CHAPTER 75 ………………………………………….
“Gasp.”
So he already knew I was a divine beast.
Worried that Yepi might tumble off, I kept my neck stiff and scratched my cheek.
“Mm, well… I guess you could call it a birthday present? It just… happened.”
At the same time, Fer’s eyes widened.
“Birthday?”
“Not today, of course.”
I hurried to correct him.
“My birthday was a few weeks ago, but my grandfather kept saying he wanted to celebrate it for me…”
“…I see.”
Fer slowly nodded, then fixed his gaze on me.
“Is there anything you want?”
“Huh? Are you going to give me something too?”
“Of course. It’s your birthday.”
“It was weeks ago…”
Why doesn’t anyone care that my birthday already passed?
I let out a deep sigh.
Even if I say I don’t need anything, they won’t listen anyway, right?
Judging from all past data, that’s a fact.
“I only ever want one thing.”
Half-resigned, I opened my mouth.
“Something that’ll be useful for future plans.”
Fer would know exactly what I meant.
Maybe he’ll really give me something useful.
Fer was strange but capable—unlike me. I wasn’t strange, but I also wasn’t particularly talented…
“That’s easy.”
Fer’s eyes curved like a crescent moon as he smiled.
“Me.”
“……”
I stared at him, soulless.
Did he really just say he was the birthday present?
Even neighborhood kids don’t joke like that…
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
My lack of reaction must’ve bothered him; he frowned slightly.
Still wearing an empty smile, I shook my head.
“No, it’s not that.”
Would he be happy if I said, “Your birthday present is me!”?
…Yeah. He probably would.
Understood.
“I appreciate it, but I’ll just accept the thought.”
Fer let out a small laugh.
Then, still looking at me with those playful eyes, he said:
“I’m always sincere. Just say the word anytime.”
“Mm…”
“I’m ready to grant anything you ask.”
“That part’s tempting.”
So basically… he’s offering a wish ticket.
You brat, why didn’t you just say that from the start?!
Anyway, if I receive something, I should give something too.
“When’s your birthday, then?”
I asked while leaning halfway out the window, now that Yepi had climbed down onto my shoulder.
“Me?”
Fer’s eyes curved mischievously again.
“When would you like it to be?”
What do you mean, when would I like it to be?
“Am I supposed to guess?”
He’s not an easy boy.
“No, I want you to really decide.”
Fer chuckled softly and explained.
“I don’t have a birthday.”
“Why not?”
I asked, shocked.
What do you mean you don’t have a birthday?
“It just happens.”
“No, it can’t just happen!”
If someone is born and breathes in this world, that means they were born on a certain day.
That’s what a birthday is!
“I mean, I must’ve been born. I just don’t know when.”
Fer answered calmly.
I pursed my lips.
I think I messed up.
If he was illegitimate or something, maybe no one ever told him his birthday.
He definitely looked like a kid who drifted around outside.
But his clothes were nice…
At least when we first met…
Or did he steal them?
“Anyway, I don’t know my birthday.”
While I was lost in imagination, Fer shrugged.
“So you decide.”
Then he fixed those red eyes on me and smiled softly.
“I’ll make that day my birthday.”
I inhaled sharply and stared at him.
There he goes again, trying to charm people with his face!
“You shouldn’t ask me to decide something that important.”
“That’s why I want you to decide. Because it’s important.”
Fer whispered gently, still smiling sweetly.
“Otherwise it wouldn’t mean anything.”
I rolled my eyes away from him, flustered.
For some reason, I felt embarrassed.
“T-then…”
Well, since he’s saying it like that, I can’t not choose.
I thought hard for a moment and then blurted:
“The day we first met.”
“Okay.”
Fer nodded without hesitation and smiled again.
This time, he looked like an ordinary kid—purely happy.
I smiled along with him and then suddenly gasped.
“But if we choose that day, your birthday already passed too!”
We missed the chance to celebrate his birthday this year…!
He’s probably never had anyone celebrate it for him.
“We should pick another day.”
“No. I don’t want to.”
Fer refused stubbornly.
“Once it’s decided, that’s it. That’s my birthday.”
“But…”
We’d have to wait forever to celebrate the next one.
“Hey, Fer.”
Looks like this is the only way.
I repeated what I’d heard a few days ago:
“Apparently, you’re supposed to celebrate someone’s birthday for the entire month before and after.”
Grandma Mago said it—very authoritative.
Anyway, that means I’m obligated to celebrate your birthday.
And the birthday present…
“So, um. Hold on a sec.”
I turned away from Fer and rummaged through the basket beside the bed.
I’m sure I left it in here. I hope no one moved it…
“Oh! Here!”
I pulled out something long from the basket and waved it at Fer.
A beautifully dried flower stem.
I’d prepped these to make flower rings for people a few days ago.
Though I never finished them…
Good thing I saved them.
“Fer, Fer.”
I trotted back to him and declared proudly:
“Give me your hand.”
“Okay.”
He looked curious but obediently placed his hand on my palm.
I immediately took his fingers and worked diligently.
Good. Keep the center steady, make sure the flowers don’t fall… tie this part over here…
“Hehe, done!”
A genuine Cecilia-style flower ring, complete!
I grinned happily at the flower ring looped around his finger.
See? It’s fast when I have a model!
“What’s this?”
Fer lifted his hand slightly and asked.
“Flower ring,” I said proudly.
“Ring?”
“Mm-hmm. I’d give you something better if I had anything… but all my stuff is at home.”
The things in the palace aren’t truly mine, so I can’t give them away recklessly.
Maybe a flower ring was too cheap…
Feeling awkward, I scratched my cheek.
“Sorry. I’ll get you something better next birthday.”
“Next…”
Fer kept staring at the flower ring.
Then—
“I like this the best.”
He smiled brightly.
It was the most dazzling smile I’d ever seen.
