🔊 TTS Settings
CHAPTER 30
Etisha was so absorbed in admiring the paintings that she didn’t even notice Kaiyen approaching until he was right next to her.
“What are you doing here all alone?”
“Oh, I… I got lost somehow. I forgot to come out with the maids.”
“I see. Then allow me to guide you back.”
Kaiyen offered Etisha his arm to escort her. But Etisha hesitated instead of taking it. She wanted to look at Kaiyen’s portrait a little longer.
“Would it be alright if I stayed just a bit longer to look at the paintings?”
“……”
Kaiyen silently lowered his arm. Feeling more at ease, Etisha studied his portrait carefully. Then she noticed something surprising.
“?”
Her gaze stopped on the metal plaque beneath the portrait. It displayed Kaiyen’s name and birthdate.
[Varus Year 1, 5 Gods 7 Saints]
“Varus Year 1” referred to the first year of Emperor Varus’ reign in the Ignivan Empire. “5 Gods 7 Saints” meant the 5th deity among the twelve, and the 7th saint among the thirty.
Which meant…
“Your Grace! Is tomorrow your birthday?”
If Etisha’s memory was correct, today was 5 Gods 6 Saints. So tomorrow—5 Gods 7 Saints—was Kaiyen’s birthday.
She was so shocked, she covered her mouth and looked up at Kaiyen.
Unbelievable.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow is Kaiyen’s birthday.
In the Ignivan Empire, even the most insignificant nobles observed their birthdays. It was tradition to hold a party, invite guests, and receive blessings for the coming year.
So if tomorrow was Kaiyen’s birthday, naturally, there should be a party.
“I’m so sorry, Your Grace. I had no idea there was going to be a party. No one told me anything…”
This was bad. She hadn’t prepared a gift.
Seeing Etisha flustered, Kaiyen lowered his gaze quietly.
“It’s alright, Miss Etisha.”
“…What?”
“No one failed to inform you. It’s just that I don’t have birthday parties.”
“…?”
“I’ve never celebrated my birthday since I was a child. This year will be no different.”
“Since you were a child? Then last year too…?”
“Yes.”
“And the year before that?”
“Yes.”
Etisha looked at him carefully. She couldn’t quite understand.
‘The Duke of Wintel doesn’t celebrate his birthday? Why? Is there some reason…?’
If there was a reason, could she even ask? After some hesitation, Etisha cautiously spoke.
“Birthdays are special. They only come once a year. Why don’t you celebrate it?”
“……”
Kaiyen didn’t answer. Instead, he quietly extended his arm again to escort her. Etisha gently placed her hand on his arm.
As they walked past the portraits, a heavy silence lingered between them. Eventually, Kaiyen gave a brief answer.
“I simply don’t want to waste time on troublesome matters.”
Troublesome matters…
‘Larianne used to go all out for her birthday parties, but the Duke is the complete opposite.’
But in the Ignivan Empire, birthdays held more meaning than just a banquet. They marked a symbolic start to a year of blessings.
Etisha glanced at him.
‘I want to bless him too.’
She couldn’t shake the feeling.
‘I won’t be alive a year from now. This is my only chance to celebrate his birthday.’
If she didn’t do something this year, she’d never get another chance.
She couldn’t let the birthday of the man who had saved her pass by unnoticed.
“Your Grace, then… may I ask something?”
Etisha summoned the courage to speak. Normally, she wouldn’t have dared, but knowing she had little time left pushed her forward.
“If it’s something that isn’t troublesome… would that be alright? It wouldn’t take much of your time.”
“Miss Etisha. I’m not sure I follow.”
“I just… now that I know tomorrow is your birthday, I can’t pretend I don’t. You’ve helped me so much, and you’ve given me many gifts too.”
“……”
“So I want to give you something in return—even if it’s just something small.”
Kaiyen’s pace slowed slightly. He seemed to understand why she was saying this.
“Oh—I’m not suggesting a party. Just… maybe something simple. Just the two of us, a quiet celebration.”
“……”
“Just one hour. No—thirty minutes? Even ten minutes would be fine.”
Kaiyen looked at Etisha’s unsure expression. Her pink hair, blue eyes, that gentle face. It brought back a memory.
Her childlike joy when they bought candy at the shop.
Her bright and excited smile…
He asked impulsively,
“Is my birthday really that important to you, Miss Etisha?”
“Huh? Of course it is.”
“Why?”
“Because… I won’t be by your side next year.”
Kaiyen clicked his tongue. He wasn’t sure what kind of answer he expected when he asked.
“Do as you wish.”
“…Pardon?”
“You asked for time. Would an hour suffice?”
It was a purely impulsive answer.
Even Kaiyen himself wasn’t sure why he had agreed.
“Ah…”
But the next moment, he vaguely realized the reason.
“Thank you.”
That five-letter phrase felt as familiar now as a carved mark in his mind. And Etisha’s expression brightened with those words.
Not her usual calm expression, but a glowing, delighted one.
Her blue eyes curved, her soft lips lifted.
It was like watching magic in slow motion.
Her face, when she picked candy. Her face, when she stood in the snowy field.
Etisha’s expressions, full of genuine joy—Kaiyen quietly gazed down at her.
“Really… thank you, Your Grace.”
If Etisha hadn’t bowed to thank him, if her expression hadn’t been hidden, Kaiyen might never have been able to look away.
“It’s nothing.”
Kaiyen turned his gaze away from the bowed Etisha.
As they walked, his arm lightly tensed where it met hers.
‘Another useless decision.’
Even while regretting it, he didn’t take back his promise.
As they continued walking, the familiar central staircase came into view. In the distance, her maids could be seen searching for her.
Kaiyen released her hand.
“I see your maids. They can escort you the rest of the way.”
“Yes, Your Grace. I’ll make sure to learn the castle layout quickly so I don’t get lost again.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard.”
With that, Kaiyen left her side. He seemed to be heading straight to his office.
Etisha watched his retreating figure before turning to join her maids.
“Young Lady!”
The maids were visibly surprised to see Etisha reappear with the Duke.
‘How affectionate they are… always together, never apart.’
Somehow, today’s encounter was sure to be added to the swirling rumors surrounding Etisha.
The next morning, as dawn broke, Etisha woke earlier than usual.
She glanced at the bed beside her just in case—but Kaiyen had already left, as always.
‘How little sleep does he get? I’ve never once seen him sleeping.’
Etisha stretched and yawned softly. She was still sleepy, but there was no time to laze around.
Today was 5 Gods 7 Saints. Kaiyen’s birthday.
Etisha threw off her blanket and went to the curtain hanging on the bedroom wall. She pulled the string adorned with pearls, and a bell rang to summon Marin, her personal maid.
While waiting, Etisha mentally reviewed her plan for the day.
‘I need to prepare a birthday gift for the Duke.’
If she had more time, she might’ve invited a merchant into the Wintel Castle and browsed at leisure. But with today being the actual birthday, there was no time.
Etisha decided she would go out herself and visit a salon where merchants displayed their goods.
‘When I lived in the capital, I often ran errands for Larianne, visiting salons. I can handle this.’
Soon, Marin arrived with washwater. With her help, Etisha washed up and got dressed.
“Young Lady, are you going out today?”
“Yes, Marin. I’m planning to visit the shopping district outside the castle.”
“Outside? You’re not going alone, are you?”
Marin’s eyes widened. Etisha smiled gently and shook her head.
“Of course not. I get lost even inside the castle. Imagine if I went outside alone.”
“Then you’ll need someone to guide you. I’ll go inform the head maid right away!”
Marin rushed out. Left alone, Etisha began to worry.
‘What do you gift someone like the Duke—who already has everything…?’
Something expensive wouldn’t impress him. Especially not jewelry.
‘He once referred to jewels as “overpriced rocks.”’
She recalled receiving the Angel’s Heart from him and eliminated jewels from her list.
‘Would he prefer something functional or practical instead?’
Like… a sword, maybe?
She thought of his nickname—The Sword of the North. She had heard countless tales of his skill.
But giving a sword felt out of her depth.
‘I don’t know anything about swords. I’d only be giving him a burden.’
Decorative swords felt equally meaningless—not at all practical or functional.
‘What about something delicious?’
No, definitely not.
Kaiyen had luxurious meals every day. He wouldn’t be impressed by street food.
‘Ugh… This is harder than I thought.’
