CH 76.2

“Are all the events that happened today really coincidences? Was it just a coincidence that Charon happened to find the hiding place of the treasure? Or that we… met at the exhibition? Was it all just a coincidence?”

“…”

“Sir, have we ever met in the palace?”

At that moment, his head spun. The feeling of a little child seeing through everything. In that instant, Siebel lowered his body in front of Leticia. And he cast a spell that only the White Wizard could do.

“You truly are remarkable, my lady. Ah, and thank you. Thank you for always sensing my presence, for noticing the flowers I sent, and for recognizing today that those thieves were not the White Wizards.”

Leticia’s eyes widened. Her hand reached for her bag.

Siebel tightly grabbed her hand.

“Forget what just happened.”

Leticia’s eyes glazed over.

“What are you doing to the princess!”

At the policeman who were shouting at Siebel, a snap of his fingers calmed him down.

“Nothing happened here today. You doubted me, but in the end it was useless, and you’ll just forget about it with a feeling of discomfort.”

“…”

“We will meet again anyway, when you’re all grown up. Until then, forget about this memory, Leticia,” Siebel whispered.

Then he pressed Leticia’s forehead with his hand.

“This is my second kiss. Now there is only one left.”

A smile hung on his lips.

<The Countess and the Blue Tears of the Goddess> case closed.

* * *

Twinkle, twinkle.

That’s how you could describe the things in front of me. Zion, who opened the lid of the box before me, spoke.

“This is me lady’s first possession. I’ll keep it safe for you until you become an adult.”

“Yes.”

I stared at the jewel box with wonder-filled eyes.

Inside the jewel box were the gems Cedric had brought me.

They were gems he had given me as a thank-you for saving Lavigne’s life in the royal palace.

Zion had brought them to me, asking me to check once more while organizing the warehouse.

‘It’s so incredible that it doesn’t feel real.’

I pondered, stroking my chin. It would be nice to admire them whenever I felt bored. They sparkled, tempting me to look at them.

“Do you like them?”

“Not so much because they’re nice, but because they’re fascinating. Until not long ago, I never even dreamed of seeing something like this. If it were a couple of gold coins, I would have thought I was rich, but this… It’s hard to believe even when I see it.”

“I see. It would be great if you showed it to your female family members or friends and let them know how remarkable it is. Oh, right. Marianne is coming in a few days. How about showing off then?”

My ears perked up.

“Marianne is coming?”

“Yes, it seems her busy schedule at the temple is finally over.”

I nodded excitedly. It had been such a long time since I last saw Marianne!

“But with these precious gems, aren’t they valuable to Marianne as well?”

“That’s correct. She has many fine things, but this is a ruby necklace worn by the former queen. And this is a sapphire bracelet worn by the queen mother. Items like these are not easily obtainable even for her.”

I nodded my head.

“Um, what if I give one of these gifts to Marianne?”

Zion looked surprised.

“How did you know it was Marianne’s birthday?”

“Huh? It’s her birthday?”

“Yes, the day she’s coming in a few days is her birthday. But in the duchy, we don’t usually celebrate birthdays separately; we only pay attention during the banquet.”

Oh…!

I thought about my birthday party last year. It was so much fun. I had a birthday cake, received gifts from Collen and Jade, and even the servants congratulated me.

“You don’t usually celebrate birthdays? But on my birthday…”

Even Marianne sent me a gift.

“Marianne is an adult, and you’re still young. When Marianne was young, the Duke and Duchess didn’t like hosting birthday parties for her.”

“Um, Zion, maybe…”

I cautiously spoke up.

“Can I prepare a birthday party for Marianne?”

Zion’s eyes widened, and he nodded.

“Yes, of course.”

Finally, an opportunity to do something for Marianne. I stood up in a hurry.

“I’ll start planning the party right away!”