“Ah, right. Still, since it’s my birthday……”

When I suddenly thought of something and spoke up, Rashid’s eyes flashed from across the table.

“Have you changed your mind?”

“No. I’d have to prepare everything myself for a banquet anyway. I don’t think I need to buy trouble unnecessarily. That’s not it, I was thinking maybe we could give some rewards to the vassals and servants for the occasion.”

When it’s the master’s birthday, it’s still an anniversary, so wouldn’t this much be okay as a welfare measure? I did well remembering to mention it before I forgot.

I praised myself and concentrated on eating again. Because of that, I didn’t notice Rashid’s somewhat sulky expression.

* * *

It became Alisa Penvernon’s birthday.

Since she had declared she wouldn’t hold a banquet, the day passed without commotion.

The vassals visited the Duchess to give their birthday greetings. The servants who met her also offered congratulations. A more elaborate meal than usual was prepared, and the servants’ meals were also unprecedentedly luxurious.

But that was all.

“She should have at least held a small banquet!”

“I know. What a shame.”

“Sion and Mileon, everyone feels the same.”

Unusually, Macy joined in with Anna’s complaints. It was different from usual when Macy would comfort or scold Anna.

The two were each holding gifts in their arms. These were their prepared birthday presents for Alisa.

“Though the lady is so generous, this decision was a bit unexpected.”

“Right. I wanted to present this with a ta-da at the birthday banquet!”

Anna held up her gift.

“His Grace the Duke must have also suggested holding a banquet.”

“True. He’s lenient when it comes to the lady’s matters.”

“Don’t you think so too? Anyway, I hope she likes the gifts.”

“I’m sure she will.”

As the two chatted while heading to Alisa’s room, a low, deep voice stopped them.

“You there.”

It was Sylvester.

“Butler.”

“Are you going to see the lady?”

“Yes!”

Anna answered cheerfully.

“And those are for the lady?”

“That’s right.”

“Then take this along as well.”

Sylvester handed a wrapped item to Macy.

“Is this from you, Butler?”

“Hmm, yes it is.”

At Anna’s words, Sylvester cleared his throat awkwardly.

As the two were carrying three gifts including Sylvester’s, this time the messenger Sion stopped them.

“Going to see the lady?”

“Yes. Should we deliver that to my lady for you?”

When Anna pointed at what Sion was holding and asked, he made a serious face.

“How did you know?”

“It’s obvious.”

Sion shrugged.

“Can I ask what it is?”

“It’s a secret.”

“How stingy.”

“Only the lady can know.”

Next was the gardener Mileon. He had prepared a fresh bouquet just picked from the garden.

Then the chef, coachman, other maids and messengers also passed their gifts to them, so by the time Macy and Anna reached Alisa’s room, their arms were completely full.

“What’s all that?”

Alisa who greeted them opened her eyes wide.

“Birthday presents we prepared!”

“We were also asked to bring others’ gifts. From the butler, gardener, chef, coachman……”

Macy listed each gift’s sender one by one.

“You didn’t have to do this. Thank you so much, I’m so happy.”

Alisa smiled brightly. Her blue-gray eyes sparkled transparently.

After sending away even the attending maids that night, Alisa sat in her bedroom opening the gifts people had prepared one by one.

She put the flowers from the gardener in a vase on the table.

Sylvester’s gift was a pen. The silver nib and smooth shaft looked quite expensive.

Sion gave gloves. The light blue silk gloves were lovely.

The chef prepared cookies, and the coachman gave a teacup.

There were many other small, cute gifts as well. Alisa felt touched thinking about their thoughtful hearts.

“What are all these?”

Rashid, who came to her bedroom as usual, asked.

“The servants gave me gifts.”

Alisa gently pressed her flushed cheeks. She couldn’t hide her joy.

“I’m the last then.”

“Did you prepare something too? I said you didn’t have to!”

While saying that, Alisa’s eyes sparkled. And she held out both hands as if asking him to give it quickly.

Finding that adorable, Rashid smiled and placed a small box on her hands.

Inside the opened box was a blue gemstone ring.

“What is this?”

“It’s an opal.”

“This is?”

The black opal rippled blue like it had trapped an ocean inside. Red, yellow and purple shadows swirled within it.

“It looks…… very expensive.”

“It probably is.”

“Is it actually expensive?”

When Alisa asked primly, Rashid took the ring from the box.

On the fourth finger of her left hand was her wedding ring.

Alisa usually didn’t wear much jewelry. But the wedding ring was an exception. Rashid smiled quietly, pleased that the symbol of their vow was still there in its place.

He put the opal ring on her index finger. The ring fit Alisa’s finger perfectly as if it was sized exactly.

“They say opal symbolizes hope.”

“My goodness.”

Alisa chuckled and looked at Rashid. She seemed amazed that he had prepared a gift considering even such meanings.

“They say it protects you from illness when you have it.”

“Are you giving this because you’re worried about me getting sick?”

“Because you’re weak.”

“I’m not that bad.”

Alisa slightly puffed her cheeks. But she had fallen in water before, caught colds, and even fell often. His worry had some merit.

But, worry…

It was a word that didn’t suit Rashid at all.

“And?”

Alisa said while lifting her hand to view the opal’s radiance from different angles.

“And?”

When Rashid repeated the question, Alisa immediately frowned. She clearly looked displeased about something. Almost no one acted this honestly in front of Rashid, and Alisa was essentially the only one.

What more could she want?

As he watched her questioningly, Alisa leaned toward him and came close. Her face filled his vision.

Her rose petal-like hair and eyes that shone blue like early dawn looked infinitely beautiful. That’s what Rashid thought.

She said,

“Say ‘happy birthday.'”

While grinning like she’s already happy……

“……Congratulations.”

“Say it in detail! Precisely!”

Alisa urged with a smile.

Finding that unbearably lovable, Rashid felt flustered.

What is this feeling? How can this be? It was an emotion he had never felt before.

Without realizing it, Rashid held her cheeks and kissed her. Alisa seemed a bit surprised and pulled back slightly, but was caught by his hands.

After a long kiss, Rashid finally said,

“Happy birthday, Alisa.”

Congratulations on being born. And thus being able to be by my side like this.

Rashid couldn’t remember the days when Alisa wasn’t by his side. He didn’t know what kind of feelings he had or what he did during that time.

He now realized what to call her.

At last.

* * *

The Silentia Forest was quiet and dense. Hiding one small boy in its generous and broad embrace was nothing.

Eleven-year-old Rashid Penvernon was there.

The sunlit green leaves sang with the wind and wild animals crossed through the thick undergrowth. With each step he took, fallen leaves from long ago rustled, revealing their presence.

Reaching a pond, Rashid picked up a stone and skipped it. The stone made clear ‘plop, plop’ sounds as it disturbed the pond’s blue water. Ripples spread, breaking the calm surface.

Rashid thought he was like that stone. An invader creating ripples in a peaceful world. That solid mass and heavy weight sinks under the water, unwelcomed.

He remembered when his mother once called him.

“Rashid, darling.”

At that gentle voice, Rashid approached her with a happy face.

His mother stroked Rashid’s head and gazed quietly into his eyes.

The black hair and golden eyes were family traits passed down from Penvernon’s founder. Rashid was born fully possessing those clear symbols of night and moon.

“You are truly strong and beautiful. Almost frighteningly so.”

His mother’s expression wore a faint smile, but in her eyes a great fire flickered.

“I shouldn’t have given birth to you……”

His mother said that while smiling.

That day, Rashid’s heart sank coldly like that stone.

To his mother, his existence had somehow become a mistake and wrong. A child who shouldn’t have been born. A child who shouldn’t have been given birth to.

But it wasn’t like that from the beginning. Once, Rashid’s world too was peaceful and brilliant.

In the past, Natalie loved her second son in her own way. His brother Bled, who took after their mother, also cared for his younger brother. The three siblings got along well, playing pranks and being affectionate with each other.

The nightmare began the day Rashid first swung a sword, when fire was born from the well-forged blade tip.

It was the blessing of their ancestors. Everyone congratulated Rashid for awakening an ability that would become a great power for the family. However, many regretted that the person born with the Dragon’s Strength was not the firstborn Bled.

As time passed, the boy’s ability grew stronger. The small fire gradually became enormous and its temperature grew as hot as hellfire.

It didn’t take long to discover that his magical power was strong enough to burn the world.

From then on, the tone of words surrounding Rashid and the gazes looking at him changed.

Many stories circulated.