CH 44

Eleanor opened her eyes late, feeling the sunlight pouring through the window. It was a gift she gave herself for her birthday.

“Hmmm. A delicious smell.”

The smell of busy cooking in the kitchen leaked through the crack in the door. Eleanor sniffed her nose, trying to guess what would be on the lunch table.

Then someone knocked on the door.

“Eleanor, are you awake?”

“Mother?”

Eleanor lifted her body and sat down. The Countess and two maids opened the door and entered the room.

“Happy birthday, Baby.”

The Countess came over and kissed Eleanor lightly on top of her hair. The maids, who had set the tray down on the table, approached and began brushing Eleanor’s hair with familiarity.

“But what happened? It’s a long way until dinner.”

At Eleanor’s words, the Countess twitched her shoulders.

“Nothing. Just… it’s your birthday Since you’re the main character of the day, I thought it would be good to cheer up once.”

“But you’ve never been like that before, have you? It’s just a simple day spent with our family.”

The Countess stammered, avoiding Eleanor’s gaze.

“Of course it is, but… I don’t think it would be bad to create a new tradition at this point.”

Although Eleanor tilted her head, she obediently followed her words.

The maids deftly curled Eleanor’s hair and applied rouge to her lips. After pale pink lace draped over her dress, which was layered like petals, Eleanor was dressed as if it was for a banquet in the Imperial Palace.

“My goodness. You’re even pretty.”

“You’re dazzlingly beautiful, Miss.”

The Countess and the maids burst into admiration at Eleanor. Standing in front of the mirror, Eleanor touched the hem of her skirt with a trembling face.

“Anyway, I think this dress is a bit too much to wear at home.”

“Not at all! Let’s go down now. Everyone will be waiting for you.”

The Countess gently pushed Eleanor on the back. Eleanor narrowed her eyes at her slightly different appearance. But then she let out a deep sigh and took her steps. Her stomach rumbled.

“Great. If it took a little longer, I might have eaten the paper…”

“Oh my, even a joke.”

As they descended the stairs one by one, an unbearably delicious smell wafted up.

“Oh, is Dwight out of work?”

“I arrived early and sat down.”

“You must have waited a long time…”

It was when Eleanor stepped into the dining room.

“Eleanor, happy birthday.”

“Happy birthday, Ellen.”

“Teacher, happy birthday!”

The ear-tingling congratulations poured down with rose petals.

What is this situation.

Eleanor’s gaze shifted from the grandest dining table she had ever seen to the familiar faces that filled the room.

Lucas, Sienna, and Demian next to her… And Adrian, Kaidel and even Izmel next to them.

Eleanor’s mouth opened slowly.

‘This must be a dream. It’s also a very bittersweet nightmare…’

Before the stunned Eleanor could comprehend the situation, the Countess casually sat her down.

Kaidel, who was standing next to her, casually sat down next to her and studied her complexion.

“I didn’t expect you to be so surprised. How about drinking some water?”

“Thank you.”

Eleanor shook her head at the icy face and took a glass of water.

The Count tapped the wine glass lightly and the meal began. The atmosphere was truly cordial.

Well, except for Eleanor.

“How did you all know? I never really dreamed of it.”

“We invited them.”

The Count said.

“We were invited by the children.”

Izmel, who took the seat to Eleanor’s right, added.

“We came up with the idea of a surprise party!”

Sienna, with cookie crumbs smeared on her lips, raised her hand. Lucas and Demian quickly nodded in agreement.

Seeing the children, Eleanor sighed deeply.

She still wanted to rise to the sky or fall to the ground, but since that was impossible, she had to find a way to enjoy this time on her own.

“Thank you, guys. Thank you all for giving us your valuable time.”

Eleanor grinned at the children.

“Then shall we all have a toast?”

“Your Highness, please say something.”

The Count suggested looking at Izmel. Izmel readily agreed and raised his glass.

“Thank you for inviting me to such a pleasant occasion, Count. Dwight, who always works for me, and my best friend, Eleanor. I’m very happy to be able to celebrate both of their birthdays.”

Izmel’s gaze turned to Eleanor. At that moment, Adrian and Kaidel’s faces subtly wrinkled.

“Happy birthday.”

Izmel looked at Eleanor and smiled softly. She smiled and raised her glass.

“Cheers.”

“Cheers!”

The adults held their glasses of wine, and the children, their glasses of juice, to shoulder height. The chatter of the children made the room buzz.

Eleanor glanced at Adrian, who was sitting among her children. Normally, he would have taken the seat next to Eleanor. Then Adrian turned his gaze to Eleanor.

‘Hi.’

Adrian greeted her with a mouthful. Eleanor awkwardly raised the corners of her lips.

“Do you all get together like this every year to celebrate your birthday?”

Kaidel asked, looking at Eleanor. It was an unfamiliar sight for him, who had never celebrated his birthday.

“Yes. It’s not usually this grand, though. How does Kaidel spend his birthday?”

“Just usual. I work…”

Eleanor furrowed her eyebrows at Kaidel’s words.

“Without congratulations?”

He shrugged shoulders.

“Don’t worry. Because I remember and take care of Demian’s birthday.”

“Hmm.”

Eleanor asked with a determined face.

“When is it?”

“What?”

“Your birthday. I will remember and congratulate you.”

At Eleanor’s words, Kaidel gave a slightly surprised expression.

“If you think about it, your birthday is the only day you can celebrate just because you were born. It felt pretty good to have someone remember that day.”

“…I think so.”

Kaidel replied with a slightly dazed expression. It was just as Eleanor was about to speak to him again. Jealous of the warm air between them, Izmel interrupted.

“You’re very kind. Will you remember my birthday too?”

“I already know. You may not have been aware of it, but I have been to Your Highness’ birthday banquet every year.”

“But why can’t I remember seeing you?”

Izmel tilted his head slightly. Eleanor replied with a mischievous laugh.

“Well. Maybe you were too busy looking at the beautiful young ladies?”

“No way. If so, I would have seen you.”

Izmel grinned as he brazenly responded. Dwight, who had been sitting across from him and quietly chewing meat, gave a startled look.

‘Huek.’

Dwight sensed something strange was going on in this room.

‘It sounds like a crazy idea, but…’

On either side of Eleanor sat the two most prominent men in the Empire. Duke Valentine’s presence makes your shoulders shrink. And Dwight’s superior, the Crown Prince.

The problem was the expression of the two people looking at Eleanor. The Duke was nodding his head at Eleanor’s words with his cheeks blushing unsuitably, and the Crown Prince turned his body towards Eleanor and gently smiled.

‘From the time he asked what Eleanor liked, it was a little weird, but…’

The Count also noticed something different than usual.

“Adrian, don’t you like the food? You don’t seem to have any energy…”

“No. I’m eating well.”

Adrian and Eleanor weren’t sharing a word with each other.

The guy, who was so nice that he used to lead the mood when they ate together, has been taciturn today. Even taking into account that he might be uncomfortable since the Crown Prince and Duke were present.

‘Have these two had a big fight? These days, it doesn’t seem like they’re arguing over petty things like before…’

They need to reconcile quickly.

It was just as the Count was about to part his lips to lighten the mood. The Countess poked her husband in the side.

‘Why?’

‘Just stay still.’

‘But…’

‘Us getting out quickly is helping Eleanor. Eat roughly and get up.’

The Countess who perfectly grasped the situation. She thought that she was stuck in her room and was only working, so she worried, but it seems that it was useless.

The Countess watched with delight as the fresh, subtle air drifted over the table. The unripe love gave off a fragrance that couldn’t be hidden even if one tried to hide it.

Eleanor met her eyes with the Countess, who was smiling heartily.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hm?”

“You keep looking at me and smiling. You don’t even touch the food.”

“I just thought about when my daughter grew up like this. I’ve eaten enough. Right, Honey?”

I’m not full yet, though.

The Count’s sincerity didn’t come out of his mouth.

“Then shall we all blow out the candles on the cake now?”

Eleanor proposed brightly.

“That would be nice.”

“Great!”

The children’s eyes sparkled at the word ‘cake’. They were just about to get tired of the longer-than-usual mealtime.

Sienna flashed her hand and said.

“Ah, wait a minute. I would like to give Teacher a present now.”

“Now?”

Sienna got off the chair and ran to the living room, found one among the gift piles, and brought it back. Eleanor smiled and untied a red ribbon.

There was a box full of human-shaped cookies. Eyes, nose and mouth were drawn crookedly on each cookie.

How cute.

Eleanor’s eyes widened.

“Cute cookies!”

“I drew the picture above!”

“It’d be great to eat them with cake. Thanks, Enna.”

Eleanor kissed Sienna lightly on the cheek. Lucas jumped up from his seat as if he was stimulated by the sight.

“I have one too!”

Lucas set a small package down in front of Eleanor. A slight shake of the box produced a clatter.

“What did Luke prepare?”

“Open it!”

Eleanor carefully opened the box, revealing a hairpin studded with pearls.

“Luke, it looks so pretty.”

“I think it’ll look good on you.”

Izmel, who was next to her, also helped out.

“Will Luke do it himself?”

“Yes.”

Eleanor gave him a slight bend. Lucas wiggled and put a hairpin in her hair. It was a little clumsy, but that made it even more lovable.

The Countess, lighting a candle with a match, gestured towards Eleanor.

“The candle wax will run out. Open the remaining presents after blowing out the candles. Ellen, Dewey, come closer.”

Eleanor and Dwight walked closer to the cake.

“You should make a wish.”

Adrian smiled slightly.

“Ah, right.”

Eleanor held her hands tightly together. Yet no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t think of anything else she wanted.

She sat down at the table and looked around at the people watching her. The people who took the time and put their hearts into celebrating her and Dwight’s birthday.

“But I really have no wish. Even now, I like it so much that wanting more is like greed. Thank you everyone.”

Kaidel said with a soft smile.

“Then pray so. May your life always be like this moment.”