"How did it end up like this?"

Astina, frowning, posed this question to me.

"Wouldn't it be nicer if we all ate together?"

I knew well that it wasn't the plan.

But still, wouldn't it be strange if we left out the others?

The exams were over, the semester was done.

It was a time to unwind over a meal.

Rie, cutting her steak with a stoic face, took a bite and mumbled.

"This steak isn't all that great."

Upon hearing this, Luna, mouth full of steak, tilted her head.

"It's tasty... um...?"

Her words were muffled due to her full mouth, but I grasped the gist of it.

Rie and Astina appeared slightly dissatisfied, chewing on their steaks.

Luna, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying her meal.

As was I.

This wasn't the high-end meal I had during midterms.

However, it was still a quality meal.

Clatter, clatter.

Luna was a bit clumsy with her knife, making clattering sounds as she cut her steak.

Watching Luna, I noticed her mouth smeared with oil.

Watching her eat, with smears of oil around her mouth, reminded me of a child.

Oddly, it wasn't an unpleasant sight.

Doesn't it warm your heart to see a young child eating heartily?

"Luna, here."

I picked up the napkin next to me and offered it to Luna.

"Hmm?"

Luna looked puzzled, unsure of what it was for.

"Here."

I leaned towards Luna and wiped the oil off her mouth with the napkin.

Luna's eyes widened, and she grabbed the napkin,

"I-I'll do it!"

"Sure."

She seemed embarrassed at having gotten oil on her face while eating.

She quickly wiped her mouth, her face blushing.

Clatter, clatter, clatter, clatter.

Beside me, Rie began to cut her steak as if she meant to cut through the plate itself.

She gave me a piercing look, as if she had a bone to pick with me.

"And what's your deal?"

"It's none of your business. Brat."

Wasn't she the one who grabbed my collar and shook me earlier...

I feel wronged.

What did I do to deserve this?

Our meal was slowly winding down.

We had finished the main course, and now coffee and dessert were being served.

Luna, having finished her dessert, stood up.

"Oh, that reminds me, Rudy, I have a present for you."

"...A present?"

Luna then took out a small box from her pocket, presenting it to me with a bright smile.

"...?"

Baffled, I took the gift.

Rie too rose from her seat and produced a paper box from somewhere.

"Here...take this."

"What's this for?"

"We-well, it's a gift."

Rie handed me the gift, not expressing another word. She seemed shy.

I stared at Rie, puzzled.

Why was she giving me a gift?

What's special about today?

Astina, observing my confused expression, chimed in.

"Happy birthday, Rudy Astria."

"?"

"Happy birthday, Rudy!"

"????"

Rie gave me a strange look.

"You didn't know today was your birthday, huh."

With that, everything fell into place.

Today is my birthday.

I was taken aback.

A typical noble wouldn't be ignorant of their birthday.

Nobles would usually throw grand parties on their birthdays.

These celebrations were also networking opportunities with nobles from neighboring territories.

There's no way I could forget a day marked annually by a grand party.

Organizing a grand party takes months of preparation.

It's not a date one easily forgets.

If you prepare late, it's a subpar party.

Now, how do I explain my forgetfulness without being suspicious?

I glanced around cautiously.

To my surprise, everyone seemed unfazed.

"Well, that's so typical of you." Rie chided me.

I frowned. Sure, I was relieved they weren't suspicious, but their knowing looks made me feel annoyed.

"What did you even do back at home?"

Rie's gaze was pitiful as she asked.

"Haha......"

Honestly, I'm curious too.

How did I live in the mansion?

All I could do was laugh awkwardly.

"Rudy, open the gift."

Upon Luna's prompt, I placed the gift on the table.

I started by unwrapping Luna's gift.

Inside was a ring with a black stone set in it.

"I made this ring myself! Hoho!"

Luna beamed, puffing out her chest in pride as she explained about the ring.

"I crafted a protective spell using Wind Ball magic!"

"You applied Wind Ball magic?"

"Yes! I'll show you the magic circle later!"

"Thank you, Luna."

"Hehe."

She giggled, scratching her head.

Next, I unwrapped Rie's gift.

Inside was a bottle of men's cologne.

"Hmm... It's a fine cologne. Make good use of it."

"Uh... Thank you."

Though the wrapping was a bit peculiar.

It was filled with heart patterns.

I wondered if heart-patterned wrapping was a typical choice for a birthday gift.

When I glanced around, both Astina and Luna looked shocked.

"...What? Why?"

Rie looked puzzled at their reactions.

"Rie... Giving cologne as a gift..."

Luna cautiously began, and Astina continued.

"Gifting cologne to a man is something typically reserved for lovers, especially a high-end fragrance like this."

Rie was visibly taken aback.

"Ah, ah, no! Locke told me it was an appropriate gift! He said it's a popular gift in the Empire!!"

Rie abruptly stopped talking, her eyes widened as she came to a realization.

"That jerk Locke tricked me."

Saying that, she shot me a look.

Her expression was a mix of dismay and surprise, her lips sealed in tight determination.

"It's not like that. I genuinely didn't know."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"What did you even do at the Royal Palace?"

It's only fair, right?

Give and take, that's how the world works.

Rie glared at me, her cheeks puffed out in anger.

Meanwhile, Astina shifted her attention from a fuming Rie to me.

"Rudy Astria, I couldn't prepare a separate gift."

"Ah, that's fine. I didn't even know it was my birthday."

Astina had reserved this restaurant, which was a gift in itself.

"Instead, I'd like to discuss something else."

"Oh? What is it?"

"It's about the incident with my older brother."

I frowned at the mention of it.

"Was there a problem?"

Astina smiled reassuringly.

"No, not at all. He is facing severe punishment. In fact, my father is pushing for an even harsher sentence."

I felt a wave of relief.

"That's good to hear."

Astina continued, "However, that's not why I brought it up. My father wanted to apologize and thank you. He was quite worried about you getting hurt."

"I wasn't injured because of them, tell him not to worry."

I was unharmed, so there was no reason for Astina's father to feel guilty.

And after all, it wasn't the parents who were at fault, it was Harpel himself.

Considering Astina's usual behavior and her parents' reaction now, they seemed to be decent parents.

Harpel was the anomaly.

Astina, hearing Rudy's words, smiled and proposed an idea.

"Why not convey this message yourself when you visit our territory?"

"Me?"

"My father is keen on meeting you as well. You've piqued his interest."

I contemplated the proposal for a moment.

I had planned to spend the holidays training at the academy, but perhaps a short visit wouldn't hurt.

Besides, training non-stop would drive me mad.

"Sure, I'll visit during the holiday."

Rie suddenly jumped in.

"When? When will you go?"

"... Why do you want to know?"

Rie looked sullen at my response.

Astina chuckled at the sight.

"Just let us know when you plan on coming."

"Yes, I'll let you know a week prior."

With that, we finished our meal and headed back to the dormitory.

***

2/5 Enjoy the chappy!

Coming soon!