DHDF 43

chapter 43

“…Not bad.”

After a brief silence, Laot spoke.

Although both Laot and Ritema tended to be transparent with their thoughts, there was a clear difference between the two.

The third son displayed positive emotions, while the second son didn’t hide his negative ones.

“So, it seems like he’s being sincere.”

There was no doubt. I had already figured out that he never spoke empty words.

Rubbing my tingling fingers, I asked,

“What part exactly? Please tell me precisely.”

Of course, I couldn’t help feeling excited. It meant that I could learn magic myself.

Laot smoothed his lips, as if organizing his thoughts, and spoke again.

“Your mana reacts quickly. Almost like a proper mage.”

“That’s an unusual case, right?”

“It’s not extremely rare, but it’s not common either.”

In other words, I had talent. My heart swelled with excitement, and I hugged the sofa cushion tightly because I couldn’t express it any other way.

“But just that alone isn’t enough.”

Laot said I was like someone dipping their hand into a stream.

I had to be able to scoop up the water completely in my hands.

I understood what he meant, though it didn’t quite sink in.

“I see. So, what should I do?”

“You just have to keep practicing.”

“Ah, I see.”

I had already been told: Laot wasn’t exactly skilled at teaching.

I couldn’t exactly ask the Grand Duke for help either. Seeing him even once a day was difficult, so how could I ask him to make time?

“And I don’t feel like asking someone else to teach me either.”

In the end, I had to learn it on my own.

Maybe I could manage it somehow before leaving the mansion.

After trying a few times in the lab and getting tired, I returned to my room.

“You didn’t have much luck, did you, Miss?”

Rosaline spoke as she served madeleines and warm milk for a snack.

I could manage black tea now, but I still preferred milk or juice.

“Don’t be too discouraged. From what I know, most of the Empire’s citizens can’t even sense mana,” she added.

Quickly, before her misunderstanding deepened, I spoke up.

“No, it’s just immature, but I did sense mana.”

“Oh my! Really?”

“Honestly, I’m not sure, but Laot said so.”

Since I had never even handled a magical tool before, I thought myself lucky in this situation.

Rosaline kept exclaiming how amazing it was, and I realized she probably found my reaction a bit dull.

“Instead of that, let’s have a small celebration.”

The guest list was quickly decided.

Rosaline, the butler, the head maid, a few servants I had grown close to, Ritema… and Laot was put on hold for now.

“I’ll ask the kitchen staff to prepare it quickly. Oh, by the way…”

Rosaline’s tone became noticeably awkward.

“When is your birthday, Miss?”

I blinked slowly.

Birthday… The concept was unfamiliar, and I felt a little dazed.

The orphanage didn’t really celebrate birthdays, so naturally, no one remembered theirs.

“Ah… except Margaret and her brother.”

I recalled Margaret, who proudly showed off her new gifts for days on end, sometimes wanting to break them out of envy, and I nearly frowned at the thought.

I couldn’t just dismiss it as “I don’t know,” because Rosaline would definitely get suspicious.

She didn’t seem to know I was an orphan, so my behavior might have changed her perception.

“Hmm, November…”

I didn’t know the exact date, so I threw out a number.

“The 30th.”

Rosaline’s face darkened slightly.

I thought she might have noticed I made it up on the spot, but she just said okay and left the room.

After that, nothing changed, and I relaxed and completely forgot about it.

I often woke up at least once during the night without sleeping through, and that day was no different.

Ah, but the moment I opened my eyes, I met Ritema’s blue gaze.

“Good morning, Verjene.”

Ritema seemed overly sensitive to my presence, almost as if she had followed me awake rather than just waiting.

“What brings you here so suddenly this time?”

“I wanted to be the first to tell you.”

Because of that, I caught her words a beat late.

“Happy birthday, Verjene. I’m glad I can spend today with you.”

Ah… This was unmistakable affection.

I burst into laughter.

It was strange. How could Ritema be so certain?

What drew her to me…

I didn’t ask. I knew that hearing the answer would only affect my judgment.

“So this is as far as I go.”

Riterra would open the door anytime, but it would be difficult to leave again, and I knew it.

“Thank you. I’m happy too.”

Honestly, it wasn’t even my birthday, but I didn’t want to ruin the mood by telling her.

Still, thanks to her, I felt more refreshed than usual that morning.

Rosaline’s news about my birthday didn’t only reach Ritema.

I hadn’t heard anything, but a carriage entered the mansion. It was Carlin.

I immediately went to find her.

“You returned safely?”

“How much I wish I could say yes…”

“You had a difficult time, didn’t you?”

“How could I work properly without Verjene nearby?”

Carlin sighed, one hand on her forehead. Despite her cold appearance, she had a sly side.

It seemed true that she hadn’t finished her work.

“When will you return?”

“I plan to leave at sunrise tomorrow.”

Her schedule was extremely tight.

Then why had she returned midway?

“Wouldn’t that be exhausting?”

“Still, I had to see the protagonist of a special day.”

Sure enough, it was true.

Carlin spoke calmly, as if it were nothing, but to the listener, it felt different.

It was embarrassing. Not unpleasant, just… it made me realize how nice it felt to be cared for.

“…Thank you.”

“Oh my, only this much? I also brought a gift, so you can look forward to it.”

Carlin wasn’t the only one with gifts. When I returned to my room, more packages had arrived.

Among them, surprisingly, was a set from Aete—a teacup set made by a famous artisan.

They said it could detect poison. When I held it in my hands, the green patterns on the cup slowly turned purple.

Even the short letter inside was neatly and elegantly written:

“Word has reached me that the young lady’s birthday is approaching.

I regret not being able to convey my congratulations in person.

I hope, above all, that you spend a peaceful day.”

The Grand Duke gave me documents, including a land deed.

He said he found a decent property on the way home and bought it immediately.

“It’ll surely be useful. You can inspect it yourself later, Berry. You could build a building there or sell it. Arthur will help.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. I like it.”

Unexpectedly, I became a landowner. The area was larger than I imagined.

I hoped the Grand Duke considered it a trivial purchase, so I could accept it without burden.

“When I saw it, it reminded me of Verjene immediately.”

Carlin had prepared a fountain pen set.

My current pens were already high-quality, but after trying the fountain pen, I knew I wouldn’t go back.

It even had my initials engraved on it.

“I think I’ll only use this pen from now on. Thank you.”

Ritema’s gift was a dagger.

It was light enough to wield and sharp enough to cut.

I could guess how she chose it, and it made me feel strangely pleased.

“I thought you might need a self-defense item. It can deal a lethal blow if used correctly.”

She even offered to teach me the vital points if I wanted.

“I’ll carry it with me always.”

It wouldn’t be easy to find someone watching a child closely, so I could strike while they’re unguarded.

With my “curse” added, it might be even more effective.

I immediately packed the dagger.

“…It’s nothing much, but…”

Even Laot, whom I hadn’t expected, handed me a gift.

It was an aroma diffuser to aid sleep.

“Use it if you need it.”

It seemed Laot had trouble sleeping.

The scent naturally made me smile.

“I’ll put it to good use.”

I thought whimsically, like a child, that I wished every day could be my birthday.