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CHAPTER 97…………………………….
From early morning, the entire mansion was bustling.
In the kitchen, they were preparing Piace’s birthday meal, and the maids were setting up tables in the garden.
Balloons were tied around the tables, and a wide canopy was spread overhead to block the blazing sunlight.
Ice sculptures were placed here and there.
From the small fountain in the center flowed milkshakes and chocolate instead of champagne, and a giant bear-shaped cookie, as big as a child, stood proudly beside it.
That giant bear cookie was a special creation the head chef had been working on for two weeks just for today.
Watching the preparations from the terrace, Leonhart raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sun.
“It feels more crowded than usual. I even see some unfamiliar faces.”
“The butler hired extra workers. He must’ve thought we’d be short-handed.”
“This is more extravagant than a royal banquet.”
Indeed, for a child’s birthday party, it was extravagant beyond reason.
“Well, she’s Ivrante’s daughter. We have to do at least this much.”
“I didn’t realize Piace had this many friends.”
“Friend or not, anyone who received an invitation will come. When else would they get a chance to step foot in the Ivrante estate?”
“There are too many people. An assassin could slip in.”
“I know.”
Leonhart turned his gaze toward me.
“Aren’t you afraid?”
“If I avoided every possible danger, I’d miss out on the things that truly matter. Piace’s birthday is one of those things for me.”
I wanted to show Piace what a real birthday party looked like.
So what if it was a little extravagant? I had more than enough money.
And I wasn’t without my own safeguards.
[Rian, the barrier around the mansion is complete.]
[But we can’t do anything about those who are already inside. Please stay alert.]
[Relax. The gnomes and I will keep a damn close watch on everyone inside. Right, Gnome?]
[(Nods.)]
The spirits were wide-eyed and vigilant, protecting me.
And if an assassin still managed to get through?
That was fine. I had Leonhart.
“Your Highness, I’m counting on you today. Please guard me well — I’m your future fiancée, after all.”
Leonhart’s brow creased slightly.
By now, you’d think he’d have accepted it as fate, but he still didn’t look happy whenever the engagement was mentioned.
“By the way, where’s Della? I haven’t seen her lately.”
I naturally lifted my teacup to hide my expression.
“Hmm… I wonder? Did you ask Piace?”
“I did, and she scolded me.”
“She… scolded you?”
“She said Della’s not a servant but a friend. And her name isn’t Della — it’s Kkamang.”
“O-oh, I see.”
“I don’t think she’s really raising Kkamang either. You didn’t know?”
“No. I suppose the crow dislikes being confined — too wild by nature.”
“She doesn’t seem worried, though. If it were me, I’d make sure it could never escape.”
Yeah, you are a bit obsessive — you once tied up my legs while I was unconscious.
As we chatted, the butler came to inform us that Russfel and Owen had arrived.
“What a perfect day for a party.”
“Professor Russfel, welcome.”
“Your Highness, Duke — this party is magnificent! When does it begin?”
“Owen, sit here. It starts at noon.”
As noon approached, guests began to arrive one after another.
“Wow! Piace’s house is huge!”
“My dad said the witch professor’s richer than the Emperor himself.”
“Gasp! Really?”
Leonhart pointed toward something.
“What’s that?”
“Your Highness, what are you— oh, that? It’s the Duke’s gift for the little one.”
Owen asked in awe.
“It’s enormous! What is it?”
“A hideout. Or something like that.”
“Where could he even buy something like that?”
“The Duke designed it himself and hired a carpenter to build it. I helped too.”
“You did, Professor Russfel? What did you do?”
At Owen’s question, Russfel began to explain in detail.
“When you open the door, the lights come on and a music box plays a melody. You can choose between scenes — the sea, a forest, drifting clouds. I also made a magic chest for treasures and another that endlessly produces cookies.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Hmph, well, I am amazing.”
“No, I meant the Duke.”
“…”
Owen’s innocent remark shut Russfel right up.
“Duke, how did you even think of a gift like that? I could never imagine such a thing.”
Children love having a secret space that adults can’t intrude upon.
At least, I did.
Of course, Piace had her own bedroom, but with maids coming and going, it wasn’t exactly her space.
“After seeing the Duke’s gift, I’m losing confidence in mine. I wonder if Piace will even like it…”
“What did you bring?”
“A butterfly-shaped necklace. I asked the High Priest to bless it as a sacred item.”
“She likes you, so she’ll like the gift too. What about you, Professor Russfel?”
“Fireworks — and a children’s version of The Correlation Between Magic and Geometry.”
Everyone burst out laughing.
Leonhart sighed softly and scolded Owen.
“Owen, you should’ve stopped him.”
“Your Highness, do you think I didn’t try? I told him kids wouldn’t like it, but he insisted Piace was different.”
Just then, the spirits’ voices rang in my head.
[Rian! We got Piace a present too!]
[We couldn’t get the King’s blessing, so we brought this instead.]
[Damn near died stealing it from the King’s vault. Right, Gnome?]
[(Nods.)]
The Spirit King, as a being of balance, couldn’t bless a specific individual.
I’d already suspected as much.
But still…
‘You crazy idiots! You actually robbed the Spirit King’s vault?! What if you’d been caught?!’
I couldn’t really judge them by human standards, but still — giving stolen goods as a gift?
‘So that trip to the Spirit Realm yesterday was a heist? Unbelievable… I’ll have to make them return it.’
[But you should’ve seen it! The King’s vault had everything! We should’ve taken more. No one would’ve noticed anyway.]
[True, there was so much. But the Phoenix Feather we brought is quite a treasure itself.]
[Not quite — it’s insanely great! How could a human ever get a Phoenix Feather — a symbol of life and rebirth? Right, Gnome?]
[(Nods.)]
‘A… Phoenix Feather?!’
I didn’t know exactly what it was, but the name alone sounded extraordinary.
It would surely bring Piace immense good fortune.
‘…Maybe I’ll let it slide just this once.’
They said the vault was overflowing with treasures — what’s one missing feather?
Besides, the Spirit King must already know.
If He allowed the feather to reach Piace, then it must be fine.
Russfel turned to Leonhart.
“Your Highness, what did you prepare?”
“A Ring of Protection.”
“…Huh?”
“A Ring of Protection. You’ve never heard of it?”
The Ring of Protection was a symbol bestowed by the Imperial Family — given only to royal children to show the Empire’s guardianship.
Everyone stared in shock, but Leonhart just shrugged.
“What’s with those looks? She’ll be my daughter in two months anyway. I’m just giving it early.”
He said it casually, but the gesture was anything but trivial.
The Empire never adopted commoners, and even if it did, the ring was reserved solely for direct royal bloodlines.
Owen gasped.
“If Piace wanted, she could practically conquer the world! That’s incredible!”
Her father-to-be: the third prince Leonhart, strongest candidate for Crown Prince.
Her godfather: master mage Russfel.
Her teacher: Owen, a key priest from the temple.
And she had the temple’s covert support, imperial protection, and now — a Phoenix Feather.
It all added up to one simple truth:
Touch this child, and you die.
‘I was worried because Piace doesn’t have much physical strength, but with all this protection… Perfect.’
Just as I smiled to myself in satisfaction, Piace entered the drawing room.
“D-Duke!”
She wore a white dress with delicate blue embroidery and a cute lace ribbon at her neck — the perfect picture of a birthday girl.
“Piace, are you all ready?”
“Yes! D-Duke, you’re coming too, right?”
[Stage 3: (Irritably) Piace, don’t you know I dislike noisy places?]
Ugh, stupid author. Couldn’t you have written a nicer line for once? It’s her birthday!
But I followed the script anyway — better than risking a penalty and being barred from the party.
I just hoped Piace wouldn’t take it too hard…
“Piace, don’t you know I dislike noisy places?”
As I spoke, I quickly gauged the mood.
I expected glares, maybe a scolding for being too harsh with a child.
But everyone’s reaction was… different.
They looked completely unfazed, as if my words didn’t matter.
Even Piace herself.
“Oh, I know! D-Duke likes quiet places!”
She nodded vigorously, completely unbothered, and grabbed my fingers, swinging them gently.
“W-we’ll play really quietly! So please, come, okay?”
[Stage 3: (Coldly shakes off the child’s hand) Don’t be troublesome.]
“Don’t be troublesome.”
I followed the line, brushing her hand away — but as I did, I gently tapped her head.
“I’ll come if I can. Now go on — your friends are waiting.”
“Huh? A-are they all here already?”
Piace leaned over the terrace railing, scanning the garden below.
One of her friends must’ve spotted her, waving excitedly.
“Piace! Come down!”
“Tann! O-okay! I’m coming!”
In a rush of excitement, Piace dashed off.
“D-Duke! If you got an invitation, you have to come! That’s the rule! You too, Your Highness, and Godfather, and O-Owen!”
As she reached the garden, her friends surrounded her immediately.
“Happy birthday, Piace! Here’s your present!”
“Piace! Mine too! Your house is amazing!”
“Piace! Can I eat this?”
The children’s laughter echoed all the way to the terrace.
“Duke, shall we begin?”
“Let’s.”
At my nod, Russfel formed a spell gesture.
Bang! Bang bang! Bang bang bang!
Brilliant fireworks burst into the sky, transforming into shapes of animals.
“Waaah…”
The children stared up in awe.
It was the beginning of a moment they would never forget.
