Chapter 72

Chapter 72

* * *

It was utterly ridiculous. I mean, did it make sense that the day right after my arrival had more importance than Evan’s day of birth?

Even Olivia, who I trusted, seemed to think that all of this was my welcome party.

“Bu-but… today’s Evan’s birthday, too, right…?”

I muttered like a fool.

“A gift for Evan…”

“Huh?”

Olivia replied with a smile on her face.

“Evan asked me not to celebrate his birthday when he was young. So, I purposely didn’t buy it.”

Then, she turned to ask the Duke.

“Did he take those words back?”

He replied, “No, it’s not that. Ever since he said that when he was young… Evan, do you want me to celebrate your birthday? If so right away—”

“I don’t need it.”

Evan’s answer came immediately, and I sighed. There’s no way that a kid who can’t even say he likes sweets would ask for a birthday party.

Olivia asked as if concerned.

“Isn’t the budget allotted to Evan something small or something like that, right?”

“I’m sure it’s higher than grandaunt’s.”

“Then, you can buy whatever you want at any time. I’m glad.”

I forgot… Olivia was a wicked woman.

In the first place, he was not a person who had empathy or a warm heart.

“I don’t need a birthday present either. So, I understand. I don’t need a day to get what I want.”

No, Olivia and Evan are about fifty years apart.

‘How can you think the concept of birthday is the same…?’

Lost in thought, the Duke quietly left the banquet hall. And me, Evan, and Olivia sat in the family seat and started talking about this and that.

“Great-aunt is right.”

Meanwhile, Evan said calmly, “I don’t really want or have to get anything for a birthday present.”

Before fiddling with the cuff button at the end of the shirt.

“Even your present wasn’t particularly interesting either.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“I’ll just ask to change all my shirts to ones that need cufflinks.”

I think something was a bit strange.

“I don’t even need to transcribe your letter, I might just read it five times a day. Maybe, I’ll memorize it first.”

I was really curious about what the hell would be a great job by Evan’s standards. Although I did not know where to start and how to change this situation, so I gave up.

Half-embarrassed, I turned to Olivia.

“Thank you for the presents, auntie. I’ll use it well.”

“All right.”

Olivia raised her chin and uttered proudly.

“You’re so kind that you look insignificant if you stand still, so you have to wear these things.”

Lisa looked at her with an earring the size of her palm and a necklace that looked like it would break my neck if I wore it, but of course, Olivia liked it.

“Especially this…”

She continued, lifting a large necklace.

“If arrogant things become a threat to you, it will be of practical help. I will teach you how to use it.”

‘How to use it? And, it actually helps? Is this a magic artifact?’

I nodded excitedly.

“If someone annoys you, turn this part around and take it out.”

Even Evan focused and looked at Olivia’s hand. When she turned the lower part of the pendant of the necklace and pulled it out, a small dagger came out.

“And, threaten them with this.”

“….”

“Why do you look like that? You can take this with you to the no-arms zone because it doesn’t even get caught by the prop inspection.”

It was not a magic artifact, but a criminal prop. I could see why no one asked Olivia to be a godmother.

“Thank you, this weapon… No, I’ll make sure to wear the necklace during the foundation day. I’m looking forward to it.”

To that, Evan replied with an indifferent tone.

“The foundation… is not even that fun. It’s just boring. It’s an event to see the Imperial Family dressed up and smiling in front of the people.”

That was exactly why it was fun. Whenever you see Princess Elanie smiling, wearing a ruby, I’ll see gold falling on me as if unavoidable rain.

“Still, I’m really looking forward to it. I want to see it up close.”

I couldn’t control my excitement. I opened my mouth.

“Especially Princess Elanie… I’m sure she’s really pretty, right?”

It was Olivia who answered that.

“Well, if she’s pretty, what does that have to do with Icard?”

‘It has a lot to do later, Olivia…’

“I’ll have to go to Kallaudin now. Well, maybe he’s stuck in the rose garden.”

“….”

“Of all things, another child who looks similar to Matilda appeared… Well, if she’s Matilda’s blood, it’s just right to bring her in.”

Olivia then handed me the weapon like that and arrogantly disappeared.

‘Rose garden…’

Come to think of it, the day Evan was born was also the day Matilda passed away. It was only then that I realized why he said he didn’t need a birthday present and insisted on emphasizing that ‘it wasn’t terrible.’

“Evan.”

He muttered low, looking at the weapon Olivia had given me.

“I think we need to sharpen the blade because Laria has weak wrists. How about changing the material altogether…?”

He was already checking the dagger here and there.

“You know, that kid named Rosaline.”

I sat next to him and spoke carefully.

“Do you know her?”

“No, it’s my first time seeing hee.”

It sounded like he wasn’t even very interested. Well, there was no way he would have seen his late mother’s niece before.

“Why…?”

“No, I’m just asking.”

I did not miss the moment Viscount Hielin’s gaze rested upon me.

No matter how insignificant I may be, I could understand enough that his words pinched my origins.

‘She took the seat as Evan’s wife because she was just the daughter of Matilda’s friend. So she, who is her blood relative, you’ll treat her, right? That’s what he meant.’

Ugh, you don’t even know what’s behind me… I’m here just because I’m time-limited…

However, since the cause was clear, the Duke of Icard would have had no choice but to accept the kid. Of course, none of what the man said was wrong, but… Sometimes the right words can make you feel worse.

‘I don’t have a good feeling about it.’

On Matilda’s anniversary, a child who looked similar to Matilda appeared.

“Well, I guess she’ll just stay here, and then my father will find a suitable position for her as an adoptive daughter. She can’t stay as a guest for long, anyway.”

Evan responded indifferently.

“Isn’t that the expected thing to do?”

It didn’t seem like Evan knew anything anyway. Well, Evan must be the most bitter because everyone thought of Matilda once more with her appearance.

So, I just sat next to him.

“Evan.”

And said quietly.

“Happy birthday.”

“…You already said it…”

“But, I wanted to say it one more time.”

Evan didn’t say anything.

But that night, as we slept in the same bed after a very long time, he muttered as if whispering.

“Thank you, Laria.”

For him, even saying thank you for saying happy birthday was something he had to think about for a long time. I didn’t know why I had these strange feelings towards Evan.

Come to think of it, since the first time I first saw him, I felt sad without knowing why.

I quietly brushed his hair before falling asleep.

* * *

After confirming that Laria was asleep, Evan woke up slowly and carefully.

For the past few months, he couldn’t sleep because he didn’t have Lariat next to him. Though now, he couldn’t sleep because she was with him. Laria’s cheeks were soft, she smelled good, and her hands were small…pretty, and small hands…

He wanted to hold it for a bit, but eventually, he fell asleep without doing it. Then, while he couldn’t sleep, there was something he wanted to solve.

In the middle of the night, the light was still on in the Duke’s office. Moreover, Morand, the butler, a top professional, was also awake.

“Morand, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“Yes, Young Lord. Were you not able to sleep?”

“Yeah, it’s urgent.”

Evan spoke with his arms folded.

“Get a special seat for the foundation day. Right away.”

“…Right now? Special…?”

Morand was puzzled.

“It might be difficult. Didn’t you say you didn’t need it when you received the invitation last time?”

Evan and Kallaudin both shook their heads when Morand asked if it would be better to reserve a special seat since Kallaudin would be awarded on the foundation day. They said any seat will be the same in an event that wasn’t fun, anyway.

They were just in the general seat and agreed to get a medal and run away, but Laria’s words of, “I’m looking forward to the founding.” Made Evan rethink the whole plan.

“Laria wants to see it up close.”

At those words, Morand immediately bit his mouth. If so, it was an emergency situation where the word ‘difficult’ didn’t matter at all.

Evan thought for a moment that he would only ask for two seats.

‘Shouldn’t be just the two of us sitting side by side?’

However, suddenly a bad feeling struck him.

‘I’m old, I should be next to Laria.’

Olivia was likely to push him away under the pretext of age. If he refuses, the nice Laria will be shocked by his bad personality.

‘I can’t help it.’

Nevertheless, if he asked for three seats, it was obvious that Duke Icard would be bothered, and Laria would continue to care for him.

“Four seats.”

“…Four?”

“Yes. Four. Get them somehow.”

As Evan turned around and left, Morand sighed and nodded.

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