Chapter 38
“Thank you for the offer, Young Earl. But I’m not alone—I have an escort and a maid…”
“No, let’s go.”
“No, really…”
“Let’s go, Lady.”
Fierra glanced at the expressions of the two ladies.
They only looked disappointed, not suspicious or offended by the situation.
She didn’t feel entirely comfortable deceiving such kind ladies, but Fierra decided to accept Owen’s forced escort, thinking it was a way to save him.
“Then, please.”
His face brightened slightly.
“Unfortunately, I must also take my leave here. Please return safely. Until next time.”
Owen elegantly offered his arm to Fierra.
“Shall we go, Lady?”
Apparently, Owen was genuinely flustered—he immediately took her hand and left as soon as Fierra reached out.
“Thank you.”
Turning the corner, Owen whispered quietly.
“It’s nothing.”
Fierra fidgeted with her hand, still held by Owen.
He didn’t let go, perhaps still distracted.
“You may not know, but I actually find conversations with people difficult. More precisely, with people I’m not close to.”
His voice was low, as if sharing a secret.
“So I made that abrupt proposal to escape the situation. Sorry.”
“Young Earl, may I say something too?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I knew.”
“Knew what?”
“That you have trouble with crowds and conversations.”
Owen seemed quite surprised by her words.
His expression didn’t change much, but his neat lips kept twitching.
He’d shown his discomfort around people since their first meeting.
He’d hidden behind trees before Lady Bellotsa’s wedding ceremony began.
Why did he think she wouldn’t notice?
“But you handled it pretty well.”
Fierra offered a simple compliment, partly to comfort, partly to respond.
“That’s probably thanks to good education.”
“……Is that so.”
For some reason, she felt a faint irritation.
“But you talk easily with me.”
“For some reason.”
Owen lowered his gaze to Fierra.
“Strangely, I don’t find conversation with you difficult.”
Owen gently pulled Fierra’s arm to keep her from bumping into passersby, speaking quietly as he looked ahead.
“Actually, it’s enjoyable.”
His sincere gaze showed he meant it. Fierra couldn’t bring herself to say,
‘I actually find it a little difficult.’
…to such an earnest Owen.
Whether he understood her feelings or not, he smiled slightly, and after turning one more corner, finally let go of her hand.
“We’re far enough now. Shall we go our separate ways?”
“No, I promised—I’ll escort you to the jeweler.”
“Um, Young Earl, do you even know the way?”
“No, I don’t.”
He was so brazen it was hard to tell if he was shameless or just honest.
Fierra sighed unconsciously and gestured to her escort, who was following behind.
She resolved that from now on, she’d always wear a robe when going out.
* * *
“I’ve finished checking the gift list. Time to rest.”
Even after saying that, Fierra looked over the list one more time, just in case.
She only set it down after confirming everything was correct.
The fresh breeze through the wide-open window tickled Fierra’s cheek.
During her break, she eagerly read a book on space utilization she’d started a few days ago.
“Ah.”
A sudden thought escaped her lips.
“Dario’s birthday is coming up soon, ain’t it?”
The day she’d always considered most important was approaching silently.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t every year—just ‘until last year’ it was important.
“What should I do for him?”
Fierra fell into contemplation.
She’d always celebrated Dario’s birthday more lavishly than her own.
Looking back, the extravagance was more about sly courtship than pure affection.
She didn’t need to court him anymore, but she couldn’t just ignore it.
Even if her romantic feelings had faded, he was still a precious friend.
“Just a letter and a gift should be enough, right?”
She didn’t know what to buy.
She’d always had too many ideas, but this was the first time she felt stuck.
It was a bit bewildering.
“Feelings really control more than I thought.”
Fierra quietly muttered, closing her book.
She’d need to focus and think carefully.
* * *
Breakfast at Rufflo ducal residence.
“How about a small banquet for your birthday this year? It’s your first return in three years, it’d be a shame to let it pass.”
Delia set down her fork and spoke.
“Ha, Mother, please.”
Dario frowned deeply and rose from his chair, as if he’d heard a curse.
He didn’t want to bow and thank people for birthday wishes at twenty-two, surrounded by guests.
He wasn’t a child.
Actually, he’d disliked birthday banquets even as a child.
It always felt like being dressed up and mocked.
“Not eating anymore?”
“Yes.”
He hadn’t had much appetite lately.
Besides, eating breakfast without washing properly after morning training felt uncomfortable and unpleasant.
That’s why he’d asked to eat separately.
He didn’t understand why everyone had to gather for breakfast.
Dinner would be different—he could socialize then.
Dario decided to state his opinion clearly.
“I’ll eat breakfast alone from now on. Haven’t we eaten together enough? From now on, I’ll just attend dinner, or only when I have time.”
“Oh my, it’s not every day. My son, you truly are cold-hearted.”
“Mother, just let him be. He’s always like this.”
Dario left the dining room, ignoring his family’s comments meant for him to hear.
To him, his birthday was just another ordinary day, nothing special.
He’d enjoyed it in the past only because someone celebrated it as if it were their own, but this year was uncertain.
For years, even while he was in Feltrum, Fierra had sent gifts and letters faithfully, but he felt she might skip his birthday this time.
The tasteless homemade cake, the thick envelope with a long letter, the carefully made mysterious items, the thoughtfully chosen gifts—all of it.
If things really went as he expected,
He’d feel a bit disappointed.
“……She even put the bracelet in the bazaar.”
He’d claimed it was nothing, but now he found himself mentioning it again.
Back in his room, Dario removed his poorly dried shirt in the chilly, dry air.
The day had started too late. He thought he should wash and get moving quickly.
A few days later, on Dario’s birthday.
After finishing his usual morning training, Dario wiped his forehead and neck with a large linen cloth and looked closely at the pile of boxes at the entrance.
It was his duty to check which family and who had sent them.
He was just checking, not really looking for anything.
“Hmm.”
He spotted the word ‘Wonton’ and quickly reached for the gift card.
It was from Klaus.
His shoulders, which had been raised in anticipation, dropped naturally.
He didn’t even need to open it.
As always, Klaus had sent a glossy lambskin notebook he’d never use.
There was no sincerity whatsoever.
Dario wasn’t exactly pleasant, but Klaus was worse.
“Sir Dario. Are you looking for something?”
“No, nothing.”
Dario tucked Klaus’s card back among the boxes and ribbons and stood up.
“Just organize the lists later and put them on my desk.”
“Yes. Ah, and you should head to the dining room now. Everyone’s waiting.”
Dario shook his head absentmindedly.
He’d already said he’d eat breakfast alone, and had been sticking to it for days.
Today was no different.
What’s so special about today?
Dario passed the pile of gifts and the butler, heading for the central stairs.
“Lady Fierra is here as well.”
His movement, once as unstoppable as a beast cutting through thick grass, suddenly halted as if caught in a trap.
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judieann0513
I don’t know but i strangely find Fierra and Owen’s interaction really cute. If only the story would focus more on them haha. Though i still do have a tiny bit of soft spot for Dario. It’s kinda funny how he still tries to brush it off and act cool that nothing is seriously that wrong or that he’s not that affected with Fierra’s change.