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Chapter : 9
“It’s lively.”
Kael muttered quietly while watching the busy people.
Those passing through the garden were walking faster than usual, their faces full of smiles.
Albert, who was pouring tea from a teapot, smiled faintly.
“I was actually about to ask you about something.”
“What is it?”
“They asked for permission to hold a small party from you, Master.”
“A party?”
Kael, who had been looking out the window, turned his head.
Most of his time was spent looking up at the sky. But recently, he had begun to look at other things as well.
Watching Hiazelki walk in the garden, or observing others working.
“What kind of party is it?”
Albert, who had approached with a teacup, handed it to Kael.
“Yuri mentioned that since the young lady arrived, her birthday has never been celebrated.”
“Birthday?”
“It’s an event where humans celebrate the day they were born.”
“Do you humans do that as well?”
“We don’t really hold parties for it. The chef usually just makes a small cake.”
“…I see.”
Kael took the teacup from Albert.
He realized he had lived among these people without even knowing such things.
“So, when is Hiazelki’s birthday?”
“The last day of the year, I believe.”
“Then there is still time.”
“Yuri said the young lady didn’t even know birthdays were something to be celebrated. She probably never had anyone celebrate it for her. So instead of waiting, she wants to hold a summer festival-like party. Cities usually have seasonal festivals as well.”
“…I see. Do as you wish, then.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Kael sipped his warm tea and looked out the window again.
It felt like it was the first time he had seen everyone working with such cheerful expressions.
Or perhaps, he had simply never paid attention before.
Kael stopped the butler who was about to leave.
“Ah, Albert.”
“Yes, Master.”
“How do you celebrate a birthday?”
“Pardon?”
Albert blinked, trying to understand the question.
“Ah… you say congratulations and give gifts. Sometimes people hold parties to celebrate together.”
“I see. You may go now.”
“Yes, Master.”
As Albert left, Kael looked up at the sky in silence.
‘A gift…’
After Kael gave permission, the busiest people were Lisa and Yuri.
Since it was summer and the weather was warm, they decided to hold the party in the garden.
They decorated the trees and structures with colorful ribbons.
Tables were filled with food prepared by the chef.
“Now we just need to bring the young lady, right? I’ll go get her.”
An excited maid tried to leave, but Lisa stopped her.
“Wait. Just stay here. She’ll come soon.”
The maid looked at Lisa’s meaningful smile in confusion.
The more the outside became lively, the harder it was for Hiazelki to stay seated.
Yuri gently smiled while patting her head as she kept fidgeting.
Her soft coral-pink hair tied into braids on both sides, and her amber-gold eyes shone brightly.
She wore a light orange-pink dress, making her look even cuter than usual.
Knock knock.
At the sound of knocking, Yuri whispered into Hiazelki’s ear that it was time.
“Yes!”
At her reply, the door opened.
“It’s already ready— ah, Master.”
Instead of a maid, Kael walked in.
“I was told the preparations are done. Let’s go.”
“Yes, the young lady is ready too.”
Hiazelki, now with a ribbon tied in her hair, stopped after a few steps.
“Papa?”
Kael was standing at the door, not moving.
Tilting her head, unsure why he was standing still, Hiazelki noticed Yuri behind him wildly signaling.
Yuri raised both hands above her head and pointed with her index finger.
‘Hand.’
Reading her lips clearly, it meant “hand.”
“Ah.”
Hiazelki quickly ran back to Kael and gently grabbed his hand.
“Let’s go.”
“Cough… yes.”
Only then did Kael start walking.
Yuri secretly smiled as she watched them.
The first time she saw Kael holding the child’s hand, she had been shocked.
He had walked stiffly with an expressionless face, holding her hand, and Yuri had been frozen in place for a long time.
But now, she was somewhat used to it.
He often went on walks with Hiazelki holding hands.
The past year had been peaceful.
Hiazelki had become more and more adorable.
And even Kael… seemed a little softer.
Following behind them, Yuri smiled faintly.
When they arrived at the decorated garden, Hiazelki immediately let go of Kael’s hand and ran forward.
Kael looked down at his empty hand with a slightly sulky expression, but only Yuri and Albert noticed.
“Wow! The garden is so pretty!”
“Right? Right?”
A maid beamed proudly at Hiazelki’s reaction.
The sunlit garden had shaded areas set up to avoid the heat.
Tables were filled with delicious food, and decorations made everything feel festive.
Everyone smiled as Hiazelki kept talking excitedly.
“It’s already past your birthday… and it’s still months until the next one, so we prepared a summer festival instead.”
Hiazelki ran to Yuri and hugged her tightly.
“A city summer festival? This is my first time!”
“The city festivals are even bigger. The whole streets are decorated beautifully.”
“Really? Even more than this? Wow…”
Imagining it, Hiazelki looked around the decorated garden.
“Enjoy yourself.”
Kael gently patted her head and moved to the shade.
Sitting down on a blanket, he leaned against a tree and watched her quietly.
“Try this, young lady.”
“It’s delicious!”
Surrounded by maids and the chef, even the sight of her stuffing her cheeks with food was adorable.
“Would you like tea?”
Albert asked as he approached.
“No.”
Just watching was enough.
“Humans seem to like festivals. Every year, they go through so much trouble for the seasons.”
“For you, Master, a year must feel very short.”
“It is not long for humans either, when you consider their entire lives.”
“Yes, that is probably true.”
Albert smiled softly and looked back at Hiazelki surrounded by maids.
“But for the young lady, it will not feel short. It is different for children.”
“…I see.”
In the northern barren land, inside the towering castle—
For the first time since the Dragon of Judgment descended to the world…
Laughter filled the garden.
Step. Step.
A man’s footsteps paused as he approached the garden.
“This is rare. I hear laughter.”
He murmured quietly and began walking again.
“Try this too, young lady!”
“I’m full now!”
“Just a bite! Just one! I made this especially for you!”
A small child with pink hair and golden amber eyes was arguing playfully with the chef over a cake.
Everyone around her was smiling.
Kael sat calmly in the shade.
And then—he appeared.
“I’m here!”
At the loud voice, Hiazelki turned around.
All eyes shifted toward the entrance.
The man smiled while adjusting his braided green hair, clearly satisfied with the attention.
Everyone looked shocked.
Except Kael, who frowned in irritation.
“Oh, wow. That glare is quite welcoming for a long time apart!”
“Shut up.”
Only Kael looked annoyed.
“Gi, Ziel-nim? What brings you here…?”
Albert stammered.
“I don’t know since when this guy has been freely entering my castle.”
Kael clicked his tongue sharply.
The man had braided green hair and red eyes just like Kael.
Tanned skin and a mischievous expression.
Hiazelki hesitated.
‘Weird.’
Somehow, he felt similar to Kael.
And also similar to Siel, who had brought her here.
“This way, please. Would you like tea?”
“Or something stronger would be better.”
At his cheerful smile, one maid quickly ran off.
Ziel walked toward Kael, then stopped when he noticed Hiazelki staring at him.
He smiled brightly.
Then he changed direction and headed toward her instead of Kael.
“What is this? This cute little creature? You really are raising a human child!”
Kael suddenly stood up.
“Don’t get close.”
Ziel ignored him and leaned toward Hiazelki.
“Hello? I’m Ziel, the Dragon of Earth. I was supposed to come earlier, but I had work. I thought it would be fine since you had been taking care of the child for over a year.”
Hiazelki looked up and covered her mouth in excitement.
“Dragon of Earth? The green dragon? From books?”
“Oh? Yes, yes. I suppose I appear in human books somewhere. I am a dragon, after all.”
“I read that the Dragon of Earth is the savior of farmers!”
Ziel covered his mouth dramatically.
“W-what is this? How can something this cute exist?! I’m going to fall for her too!”
“Stop talking nonsense and leave.”
“Hey! I just arrived!”
“That is enough. Go back. Hia, come here.”
“Hia? Is your name Hia?”
Kael clicked his tongue as if annoyed.
“Hia is a nickname.”
“It’s my nickname!”
“Child, stop talking nonsense and come here.”
Hiazelki quickly ran back to Kael.
“Albert, where is the alcohol? Ah, so what is her name?”
“Hiazelki.”
