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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Birthday Party (2)
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For the rest of the day, Rosette was hounded by Lucas. Lucas acted like a man possessed, desperate to teach Rosette everything he knew in a single day, and Rosette was more than happy to follow his lead.
She was only able to escape from him after dinner.
“Sweet dreams.”
The maid who had helped her into her nightgown blew out the candle. Rosette, who had been lying quietly in bed, sat up as soon as she left.
‘I want to form a mana core...’
Both Duke Adrian and Celine had told her to wait until she was chubbier before starting her magic lessons.
But Rosette felt a sense of urgency. She didn't know when or how Marquis Dallas would target the Adrians.
‘I might be able to prevent the carriage accident.’
But the problem was what came after.
Would Marquis Dallas give up on Daniel? As far as Rosette knew, he wasn't that kind of person. In fact, it was more likely he would become even more venomous and persistent in his pursuit of Daniel.
If he targeted Daniel in some other way, she likely wouldn't be able to protect him. So, it was best to develop her magical abilities before something happened, so she could counter the Dallas family's schemes.
Rosette closed her eyes and focused on the mana flowing through her body. She gathered the slowly coursing mana just below her navel. At the same time, a warm sensation spread from where the mana had pooled.
But that was all. The mana dissipated in less than ten seconds. The shock sent Rosette into a fit of violent coughing.
Cough, cough, cough! Covering her mouth, Rosette coughed until the fit subsided, then sighed as she looked down at her stomach.
‘Is it still too difficult?’
I need to get chubbier, fast. Strong enough for my body to handle the mana.
With renewed determination, Rosette went to sleep.
***
Later that night, after Rosette had fallen asleep.
“Father.”
Daniel sought out Duke Adrian, who had just returned to the mansion. The Duke handed his coat to Sebastian and asked,
“Did your audience with His Highness the Prince go well?”
“Yes.”
“Nothing happened?”
“Nothing of note.”
Joshua had said something cryptic, but it was hard to call that ‘something of note.’
“By the way, it’s about Rosette.”
“Rosette? What about her? Did something happen?”
“No, nothing happened, so you don’t need to worry.”
Daniel shook his head before getting to the point.
“It’s just that her birthday is in a week. Did you know?”
The Duke’s hands, which were unfastening his cufflinks, paused for a moment.
“This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
“I thought so.”
Daniel continued.
“Anyway, everyone’s gotten busy preparing for Rosette’s birthday party.”
“So that’s why the mansion has felt strangely festive.”
“Yes. But it seems Rosette has never really had a proper birthday party before. So we want to prepare something special for her, but I wasn’t sure what to do, which is why I came to ask for your opinion.”
“A special birthday party...”
Duke Adrian was lost in thought. If she’d never had a party before, they could simply throw a grand celebration that would be the envy of all.
But somehow, that didn’t feel like enough. And he didn't think Rosette would want that either.
After a moment of thought, Duke Adrian smiled.
“I have a good idea, Daniel.”
“What is it, Father?”
The Duke smiled as he shared his idea.
Upon hearing it, Daniel smiled as well.
***
A week had passed since Rosette came to the Duchy of Adrian. During that time, Rosette hadn’t done much of anything.
She simply ate well, played well, and slept well.
It was no exaggeration; those three things were all she did. At night, she secretly tried to form a mana core, but she failed every time. The more she failed, the more diligently she ate her breakfast.
Aside from that, however, no one asked anything of her. Thanks to this, Rosette found herself seriously pondering every morning.
‘Is this really okay?’
It seemed the Duke had been serious when he said she didn't have to do anything for a while; he hadn't even assigned her a tutor. Celine, too, hadn't visited since the first day.
Was this really allowed? If she couldn’t prove her worth, did she even deserve to be here?
One day, her worries must have shown on her face, because Duke Adrian stroked her hair and said,
—Just relax.
Adding that a child should grow up like a child, without a care in the world.
Ah, there was one request, though.
—By the way, from now on, you must eat a lot and not leave anything behind. You need to eat well and grow big and strong. Except for the shrimp, of course.
But could that really be called a request? She had her doubts, but to meet his expectations, Rosette diligently stuffed food into her mouth at every meal.
It wasn’t a difficult task. The Adrian family’s chef was an excellent cook.
Thanks to this, Rosette’s cheeks had gotten a little fuller in just one week. No one said anything, but they were all pleased with her progress.
And today. The day had come. Rosette's birthday, which had kept the ducal mansion busy for the past week.
“Kiddo!”
First thing in the morning, Lucas burst into Rosette’s room. The maids tried to stop him, but it was no use.
He pulled at the blankets Rosette was wrapped in, waking her up.
“Wake up, wake up!”
“Ughh...”
Rosette, still unable to open her eyes properly, shot them wide open at his next words.
“You’re going to sleep in on your birthday?”
Ah, right. It’s my birthday!
When the people of the Adrian mansion first started preparing for her birthday party, Rosette had felt nothing. Everyone said birthdays were special, but the words hadn't resonated with her.
She was only happy because everyone else seemed so happy preparing for her party.
But perhaps it was because she'd spent the last week being brainwashed—or something close to it—that birthdays were happy occasions deserving of celebration.
Rosette belatedly began to look forward to her birthday. In fact, she had been so excited last night that she’d barely slept.
“I’m not sleeping in.”
As Rosette struggled to keep her heavy, sleep-filled eyes open, Lucas pulled her by the hand.
“Hurry up. We have somewhere to be.”
Rubbing one eye, Rosette followed him in her pajamas. The place Lucas was headed was the dining hall.
“Try not to cry from happiness.”
Lucas offered a warning that wasn't quite a warning as he opened the dining hall doors. Instantly, a chorus of voices from inside shouted as one.
“Happy birthday!
“Happy birthday!”
A servant waiting by the door sprinkled confetti over Rosette. Lucas also grabbed a handful of confetti from a basket and showered it over her head.
With her hair full of confetti, Rosette surveyed the dining hall.
The room was decorated more lavishly than usual. The tables were laden with all of Rosette’s favorite dishes and desserts.
Before her stood not only her family but also the staff, all smiling brightly at her.
“Ah...”
A slow warmth bloomed in her chest. It was a feeling she’d never experienced before, but it wasn't unpleasant. In fact, it felt good.
Just then, Daniel and Isabelle approached.
“Happy birthday, Rose.”
“Happy birthday.”
Next, Duke Adrian walked over and stroked Rosette’s hair.
“Happy birthday. I hope today is filled with nothing but happiness for you, Rose.”
Kind people and warm words. Only now did Rosette fully realize it.
I’m so glad I was born.
At the same time, clear tears began to fall from her eyes.
***
“Crybaby, crybaby!”
Lucas started teasing Rosette, whose eyes were as red as a rabbit’s from crying so much. Normally, Daniel or Duke Adrian would have scolded him, but they only laughed and didn't intervene.
Her eyes still moist, Rosette took a large bite of the cake a maid had cut for her. The chocolate cake, made with plenty of fresh strawberries, was both tart and sweet.
Lucas chuckled at the sight of her before handing her something he had hidden under the table. It was a long object, about the length of Rosette’s arm, wrapped clumsily in red paper.
“What’s this?”
“A birthday present!”
“Is it for me?”
“Of course!”
“Here, take mine too.”
This time, Isabelle handed her a box about the size of her palm. Daniel also gave her a heavy gift.
Rosette asked, her arms full of birthday presents.
“Can I open them?”
“Of course. They’re your presents.”
With careful hands, she began to unwrap the beautifully packaged gifts one by one.
Daniel gave her a storybook she could color in herself, and Isabelle gave her a cherished hair ornament. Lucas gifted her a wooden sword he had played with as a child.
Isabelle chided him.
“Why would you give a wooden sword to a girl who’s supposed to be learning magic?”
Lucas snorted.
“Sister, what kind of family are we? We’re the Duchy of Adrian, which has produced skilled knights for generations. Father is the coolest Sword Master there is.”
“So?”
“Magic is fine and all, but don’t you think the kiddo should learn some basic swordsmanship?”
“Look at her arms. How is she supposed to learn swordsmanship with these arms?”
“Why not!”
Rosette cut in.
“I—I want to learn!”
Both of their gazes turned to her at once. A little intimidated, Rosette continued in a slightly smaller voice.
“I want to learn, too. The sword.”
Learning magic was good, but as an adopted member of the Adrian family, she thought it would be wise to learn some simple self-defense.
“Is that not allowed?”
“Of course it is.”
It was Duke Adrian who answered.
“However, let’s wait until you’re a little taller and have put on some more weight.”
“Yes.”
“Now that you’ve received all your birthday presents, I suppose it’s my turn.”
At a gesture from Duke Adrian, Sebastian brought over a large box.
On Rosette’s behalf, Duke Adrian opened the box. Inside was a splendid party dress, shoes, and matching accessories.
“Let’s have a party this afternoon, and you can wear this. That is my present to you.”
“A party?”
Rosette blinked, confused.
“Aren’t we having a party right now?”
Lucas snickered.
“This isn’t a party. This is just breakfast.”
If this was just a meal, how grand would the actual party be?
Daniel winked at the astonished Rosette.
“You can look forward to it, Rose. Father has prepared a really wonderful gift.”
He added, his words full of meaning.
