By Zephyria 
I listened to a long explanation.
In the Sierran Empire, lovers are usually gifted accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, and hair ties. This is because they are beautiful and serve all their purpose. If they weren’t close enough to exchange expensive tokens, it was better to give carefully chosen flowers.
Belts, ties, and food were gifts for someone with no ulterior motives. The explanation was that such practical gifts were usually given on the birthdays of mentors or seniors, to whom one felt grateful but had no possibility of developing a romantic relationship.
“Still, it’s not bad for gifting to someone you like on your own…”
“Don’t you know what ‘no ulterior motives’ means?”
“If it’s not an anniversary, then yes, anything is fine. But you must properly celebrate birthdays and wedding anniversaries.”
“That’s right! Michael, in the books you always read, they gave jewels and flowers on birthdays!”
Of course. That’s why I chose something that looked like it had jewels on it.
“The Mana Stone on the belt looks like a jewel too…”
“Your desk is the same color as bread, so from now on, Michael, you should eat your desk.”
“…”
Is it that bad? I was speechless at Damian’s cold reply.
After pondering for a long time, I finally managed to explain.
“Well, at that time… we weren’t dating yet.”
“But if it’s the Withrow Duchy, you and the Prince were already very close.”
“…What do you mean, ‘very close’?”
“No, well… it’s in the past. Still, the Prince liked it, right?”
“…Probably…?”
“Mhm, then it’s fine. The next year, I bought jewels in advance and sent them to the Imperial Palace, and I prepared a cake. Anyway, it’s not okay now. Let’s go with accessories.”
“Yes.”
With the help of my friends, I chose a bracelet with five jewels that looked exactly like my eye color. Ivan expertly wrapped it and tied a ribbon, making it look quite presentable.
“By any chance… Ivan, do you have any holy oil here?”
Ivan readily handed over various items and then ushered us out of the shop, saying his wife was waiting. Leaving behind a promissory note to pay later, we immediately moved on.
What was so amusing? My remaining companions, laughing merrily, suggested we go to Valentia’s townhouse.
Fortunately, townhouses in the capital seem to be equipped to receive guests at any time. Despite the late hour, a servant on duty immediately welcomed us inside and attended to our needs.
I should have listened when my mother told me to get a new set of clothes.
My physique had grown considerably, so none of the clothes left at Valentia’s townhouse fit me.
Thankfully, Damian had a good eye. He picked out a vest that his uncle had worn when he was young; it was open in the back and tied with ribbons only at the neck and waist.
After washing with water infused with holy oil to remove the smell of alcohol and asking a skilled servant to trim my hair, I was ready. As I finished preparing, dawn was breaking, and the sky was brightening.
While I was getting ready, Benjamin brought a large bouquet from a flower shop that opened at the earliest hour. Its appearance was rough, and Damian and Jenny chided him for it, but it was better than nothing.
Still, I had managed to put together a presentable gift.
After thanking the townhouse staff who had kindly attended to a late-night visitor, I sent off my tired friends, who had stayed up all night, in their respective carriages.
❖ ❖ ❖
No matter how high the gates of the Sierran Imperial Palace are, they are not so for me.
I left the carriage and walked to the Imperial Palace. It was not a family event, and I hadn’t sent an invitation in advance.
The knight on guard was the same one from the other day. Seeing the bouquet I held, he smiled faintly. After a perfunctory check of my name, he let me in, and I bowed briefly before entering.
However, it was quite strange. The knight guarding the Second Prince’s Palace seemed unusually flustered today and tried hard to prevent me from entering.
“I’m sorry, Lord Ernhardt. The Prince is currently out…”
“Ah, is he perhaps in the main hall?”
“No, he is not… he is not, but…”
It had been less than three years since the Emperor’s death.
Even without observing the full three-year mourning period, none of the three princes and princesses were holding birthday parties. This was to avoid gossip, as the banquets one could hold as Crown Prince and as a Prince were different.
I had heard through the grapevine that Ruben had no schedule today, so I found it very odd.
“Then I will wait inside.”
“That, that is also a bit difficult right now…”
Just then.
A woman was walking gracefully from ahead.
Hestia Yeldidus, with cascading platinum blonde hair and pale violet eyes like violets, stopped a short distance away.
The flustered knight fell silent. I finally understood his unusual demeanor. The maidservant who had been by her side let out a small shriek upon seeing me, then quickly covered her mouth. I stood frozen, unsure what to do, and looked at her.
My mind went blank.
Why was Hestia Yeldidus here, at the Second Prince’s Palace, at this early hour?
As the lady gracefully took hold of her skirt and bowed lightly, I dazedly nodded my head.
I desperately tried to suppress the surge of murderous intent that rose within me. It was the first time I had felt such a way towards a delicate woman who seemed to have never trained in martial arts.
Hestia opened the Umbrella Hat she held in her hand, covering her nose and mouth, and fanned herself gently.
Was she trying to say something with her fan? I had never learned such a thing.
Burning with inexplicable inferiority, I stood unable to move even an inch, just watching. Then, the lady snapped her fan shut. Only then could I clearly see her frustrated expression.
“Lord Ernhardt, I think you might be misunderstanding something…”
“…Yes?”
“Until the Prince comes to his senses, would you like to talk with me for a moment?”
Yeldidus turned with a graceful movement and went back inside the way she came. Unwilling to leave this person alone in the Prince’s Palace, I followed her. I was greatly bewildered by Hestia Yeldidus’s demeanor, as if Ruben’s residence were her own home, but I could say nothing and remained silent.
Hestia Yeldidus and I sat facing each other in a familiar drawing-room.
It was the same drawing-room where I had sat with Ruben many times. I merely looked down at the traditional Korean sweets placed before me and the clear tea.
Feeling uncomfortable, I shifted slightly in my seat, and she spoke.
“I’ve heard a lot from Rubel…”
“…Heard what kind of things?”
“That he likes Lord Ernhardt a lot.”
“…”
Could there be a hidden meaning in those words?
Perhaps sensing my suspicious gaze, Hestia tapped the table with her fan-holding hand and leaned forward. It was the same gesture Academy professors used when they wanted attention, so I vaguely understood its meaning.
“And…”
Just as she was about to say something more.
I looked up at the sound of hurried footsteps. Indeed, the drawing-room door opened immediately. Beyond the door, which opened without a knock, Ruben stood catching his breath, his face flushed. His gaze fell on the bouquet beside me, then shifted to Hestia, who was sitting opposite me.
Ruben calmly closed the drawing-room door behind him. His composed steps on the carpet were as neat and elegant as usual. However, one button on his clothes was askew; what had happened?
“Um… Young Lady, why are you still here?”
“Why would I leave? Because a knight I know was greatly disheartened and went for drinks after the tea party, even having a fourth round.”
“Hestia!”
“Oh my. Is it alright to raise your voice so loudly in front of Lord Ernhardt?”
“Ah, …that. No…”
Ruben stood still, covering his eyes with one hand.
No matter how dense I was, I knew Ruben and Yeldidus were not romantically involved.
Clearing my throat, I made my presence known and moved the bouquet to make space beside me. Instead of taking the seat of honor as he had the other day, Ruben half-hesitatingly slumped down next to me.
Finally, I felt a bit relieved. I gently pushed the teacup in front of me towards Ruben, and he accepted it, taking a sip of the tea. Up close, I could see moisture gathered under his chin and at the roots of his hair.
He must have run straight here after just washing his face.
From Ruben, sitting close by, wafted a faint scent of alcohol mixed with the smell of wet soap. Ruben looked quite disoriented, and since he didn’t remove his hand from his face, I couldn’t point out that his button was fastened incorrectly.
Hestia Yeldidus looked brighter and more cheerful than before. Come to think of it, I seemed to recall hearing that Lucilla and Hestia were good friends… No. Looking at her now, her gentle demeanor resembled Ruben more than Lucilla.
“What we talked about earlier is a secret, Lord Ernhardt.”
“Yes? …Ah, yes.”
After answering, I found it absurd. Ruben had burst in before we could even properly greet each other. Therefore, Hestia and I hadn’t had any conversation.
Ruben, looking very anxious, glared at Hestia through the gaps between his fingers covering his face.
“What were you talking about?”
“We didn’t say much. Right?”
“…That… yes.”
It was the truth.
“Let me introduce myself again. I am Hestia Yeldidus. I’ve been friends with Rubel since childhood, but I’m one year older. Academy Class of 325. It’s nice to meet you.”
“…Yes. I am Michael Ernhardt, Class of 327. It’s nice to meet you.”
I was so bewildered that I couldn’t think straight.
So, when am I supposed to give Ruben the bouquet I brought?
485 – 485.
Ruben kept only sipping the tea, Hestia chattered, and I answered the questions with a grimace.
Because Lady Yeldidus was a young lady of a ducal house around Ruben’s age, I had heard she had met Ruben a few times. So I had expected her relationship with Ruben to be a distant and awkward one, where they barely knew each other by sight.
But her unreserved demeanor made her seem like more than just a casual acquaintance. It seemed this Young Lady was a close friend to Ruben, much like Marianne was a mischievous but good friend to me.
I couldn’t fathom why Ruben had downplayed his relationship with her.
She mentioned that she had heard about me from that Nereid who had helped us in the Indus Bay. She also thanked me for the help back then. When I asked her to call for Nereid, thinking I might greet her after so long, she said Nereid was currently out on another errand and not present.
At that time, I also learned that lower-ranked spirits like Undine or Sylph had to stay close to their masters, but higher-ranked spirits like Nereid or Sylphid could roam freely without much issue.
She showed great interest in my spirits. When I showed her my Sylph and Undines at her persistent request to talk to the children, she was overjoyed.
Hestia also recounted many stories from the social circles, charity events, and tea parties she had attended with Ruben’s escort. Whether intentionally or not, she seemed to boast about the benefits the Second Prince Faction gained from her own achievements rather than her friendship with Ruben.
Now I understood why she hadn’t left immediately upon Ruben’s arrival and was chattering so familiarly with me.
It seemed she didn’t want me to misunderstand her relationship with Ruben. Her confident attitude and mischievous smile gradually dispelled the wariness I had felt towards her.
She also revealed her aspirations.
“Once I become Duke, the first thing I’ll do is adopt Lady Poplar Kiadris.”
“…What?”
I was so taken aback that I couldn’t speak.
What nonsense was this?
As far as I knew, Lady Kiadris was a year older than Lady Yeldidus. Not a difference of ten years or so, but just one year. Moreover, what reason could there be to adopt an older woman?
Hesitantly wondering why she would tell me such a thing, I suddenly looked up with a thought.
Perhaps, just as Ruben and I seemed to be in love… were these two Young Ladies also showing signs of something? If so, wouldn’t changing the marriage system be better than adoption?
I worried it might be impolite, but since she had brought it up first, I thought mentioning it would be acceptable. Carefully observing her expression, I asked, “Do you perhaps… have feelings for her?”
“Feelings? Yes?”
“No, I mean… like, as lovers.”
“Oh? Ah, no, that’s not it.”
Hestia laughed heartily, fanning herself vigorously. After cooling down, she snapped her fan shut with a sharp sound and tapped it against her delicate chin.
Though both gestures seemed insignificant, seeing Ruben move a little closer to me, I figured she must have said something.
“Honestly, I don’t think I like her that much. I just want to pull her out of that household. It’s just… she reminded me of myself, perhaps?”
“Ah.”
“It wouldn’t be difficult for me to take in one more person, and I’ve been wanting a sister too…”
“…Mm.”
She gave me a knowing smile, as if to say, ‘You understand, don’t you?’ I stared blankly.
Both Hestia Yeldidus and Poplar Kiadris were in situations where their marriages were being forced by their families. I tried to recall the face of the woman who had twirled around the main hall, dressed like a vibrant cockscomb flower, but I couldn’t remember anything. Only a flushed appearance remained in my memory.
I had heard Poplar Kiadris had a fierce disposition, so I thought that must have been a lie.
“…Yes. Having a close sister? …A daughter? That would be nice…”
“Ah. I’m not close with her.”
“What?”
“How could we be close? After all, she was competing with me for the same fiancé with the goal of social advancement. Our Poplar gets so angry just seeing me, she practically jumps up and down.”
“…Then, why?”
Hestia unfurled her fan again. Covering half of her small face, she smiled with her eyes squinted, like someone eating something very sour. Perhaps it was because her fan and hair were both bright gold, her mischievous eyes stood out even more.
“I find that cute. I like people with bad tempers.”
“…What?”
“That’s why I’m friends with the Second Prince, too.”
…Suddenly?
Whether it was lingering intoxication, a hangover, or simply not having fully recovered from fatigue, Ruben, who had been sitting with his face buried in his hands, listening to the conversation, let out a deep sigh and mumbled with slurred pronunciation.
“…I’m just teasing Mika. Don’t mind me.”
“Ah… Was the adoption talk just a joke?”
“Ah, that was sincere. He’s just upset because I called him ill-tempered just now.”
Then, was Poplar’s dislike for Hestia also true?
I couldn’t tell which was worse: becoming the child of someone you disliked, or remaining an illegitimate child of a ruined family and being married off like chattel. Moreover, she was currently trapped by someone like Edwin. It was the first time I had ever felt such pity for someone I barely knew.
After that, Hestia Yeldidus continued to chatter for nearly an hour before getting up. I now knew her face, birthday, hobbies, food preferences, favorite clothing brands, as well as her strange and mischievous personality, boisterous speech, and loud laughter.
Yet, somehow, I wasn’t as anxious as before. Perhaps it was because Ruben had only sighed repeatedly without lifting his head the entire time. Ruben… seemed to like quiet people. At least, as far as I knew.
As the teapot became completely empty, Hestia adjusted her rustling skirt.
“Ah, that was fun. But I really must go to bed now.”
“Ah. Are you leaving…?”
“Yes. If I linger any longer, the Prince might really get upset.”
“…”
“No need for a farewell. See you next time, Lord Ernhardt.”
I awkwardly stood up, but Ruben grabbed my sleeve and pulled me back down.
From the first meeting to the final farewell, there wasn’t a single moment that wasn’t peculiar. My sensitive ears caught Hestia’s laughter echoing down the corridor. I didn’t know what was so amusing, but at least someone had fun.
As soon as Hestia’s presence disappeared downstairs, Ruben slumped onto the sofa.
I now realized he had been sitting up straight, putting effort into his posture, while the other person was present. He sank deep into the plush backrest, slightly lower than his shoulders, and tilted his head back, revealing his flushed jawline and the prominent curve of his neck.
His shirt, pulled up over his unguarded knees, caught my eye. The buttons were fastened incorrectly, starting from the fourth one down. Hesitantly, I gently touched the buttons. Ruben flinched for a moment but remained still.
I unfastened them, then refastened them.
After correctly fastening all the misplaced buttons, I withdrew my hand. Ruben leaned towards me, and I embraced him with my shoulder. The child buried his forehead against my neck and shoulder, whispering softly. It sounded like he was sulking, or perhaps trying to melt my heart.
“…I thought you wouldn’t come back after going there.”
“…That’s because.”
“I did wrong, so I thought you wouldn’t want to hear my excuses. You didn’t even look at me, didn’t give me your presence… I thought that without my knowledge, you, you had stopped liking me again, just like before…”
“It’s not that. I didn’t think it was a mistake. So…”
“So?”
Ruben wrapped his arms around my waist, urging me to continue. He rested his chin on my shoulder and scratched my lower back with his index finger. I had chosen the wrong outfit. Because I was wearing a vest with an open back, I could clearly feel Ruben’s scratching sensation through my thin shirt.
“…I was just worried. I worried alone.”
“What were you worried about?”
“…”
I opened my mouth, then closed it again without saying anything.
If it weren’t Ruben’s birthday today, would I have been able to come like this?
I knew myself well. While I wished for Ruben to not end up with another woman, I would have probably just watched from afar. I would have tried to suppress my feelings, which refused to be contained, and agonized over misunderstandings.
Hestia Yeldidus had talked for over two hours without ever mentioning a future with Ruben. Yes. Today, Ruben’s side was mine from beginning to end. Vile as it was, I felt joy at that fact.
The only words I could finally utter were an apology.
“I’m sorry.”
“…Why are you?”
“I was narrow-minded. I thought I was okay, but now I realize I treated Ruben coldly.”
“…”
“And for showing up suddenly without prior arrangement…”
Ruben sat up, looking directly into my face.
“You don’t have to apologize anymore. I’m the one who should be sorry. I too, if you had said you were escorting another woman… another person, I would have acted worse than you.”
“That would never happen.”
“Yes, I know… but still. It’s something I didn’t get your prior permission for. If you weren’t angry, I would have been even more scared.”
“…”
So, he had been afraid for the past few days. What was I, anyway? I took a deep breath and gazed at the boy’s upright face. His tired expression was so lovely. When I acted meekly, following his lead, the boy took my hand and placed it on his own.
I slowly stroked and caressed his cool fingertips.
The hollow between his thumb and index finger, and the calluses on the inside of his middle and ring fingers were firm. As I calmly traced and caressed the marks of him not letting go of his sword even in my absence, I suddenly felt I should give him his gift.
“Happy birthday.”
I took out the jewelry box I had brought with me and handed it to him. It was a box made of layers of red paper. Ruben brushed his thumb over the box for a moment, then opened it with a click.
Ruben took out a bracelet studded with blue gems and handed it to me, then offered his left wrist. I meekly fastened the bracelet onto the boy. I worried the gems might be too large and cumbersome, but Ruben’s wrist wasn’t that thin, so it fit perfectly.
Then the boy smiled bashfully. I could hear his heart pounding nearby.
“You went to pick this out with your friends yesterday.”
“…Mm.”
Let’s go with that. I obediently nodded.