CHAPTER 68…………………………………………………………………
“A birthday party?”
At Grandma Margo’s words, Grandpa blinked his eyes wide in surprise.
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
I rolled my eyes restlessly, feeling oddly uncomfortable.
Really, how strange.
Why is no one questioning the fact that no one even bothered to greet Grandpa properly?
Even Dad Derek is just standing there silently!
“The child’s birthday was a few days ago,” Grandma Margo said confidently, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
I froze in panic.
‘No, wait—calling it a few days is way off!’
A few days? It’s been weeks!
Words matter, Grandma!
“Her birthday…”
Grandpa muttered seriously, clearly taking it to heart.
“…I can’t believe I never asked something so important.”
No, no—hold on.
It’s already over; can’t he just ask later?
Does he really have to look that grave about it?
No matter how I think about it, I’m sure he doesn’t.
“Um, excuse me!”
Finally, unable to stand the atmosphere any longer, I shouted to cut in.
This had to be stopped!
“I already had a birthday party with Mom and Dad!”
And once I started, the words tumbled out all at once.
“I got presents, and Mom even made me a cake! I blew out the candles too!”
And at that moment… I realized the horrifying consequence of my own confession.
Anyway.
“So, I really did everything already—it’s totally fine…”
“My dear,” Grandma Margo said gently, kneeling down to meet my eyes with a warm smile.
“But we weren’t there, were we?”
“Huh?”
“Yes. Even I wasn’t invited.”
“Wait—what?”
Hold on a second.
Is that where this is going?
“Listen carefully, dear,” Grandma said kindly, stroking my cheek.
“It’s customary to keep celebrating your birthday for about a month before and after, you know.”
What kind of law is that supposed to be?
‘I’m not an idiot!’
No matter how kind and persuasive she sounded, I wasn’t falling for it.
“And when an opportunity like this comes along, you should know how to seize it,” she continued, trying to persuade me.
“There are terrible things in the Imperial Capital, but also many wonderful ones. Let’s go together and pick something nice.”
“No.”
Grandpa interrupted, looking stern.
“I will not allow you to take the child out alone.”
“Are you blind? Can’t you see her guardian is right here?”
“That’s not what I meant… I’m saying we should do it differently.”
Uh oh.
I have a bad feeling about this.
“We’ll hold the party here.”
Grandpa lifted his chin proudly as he declared it.
I slapped my forehead.
I knew it.
“Oh? Quite confident, aren’t we?”
“Of course. It’s my granddaughter’s first birthday with us — it must be celebrated properly.”
At his words, Grandma’s brow twitched slightly.
“I’m honored that Your Majesty would take my granddaughter’s birthday so personally.”
“My granddaughter?”
Grandpa frowned.
See? I knew it would come to this!
“Wait!”
I rushed between them again.
This can’t go on!
“I’ll accept the birthday wishes,” I said firmly.
There was no stopping that much anyway.
And judging by Dad Derek’s silence, he wasn’t planning to stop it either.
So at least I could minimize the damage…!
“But I don’t want a party.”
Hands on my hips, I declared it clearly.
Sure, parties are fun.
‘But the ones who have to plan one out of nowhere? Not so much!’
And what about all the tax money that’d go into it?
Who knows how grand a party Grandpa might throw—this had to be stopped!
“And—”
I looked from one to the other.
“I’ll only accept one gift from each of you. So, two total!”
“Smart girl,” Grandpa said.
“Hehe…”
No, wait—focus!
I shook my head.
“No more than that.”
Absolutely not!
“……”
“……”
Grandpa and Grandma exchanged glances, then each muttered quietly:
“She takes after her mother.”
“She’s just like Yuria.”
“…Resemblance.”
I turned to Dad with a betrayed look.
Why did he suddenly agree now, after being silent the whole time?!
“Well, fine,” Grandpa finally said, sounding a little deflated.
“There’s no reason to force you if you don’t want it.”
Grandma smiled apologetically and patted my head again.
“Then I’ll have to think carefully about what to give you.”
Then she turned to Grandpa.
“On another note, Your Majesty—please stop calling my son back to the capital so often. The child misses him dearly.”
“……”
“The whole birthday talk came up because of that. She was hoping Zion would return before her birthday.”
At that, Grandpa sighed wearily.
“I’d like that as well, but he sent word that he won’t return until his mission is complete…”
Huh?
So Grandpa wasn’t keeping him away on purpose?
Then what kind of mission is it?
“In any case, I’ll pass the message along. There’s enough justification to do so.”
He pressed his fingers to his temples as he spoke.
I couldn’t help but bounce in excitement.
Dad Zion might be coming home?!
That’s amazing!
“Thank you, Grandpa! And you too, Grandma Margo!”
That would be the best birthday gift ever—
“Of course, that won’t be my gift,” Grandpa said immediately, as if reading my mind.
I swallowed nervously, meeting his blue eyes.
Why did that sound ominous?
“Um…” I started anxiously.
“I’ve already gotten so much from you, Grandpa…”
My private lab, the Verbeium… it already felt like plenty.
“So really, you don’t have to give me anything else…”
“That won’t do,” he said firmly, shaking his head.
Then he smiled gently.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you get something you’ll truly love.”
I gulped again.
The way he said that only made me more nervous.
‘But… I’m kind of curious, too.’
Something I’d truly love, huh?
How can he be so sure?
“How?” I finally asked.
Grandpa’s lips curled into his trademark proud, confident smile.
“Why, I’ll simply open the place where all the treasures are gathered, and let you choose whatever you like.”
No way…
“I’ll open the Imperial Treasury.”
