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nDo the people of the Empire even say that on the birthday of a stranger? Could it be a term that comes with happy birthday?

n“Th, thank you.”

nRieta answered awkwardly and Noel quickly grabbed her hand.

n“We have to go quickly. Father is waiting.” He quickly led Rieta out of the room.

nBecause of this, Rieta was not able to talk to Hugh any more.

nStill, she had good feelings for the male protagonist that she met for the first time, so she glanced back.

nHe was holding the flower that Rieta had handed over to him and staring at her.

nThe way he speaks is a little strange, but I think he’s kind nonetheless.

nRieta gave Hugh one last smile just before turning around the corner.

n* * *

nRieta followed Noel back to the banquet hall.

nThe Duke seemed a bit busy among the adults, so the two children quietly walked around the banquet hall, watching people.

nWhen the sun began to set, little by little, the three returned to the Duke’s residence.

nAs Rieta got off the carriage, she was greeted by a white cake and candles.

nRieta was shocked by the surprise party prepared by the employees, so she hid behind the Duke for a while.

nBut she soon found her courage and she blew out all the candles on the cake.

nWhen she returned to her room after receiving many congratulations, Elisha’s letter on the desk was welcoming Rieta.

nElisha . . .

nHis congratulations were just as they had been when she was in Leeds.

nRieta held it in her hand for quite a while, before carefully opening the letter.

nThe card it held was obviously expensive.

nThere were words of congratulations written over it . . .

nAnd there were words of unwavering loyalty.

nI’m going to write a thank you letter.

nWith that thought in mind, she set the envelope down on the desk when she suddenly heard a thud.

nIt seems that something is still inside the envelope.

nWas it a gift? Rieta quickly opened the envelope again.

nShe saw a piece of polished wood.

nAlthough it looked somewhat clumsily made, the name ‘Rieta’ was engraved with care.

nIt was a bookmark.

nRieta imagined Elisha, who would have made this in his spare time even during his hard training.

nI have to make something too, and send it to you.

nWhat would be good?

nAs she was immersed in her pleasant thoughts, she heard a knock at the door.

n“Yes, come in.”

nAllowing it, the door opened to reveal a face with a slight smirk.

nThe narrow door opened slowly, revealing Noel.

n“Noel.”

nUnlike Rieta, who smiled brightly, he looked a little hesitant as he approached.

nWhy?

n“That . . .”

nNoel hesitated for a moment, then looked at the wooden bookmark Rieta was holding.

n“What is that?”

n“Yeah, isn’t it pretty? Elisha made it for me as a gift.”

nRieta waved the bookmark in front of his eyes.

n“. . . That guy was sent to be a knight, not a sculptor.”

nAt Noel’s sentiments, Rieta chuckled.

nTo say he was a ‘sculptor’ was to compliment the quality of the bookmark.

n“So, what’s going on? You didn’t even change your clothes.”

nNoel was still wearing the suit he had been wearing since the Princess’s banquet.

n“You didn’t change your clothes either.”

nHe pointed to Rieta’s dress with the tip of his chin.

n“Ah, right.”

nRieta turned her body around and ran to the mirror.

n“Wow, it’s really pretty.”

nAt Rieta’s admiration, Noel asked, “What nonsense is that?” before walking closer.

n“This is the hair ornament that the Princess gave me.”

n“Ah. You only saw it now?”

n“Mhm. Noel didn’t tell me what it was like.”

nRieta shook her hair back and forth.

nA butterfly ornament with blue jewels danced along her hair.

n“That, other people probably told you it looks good so many times that you got tired of it.”

n“Yes, but . . .”

nBecause other people only show politeness on the outside, and Rieta didn’t know what they truly thought on the inside.

nLike the people I met in the greenhouse.

n“I mean, I was curious what Noel was thinking. Well, now that I know it’s pretty, that’s enough.”

nRieta could now see how absurdly shabby her gift was.

n“Oh, and the flowers that Count McLean gave me are here. Are they pretty?”

nRieta pointed to the small vase.

nNext to it was a hand towel that wrapped around the stem, neatly folded.

n“Did you lose the handkerchief I gave you?”

n“No way, I took it with me again today. The Duke’s emblem is engraved, right?”

n“It is, but why did you borrow his handkerchief?”

n“I didn’t borrow it, he had to wrap it up and give it to me, so I couldn’t help it.”

nPerhaps it was because he was concerned about the little thorns on the stems.

nAs expected, he was a meticulous male protagonist.

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