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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Birthday Party (1)
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“A dream? Not at all. I was just curious how you were doing since I haven’t seen you lately.”
“I see.”
Daniel didn’t think much of it and asked no more about the dream.
Instead, he changed the subject. The two engaged in a deep discussion about swordsmanship for some time.
By the time they had emptied the teapot twice, Joshua asked discreetly.
“Speaking of which, I hear your father is adopting a daughter?”
“Has the rumor already spread?”
“It’s not a rumor. I overheard a conversation between my father and your father.”
“It’s true. While the official procedures aren’t complete, she’s already living at the estate.”
A smile graced Daniel’s lips as he thought of Rosette. Joshua leaned forward with a hint of curiosity.
“You seem to care for her a great deal.”
“She’s just so adorable and lovely. Anyone who meets her would feel the same.”
“You’re completely smitten. So, when are you going to introduce her to me?”
A troubled look flickered across Daniel’s smiling face.
“The little one is still very shy. I think it will take at least half a year for her to get used to the people at the estate and make her official debut in society.”
“You’re not even going to let me see her?”
“No.”
Joshua let out a dry laugh at the unhesitating reply.
“Anyone would think I was going to eat her alive.”
“But, Your Highness, even we find her difficult at times. Imagine how she would react to a member of the royal family. She might have a seizure and faint.”
“Can’t I just meet her while hiding the fact that I’m royalty?”
“That won’t do either. The dignity of a royal isn’t something that can be hidden simply by concealing one’s status.”
With a light laugh, Daniel rose from his seat.
“In any case, I’ve taken up too much of Your Highness’s time since so early in the morning. I shall take my leave now.”
“Very well.”
Joshua personally escorted Daniel out of the palace.
“Ah, one more thing.”
Just before Daniel closed the carriage window, Joshua hurriedly gestured to him. As Daniel drew closer, Joshua whispered in his ear.
“Be careful of carriage accidents for the time being.”
“Pardon?”
“You heard about Count Hartmann’s accident recently, didn’t you? Even a perfectly fine carriage can break down and cause an accident, so be sure to check it before you ride.”
“Thank you for your thoughtful concern.”
“Well, it would be best if you refrained from going out for a while, if possible…”
“Pardon?”
The last part was spoken so softly that Daniel didn’t quite hear it. When he asked again, Joshua simply shook his head.
“It’s nothing. Have a safe trip. Take care of yourself, and give my regards to Isabelle and Lucas.”
“Yes. I hope Your Highness stays in good health as well.”
“I will.”
And with that, the carriage carrying Daniel departed. For a moment, Daniel thought Joshua was acting strangely, but he soon shook off the unsettling feeling.
* * *
“What? Your birthday is soon?”
Lucas asked, his eyes wide. Although she didn’t show it much, Isabelle also seemed quite taken aback.
Only Rosette answered nonchalantly.
“Yes. My birthday is in a week.”
“Why are you only telling us now?!”
Lucas practically screamed.
To explain the current situation, it went like this.
After his bath, Lucas, without even drying his hair, had started giving Rosette a tour of the estate. Isabelle, claiming she had nothing better to do, had tagged along with her two younger siblings.
Lucas had shown her around every nook and cranny of the estate, starting with the dining hall she already knew.
—Alright, this time I’ll show you my room!
He had guided her to the room across from hers. After explaining each and every object in the room, he pointed to a sword hanging on the wall and said.
—My father gave me that for my birthday last year. He said it was a custom order. Cool, right?
—Yes.
Then, he had casually asked.
—By the way, when is your birthday?
Rosette, having casually counted the days, replied, ‘In a week.’ And that’s what led to this commotion.
“Why, why didn’t you say anything?!”
Unsure what part of this had angered Lucas, Rosette answered earnestly.
“No one asked.”
Lucas clutched the back of his neck.
“Still, why wouldn’t you mention something so important! It’s the day you were born!”
Rosette gently corrected him.
“It’s not the day I was born. It’s the day I was abandoned at the orphanage.”
Lucas’s mouth hung open, as if he couldn’t find the words to respond. But Rosette truly felt nothing about her birthday.
The biggest reason was that it couldn’t be a special day since it was the day she was abandoned, not born. The second reason was that she had never really celebrated it.
There were many children at the orphanage. With supplies already scarce, they couldn’t afford to treat every child’s birthday as a special occasion.
For them, cakes and presents were things that existed only in fairy tales. The only gift on their birthday was getting a slightly larger portion of food than the other children.
‘At the Dallas estate…’
At the Dallas estate, they hadn’t even bothered with that much. Her younger sister, Elisha Dallas, had lavish parties and received countless presents every year, but none of that applied to Rosette.
In fact, she ate better on Elisha’s birthday than her own, since there was always leftover food in the kitchen on that day.
‘But is it really that surprising?’
As Rosette blinked, her face a mask of confusion, Lucas thumped his chest in frustration. Even Isabelle sighed and shook her head.
After studying Rosette’s face, Lucas declared boldly.
“Alright! I’ll plan the perfect birthday party for you!”
From then on, instead of continuing the tour, he began to lay out his plans for the party. He chattered on about how a three-tiered cake would be nice, with a wide variety of food, and piles of presents!
She thought it was just the childish whim of a young boy, but Sebastian, the head butler, was jotting it all down with a serious expression.
Even Isabelle, who Rosette had expected to be indifferent, added her own opinions here and there. She went as far as to gather the servants to collect their suggestions.
‘Are they really going to throw a birthday party?’
Rosette’s heart began to pound in spite of herself. It was then, as the three children and the estate’s employees were in a heated discussion.
“So this is where you all were.”
The voice of Daniel, who had gone out early that morning, reached them. He smiled upon finding his three younger siblings.
“What are you all talking about? Are you showing Rose around the estate?”
Lucas quickly ran up to Daniel.
“Brother! The little squirt’s birthday is in a week!”
Daniel, who had been smiling, showed a flicker of surprise.
“In a week?”
“Yeah! So we were talking about a birthday party!”
“Ah, I see.”
Daniel gently stroked the hair of an embarrassed Rosette.
“Why didn’t you say anything? We almost missed it.”
Rosette could only repeat what she had said before.
“I just didn’t think it was a big deal…”
“Of course it is.”
Daniel lightly pinched Rosette’s cheek, careful not to hurt her.
“It’s an important day. It’s the day you were born.”
“But my birthday isn’t the day I was born, it’s the day I was abandoned at the orphanage…”
Daniel’s hand flinched for a moment, but he quickly pinched Rosette’s cheek again.
“Then that makes it an even better day. Because you went to that orphanage, we were able to meet you. Don’t you think?”
*So that’s another way to think about it.* Hearing Daniel’s words, the birthday she had always considered just a day for a little extra food suddenly felt a bit special.
Sensing that she had been persuaded, Daniel asked gently.
“Do you still think your birthday is no big deal?”
“No.”
“Then we’ll all have to celebrate together. Is there anything you want to do that day?”
“I just…”
There was something she wanted. If they were going to have a party, she wanted to enjoy it with Jane and the other children from the orphanage.
She wanted to share the delicious food and the wonderful presents with them.
‘But that’s probably not possible.’
She had only been here for two days. If she asked to invite guests, they might think poorly of her. In the end, Rosette hid her true feelings.
“I just want to have fun together. With Lucas, and you, and Isabelle.”
Although she hid her true desire, she wasn’t lying. Rosette liked the idea of spending her birthday with the Adrians.
“Alright, I understand. I have to go now, so you all have fun.”
“Okay.”
Daniel patted each of his younger siblings on the head in turn before heading to his room.
“Ah…!”
Watching his retreating back, Rosette suddenly remembered something she needed to tell him and scurried after him.
Sensing her presence, Daniel stopped and turned around.
“What is it?”
Rosette panted, struggling to get the words out.
“I have, something, to tell you.”
“Something to tell me?”
“Yes.”
Daniel waited patiently for Rosette to catch her breath.
“What could be so urgent that you had to run like this? You could have told me later.”
“Well…”
Despite having boldly run after him, Rosette found it difficult to speak.
‘How should I say this?’
She was trying to warn Daniel about the carriage accident. But even to her, suddenly telling him to be careful of a carriage accident sounded far too random.
Besides, Rosette didn’t have a talent for weaving words elegantly.
As she fumbled for the right words, her lips parting and closing, Daniel knelt to meet her eyes and smiled.
“Is it something difficult to talk about?”
Rosette hesitated for a moment before mustering her courage.
“I heard there have been a lot of carriage accidents lately.”
“Hm?”
“Please tell the coachman to double-check the wheels before you ride.”
Daniel pondered her words for a moment, then let out a soft chuckle. Seeing Rosette’s confused blinking, he quickly explained.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t laughing because what you said was funny.”
“…?”
“It’s just… I’m happy to know so many people are worried about my safety.”
“Your safety?”
“Yes.”
Rosette was curious about what he meant, but Daniel didn’t elaborate. And Rosette didn’t press him for an answer.
“Alright, I’ll be careful from now on.”
“Okay.”
“Now, go on and play.”
“Okay.”
Rosette scampered back to Lucas and Isabelle. Daniel watched her for a moment before turning and heading to his room.
