“Yes, Lord Derrion!”

Derrion watched Aymon hurry away before stepping in front of the altar.

“Evelyn…”

‘How much more pain would you have to endure upon this cold marble altar?’

A bitter expression crossed Derrion’s face.

Evelyn’s situation was troubling enough, but there was another, far more serious matter to deal with.

Derrion went through the mountains of letters that had arrived from temples across the various regions, one after another.

Most of them said essentially the same thing.

‘Even though they had been using the power of the divine, no one had heard a single message from Lady Chara.’

And it had already been more than a month.

The letters were filled with anxious pleas, questions about whether everyone should gather at the Central Temple and find a solution together, and worries about what might be happening.

“…A month ago.”

What on earth had happened back then for Lady Chara to have fallen into such a deep sleep?

At that moment, Derrion remembered what Adonea had said at the princess’s birthday party.

“She said, ‘For your sake, I return this young life to the world.’”

Derrion frowned.

‘I have a bad feeling about this.’

How was it that Adonea had been able to hear a divine message when not a single priest had heard one for so long?

Even if she had lied about hearing it, there was no doubt that saving the talking parrot had been an act of Lady Chara’s divine power.

Derrion gathered up the letters from the provinces.

For now, he decided to set aside the matter he could not resolve and go outside to clear his head.

After all, he could hardly fail to buy a birthday present for the audacious young lady of House Chantalis.

***

Several days later, the long-awaited day of Evelyn’s birthday finally arrived.

Evelyn’s cheeks flushed as she looked around the banquet hall, which had been decorated even more splendidly than the first time she had seen it.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful! Thank you, Daddy!”

[I’m glad you like it, Evelyn.]

Duke Chantalis smiled warmly.

He had emphasized that every member of the family had to attend today, without exception, so Oden had arrived early and was sitting quietly in a corner of the banquet hall.

‘Well, he isn’t exactly talking to anyone, but at least he’s here.’

Wearing the red dress that had been tailored for her before, Evelyn happily wandered around the hall.

She wanted to find Alpi, but she was nowhere to be seen.

Over the past few days, perhaps exhausted from preparing for the birthday party, she had only caught sight of her a few times, wandering the corridors with a gloomy expression.

Evelyn made a mental note to give Alpi another bonus after the party was over and continued looking around.

Everywhere she looked, there were fresh flowers, sweet desserts, and boxes of presents.

It was a luxury that neither the Evelyn of the original story nor her former self had ever been able to enjoy.

Evelyn squeezed Duke Chantalis’s hand tightly.

[What is it, Evelyn?]

“Hehe, nothing!”

Nothing. She was just… happy.

‘So all that nonsense Adonea pulled was just bad luck being taken care of before today.’

Evelyn and Duke Chantalis exchanged flower-like smiles.

Yon, the butler, watched the father and daughter with a pleased smile.

Beside him, Kiyo, the head maid, was busy urging the other maids along. She shot Yon an irritated look.

“What are you grinning about? The rest of us are working ourselves to death.”

“I’m happy to see Lady Evelyn so delighted. If you’re that busy, shall I help you?”

“No, thanks. Lady Evelyn, my foot. When was the last time any of you even cared about her?”

Kiyo grumbled as she walked away, and Yon glanced after her.

Ever since she had discovered that Alpi was now receiving a higher salary than she was, Kiyo’s unpleasant temper had grown worse by the day.

‘She has no intention of changing her situation through her own efforts. Instead, she blames everyone else.’

If she had not been one of the maids brought into the household by the late Duchess, she would never have secured a position in this mansion in the first place.

The kind Duchess Jubel had always tried to reform even those who seemed utterly useless.

While the Duchess had been alive, things had been manageable. But after she was gone, the people she had left behind had become thorns in everyone’s sides.

‘And one of them must be Lady Adonea.’

Yon recalled seeing Adonea a few days earlier.

Adonea, who always wore a gentle expression, had been glaring coldly at someone. When Yon followed her gaze, he found Evelyn standing there.

Yon had worked for the ducal family for many years and had met all sorts of people. He prided himself on being an excellent judge of character.

And in his eyes, Adonea was someone to be wary of.

Of course, perhaps he was simply being overly cautious. But there was certainly no harm in being careful.

Yet those thoughts gradually slipped from Yon’s mind as he busied himself welcoming the Chantalis family members as they arrived one after another.

Once Sachi, Locke, and Adonea had all arrived, everyone who had gathered beforehand, including Evelyn, moved toward the center of the hall.

[I’m glad we could all gather like this again.]

Duke Chantalis looked over his five children with affection.

[Evelyn went through a difficult ordeal at the princess’s birthday party recently. Thank you all for doing your best for her.]

His gaze rested on Sachi, Locke, Oden, and Adonea in turn.

[But remember that, while Evelyn is still young, we are the only ones who can protect her.]

“…Yes, Father.”

Adonea lowered her head, her face pale beneath the duke’s reproachful gaze.

Evelyn looked at her and did not even feel the slightest bit of anger anymore.

‘That’s an act, too. I can tell without even watching closely now.’

[I’m not telling you to betray what you believe in. But until her wrongdoing has been clearly established, you must not blame Evelyn. Do you understand?]

Oden nodded.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Father.”

Duke Chantalis put an arm around Evelyn’s shoulders.

She felt warmth in his firm embrace.

[Now, then. We really should begin the birthday celebration. Evelyn, come up here.]

“Yes, Daddy.”

Holding Duke Chantalis’s hand, Evelyn walked toward the table piled high with presents.

She picked up the most conspicuous gift box.

A satisfied smile immediately appeared on the duke’s face.

[That’s the present I prepared for you. You have a good eye.]

“Really? I’m so excited!”

She wasn’t saying it just to be polite.

She had never received not only such an extravagant party, but also a gift filled with so much genuine affection.

With Duke Chantalis’s permission, Evelyn immediately tore open the wrapping paper.

Inside was a delicate ruby necklace and matching earrings made especially for her.

Evelyn’s mouth fell open at the scale of the unexpected gift.

‘What is this sparkle?! This looks ridiculously expensive. If I wear this outside, won’t I get kidnapped?!’

[Well? Do you like it?]

“Yes! I love it.”

Honestly, who could possibly dislike being given something expensive?

She simply couldn’t bring herself to smile too broadly because she was afraid she would look like a shameless materialist in front of someone who had put so much thought into her gift.

As she awkwardly lifted the necklace, Duke Chantalis approached her.

[Come here. I’ll put it on for you myself.]

“Father, let me do it. Women are better at putting on necklaces.”

Adonea smiled sweetly as she took the necklace from Evelyn’s hands.

The moment Adonea’s fingers brushed Evelyn’s neck, Evelyn instinctively flinched.

Adonea gave her an apologetic look.

“Evelyn, I’m sorry. My hands are really cold, aren’t they?”

“No, they’re not, Sister Adonea.”

‘Now I understand why you suddenly stepped in.’

The moment her hand touched Evelyn and she saw the fear flash across her face, Adonea must have felt a thrill of satisfaction.

Evelyn wanted nothing more than to tell everyone what had happened.

But if she started making accusations without proof, she would only fall straight into Adonea’s trap.

‘Besides, if I say anything now, it’ll ruin the mood of the whole birthday party.’

Evelyn decided to enjoy the day as much as she could.

Once she had put on the necklace and earrings, everyone gazed at her as though she were utterly adorable.

And she truly was.

Her cute features peeking out from beneath her veil, combined with the red dress and ruby necklace, made her impossible to look away from.

Evelyn twirled around in front of Duke Chantalis, who was smiling proudly.

“How do I look, Daddy?”

[Hmm. You’re absolutely adorable, Evelyn.]

The duke had been staring at her with his mouth hanging open like an idiot, but belatedly tried to compose himself and maintain his dignity.

Evelyn laughed at him.

The next present she opened was from Sachi.

“It’s nothing special. I just picked out a few books I thought you might like.”

The moment Evelyn tore open the wrapping, she grabbed both cheeks in delight.

“This! I’ve been wanting to read this forever! How did you even find a copy? It’s out of print!”

“I know quite a few scholars, so it wasn’t that difficult.”

Sachi, usually expressionless, blushed shyly for once.

Next came the presents from Locke and Oden.

Locke had given Evelyn a rabbit plushie, while Oden had prepared an elegant-looking quill.

“I asked the shopkeeper, and he said girls your age are like this sort of doll. I-I should’ve gotten you something more grown-up, shouldn’t I?”

“I heard you’ve been studying diligently lately, so I thought I’d get you a pen. If you don’t like it, you may throw it away.”

Evelyn looked into Sachi’s, Locke’s, and Oden’s eyes one after another.

‘Oh no. I’m genuinely touched.’

She hugged all the presents tightly against her chest.

Her voice trembled with emotion.

“Thank you so much, Brothers. I’ll never forget today. And I’m sorry. Because of me, everyone…”

A tear rolled down Evelyn’s cheek.

Startled, Evelyn slipped a hand beneath her veil and wiped at the corner of her eye.

This time, there was no pretense whatsoever.

She was truly moved.

“Did something get in my eye? Hehe…”

“Evelyn, are you all right?”

“…Locke, do you have a handkerchief?”

“Ah! E-Evelyn, here! Use this!”

Sachi, Oden, and Locke gathered around Evelyn.

Watching the three of them fuss over her in their own individual ways, Evelyn couldn’t help but smile.

‘Maybe, in a few years, we really will be close.’

“…Thank you. Really.”

[Evelyn, it’s too early to be this touched. There are still plenty of presents left for you to open.]

“Yes, Daddy.”

Adonea, who had been quietly watching the warm scene, stepped forward.

“Why don’t you open mine next, Evelyn? It’s the pink box over there.”

Adonea spoke gently.

Evelyn wasn’t particularly eager to do so, but she figured Adonea wouldn’t try anything in front of everyone.

She opened the pink box, revealing a small hairpin inside.

The moment Evelyn lifted it out, the smile vanished from Duke Chantalis’s face.

[That… Adonea, where did you find that pin?]

“Four years ago, before Mother passed away, she called me to her side and gave it to me herself.”

Adonea put on a sorrowful expression.

“I’ve kept it all this time because I couldn’t bear to forget Mother. But now… I don’t think I’m the rightful owner of this pin anymore. Evelyn, would you wear it for me?”

It was a delicate piece of jewelry, a branch-shaped metal design adorned with finely set gemstones.

Evelyn slightly lifted her veil and pinned it into her hair.

The moment her adorable face was revealed, even if only briefly, her brothers’ eyes were drawn to her.

“Yes. Thank you, Sister.”

Evelyn gave her a lovely smile.

Even Oden’s hardened heart stirred for a brief moment.

Oden hurriedly turned his head away.

But Adonea did not miss the turmoil in his heart. She watched him from nearby.

When no one else was looking, a cold smile briefly curled across Adonea’s lips before disappearing.

Evelyn, unaware of the expression she had missed, continued looking through the remaining presents.

Apart from the formal gifts sent by other dukes and high-ranking nobles, there were quite a few notable presents.

One of them was a gift sent by Derrion.