Wanting to Escape (11)

Birthday?

Roberts eyes widened and he looked genuinely surprised.

Yes, thats why I came here to eat

I see.

I was going to boldly tell him that it was okay if he expressed his pity on me.

I came here alone not because I didnt have friends or family

But I still came by myself.

I quickly admitted it and decided to just look pitiful.

Surprisingly, however, he did not ask why I came alone on my birthday.Instead, he called the waiter and handed over the menu again.

May I give you a birthday present?

What?

The meal was a way of saying thank you for what you did before, and this is your birthday present from me. Heres the menu with the wine list, just pick something.

Obviously, I could read letters, but the list felt like it was made from an alien language.

If I had known it was your birthday, I would have ordered better wine earlier I think dessert wine would be good since were done eating, right?

Why wine

Its sad if you dont drink on your birthday.

I was not sure what the logic of this world was, but I received an unexpected birthday present.

I glanced at the menu and found that everything was very expensive.

If youre having trouble, pick this.

The name of the wine he pointed to would most likely be forgotten by tomorrow, but the price was really high.

What kind of wine is the price of a meal?

The waiter brought wine according to Roberts order, and thinking that a bottle had the same price of a decent course meal, my will flared.

I have to drink it all.

After taking a sip, the sweetness tasted pretty good.

I never drank it before, and it seemed like it would be okay if I drank it like a drink.

This place had good wine too.

Now, Miss Annabelle. Happy birthday.

Robert raised his glass and smiled enchantingly.

I looked at him with a slightly moved face.

Oh my Prince, this is the first time Ive received a birthday present.

Actually, it was my first time drinking alcohol too, but that wasnt important now.

Its the first time Ive ever heard someone tell me happy birthday too.

At those words, Roberts brow furrowed slightly.

I must have looked really pitiful this time.

Thank you. Really.

Either way, I said it with all my heart.

Prince I hope every time you catch a mosquito for the rest of your life, its before you get bit.

Oh my gosh.

Robert was so moved by my words that he even blinked his eyes.

Such a delicate blessing

It was a real thank you.

Well, Im glad I could buy wine for you on a day like today, because Miss Annabelles situation is not entirely different from mine.

Why?

Well, think about it.

He raised his eyebrows playfully.

Miss Annabelle is not the only one who was born as an illegitimate child, whose mother died and tried to get accepted by the father.

I gulped down the wine and found my enlightenment.

Robert was also an illegitimate child of a foreign dancer who caught the current emperors eyes during a banquet.

Roberts mother died giving birth to him, so of course, Robert had no support.

Now that he had risen to a quite influential position, the Empress and the Crown Prince were bent on getting rid of him.

At least I didnt have anyone trying to kill me.

Prince, I

I was about to say something.

Oh.

Robert and my eyes widened at the same time.

Robert blinked slowly and tilted his head.

Ian?

We looked up at the tall man in front of us.

What the hell was this guy doing here?

And he did not look very happy either.

I guess it was natural that Ian would always be angry when he saw me.

What the hell are you doing here?

At Roberts question, Ian didnt say anything but kept looking at us with a rotten expression.

~*~

Ian was just having an ordinary day.

As usual, he was wielding a sword with the knights in the training ground.

That peaceful time would not last long, for the Duke of Wade was thinking of handing the dukedom over to Ian soon. Perhaps, this last swordsmanship competition would be the starting point.

After that, he wont be able to spend an entire day in the training ground like this, for he would be dealing with duchy duties.

But strangely, the time doesnt seem to go by

He found himself peeking out of the training ground and shook his head secretly.

Why isnt Annabelle jumping in to fight against the gatekeepers?

It was really weird.

Before the last High Priests escort, Annabelle had not come for a few days, and he didnt even care.

But why did he care now? It felt like he just kept waiting, waiting, and waiting.

Hmm.

Aaron swung his sword and scratched the back of his head.

Somethings wrong. Maybe its because theres no event to look forward to.

Event?

I finally heard good news that Miss Annabelle became conscious of me and put my name in a curse.

Ian grinded his teeth and muttered to himself.

Mother

She told him.

I have to give you my earnest answer to that as well.

What answer?

I will try my best to live up to Annabelles expectations, even by ah!

Ian glared at him and drew out his sword, but Aaron looked at the entrance to the training grounds with an exaggerated expression.

Unknowingly, Ian followed Aarons gaze and turned his head toward the entrance, but was slightly disappointed.

It wasnt Annabelle.

Wait, disappointed? He smirked and rebuked himself.

Disappointment was nonsense. Shouldnt it be normal to feel relieved, not disappointed?

It was only a few days ago that he felt annoyed every time Annabelle came.

These days, he felt his emotions were not in place, but wondered if he should meditate soon to normalize his mind.

Aaron.

It was one of the servants at the Rainfield restaurant who rushed to the training ground.

Im sorry, but Im here on a rather urgent matter.

What is it?

Aaron was Ians lieutenant, but he was also the only child of the Rainfield restaurant owner.

Aaron, who had spoken a few words with the servant, approached Ian with a serious look on his face.

Im sorry. I think Ill have to leave for a while and go to the third restaurant.

Yes, feel free to do your business.

Aarons expression was so serious that Ian immediately continued.

Is it something serious? Do you need help from Wade?

No Well, it wont take too long.

Aaron said while scratching his fine pink hair.

Its my sisters anniversary today, so both of my parents went to Allford Beach.

Ah.

Ian knew that there was a girl who died right after she was born in Aarons family.

The Allford Beach was where the remains of the deceased infants were scattered.

Even if I offered to go with them, they told me to stay in the capital in case of an emergency, so I guess emergencies like this really do happen.

Aaron sighed slightly and continued.

Now, at the third restaurant, Its said that Prince Robert and Miss Annabelle are having a meal.

Ian couldnt remember what expression he had made at Aarons words which were like a bomb.

What the hell is going on for the royal family to visit without any notice like this Its not even the main restaurant, its the third one

Aaron muttered with an uncomfortably anxious face.

I am not a chef, but I think I have to go to the table and say hello as a representative in charge.

Ian was at a loss for words for a moment.

Robert and Annabelle were having a meal?

Now? Alone?

What happened on the day he sent the pigeon to Robert saying he wouldnt be able to arrange a seat with Annabelle?

To his knowledge, Robert never officially dined alone with a woman for fear of rumors.

A person who was thoroughly political to the point that he didnt even try to hide his identity and looks while he was in the city

Then Ill leave now.

Wait.

Unknowingly, Ian grabbed Aarons arm and said,

Let me go with you.

What? Why?

Im a little concerned about what will happen to my lieutenant.

It wont be anything great. I just have to say hello and come back. And this is the first time youve shown interest in going.

I want to see Prince Robert since it has been a while.

Fortunately, Aaron, who had no idea about the meetings at Hibiscus, quickly became convinced and nodded.

Because Ian and Robert knew each other from an early age.

It made sense to want to see him after a long time.

Well then would you like to go with me?

That was how Ian and Aaron appeared at Anabelle and Roberts table.

They were clinking their wine glasses together in a friendly atmosphere.

The meal looked like it was already over, so did that mean the two of them had a conversation throughout the long course meal?Ian felt a sharp drop after seeing Annabelle talking to Robert from a distance.

She was sitting calmly and talking with someone.

There was nothing strange about it, but it was new.

It was because he saw her normal face for the first time.

Not her being angry, sarcastic or abusiveBut instead, she was smiling with her soft eyes and slightly red cheeks.

In fact, that wasnt because Annabelle was with Robert, it was because she had just eaten a delicious meal and became calm, but there was no way that Ian could have known the situation.

Suddenly, he felt a sudden surge of anger.

He felt worse than the times Annabelle cursed him in the past.

How could she have such a gentle look on her face?