Chapter 48

Cornell exited the library with a blank expression and climbed into the carriage.

The faces she had coincidentally encountered lingered in her mind, but she couldn’t afford to waste time as she had a class to attend.

“Of all days to run into them.”

It was the very day she had planned to visit the library with Phyllis, making it a strange coincidence. That plan, however, had been canceled at the last minute, leaving her to come alone.

‘I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well today.’

‘Then it can’t be helped. Don’t push yourself and get some rest.’

In some ways, it was a relief. If she had faced him directly, she wouldn’t have been in a better mood than she was now.

The barren streets outside the moving carriage passed by. Still, it didn’t feel as desolate as it might have earlier, as winter seemed to be coming to an end.

‘I wish it could just stay winter forever.’

For someone, that thought might not be pleasant. Cornell sighed deeply, staring out the window as if to bore a hole through it.

She felt both worried and resentful toward Phyllis, who was likely resting at home. And it wasn’t simply because he had canceled their plans for today.

It was unease. For the first time since falling in love with Phyllis, she felt this unfamiliar unease.

“Miss Cornell, we’ve arrived.”

The carriage stopped as she was being swallowed by her gloom. Cornell tried her best not to show her feelings as she headed toward the research institute.

“Miss Lawrence, you’re here.”

“Hello, Professor.”

Upon entering the research lab, the familiar faces of professors greeted her as usual. Holding the materials she had brought, she headed toward the lecture room, but someone stopped her.

“Miss Lawrence, I’m so sorry, but could you do me a favor?”

“Me? But I need to go to class now.”

“I’ll take over for you. It’s a subject in my minor.”

One of the professors, whose major was similar to hers, handed her a document that needed to be approved directly by the Crown Prince.

“The department chair has something to attend to today… Please help us out.”

Thanks to the unpredictable nature of Essis, such requests were becoming more frequent. It wasn’t a bad suggestion. Cornell left the research institute once again.

The chilly air from earlier now felt a little more refreshing. Upon entering the main building, a guard recognized her and asked about her purpose. Cornell, after being guided, headed toward Essis’s office.

“I believe he’s handling some work right now.”

“Alright, thank you.”

The guard pointed to the office visible in the distance and then left.

Since her class had been canceled, she wanted to return home as soon as possible. Cornell quickened her steps. However, as she neared the office, she noticed the door was slightly ajar.

“…So, should we inform His Majesty, the Emperor?”

It seemed Essis was talking to his secretary, Charlotte. Feeling the unusual seriousness in the atmosphere, Cornell tried to step back.

“Like he’d accept it. He already has one insane son; now there’s another one?”

The sound of a chair scraping the floor echoed loudly, as though someone had abruptly stood up. Cornell blinked blankly. She could get caught at any moment, yet her feet wouldn’t move.

“It’s not something you can hide forever. Why did you do something so unnecessary?”

“Because it’s fun. A lost sibling, a secret birth.”

“There’s nothing fun about this.”

“My brother would be upset to hear that.”

The mischievous tone of his last words was particularly loud and clear. Like knocking over a pile of blocks, her chaotic thoughts began to fall into place.

Perhaps it was just a hunch. The final method to untangle the twisted knot.

“Still, it just doesn’t fit. Noah Hiel Terga….”

“Your Highness, please lower your voice.”

Before Essis’s muttering could finish, soft footsteps approached the door. Charlotte checked the hallway to ensure no one was there and closed the ajar door.

‘Noah Hiel Terga.’

Cornell, hiding behind a nearby wall, held her breath and covered her mouth. Her heart was racing wildly. She had stumbled upon a clue she should never have grasped.

***

“Karina, is there anything you need these days?”

Asillis asked Karina during a late breakfast. It was a sudden question. Karina shook her head without much thought.

“Not really… Why do you ask?”

“No reason. I was just curious.”

As he cleared his throat, Laura drank her water, trying to suppress a smile on her face.

Although the morning seemed no different from any other, there was a slightly awkward atmosphere. Karina, puzzled, tried to recall what day it was.

‘Could it be?’

A familiar date was approaching. Realizing it belatedly, she finally understood the situation.

“If there’s anything you’d like, let us know. Not that it means anything, of course.”

Laura winked with one eye and pointed her finger holding the glass at Asillis. Karina nodded tactfully and finished her meal.

“I’ll head upstairs now.”

“Alright.”

“By the way, it seems my favorite gloves are a little worn. I’m just mentioning it, so don’t worry about it.”

Even though she hadn’t spoken very loudly, Asillis’s eyes sparkled for a moment. As soon as she left the table, hurried whispers followed, and Karina couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

‘Come to think of it, there really isn’t much time left.’

Her birthday was less than ten days away. She had only just realized it.

Since she didn’t attach much significance to anniversaries, she didn’t feel particularly sentimental. She just felt a little happier imagining her parents, who were likely brainstorming gift ideas.

What did I receive last year? 

Curious, Karina opened a drawer to check.

“…It was gloves last year too.”

A pair of sky-blue gloves, barely used, were neatly stored away. This was the problem every year. Since she wasn’t materialistic, even picking out birthday gifts became a challenge.

As she held the gloves, lost in thought, the sunny weather outside caught her attention. Over the past few days, the weather had warmed up considerably, almost feeling like spring in the afternoon.

The sky was the same color as the gloves, causing Karina to fall further into thought. In the end, she decided to go out.

“Miss, where are you going?”

Becky, who had just entered the room, tilted her head and asked.

“Oh, I’m just heading into town for a bit.”

“Alright. The weather’s been nice lately, so it should be fine.”

It felt a little embarrassing to pick out her own birthday present, but it didn’t matter.

Leaving the mansion, Karina walked toward the town, enjoying the cool breeze. The streets were quite crowded. It was clear that winter was coming to an end.

‘What should I even look for? I feel like I already have everything.’

Karina carefully examined the passing stalls, deep in thought. Every year, she received gifts not only from her family but also from various other places, so she had to choose wisely. If she ended up picking something her father had already prepared, it would be a disaster.

As she walked, keeping an eye on the surrounding shops, she stopped in front of one. However, the reason was slightly different.

“Are these discarded loaves of bread?”

Kaya was standing in front of a bakery, peeking in and chatting with the owner. For some reason, her face was covered in doodles, a sight that felt oddly familiar.

“These are burnt and can’t be eaten. I’ll give you fresh ones, so please come inside.”

Despite the friendly tone of the burly man, Kaya’s gaze remained fixed on the discarded bread.

Behind Kaya, who was discreetly hiding the bread in her arms, Karina noticed Noah. Surrounded by children, he blinked his eyes, his cheeks adorned with a drawn-on mustache.

***

“Your birthday?”

Kaya asked, her mouth full of bread. Beside her, Noah, resembling a cat, stared at Karina.

“Yes. It’s still a little while away, though.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Karina avoided their gazes, and Kaya lowered her eyes with a serious expression. Then, she discreetly pulled out a burnt loaf of bread and offered it to her.

“I’m not really a fan of bread….”

“Then I guess it can’t be helped.”

Looking satisfied, Kaya tucked the bread back into her arms, while the bakery owner glanced at her with a pitiful expression.

Karina, pressing her hands to her flushed face, accidentally locked eyes with Noah. The blackened nose and mustache on his cheeks created a strangely harmonious look.

“What do people usually do for birthdays?”

His mustache twitched as he spoke. Karina stifled her laughter and replied.

“They eat something delicious or receive gifts.”

“I see. What kind of gift should I give you?”

“Something practical, or something the person has always wanted… Are you asking about me?”

Answering absentmindedly, Karina belatedly realized the intent behind his question. Noah nodded. His innocent eyes seemed to urge her for an answer.

‘Why do I feel like I shouldn’t have said anything?’

Her headache, which had already been bothering her, seemed to intensify.

“You just give whatever you want. Why are you overthinking it?”

At that moment, Kaya, her mouth full of crumbs, spoke in a bored tone.

Now that she thought about it, Kaya had a point. Karina nodded in agreement.

“That’s true. The thought behind the gift is what matters most.”

Noah, who had been listening quietly, nodded with a surprisingly serious expression.

“Did you two come here to buy bread?”

“Yes. Since we were here, we decided to play with the kids.”

Behind him, three children were watching them with curious expressions. Perhaps because of their earlier doodling session, all three had smudged faces.

Karina smiled softly and picked up a pen. She reached out to one of the children, who hesitantly extended their hand. When she drew a small cat on the back of the child’s hand, their face lit up.

“Me too, me too!”

One after another, the children extended their hands, and soon, each of them had a small cat drawn on their hand.

A short while later, Karina left the bakery with an armful of bread. When she gave half of it to Kaya, who was drooling, Kaya seemed so moved that she kept bowing her head.

“But, Lady, aren’t you going to throw a birthday party?”

While walking, Kaya suddenly asked as if the thought had just occurred to her.

It wasn’t something Karina had ever considered. Feeling a bit awkward, she trailed off.

“Well… Standing in front of a lot of people feels a bit overwhelming….”

She had never voluntarily hosted a party in her life.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to try it at least once, but it wasn’t a simple matter. The more people who attended, the more attention she’d attract, and there would undoubtedly be gossip.

‘Especially with everything that happened with Phyllis recently.’

Just as she was about to shake her head, Kaya suddenly stepped in front of her.

“Then how about doing it this way?”