Chapter 12

"Am I not really Father's daughter?"

The shocking truth still settled heavily in my heart.

I finally understood Father's cold gaze all this time.

I really didn't have a place in this house.

But I always had the fairies with me.

So, I can proudly say that I have been happy, even now.

But what about Mother?

Was Mother, who continued to pray for my happiness until the end, happy?

Was it really for the best that she was driven out of the country where she was born and raised and came to this country alone?

"Miss Margaret? You don't seem to be in high spirits today."

The next day, while having lunch outside together, Lady Sophia asked with concern.

"It's nothing. I just had trouble sleeping last night..."

I hurriedly smiled.

Lady Sophia seemed relieved and said, "I'm glad."

"Actually, I have a present for you today."

"...A present??"

"It was your birthday yesterday, right? Congratulations."

Saying this, Lady Sophia opened the box she had brought with her lunch.

Inside was a delicious-looking shortcake.

'Cookies would have been better.'

'Chocolate tart is much tastier.'

'Chef, we need to hurry and develop a dessert with mint.'

"Is this for me?"

"I'm not sure if you'll like it, but I helped the chef make it."

"Lady Sophia did?"

"Well, since nobles are considered improper for such things, I did it secretly, but I love making sweets.

Oh! I've already tasted it, but if you're worried, I'll eat it first!"

"Of course not! I would never doubt something Lady Sophia made!

...This is the first time I've received such a heartfelt gift, so I'm really happy..."

The cake was so delicious that my heart was full after just one bite.

"I wasn't sure about a homemade cake, but Lord Canaan said that you would be happy with anything, so I was right."

Lady Sophia smiled happily.

"Lord Canaan?"

I was surprised by the unexpected name.

"Yes. I'm sorry, but I didn't know it was your birthday. Before the break, Lord Canaan said, 'It's not fitting for a future princess to not celebrate her birthday,' and told me your birthday."

"...I don't really understand what Lord Canaan is thinking."

"He probably felt too shy to say it himself and wanted me to wish you a happy birthday."

...A tsundere?

"Lady Sophia, thank you so much."

"It's because we're friends."

There's no need to say that my heart was completely captured by Lady Sophia's warm smile.

Unexpectedly, I also received birthday wishes from Lord Lewis.

"I heard it was your birthday recently. Congratulations."

"You knew?"

"I keep track of everything related to Prince Keith."

At this point, the fairies were overjoyed as he adjusted his glasses.

"I did receive a bouquet from Prince Keith, but not any birthday wishes."

"..."

"You looked away."

"No, my glasses are just out of focus."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

I couldn't help but laugh.

The fairies were overjoyed by Lord Lewis's new catchphrase.

I asked Lord Lewis a slightly mischievous question.

"Would you have wished me a happy birthday even if I weren't a duchess's daughter?"

"...If you weren't a duchess's daughter or the prince's fiancée, I would have sent you a bouquet of daisies."

'The glasses are being dramatic.'

'Margaret is blushing.'

'Let's fill the garden of the glasses' house with daisies all year round.'

"Just kidding."

"What!? Lord Lewis, your jokes are terrible.

And you shouldn't tell jokes with a straight face."

"I can only make this face."

"But you laughed the other day."

"I don't remember that."

"You're really rude."

"Putting the joke aside, I have something to say."

"What is it?"

"You heard it, didn't you?

Even if you weren't a duchess's daughter, I would still wish you a happy birthday."

Lord Lewis's joke was terribly unfunny, but his answer lightened my heart a little, even though it was just a small thing.

It made me realize that there are things that don't change, whether I'm a duchess's daughter or not.