"How did it end up like this?"
Astina, frowning, posed this question to .
"Wouldn't it be nicer if we all ate together?"
I knew well that it wasn't the plan.
But still, wouldn't it be strange if we left out the others?
The exams were over, the sester was done.
It was a ti to unwind over a al.
Rie, cutting her steak with a stoic face, took a bite and mumbled.
"This steak isn't all that great."
Upon hearing this, Luna, mouth full of steak, tilted her head.
"It's tasty... um...?"
Her words were muffled due to her full mouth, but I grasped the gist of it.
Rie and Astina appeared slightly dissatisfied, chewing on their steaks.
Luna, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying her al.
As was I.
This wasn't the high-end al I had during midterms.
However, it was still a quality al.
Clatter, clatter.
Luna was a bit clumsy with her knife, making clattering sounds as she cut her steak.
Watching Luna, I noticed her mouth sared with oil.
Watching her eat, with sars of oil around her mouth, reminded of a child.
Oddly, it wasn't an unpleasant sight.
Doesn't it warm your heart to see a young child eating heartily?
"Luna, here."
I picked up the napkin next to and offered it to Luna.
"Hmm?"
Luna looked puzzled, unsure of what it was for.
"Here."
I leaned towards Luna and wiped the oil off her mouth with the napkin.
Luna's eyes widened, and she grabbed the napkin,
"I-I'll do it!"
"Sure."
She seed embarrassed at having gotten oil on her face while eating.
She quickly wiped her mouth, her face blushing.
Clatter, clatter, clatter, clatter.
Beside , Rie began to cut her steak as if she ant to cut through the plate itself.
She gave a piercing look, as if she had a bone to pick with .
"And what's your deal?"
"It's none of your business. Brat."
Wasn't she the one who grabbed my collar and shook earlier...
I feel wronged.
What did I do to deserve this?
Our al was slowly winding down.
We had finished the main course, and now coffee and dessert were being served.
Luna, having finished her dessert, stood up.
"Oh, that reminds , Rudy, I have a present for you."
"...A present?"
Luna then took out a small box from her pocket, presenting it to with a bright smile.
"...?"
Baffled, I took the gift.
Rie too rose from her seat and produced a paper box from sowhere.
"Here...take this."
"What's this for?"
"We-well, it's a gift."
Rie handed the gift, not expressing another word. She seed shy.
I stared at Rie, puzzled.
Why was she giving a gift?
What's special about today?
Astina, observing my confused expression, chid in.
"Happy birthday, Rudy Astria."
"?"
"Happy birthday, Rudy!"
"????"
Rie gave a strange look.
"You didn't know today was your birthday, huh."
With that, everything fell into place.
Today is my birthday.
I was taken aback.
A typical noble wouldn't be ignorant of their birthday.
Nobles would usually throw grand parties on their birthdays.
These celebrations were also networking opportunities with nobles from neighboring territories.
There's no way I could forget a day marked annually by a grand party.
Organizing a grand party takes months of preparation.
It's not a date one easily forgets.
If you prepare late, it's a subpar party.
Now, how do I explain my forgetfulness without being suspicious?
I glanced around cautiously.
To my surprise, everyone seed unfazed.
"Well, that's so typical of you." Rie chided .
I frowned. Sure, I was relieved they weren't suspicious, but their knowing looks made feel annoyed.
"What did you even do back at ho?"
Rie's gaze was pitiful as she asked.
"Haha......"
Honestly, I'm curious too.
How did I live in the mansion?
All I could do was laugh awkwardly.
"Rudy, open the gift."
Upon Luna's prompt, I placed the gift on the table.
I started by unwrapping Luna's gift.
Inside was a ring with a black stone set in it.
"I made this ring myself! Hoho!"
Luna bead, puffing out her chest in pride as she explained about the ring.
"I crafted a protective spell using Wind Ball magic!"
"You applied Wind Ball magic?"
"Yes! I'll show you the magic circle later!"
"Thank you, Luna."
"Hehe."
She giggled, scratching her head.
Next, I unwrapped Rie's gift.
Inside was a bottle of n's cologne.
"Hmm... It's a fine cologne. Make good use of it."
"Uh... Thank you."
Though the wrapping was a bit peculiar.
It was filled with heart patterns.
I wondered if heart-patterned wrapping was a typical choice for a birthday gift.
When I glanced around, both Astina and Luna looked shocked.
"...What? Why?"
Rie looked puzzled at their reactions.
"Rie... Giving cologne as a gift..."
Luna cautiously began, and Astina continued.
"Gifting cologne to a man is sothing typically reserved for lovers, especially a high-end fragrance like this."
Rie was visibly taken aback.
"Ah, ah, no! Locke told it was an appropriate gift! He said it's a popular gift in the Empire!!"
Rie abruptly stopped talking, her eyes widened as she ca to a realization.
"That jerk Locke tricked ."
Saying that, she shot a look.
Her expression was a mix of dismay and surprise, her lips sealed in tight determination.
"It's not like that. I genuinely didn't know."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
"What did you even do at the Royal Palace?"
It's only fair, right?
Give and take, that's how the world works.
Rie glared at , her cheeks puffed out in anger.
anwhile, Astina shifted her attention from a fuming Rie to .
"Rudy Astria, I couldn't prepare a separate gift."
"Ah, that's fine. I didn't even know it was my birthday."
Astina had reserved this restaurant, which was a gift in itself.
"Instead, I'd like to discuss sothing else."
"Oh? What is it?"
"It's about the incident with my older brother."
I frowned at the ntion of it.
"Was there a problem?"
Astina smiled reassuringly.
"No, not at all. He is facing severe punishnt. In fact, my father is pushing for an even harsher sentence."
I felt a wave of relief.
"That's good to hear."
Astina continued, "However, that's not why I brought it up. My father wanted to apologize and thank you. He was quite worried about you getting hurt."
"I wasn't injured because of them, tell him not to worry."
I was unhard, so there was no reason for Astina's father to feel guilty.
And after all, it wasn't the parents who were at fault, it was Harpel himself.
Considering Astina's usual behavior and her parents' reaction now, they seed to be decent parents.
Harpel was the anomaly.
Astina, hearing Rudy's words, smiled and proposed an idea.
"Why not convey this ssage yourself when you visit our territory?"
"?"
"My father is keen on eting you as well. You've piqued his interest."
I contemplated the proposal for a mont.
I had planned to spend the holidays training at the academy, but perhaps a short visit wouldn't hurt.
Besides, training non-stop would drive mad.
"Sure, I'll visit during the holiday."
Rie suddenly jumped in.
"When? When will you go?"
"... Why do you want to know?"
Rie looked sullen at my response.
Astina chuckled at the sight.
"Just let us know when you plan on coming."
"Yes, I'll let you know a week prior."
With that, we finished our al and headed back to the dormitory.
***
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