CHAPTER 133…………………………………..
I was so distracted that I didn’t even realize it had passed.
Looking back at the dates, it seemed like it was right around the time the landslide happened and the Duke had just returned.
I had completely forgotten about it.
“It’s okay. I always remember the birthday you took care of me, Anne.”
“I’ll never forget it,” Ron said, leaving those words behind as he placed his hand on my neck.
I could feel his hand gently brushing through my tangled hair and along my neck.
“More importantly, I’m curious—when is your birthday?”
“My birthday?”
“Yes. I actually asked other people, but none of them knew. Not even your father.”
“I see…”
I recalled the times the Duke had asked me repeatedly about my birthday.
Each time, I avoided answering, saying I’d tell him when the time came.
Kauls and I had even debated when to set my birthday, but we never really decided.
“Ron. My birthday… it’s coming soon.”
This time, I could answer immediately.
Ron was by my side, and the Duke, Chevert, and Krimu were all here too.
Brita, Kauls, and the rest of the staff were present as well.
Spending a normal day with the people I cared about felt like such a blessing.
I felt like this moment could last forever, but nothing ever truly does.
I had to make a memory right now.
For my special birthday.
So, at the very start of winter,
I decided this would be my birthday.
My birthday was celebrated in utmost secrecy.
This was something I had specifically requested.
It must absolutely not be revealed to outsiders.
Only Rose, my mother and tutor, was informed in advance and allowed to attend.
Everyone else remained unaware.
“Because I want to celebrate it just with us.”
I didn’t want the crowd and commotion that usually come with birthdays.
Besides, among young ladies and gentlemen, Maryanne Delve of the Careys family was such a hot topic that dealing with guests arriving for my birthday seemed bothersome.
“Are you sure it’s okay to have it just with family?”
“Father, I prefer having only family.”
The Duke and the Carey siblings accepted this without hesitation.
They said that, above all, it was Anne—the birthday girl—who should decide.
Once I got permission, I immediately set out to make invitations.
My goal was to personally hand them to everyone in the mansion.
“Brita, look at this. How do you like it?”
[To Pure, who always makes the best food, please come to my birthday party.]
Seeing Brita clap and smile made me so excited that I even drew my own face on one of the invitations.
I really shouldn’t have done that…
“…Phew.”
At first, making them was fun.
But after over a hundred, I felt like half of me was about to fall off the chair.
Did the Carey Duke really have this many staff members?
“Miss, the knights are still left to invite.”
“…”
But with unwavering determination, I did it.
Everyone was surprised when they received the invitations I had finished, even cutting into my sleep to make them.
“Did Miss really make these invitations herself?”
“Wow, I’ve never received an invitation from someone I serve before.”
“The invitations are so pretty, just like Miss! I’ll treasure them forever!”
“Miss said not to bring any gifts, just bring your heart. She’s so kind.”
The birthday preparations were completed in secret.
Various foods were laid out in the spacious garden.
The Duke, Chevert, Ron, Krimu, and all the mansion staff were gathered without exception.
Familiar faces I had met living in the mansion appeared one by one.
From the Carey men to my close friends Brita, Kauls, Gurtur, butler Duvier, and even the knights.
It was a gathering of many from the mansion.
Chef Pure brought out a large cake to the center.
He added that the cake had been made together by me and the young masters.
“Thank you all for coming.”
The pale pink hem of my dress fluttered in the wind.
It was a gift from Mother, Rose, who couldn’t attend because of work.
“Since it’s my birthday, let’s eat and play as much as we want today.”
It was my first birthday celebrated in the Duke’s mansion.
I had now turned nineteen.
The radiant sunlight felt perfect.
“Miss.”
At that moment, I turned toward the voice and saw Chef Pure bowing shyly.
“Yes, thank you for working so hard on the cake. Everyone’s going to enjoy it because of you.”
“No, most of it was done by you and the young masters. And please take this.”
“What’s this?”
Pure handed me a small cookie.
Looking closely, it seemed to be a girl’s face.
Round chocolate eyes and red hair drawn with strawberry jam.
“Could it be… me?”
“Yes. It’s a thank-you for personally handing out the invitations.”
“Wow! I love it!”
I was touched.
It was the first time anyone had given me a cookie with my face on it.
But that wasn’t all.
After Pure, the other staff lined up one by one to give me their gifts.
“Why is everyone acting like this?”
“I want to give you a present too!”
“Me too! I want to give it to you, Miss!”
I waved my hands at the long line forming.
“No! I didn’t throw a birthday party to receive gifts! I just wanted us all to eat and play together!”
But despite my protests, they insisted on giving me their heartfelt presents.
“It’s not expensive. I wasn’t sure what to give you, so this is all I can make.”
A floral crown made by the nanny’s hands was filled with colorful flowers.
I immediately placed it on my head and relished being the birthday girl.
“Miss, this is a special book I made.”
Butler Duvier had made a secret booklet containing information on the Carey lineage.
Flipping it open, the first page was filled with details about Getre Carey—my father.
His birth year and date. His activities from childhood to now.
Of course, it was written with an all-knowing butler’s perspective, so many things were glorified.
“Hmm? Not a birthday but a birth anniversary?”
Still, any story about the Carey family seemed fun to read.
Like looking through a childhood album of someone you admire.
I quickly put it somewhere safe to read in detail later.
“The latest release. When I saw it, I immediately thought, ‘This is for our Miss!’ and bought it first.”
Brita gave me a cloak with wings fluttering on both sides.
The wings had moved from the hat to the cloak now.
I was sure it was designed by Mother, Rose.
Diligent as always, I had to catch up.
Other gifts included a jeweled fan from the deer and bear couples.
Every flick of the fan made the jewels sparkle brilliantly.
“Thank you all! Truly!”
A deep happiness filled my heart.
I felt tears of gratitude for being loved.
“Now that everyone’s done, step aside.”
At the Duke’s word, everyone dispersed and returned to their places.
Chevert, Ron, Krimu, and the three dark-haired brothers stood beside him in their formal attire.
“What are you going to do?”
It looked strange for them to line up in a single row.
Almost like a male choir about to burst into song.
Fortunately, that wasn’t the case.
The Duke smiled gently and gestured toward the three brothers.
“Anne, this is my gift to you.”
“…?”
He was pointing at Chevert, Ron, and Krimu.
They all stood straight and smiled at me.
I tilted my head, unsure what he meant.
The Duke looked satisfied as he explained:
“Anne, I give you the three Carey brothers of our family.”
“…What? Wha-what?”
What nonsense was this? Giving me… his sons?
Even more absurd was the brothers’ reaction.
As if by agreement, one by one, they approached me, each kneeling on one knee, offering me a single flower.
“No! This isn’t right! Stop!”
I had never realized flowers could be so terrifying.
Chevert, the eldest, spoke with a dignified expression:
“Anne, if it weren’t for you, the three of us wouldn’t be here. From now on, our lives belong to you.”
“Why are you being so scary!”
Ron continued:
“My brother’s right. We will serve you even more faithfully than Father. He’s perfectly fine with it too.”
“What? Serve? Permission?”
Finally, the youngest, Krimu, smiled and spoke:
“Anne, I trust you more than Father and my brothers. And I’ll live like that forever.”
“Krimu? Don’t let your brothers influence you. This is….”
Before I could continue, the flowers pressed forward.
They were telling me to take them.
“Uwaaah!”
Who gives sons as a birthday present?!
Crying, I begrudgingly accepted the three flowers and glared at the Duke.
He seemed moved, covering his nose with a handkerchief.
