Chapter 75

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"Sorry for the delay"

"Sorry for keeping you waiting!"

"Welcome back, everyone!"

With bright smiles, the three of them greeted the start of the New Year party.

Taking a glass of lemonade or wine, everyone raised their glasses.

"Thank you for your support last year, and please look after us this year too!"

With a shout of "Cheers!" everyone exchanged toasts, saying things like "Please look after us this year" and "Let's do our best this year."

Under the chandelier's light, they enjoyed meals and conversations together. Though subtle, everyone seemed to be having a good time.

I quietly slipped away and returned to my room, then came back to the dining hall where the party was being held, carrying a rosette for Regulus' birthday.

I approached Regulus, who was being fed by Utsumi.

"Regulus"

"Hi!"

"Happy birthday"

I hung the rosette, made with a silver-threaded ribbon on a gold background, on Regulus' chest like a medal.

Startled, he put down his chopsticks and tugged on Utsumi's skirt.

"Uh!? Utsumi, look!"

"Here I am!"

Sliding out from under her apron, she presented a long, cylindrical paper wrapped in a crimson ribbon, which she promptly handed to Regulus.

He, in turn, respectfully passed it to me.

"Big brother... no, Big Master, happy birthday!"

"Huh...?"

"Hey, I drew a picture of you and Regulus!"

Untying the ribbon, the cylindrical paper unfolded into a flat sheet. On it was a child's drawing of Regulus and me.

I blinked in surprise.

"Thank you..."

I was so surprised that my eyes stung, and my cheeks felt hot. As I stood there flustered, Kano approached.

"Master, Regulus, happy birthday"

"Thank you..."

"Kano, happy birthday too!"

"Thanks"

Kano, who was smiling, also had a present. I gave him a rosette, different from Regulus'—one made with a gold-threaded ribbon on a silver background. He took it with a surprised "Really!?"

"I also brought presents for Master and Regulus!"

"Regulus, I have something for you too!"

From Kano, I received a leather bracelet he had braided, and from Regulus, a caricature of me. "Do I really look like that?" he said, but he was smiling too.

"Happy birthday, from Utsumi to Master, Regulus, and Kano"

She handed me a hairpin with a walnut button, and a badge for Kano.

"I also have something for Utsumi..."

"R-Really? For me too!?"

"Thank you so much!"

Utsumi's rosette was made with a pink ribbon and had a flower embroidered on the tail.

She immediately pinned it to her apron, which made me feel a bit embarrassed.

My cheeks felt even hotter, and my heart was pounding as I approached Elise next.

Elise was talking with Josef and Gensan while eating, but they all put down their plates as I approached.

"Um, happy birthday to Elise, Josef, and Gensan. Here are your presents..."

"Oh, for me too?"

"R-Really for me too?"

"Even for me?"

Elise's rosette had a yellow ribbon with a butterfly embroidered in white, Josef's had an orange ribbon with a Poni-ko embroidery, and Gensan's had a green ribbon with a carrot embroidery.

Elise gave me a handkerchief with beautiful lace, Josef gave me a handmade bridle, and Gensan gave me seeds of a rare morning glory, all with "Happy birthday" wishes.

My cheeks and chest felt hot, and my eyes stung.

Feeling restless, I approached Chef and Rottenmayer, who were talking.

I gave Chef a rosette with a crimson ribbon and a chef's hat embroidery, and Rottenmayer a rosette with a purple ribbon and a glasses embroidery. They were both surprised.

Chef gripped my hand tightly.

"Thank you, Master. Please continue to look after us."

"Of course, please look after me too."

"I've prepared a new apron. Please come to the kitchen whenever you like."

"Thank you..."

Chef then left, waving to the others, leaving me and Rottenmayer behind.

Rottenmayer was standing still, staring at the purple rosette.

I was worried that he might be upset because I wasn't supposed to celebrate my birthday, but he gently cupped my cheek.

"Happy birthday, Master... I'm sorry I couldn't celebrate it for you before... I lacked the courage..."

"Don't say that, Rottenmayer. I'm already very happy to be able to celebrate with everyone."

"Here, this is from me..."

He handed me a book.

Tilting my head, I looked at Rottenmayer.

"This is the diary of your grandmother, the previous Countess, Kise. I thought it might be useful for the future of the territory."

"Why do you have this, Rottenmayer?"

"I received it as an inheritance. But I thought it would be more useful to you now."

Indeed, by unraveling the past, we could find the causes of the present and avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

However, for Rottenmayer to give me such a personal item, it must have meant a lot to him and my grandmother. I couldn't bear to take it. But Rottenmayer shook his head quietly.

"The memories are in my heart, and the Countess' wish is for you to grow up healthy. I am also happy if you are healthy... So, if this can help you, the Countess would be pleased."

"I understand. I will take good care of it."

I hugged the book tightly and thanked him, then turned to leave.

What should I do? My eyes were stinging, and my nose was tingling.

There were still people I needed to give presents to.

To regain my composure, I lightly slapped my cheeks, which were still hot.

Suddenly, my hands were taken, and I was turned around to face the three Elfs in formal attire, who bowed around me.

So, I launched a preemptive attack!

"Professor Romanov, Viktor, Lala, happy birthday!"

I gave Professor Romanov a rosette with a blue background and the Elf crest of a condor, Viktor a rosette with a white background and musical notes, and Lala a rosette with a red background and a lily crest.

Viktor laughed and shrugged.

"You beat us to it."

"It's been ages since I received a birthday present."

"Hehe," both Professor Romanov and Lala laughed.

In the warm atmosphere, I felt a bit embarrassed. When I tried to escape, Professor Romanov grabbed my shoulder firmly.

"Not so fast. We have presents for you too."

"Here, this is from me."

He handed me a rectangular, slightly thick box. When I opened it, inside was a pair of scissors with a handle carved with intricate patterns and a blade that sparkled. In the middle, where the blades crossed, was a large, transparent glass, surrounded by colorful small jewels.

The handle fit perfectly in my hand.

"This is a masterpiece by the best Dwarf craftsman of the current generation. It won't dull even if you cut through dragon scales."

"Such an amazing thing...!"

"Regulus and Kano also received paper knives made by the same craftsman."

Wow, amazing!

I was so surprised that my mouth hung open, and Lala cleared her throat.

"From me, it's a collection of embroidery patterns from my aunt, who is known as the best seamstress among the Elves. The patterns are drawn with magic, so they can answer your questions."

"Wow!?"

When I held the thick, well-bound book, it said, "Oh, you have quite a talent."

My mouth dropped even wider, and I felt like my jaw might fall off.

Rottenmayer smiled and adjusted my jaw.

"Here, this is from me."

"Thank you."

He handed me a wisteria basket with cute patterns. As soon as I saw it, Lala and Viktor exclaimed.

"Hey!? I thought the sewing box from my aunt's shop was missing!?"

"Seems we all had the same idea."

"When I went to the shop, they said, 'The embroidery pattern book and the sewing box are already sold.' So I got the scissors! They even gave me specific advice, like 'You can never have too many scissors.'"

"I told them you might come. Good thing we didn't overlap. They even gave detailed advice."

"What a guy!"

"You really are a great person!"

Viktor confronted Professor Romanov, and Lala grabbed his collar and shook him.

Stunned, I watched as Professor Romanov cleared his throat to change the subject.

"Well, my mother runs a general store in the capital. She's particular about sewing tools, especially since she's a hobbyist. This sewing box contains all the tools she wanted. It even has a magic bag function, so you can store as much thread and fabric as you want."

"Wow..."

"Open it and see," he said. When I opened the basket, I found sewing needles, pins, a pincushion, many threads, spools, a thread cutter, a measuring tape, a chalk pen, a spatula, a needle, pointed and round tweezers, thimbles, a threader, and a lace maker. They all looked very beautiful and easy to use.

"Please call me Master..."

"I'll let her know."

In their calm eyes, I saw my reflection.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I said a small "Thank you."

I was holding so many presents that I could barely carry them, and my eyes were stinging, feeling like they might overflow. My nose was also tingling.

When I bowed my head to hold back the tears, I was gently hugged from behind.

"Big brother, Regulus, and everyone, I like you all..."

As long as I remember this day, I can face whatever comes next.

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