Chapter 65

“… It’s next month.”

“Next month? That’s fast!”

“I completely forgot.”

To be precise, she wasn’t the type to remember it carefully.

She didn’t know if the day she was born was such a special day, because she hasn’t been able to celebrate her birthday with anyone since her mother went missing.

After showing up once a long time ago, they never showed up on her birthday after being verbally abused and assaulted by the Duchess of Schwartz and Catarina, saying, ‘You shouldn’t have been born to grab something like that. Cursive thing!’

So she usually forgot about it, but when that day came, she realised, ‘Oh, today was my birthday.’

Meredith said after omitting all of this.

“I’m not one to pay attention to birthdays. I’m embarrassed.”

“It’s embarrassing. I didn’t particularly care at your age either.”

Blair added with a meaningful smile.

“As I got older, my thoughts changed. Is there anything you would like to receive as a gift?”

“… Well. I’ve never really thought about it.”

“Oh no, that doesn’t work. Now you have become a precious empress.”

Blair said, shaking her head.

“Think of a very expensive and valuable gift. I’ll give you whatever it is.”

“I just want to say thank you, Mother. But I really have too much of what I am enjoying right now.”

“As expected, my dear is very frugal. Okay, I got it. I will prepare something suitable.”

“Thank you.”

Meredith didn’t even refuse that.

“Have you met His Highness the Prince?”

“He came here early in the morning.”

“He’s diligent.”

Meredith exclaimed.

The morning lifestyle habit seemed to be something she had in my history.

“I thought I was pretty early too.”

“You come early enough, too. Thanks to you, my morning is doubly enjoyable.”

“When will His Royal Highness leave the empire?”

“Probably soon. And after graduation, I’m going to tell him to go on a trip.”

“Trip?”

“Yes. Once you get married, it will be difficult to travel abroad alone.”

Blair thought it was such a perfect excuse that she couldn’t help but laugh.

“….”

After hearing those words, Meredith’s face was lost in her thoughts.

***

Meanwhile, Theodore also belatedly learned about Meredith’s birthday.

‘Next month. I don’t have much time.’

He became anxious.

How could he prepare a satisfactory gift in just over a month?

“…..”

Theodore turned his head and glanced at his chair next to his desk.

On top of it was the teddy bear that Meredith had given him as a gift yesterday.

He slept hugging that thing tightly last night.

Although it’s a bit embarrassing at this age.

He didn’t know if that’s why, but yesterday he felt less reluctant than usual to close his eyes and fall asleep.

‘She gave me such a touching gift.’

He was a man who believed in giving back as much as he received.

He meant whether it was repayment or revenge.

Since he received such a sincere gift, he also had to give a gift that matched it, or even several times more sincere.

That was his creed.

He just hated being in debt.

‘What are you giving it to me as a gift…?’

Under that justification, Theodore had been deeply concerned about Meredith’s birthday present since that morning.

“Sir Felix.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What do women usually like?”

“…..”

Felix was momentarily speechless and could not answer.

‘… I’m embarrassed.’

I had no idea such a question would come out of Theodore’s mouth.

But he answered without showing it.

“Women usually like shiny things.”

“Something shiny?”

“Yes.”

“Things like jeweled accessories or rich, sparkly dresses.”

“… It’s so ordinary.”

Felix became embarrassed by Theodore’s answer.

He asked what women liked, so of course he just answered ‘generally’. How ordinary!

“… If you are looking for something more special, it would be a good idea to choose something that matches the woman you are gifting it to.”

“Who is the woman you want to give a gift to?”

“Her Majesty the Empress. Isn’t it obvious?”

“….”

It was true, but for some reason it felt awkward to answer yes. (Sir Felix)

“Well, I didn’t mean to give to the Empress as a gift… I also received such a thoughtful gift, so isn’t it right to repay the favor? I heard her birthday is next month?”

Although no one asked, Theodore explained it in detail.

When Felix nodded with an expression that showed he wasn’t really curious, Theodore became even more embarrassed.

“… That’s why.”

Yes. Do you understand?

“Rather than that, the teddy bear… …Did the Empress tell you?”

“Ah yes.”

Felix asked immediately.

“Did she do something decent?”

Theodore did not answer right away.

“… Well. It may seem like a pointless thing to do, or it may seem like a good thing.”

“It seems like that doll was somewhat effective against insomnia.”

Felix said quietly.

“I think you slept a little better than usual today.”

“Is it noticeable?”

“It has been 11 years since I served Your Majesty. Others may not know, but I know.”

“… okay. I guess it wasn’t for nothing, after all?”

“If you just look at the results, yes.”

“What do you think? Do you think it was pointless?”

“No.”

Felix answered firmly.

“Seeing that you like it, I think I informed her well.”

“….”

After hearing those words, Theodore remained silent for a moment.

He had a complex look on his face, and Felix just stared at him blankly.

‘Are you thinking about the past?’

He didn’t want to interrupt his reminiscence, so he waited quietly until he opened his mouth again.

“… Of course, that would be good.”

Suddenly, he heard these words:

Felix asked with narrowed eyebrows.

“What do you mean?”

“A gift from the Empress. I just decided.”

“….”

Oh, so he wasn’t thinking about the past…

‘… Were you thinking about a birthday present for Her Majesty the Empress?’

Felix regretted that he had been quiet for no reason.

Theodore, unaware of his true intentions, only gave instructions to Felix with a solemn look on his face.

“Sir Felix, there is something you must do right now.”

***

That night, Meredith visited the central palace.

“I meet you, Imperial Sun, Your Majesty…”

But before she could finish her greeting, something caught her eye and she burst out laughing.

“… Did you put that there?”

What made Meredith laugh was the teddy bear next to the desk.

“It seems you really liked it. I’m glad.”

“… I was thinking of putting it next to the bed.”

Theodore, who felt embarrassed for some reason, cleared his throat.

“I think it would be better to leave it there.”

“It definitely has a lively atmosphere.”

Meredith nodded her head in agreement.

“The room has become much brighter.”

“So does it look good?”

“Yes. It’s cute.”

Meredith smiled as brightly as she said.

“….”

It was when Theodore was absent-minded for a moment at the sight of it.

“But now that you have to sleep, I must move it back to the bedroom.”

“…Ah.”

At that one word, his mind came back.

“I’ll have to.”

“Thanks to the teddy bear, I hope you have a good night’s sleep.”

“I should.”

Although he seems to answer insincerely, he could not afford to care about that now.

‘…. strange.’

Because his heart was so hasty.

‘Why do you keep looking so pretty?’

From the beginning he thought she was beautiful.

However, he had no thoughts because he was not interested in the external part of the opposite sex…

‘… Wasn’t it so?’

It occurred to him that perhaps he had made a big mistake throughout his life.

‘… I can’t check with other beauties.’

It won’t mean much

He came to that conclusion after a while.

He thought seriously about it, but he couldn’t think of anyone more beautiful than her.

***