Chapter 72 ………………………………………
Ortega quietly spoke toward the Count.
“Count.”
There was a time when he thought the person in front of him was a good person.
If asked whether the Count had only been a source of trouble throughout the contract period, he could answer “no.”
But beyond that, he could find no reason to continue their married life.
“When the contract ends, I’ll leave the mansion immediately. Thank you for everything until now.”
That was the end of Ortega’s farewell.
The Count seemed like he wanted to say something from behind, but Ortega didn’t bother listening.
After all, this was someone he wouldn’t see again in just a few days.
“That matter has been resolved safely.”
Yujire said brightly, holding a letter in her hand, likely reading news from the capital.
At this point, there was only one “matter” that could be meant.
“Do you mean the Count and Countess Gielea?”
“Yes, it seems both of them have left their family.”
The Countess’s divorce and Alisa’s independence were both fully finalized.
“They couldn’t ignore the rumors, I guess.”
The opinions formed at social gatherings had likely influenced them.
Trying to hold them back in this situation would have just made the rumors worse.
They were already notorious as a mad, obsessive person. No one wanted to add more scandal to that.
“That’s good.”
“Right? I thought you’d be curious.”
It seemed Yujire had been paying attention to Laseil’s occasional interest in this matter, since it had all happened before leaving the Count’s territory.
Hearing the news brought relief, though thinking about the recent incidents again made Laseil feel strange.
“Two families destroyed…”
No, thinking again, it seemed they were already broken.
Wasn’t what Laseil did just to tidy up broken families?
No matter how he thought about it, that seemed correct.
“By the way, you didn’t ask for vacation first, right?”
Yujire asked after reading the letter a little more.
He wondered why she spoke, but it seemed she just wanted to ask this.
“Is something wrong?”
“Ire… I have an appointment with Sir Sieren.”
Yujire blinked.
“Sir Sieren? You’ve been going around together a lot lately. But still… no, never mind.”
“…?”
Laseil was puzzled by her attitude but didn’t think too deeply.
It wasn’t the first time Yujire had stopped mid-sentence like this.
“Since you’re taking it anyway, why not take a bit more time off?”
“That’s okay. I’ll be busy anyway.”
“I see…”
Laseil’s birthdays were always unusual.
Supernatural phenomena intensified around his birthday. The explanation of that date had a strong effect.
“The dead return, witches hold a ball, and the devil’s power is at its peak.”
Hearing it like that sounded terrifying.
In reality, the supernatural events Laseil experienced weren’t that dangerous.
It was just realizing a friend he played with was actually a stranger, or receiving treats from ghost-like creatures straight out of a fairy tale.
But in this territory, who knew what could happen.
“There are already too many supernatural events.”
So having a leisurely vacation would still keep him busy.
“Is there anything you want?”
Yujire asked again while Laseil was lost in thought.
This was a question that always came up before his birthday.
And Laseil’s answer was always the same.
“Nothing too expensive…”
“Except saying it shouldn’t be expensive.”
“Hmm.”
That was expected.
Even if he didn’t know the price, it would surely be a precious gift.
“Last year, it was a sword.”
Laseil recalled the gifts he had received so far: a knighthood, a sword, a brooch, a dress, a uniform, books, theater tickets…
It seemed he had received every kind of gift possible.
“I don’t know. Nothing comes to mind.”
“I thought so. Ruzéa always has lots of things she wants when asked.”
“Well…”
That was Ruzéa, so it wasn’t surprising.
Even after thinking a bit more, nothing came to mind.
This time, as always, he would end up receiving the gift Yujire had planned.
“As long as it’s not too expensive.”
When he found out the price of the necklace and earring set from two years ago, he nearly fainted.
“By the way, what did you say to the knights? You’re asking a lot of questions today.”
“The knights?”
Ireness seemed to be on Yujire’s mind quite a bit.
Why did everyone care so much about other people’s friendships?
“What happened with Sir Sieren?”
“Nothing happened.”
“Really?”
And yet Yujire acted as if she hoped something had happened.
Before Laseil could ask why, the door suddenly opened with a loud noise.
“What’s all this in front of your room?”
It was Elian, who had just returned from half a day of vacation.
“My room?”
Laseil blinked.
It had surely been neat when he left that morning.
“What’s in it?”
“A strange box!”
Elian exclaimed, setting a box down on the sofa.
All the boxes were gray, decorated with black ribbons—boxes that Laseil was already very familiar with.
“You’re early today.”
Every year on his birthday, such boxes would appear by his bedside.
They were gifts prepared by no one in the mansion.
“Maybe they miscalculated the delivery time?”
Or perhaps they took the wrong carriage down to the territory.
Either way, it was better than receiving it after his birthday, so he accepted it gratefully.
“You’re going to take that?”
“…Why?”
Elian panicked the moment Laseil untied the ribbon.
Laseil ignored her reaction and opened the box.
“Ah, this is…”
Inside was a small card, which immediately revealed who the gift was from.
“The Knight Sister.”
She always sent gifts like this.
Flipping the card revealed her familiar handwriting:
[Dear Ella, happy birthday.
I always support and love you.
No matter what happens, don’t forget that I am here.
And that you have the ability to handle anything.
P.S. I think it’s too early for you to date.
And write letters to the knights more often.
Always worried about you, Loren Glia]
Along with the card was a set of a quill and stationery, clearly high-end.
How she got it, no one knew—but surely she had a method.
“Looks fine.”
Elian approached, curious that the gift had nothing to do with ghosts.
“It’s not cursed, right?”
“Of course not.”
Laseil replied briefly and opened the next box, which was lighter and smaller than Loren’s.
“Ah, I needed this!”
It was a necromancy set, much smaller than his previous one, convenient to carry.
“The old one was too worn.”
It had gotten wet and dirty, and being made of paper, couldn’t be washed.
This set, made of wood, was easier to clean.
“…You’re happy to get that?”
Elian looked baffled, but Laseil didn’t care.
Gifts were about the giver and the recipient.
“Better open and organize them quickly.”
The following gifts weren’t ordinary either.
A dreamcatcher to give nightmares, a dagger that pursues its target relentlessly, a bracelet that attracts evil…
And a plain diary.
“Ah, I needed this too!”
His old diary was already full.
Even shortening entries and skipping dates, it was full.
“Do you really need all this?”
“Yes, I do.”
Elian still didn’t seem to understand, but Yujire seemed fully used to it.
The gift commotion seemed to quiet down, but Laseil overlooked one fact:
“…the ghosts in the lord’s mansion.”
He only remembered this on the morning of his birthday.
