~Chapter 106~
The birthday party officially began.
“Thank you to everyone who came to Lady Hartmann’s birthday party.”
At the long table sat me, the four male leads, Finn, Emily, the Countess Elina’s daughter, and a few young ladies from her group.
It was small in scale, but truly only close people were invited—a very intimate birthday party.
Sophie bowed politely before speaking again.
“First, we will begin with the meal. Since our guests are so precious, only the finest dishes have been prepared.”
As soon as she finished, the chef appeared, pushing a cart filled with ingredients and utensils.
“Greetings, I am the chef of the Hartmann estate. Today, I will personally be in charge of the meal.”
“This… feels like omakase.”
In my past life, omakase had been popular, though I never went. Who would have thought I’d experience it here?
The chef, dressed in a white apron, began serving food one by one.
“For the appetizer, we have pâté with crackers. The venison has been aged in Amarone wine to bring out the luxurious flavor.”
He carefully placed slices of pâté onto my plate. Then, attendants swiftly served everyone at the table.
The young ladies’ eyes widened after tasting it.
“Goodness… This is the best appetizer I’ve ever had.”
“I know, right? I’ve never had pâté this rich before.”
Of all people, it was Finn whose eyes shone the brightest.
Sitting properly beside Harry, Finn widened his eyes as he took a bite.
“Wow… it’s so delicious…”
It must have been his first time eating something like this. He looked like he had discovered a whole new world.
Emily and Harry, too, tasted the dish with sparkling eyes.
‘It really is good. The chef must have put in extra effort today.’
Glancing sideways, even Albert—who had surely tasted countless fine dishes—was carefully savoring it with a serious expression.
“Next, I will be serving the main dishes…”
The chef continued, presenting dish after dish.
After the appetizers came main courses: goat ragout, roasted salmon, and more, all made from high-quality ingredients, delighting everyone’s taste.
“It’s us who should be thankful, being able to eat such delicious food at this party.”
“Exactly. The chef’s skill seems to be at its peak today. It’s such a relief that it suits the young ladies’ taste.”
Then someone asked:
“But Lady Hartmann, why did you decide to host a birthday party this year?”
“Yes, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you hold one before.”
One young lady looked at me curiously, and another chimed in.
“Haha…”
I laughed awkwardly.
It wasn’t my idea—Sophie had taken the lead.
“Well, I guess… this year, so much has changed in my relationships with people. I just felt like celebrating my birthday together.”
In truth, Irene had never once held her own birthday party.
‘I remember reading that she hated birthdays.’
The real Irene, trapped in this body, must have found her limited life span unbearably cruel.
While other nobles celebrated grand and splendid birthdays, she probably just hid under her blanket and cried each year.
I didn’t even have to see it—I knew it, because I had done the same in my past life.
‘Really, the original Irene was such a pitiful soul…’
If only I could grant the wish of the real Irene whose body I had possessed…
“Lady Hartmann, you’re so good at hosting a party like this. Why have you never done it before?”
“Yes! When I told people I got invited to your birthday party, everyone in society was so jealous.”
“Next time, make it even bigger! We want to celebrate with you alongside more people.”
“Alright, I understand. Next time, I’ll try holding a bigger one.”
I answered with a smile.
…Though, the truth is, there may not even be a next birthday for me.
But I swallowed those words back.
After the meal, the tea time continued.
Three-tiered trays of desserts were brought out in a row, and many kinds of black tea were prepared so guests could choose what they liked.
“…Somehow, the atmosphere feels strangely heavy.”
Even though the party was already in full swing, I could sense the mood was low.
Maybe it was because of the recent magic check? The male leads especially were unusually quiet.
Even Eric, who was usually talkative, was silent today.
“Ahem, we’ll step out to the restroom for a bit.”
The Countess Elina’s daughter glanced at me before standing up. Then all the young ladies followed her out together.
And just like that, the mood dropped even further.
“Anyway… happy birthday, Lady Hartmann.”
The brightest among them was Harry.
Harry still didn’t know the results of my magic test.
He stood up, came over to me, and handed me something.
“It’s nothing grand… just a picture I drew to celebrate your birthday.”
“…Oh my goodness.”
I let out a small gasp.
On the small canvas Harry gave me was none other than my portrait.
It was so vivid, it felt as though I had been sitting there as his model.
“Harry, I’ve never posed for you. How did you draw me so perfectly?”
“I painted you from memory. My skill isn’t good enough yet to capture you completely.”
“Not good enough? …That’s the most modest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I smiled and shook my head.
How could he draw so delicately if he lacked skill?
It wasn’t just a careful portrait—his feelings toward me were painted right into it.
Like his travel landscapes, this painting of me was also filled with warmth.
“Lady Hartmann, happy birthday! This is my gift.”
Following Harry, Finn came over and shyly handed me a sheet of paper.
“What’s this?”
“I’ve read a lot of travel books. So I wrote down the places I want to go with you, once you’re cured.”
The paper was filled with a list of travel destinations, written in his still slightly clumsy handwriting.
“…Ah.”
I bit my lip and let out a soft sigh.
Albert, sitting beside me, opened his mouth as if to say something.
“That kind of—”
“Albert.”
I quickly grabbed his arm. With just the movement of my lips, hidden from Finn, I told him:
‘I’m fine.’
I still didn’t want Finn to know—that my test results had been so hopeless.
I smiled brightly again and turned back to Finn.
“Finn, you’ve been reading a lot, huh? Your writing has improved so much. Even your letters look neat now.”
“Yes. Hehe. It’s all thanks to your teaching, Lady Hartmann. And also…”
Finn grinned wide.
“I have a dream now. I’m going to be a writer!”
“A writer?”
I widened my eyes. Finn nodded firmly.
“Yes. Just like my brother brightens the world with his paintings, I want to brighten it with my words.”
Then he cupped his small hands around my ear and whispered.
“Actually, I decided to follow Emily. She’s amazing. She’s also a writer.”
“Finn…?”
Hearing her name, Emily tilted her head, sensing he had been talking about her.
I turned to Emily with a gentle smile.
‘So Harry and Emily have grown close… and even Finn has joined them.’
I had often put them together while making them do chores around the estate. Now, they were really connecting.
‘Maybe… in this story, the heroine and the male leads are finding their own bonds in their own way.’
And once Emily awakened, everything between them might truly shift in an instant.
Just then, I suddenly remembered something I had completely forgotten.
