Side Story 5.1

The flowers, which had shrunk throughout the winter, began to bud one by one, announcing the start of spring.

Around this time every year, the Duchy of Castia was filled with excitement as it prepared for the big event that came with spring.

Just like today.

“The cake stand you ordered has arrived. Hurry and call Chef Gordon.”

Someone shouted loudly, and everyone nearby gathered around.

“Wow, it’s so tall.”

“It’s taller than me. Must be at least two meters. This is amazing.”

When the veil hiding its shape was lifted, there was a burst of applause and cheers.

Among them, she couldn’t close her mouth, staring up at the towering cake stand like a tower.

“Madam! Huff, huff… Have you already seen it?”

Chef Gordon, apparently having rushed over after hearing the news, spoke beside her, panting heavily.

“Gordon, catch your breath first.”

“I’m… huff… fine…”

“You don’t look fine at all. So you prepared it again this year.”

“Of course. Madam, you might say it’s fine, but it’s already become the joy of my life.”

Gordon would increase the number of cake layers every year for Leo’s birthday, matching his age.

“Are you planning to make a twenty-layer cake when Leo turns twenty?”

“Oh, no, even I couldn’t manage that. If it’s that high, it’s hard to put the cake up.”

She thought he didn’t really consider it, but just then, Gordon spoke with a confident expression.

“I’ll do it only until Young Master Leo becomes an adult. I’ll somehow push myself up to eighteen layers.”

‘No need to push yourself, just stop after this year!’

But she knew trying to stop him was pointless.

She’d already tried since three years ago, when the cake on the table was taller than her eye level.

“Now, Madam, imagine a cake placed up there. The outside will be white whipped cream, but each layer inside will be different. When you cut it, the cross-section will show all different colors. The first layer will be Young Master’s favorite chocolate sponge as the main… the second layer… and the top will be finished with an angel figurine.”

Gordon spoke for over ten minutes without pausing for breath.

“So, what do you think?”

“Oh, it’s nice. Perfect.”

With his passion burning brighter each year, this was all she could say.

“Madam! Please take a look over here too!”

The one who called her loudly while she was talking with Gordon was Tom, the gardener.

He was waving enthusiastically from the top of a ladder, working on something in the corner of the garden.

‘Wait a minute.’

“Why does that tree look like that? Didn’t you cut too much?”

The ornamental tree, which was fine just yesterday, was now much shorter and rounder.

Proof of that was the pile of mercilessly cut branches at Tom’s feet.

“Madam, what do you think?”

“What do you mean, what do I think?”

What is there to ask…

“A bear?”

Tom climbed down from the ladder and stepped aside, revealing two round ears and four legs.

It was a topiary shaped like an animal.

“Oh, a bear? I tried to make it look like a tiger, which Young Master Leo likes. Just a little more and you’ll definitely recognize it tomorrow.”

“Oh. Right… Leo… will really like it.”

“Lady Elena! Whew, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Please come over here for a moment. This way.”

This time it was Glen.

Led by him, she found something tall, covered by a veil, much like before.

“What’s this?”

Glen pulled off the veil, and there was Leo, holding a sword confidently.

To be exact, it was a statue of Leo.

“Tada! Young Master’s birthday present. I’ll move it to the center of the garden tomorrow morning.”

Glen nodded proudly.

“How is it? I carved it myself.”

“You made this, Glen?”

“Well, I did get some help from a professional.”

Surprised, she asked again, and Glen, unusually shy, scratched his head.

“I’ve done a lot of wood carving, but this is my first time with stone. I think it turned out pretty well. Young Master even posed as a model. Doesn’t it look just like him?”

Sigh, what a headache.

He must have spent months making this.

Those blisters on his hands were probably not from sword practice, but from this.

“It’s wonderful. Really wonderful. But it’s too much work. You don’t have to go this far next time.”

Everyone’s enthusiasm was nice, but it was a bit much.

Is this something that happens when the mansion’s owner is so spirited?

“That jewel in the statue’s eyes…”

“Oh, His Grace provided that. What was its name again?”

Of course. Helio knew about all this.

He should have stopped it!

The jewel in the statue sparkled even more golden, reflecting the sunlight.

At first glance, it looked like a sunstone, but it was a little different.

“It’s called heliodor. It means ‘gift of the sun.’ Leo is like a gift to us.”

“Helio.”

How did he even know about a jewel with a name like that?

When she turned, Helio came closer, draping a shawl over her shoulders.

“I was looking for you inside for ages. Are you alright? Is it okay to be outside like this? Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

“I’m fine. No morning sickness at all this time.”

“Uh… morning sickness…?”

Glen’s eyes widened as he rolled his eyes between her and Helio.

She smiled slyly and put a finger to her lips.

“It’s still a secret. We’re planning to surprise everyone at Leo’s birthday party tomorrow.”

Not long ago, she and Helio found out they were expecting their second child.

It had taken seven years to persuade Helio, who was adamant about not having another.

“Congratulations! This is such wonderful news. Young Master will be so happy he’ll fall over.”

“It’ll be the best present.”

Helio said, looking proud.

When he found out about the baby, Helio was happier than anyone. It was almost hard to believe he’d ever opposed the idea.

“Ugh, what should I do? Can I keep it secret? I wish I’d heard about it tomorrow instead.”

Glen seemed unable to keep still, itching to talk.

She understood perfectly.

She’d felt the same—and in the end, hadn’t managed to wait even a day before telling.

“You, go back to your room right now and don’t come out.”

Helio’s firm order made Glen straighten up and change his tone.

“Your Grace, I’ll keep it. Guarding is my job, after all. I can keep secrets better than anyone.”

She giggled, then remembered Helio had said he’d been looking for her, so she asked:

“Helio, why were you looking for me? Was there something you wanted to say?”

“Oh, right. I meant to tell you—Dean’s family has arrived.”

“Dean? Diana and Mariel too?”

“Yes. They all came to celebrate Leo’s birthday.”

“You should have told me sooner. They must be waiting.”

“Aren’t you tired? Your health is most important, so rest in your room if you feel tired.”

“I’m perfectly fine. Let’s go greet them.”

It had already been five years since Dean married Diana and left Castia.

Diana, who once claimed she didn’t understand love, showed fiery determination once she fell.

When Duke Roiza opposed their marriage, she went ahead and got pregnant.

Watching his daughter’s belly grow day by day, the Duke had no choice but to allow the marriage.

Sending his cherished daughter to a noble without a title was something he hated, so he made the condition that Dean would inherit the Earl’s estate the Duke himself possessed.

For Dean, who was capable but not the eldest and had no estate to inherit, it was actually a stroke of luck.

The almost abandoned Earldom grew year by year under Dean’s efficient management.

With a daughter, Mariel, who looked just like Diana, it became a famous story in the capital—Duke Roiza bragging about his son-in-law.

But did she feel sad about Dean leaving? Not really.

They say you don’t notice what you have until it’s gone, but Dean visited more than twelve times a year, meddling in everything, so there was no time to miss him.

If she’d known Dean’s Earldom was so close to Castia, she wouldn’t have even pretended to be sad.

Just thinking about how she’d cried when sending him off still made her kick the covers at night.

When she entered the drawing room, Dean, Diana, and Mariel were sitting on the sofa.

“Elena! How have you been? Has His Grace been well?”

“Diana! Dean! Welcome.”

“It’s been a while. Your Grace, and Lady Elena.”

“Dean, you were here just last week.”

“Oh, was that last week? Feels longer. I just can’t trust His Grace’s new aide. Even now, with guests here, he’s nowhere to be seen.”

Hmm. That’s probably because of Dean.

The new aide always found a way to disappear whenever Dean visited.

Dean was relentless about handing things over.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Grand Duke, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”

Mariel, with her doll-like face, blinked and greeted politely.

“Hehe. Hello, Mariel. You’ve gotten even prettier.”

“Grand Duchess, thank you for saying so, but my appearance hasn’t changed much since last month.”

At five years old, she not only looked like Diana but spoke just as frankly.

Leo, called in to greet them, clung to her back as soon as he entered the drawing room.

“Leo, you should greet Mariel too.”

When she gently pushed his back, she felt his whole body stiffen with nerves.

No wonder—Leo felt very uncomfortable around Mariel.

Mariel had inherited not only Diana’s looks but Dean’s brilliant mind, and her words and actions were precocious for her age.

She was so intelligent she always viewed things rationally and calmly, rarely showing any change in expression.

Maybe that’s why…

With that expressionless face, she’d always said blunt things to Leo, making him tremble at the mere mention of her name.

“Ah, hi, Mariel.”

Pushed forward, Leo stammered his greeting.

But still—Leo was pitifully frozen before a girl two years younger.

“Now, Mariel, you should greet Leo too.”

Diana gently patted Mariel’s shoulder, and Mariel nodded and spoke.

“Hello, Leo.”

For a moment, she almost gasped.