Chapter 25

On March 31, 2021 (Wednesday), it was announced that the book will be published by Kadokawa Beans Bunko! This is all thanks to your support. Thank you so much!

As a commemoration, I will post a story set two months after Margaret and Lewis's wedding. In terms of the timeline, it will be between Chapter 18, "Before the Happy Ending," and Chapter 23, "After the Happy Ending."

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About two months after marrying Lord Lewis, one morning, when I woke up, something that should not have happened occurred. Lord Lewis, who usually wakes up precisely at 5:45, was not beside me before 5:45. Has something happened?

(Fairies: Good morning, Margaret!)

(Fairies: Glasses went to the dining room with his glasses on today!)

(Fairies: Should we fill the entire mansion with glasses?)

"Kukki, Shokora, Mint. Good morning. Lord Lewis is already awake? Why is he up earlier than usual?"

(Fairies: Hehe, it's a secret!)

(Fairies: This year, I'll let glasses be the best!)

(Fairies: Should we turn an ordinary day into the best day ever?)

As I tilted my head at the fairies' words, the maid Anna knocked and entered.

"Miss Margaret, good morning."

"Anna, good morning."

"May I help you with your morning preparations?"

"Thank you always."

Anna takes care of my morning routine every day. Since I used to do everything myself in the duke's household, I am always grateful for this blessed environment. After Anna neatly styled my hair, I hurried to the dining room.

"Madam, good morning. The young master is fidgeting while waiting for you."

As I was about to enter the dining room, the head maid smiled and called out to me. She has been working for the Morgan family since Lord Lewis was a child and still calls him "young master." Incidentally, the fairies were very excited the first time they heard this...

(Fairies: He's the young master!)

(Fairies: Glasses is the young master!)

(Fairies: Should we give him a young master haircut?)

While I was trying not to laugh at the memory, the head maid opened the door to the dining room.

"…What!?"

I was so surprised by the scene in front of me that I couldn't help but exclaim. In the center of the dining table, there was a very large vase, and it was filled with an abundance of Margaret flowers.

"…What is this?"

"Miss Margaret, good morning."

Lord Lewis, holding a bouquet of Margaret flowers, appeared in front of me, who was distracted by the flowers.

"Lord Lewis, good morning. …What are these flowers…"

"I said I would give you a bouquet of Margaret flowers if you were not the fiancée of Prince Keith."

"…What are you talking about?"

"I never thought that such a day would really come… No, I shouldn't have thought that…"

"Um…? Lord Lewis?"

"Miss Margaret, happy 17th birthday."

Lord Lewis's words reminded me of the conversation we had on my 16th birthday last year.

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"Would you have given me your birthday wishes even if I were not a duke's daughter?"

"…If you were not a duke's daughter or the prince's fiancée, I would have given you a bouquet of Margaret flowers."

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While I was remembering, the fairies and the head maid showered me with birthday wishes.

(Fairies: Yay, Margaret, happy birthday!)

(Fairies: We really wanted to be the first to say it, like always!)

(Fairies: Should we dance on top of the champagne tower?)

"Miss Margaret, happy birthday. The young master said he would be the first to tell you, so I held back my wishes."

"Miss Margaret, happy birthday. The head chef is very excited, so you will have a feast from morning."

I was overwhelmed by all the birthday wishes.

I never thought such a day would come…

To be surrounded by people who remember my birthday and celebrate it with me…

"Thank you. I have never had such a happy birthday…"

"I will continue to give you a bouquet of Margaret flowers every year."

"…Is this a proposal?"

"A proposal is a request for marriage, so since I am already married to you, Miss Margaret, I cannot propose anymore."

"…I know that."

"Although I cannot propose anymore, I promise to celebrate your birthday every year for the rest of my life."

Lord Lewis, with a serious expression, conveyed his feelings. I felt the same love that I had felt on our first date, when he gave me the engagement ring, and many other times.

…How dear he is to me.

"Young master… You've grown up…"

The head maid was as moved as I was.

(Fairies: Young master's face is all red!)

(Fairies: Young master's face is all red except for his glasses!)

(Fairies: Should we make his glasses red too?)

Lord Lewis, with his face all red, and the servants who watched over us with kindness, and the fairies who have been my support since birth. Just seeing their smiles made me very happy. Since my mother passed away, I have always been alone on my birthday. The fairies were my only allies. On my 16th birthday, I learned the sad truth about my mother. I thought I didn't have the qualifications to be the 'Holy Maiden' of this country. I thought it was inevitable that Prince Keith would break our engagement. So… I never thought that on my 17th birthday, I would have such a dream-like, happy time. I never thought that a birthday celebrated by important people could be so happy…

"…Since my mother passed away, I have always hoped that at least on my birthday, someone would say something kind to me. …But this year, I even forgot it was my birthday. …Every day is so enjoyable and special for me… So… I am so happy that I even forgot it was my birthday…"

Lord Lewis smiled happily at my words, which I said while trying to hold back tears. That smile was the best birthday gift for me. What I called my treasure was only my mother's brooch, but since I became engaged to Lord Lewis, my treasures have continued to increase in my heart.

Thank you for reading to the end. If this story has touched your heart even a little, I would be very happy.

I am able to have this book published thanks to all of you. Thank you so much!