"Uh, well... it's alright, I suppose."
Seraphina was at a loss for words, having never intended to invite Ravenna, but she wouldn't deliberately show her displeasure, not when it was Ansel's wish.
The young girl fiddled with her hair, "The al has just been prepared... we haven't started yet."
While saying this, she stealthily pinched Ansel's thigh, frantically signaling him to say sothing.
It's as if I'm the host... No, that's not right, it is indeed my birthday, but also not right! I'm not the host here, ugggggh, Ansel, speak!!
Seraphina, unaccustod to such an atmosphere, grew impatient, and as her facial expression began to show strain, Ansel finally spoke with a smile, "It's fine, Seraphina is right, please take a seat, Venna."
"..."
The intimate address caused a shift in the expressions of those present, with Flalle and Seraphina showing the most noticeable reactions; the forr barely suppressing a laugh, and the latter, whose face had not shown a hint of negativity since waking, froze.
The mature Lady Annelisa's eyes danced with aning as she observed Ravenna, while Marlina's expression changed the least, her thoughts inscrutable.
At that mont, our Miss Puppet, much like the fragrant suckling pig on the nearby grill, was pushed by the nefarious Hydral into a precarious situation, just by a re greeting
Ravenna inhaled softly, not responding to Ansel, but instead approached Seraphina with a gift in hand, bowing her head and extending the present with both hands. Her indifferent tone was as respectful as possible, aiming to dispel any hostility that Seraphina might harbor.
She was well aware that she could not afford to ruin this birthday celebration with her usual deanor, and that's why… Ansel's initial greeting had caused her such embarrassnt.
The girl before her, whom she had once considered an equal in status, a "beast" had often scorned and mocked, now demanded… such deference from her.
Humiliation? Ravenna was not swayed by such feelings, though her emotions were still affected, the reasons for which… she could not fathom.
"Miss Marlowe, this is the gift Mr. Ansel has sent you."
"A gift—"
Seraphina's pitch rose sharply, her joy so evident that anyone could hear it, and her previous stiffness vanished without a trace.
Almost instinctively, she reached out to take it, but then, considering Ansel's recent address and the petite woman before her, she felt a twist of reluctance.
"Ansel... why do you have my gift from Ansel?" Seraphina huffed.
"... Because it was Ansel who entrusted with this task."
Ravenna whispered, "He specifically instructed to ensure that this gift was nothing short of perfect."
Nothing short of perfect...
Indeed, the gift Ansel had asked her to make was not particularly difficult, otherwise, he would not have given Ravenna just two days to complete it.
Yet Ansel had still made a point of visiting her alchemy workshop, insisting on perfection with utmost seriousness.
How could Ravenna not understand Ansel's thoughts and intentions? But what good would that do?
In countless "clashes" with Ansel since their reunion, Ravenna had always seen through his plans. She had managed so resistance and counterasures before, but after Ansel declared his intention to push her into a rational abyss with his cold sche, even knowing what Ansel intended, Ravenna could only comply without resistance.
Step, and step, by step… she proceeded until now.
Ansel's childlike insistence on displaying his affection for Seraphina, this unabashed "revenge," only made her doubt everything that had happened three years ago.
Thus, it was no longer just a matter of being unable to resist; it was a question of self-doubt.
Only then did Seraphina realize that the "dwarf" before her was indeed an alchemist.
"So, ahem, so it is."
With a well-founded reason and moving words, Ravenna's additional comnts, which highlighted Ansel's attitude, imdiately dispelled any displeasure in Seraphina's heart.
She coughed twice for show, feigning modesty for a mont, but when she reached out, her swift and decisive action almost snatched the gift from Ravenna's hands, eliciting a light chuckle from Annelisa.
Holding the squarely wrapped box, an eager Seraphina imdiately set about unwrapping it. Her heart pounded, her cheeks flushed with anticipation at the thought of receiving a perfectly crafted gift from Ansel, her body softening with the desire to lean towards him.
But as she began, Ansel's hand was already on hers.
"Not yet, Seraphina."
"Not yet?!"
Miss puppy, growing impatient, had been itching with curiosity from the unanswered questions, and now, with the gift in hand, she was infuriated at being denied the chance to unwrap it, tempted to bite Ansel in protest.
I am already angry!
"This gift."
Ansel, with a smile in his eyes, whispered, "It's not suitable to be opened now."
He leaned close to Seraphina's ear, murmuring:
"It's best when it's just the two of us."
The warm breath in her ear sent a shiver through the girl, and Ansel's subtly hoarse voice played upon her heartstrings, replacing her current restlessness with a tantalizing itch of unfulfilled desire.
"Then.. then, it's settled!"
Seraphina declared with a tender and delicate voice, clutching the gift box as if it were the world's most precious treasure. She glanced at the smiling Hydral couple, her cheeks blushing a deeper shade of pink, yet she mustered the courage to whisper into Ansel's ear, "When it's-its, just the two of us... Ansel, you open it for , and also, um..."
Chu~
She planted a gentle kiss on Ansel's cheek in front of everyone.
"Thank you... Ansel," the girl's voice quivered slightly, yet it was filled with the sweet bliss of happiness. "Thank you for the gift you've given . Although I don't yet know what it is... I am truly happy, super happy!"
Annelisa leaned her head against Flalle's shoulder, her smile so sweet it seed to lt away; Flalle, embracing his wife's shoulders, shared in the pure love the young girl displayed, feeling joy for his son. Marlina quietly observed Seraphina's profile, the pure happiness evident on her face bringing a comforting smile to her own.
"Sob, sob… I'm so moved!"
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