while the forty-something Viscount Karl sat with his eyes closed, resting.
Whenever he found the two women too noisy, he would open his eyes and scold Betty.
Betty would make a pitiful face, which Viscount Karl completely ignored.
It was only a few light words from the Viscountess that would immediately calm him down—clearly, she had mastered the art of managing her husband.
As the carriage entered Central Street, they ran into many other carriages headed to the same hotpot and BBQ restaurant.
If it weren't for the vastness of Peace Square, which allowed hundreds of carriages to park freely, they would've been stuck in a traffic jam at the entrance.
"Quite the crowd," Viscount Karl commented as he looked out the carriage window and saw many young noble heirs streaming through the restaurant's doors.
"I told you, even His Majesty André said it was great!" Betty puffed up her cheeks in protest.
Viscount Karl glanced at his daughter and shook his head, lecturing her, "That may be a factor, but the main reason all those noble brats are flocking here is because of who is behind it."
"Huh? Who?" Betty blinked, confused. "His Majesty isn't going to show up personally, right?"
"Of course not. I'm talking about Princess Mia." Viscount Karl had long grown used to his daughter's naïveté and couldn't even bother to get angry anymore.
After parking, the three of them stepped out of the carriage and were led into the restaurant by a staff member.
The entire building was enormous—seven stories tall.
If not for the guide constantly looking back every five steps to make sure they were following, they could've gotten lost inside.
The first and second floors were open halls, with only delicate railings separating tables—these areas were designed for commoners.
Viscount Karl opted for a private room on the third floor, perfect for a family of three.
Once inside, they took their seats at a long rectangular table.
Betty sat opposite her father, curiously examining the large pot in front of her, then looked to her right at the rectangular iron plate embedded into the table.
The guide left, and almost immediately, three more staff members entered.
Their uniforms matched the guide's in style but differed in color: one wore yellow, the other two red, while the guide had been in blue.
"Good day, Viscount Karl. Here is our menu for your perusal," said the staff member in yellow respectfully, handing over a menu.
Viscount Karl didn't even glance at it and passed it straight to his wife. "You choose."
Betty instantly sprang up and leaned over her mother's shoulder. "Let me see! I wanna look too!"
Viscount Karl frowned at his impulsive daughter but ultimately said nothing.
While the Viscountess and Betty browsed the menu and made their choices, the two red-uniformed staff began to explain the dining process of the hotpot and BBQ experience.
Once the food arrived, they patiently helped grill meat and serve vegetables.
Aside from dipping their cooked food into sauces and eating, the family didn't need to lift a finger.
The two servers worked diligently, yet subtly, doing their best to avoid disrupting the guests' conversation.
Before long, the Karl family found themselves completely won over by the hotpot, the barbecue, and the wide variety of flavorful sauces.
"This is quite good," Viscount Karl praised after swallowing a bite of marbled beef.
Betty, leaning back in her chair and rubbing her now bulging stomach, let out a satisfied sigh. "So delicious~."
With her stomach content, she eyed the tongs in the nearby staff member's hand and the sizzling slices of pork belly on the iron plate.
Her fingers began to itch.
"Um, can I try grilling it myself?" she asked enthusiastically.
"Of course, Miss. But please be careful—the iron plate is extremely hot, so do not touch it directly."
With that assurance, Betty jumped up in excitement and quickly took the tongs, eagerly flipping the meat herself.
Though she tried her best and had a staff member coaching her, it was her first time. She accidentally tore some pork belly into tiny strips, and a few pieces got slightly burnt.
Still, once dipped into sauce, the flavor was great. The Viscountess even smiled and offered a few words of praise.
Soon, the family finished their meal, full and content. A staff member accepted the payment and then pulled out a finely packaged set of cards from his pocket, handing them to Viscount Karl.
"What's this?"
"This is our exclusive Noble Edition Element Card Set—a collectible entertainment deck. Each table receives one complimentary set as a gift from our restaurant."
Viscount Karl didn't care much, nodded slightly, and tossed the card set into Betty's lap.
"Viscount Karl," the staff member added respectfully, "Princess Mia is currently hosting a private banquet for VIPs on the top floor. If you're interested, you're welcome to go up and take a look."
Viscount Karl was about to decline when he noticed his daughter's puppy-dog eyes staring up at him.
He sighed, ruffled Betty's hair, and said, "I'll pass, but if it's all right, please take my daughter upstairs to broaden her horizons."
"Of course—it would be our honor." The staff member stepped back, gesturing politely. "Miss Betty, this way please."