Chapter 31 – The Birthday Party Begins
Two days later.
“I’m fine, I’m fine! Totally fine!”
I muttered to myself over and over as I stared at the dozens of tables spread across the lawn.
The garden was bustling with preparations for my birthday party.
“Really, I’m totally okay!”
The tables were decorated with beautiful flowers, and balloon arches stood everywhere.
Right then, under the biggest and fanciest arch, the servants carried out a massive cake.
“I didn’t even ask for a birthday party… seriously.”
But when I saw what they were setting on the tables next, my mouth fell open.
On the fine tablecloth embroidered with gold thread sat golden candle holders.
The plates were silver, and every single dish looked delicious and expensive.
My knees went weak, and I crouched behind a flower partition.
“I-is this… normal?”
Why—why on earth was my birthday party this extravagant?
At this point, it looked even fancier than Hiana’s birthday parties from my past life.
Colorful paper ribbons brushed against my face as I sat there, confused.
Then I suddenly remembered what Miel had said earlier:
“This is your birthday party, my lady—but it’s also not only yours.”
“Everyone in the mansion is so happy that such a pretty, kind, and smart young lady came to live here.”
Still… this felt way too much.
All I wanted was to quietly live at the mansion—breathing in peace, dropping hints about the future once in a while.
But this? This enormous, glittering party was the exact opposite of that plan!
“T-there’s really no need to go this far…”
I whimpered softly to myself.
That’s when—
“I did promise the Empress Dowager something like this.”
“Waaah!”
I jumped in shock.
When I turned around, Sharon Abner was standing there in her formal uniform, looking down at me.
“If anything, this party seems rather modest,” she said calmly.
“Huh?”
She pointed toward the huge cake on the table.
“The cake is a little large, but there’s no orchestra or fireworks.”
I tilted my head in disbelief.
Orchestra? Fireworks? Wouldn’t that make it a royal ball, not a birthday party?!
“Birthday parties are quite simple,” she said flatly.
“Really, there’s nothing to them.”
And with that, she walked right past me and left.
***
Back in my room, I had reached the stage of resignation.
Behind me, Mrs. Marenes was fussing over me as usual.
“Oh my, oh my! What is this? There’s an angel in the house!”
She was sitting on the long sofa with Chef Phil and Owen.
“Right, ma’am? Doesn’t this sky-blue dress look best?”
“Of course! Miel, you’ve got such great taste! It’s perfect!”
But Phil shook his head seriously.
“No. Something’s missing.”
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“The sky-blue dress is cute, sure. It reminds me of when my daughter was little, before she went abroad.”
“Really, must you bring up Bea here?” Mrs. Marenes sighed.
“But that red balloon dress from earlier was much cuter,” he said firmly.
Phil folded his arms. “The sky-blue dress is nice, but it’s too ordinary. She still looks human.”
“What are you even talking about?”
“I’m serious! When she wore that red dress earlier, she didn’t even seem human anymore—she transcended mortal limits!”
Mrs. Marenes stared at him like he was a bug.
Miel burst into laughter, then placed a jeweled hairpin on my head.
“What do you think, Mr. Owen? Blue or red?”
“Hmm. Both look fine to me.”
“‘Fine’? She looks like a princess straight out of a fairy tale!”
“Well… the blue one suits the weather today, and the red one really makes her eyes and lips stand out since she’s so pale.”
“Ugh, then what should we do? There’s not much time left!”
Soya stomped her feet anxiously.
Miel, after thinking for a moment, clapped her hands.
“Let’s do both.”
“Huh? How?”
“She’ll wear the blue dress first, then change into the red one after cutting the cake!”
“Oh my! That’s it! Perfect!”
Mrs. Marenes clapped in delight, and even Phil nodded approvingly.
Only Owen frowned slightly before adding, “Then maybe she should also wear the yellow one later. That one wasn’t bad either.”
Phil lit up. “What a smart young man! You know, my daughter Bea’s about your age—should I introduce you two sometime?”
“Yes, yes! Our Bea’s even got a minor title now! Looks just like me—so pretty, too!”
“Ah… yes, sir…”
Despite being a baron, Owen was easygoing with the staff.
Probably because he’d never actually lived like a noble since childhood.
I sighed at the three of them talking all at once and glanced out the window.
The garden was already crowded with people.
“I can’t remember the last time the mansion was this lively!” Miel said excitedly.
Indeed, the usually quiet and stiff Abner estate felt completely different today.
Ribbons were tied to every tree, balloons floated everywhere, and the head of the family—Duchess Sharon Abner—was surrounded by guests.
As I watched the scene in a daze, the hallway outside grew noisy again.
“Miel, we need to hurry! I think the Imperial carriage just arrived!”
“Already?!”
Miel’s hands moved faster as she fixed my hair.
I stared at my reflection—half nervous, half excited.
My long hair was now neatly tied into two braids.
The jeweled hairpin sparkled beautifully.
‘…Okay, I guess I do look kind of cute.’
It had been ages since I’d dressed up like this.
Knock, knock—
The door opened, and Arwin stepped in.
“Wow… Ria.”
His eyes went wide as he walked over.
Then he took my hand with a warm smile.
“You look beautiful. I think you’re the prettiest person in the world right now.”
Before I could respond, he said, “Come on. Everyone’s waiting. I’ll escort you.”
I glanced back one last time, then awkwardly followed him out.
***
“Welcome,” said Sharon Abner with a short bow.
The Empress Dowager laughed heartily.
“Sharon! You’ve outdone yourself this time. The mansion looks magnificent!”
“I did say it would be a grand celebration, Your Majesty.”
The Empress Dowager took her seat at the decorated table, smiling.
“Tian will be a little late—he had some business to attend to.”
As she settled in, other nobles began taking their seats nearby.
All of them were well-known figures from the capital’s high society.
“It’s an honor to see you again, Your Majesty!”
Among them, the third seat to her right was occupied by Marquis Darwin.
He grinned widely and gestured to the young man behind him.
“This is my son! He’s been wanting to meet Your Majesty for so long, but we could never get an audience…”
That was the start of it.
Soon, the other nobles began speaking up too.
“I also tried to visit before, if you remember, Your Majesty.”
“How is your health? You’re not feeling unwell, are you?”
The questions came nonstop.
Halfway through lifting her teacup, the Empress Dowager suddenly froze.
Her calm, low voice carried across the garden.
“Tell me, all of you—where do you think you are right now?”
The nobles blinked, confused, glancing at one another.
“W-well, we heard Your Majesty would be attending, so we came to pay our respects…”
Clink.
The Empress Dowager set her cup down with a sharp sound.
Then she turned her gaze to Sharon Abner.
“This is why I said we should hold the party in the Imperial Palace instead, Sharon.”
The garden fell silent.
Everyone froze.
Then, slowly, the Empress Dowager looked back at the nobles and said firmly:
“I came here to celebrate the birthday of a child I care deeply for.”
“…”
“So if anyone came here for any other reason—leave. Now.”
