Jeff examined each of the vassals’ faces one by one.
“This is something His Grace has permitted. Therefore, you must prepare without any issues. This will be an occasion to present the Young Lady to the nobles, so I trust you will take special care.”
Under Jeff’s sharp gaze, the vassals had no choice but to swallow their words.
Though he appeared cheerful on the surface, when it came to work, he was extremely thorough.
He didn’t tolerate even the slightest flaw.
His work was so perfect that the vassals couldn’t do anything about him.
There had even been cases where some vassals, jealous of him, tried to stir trouble but ended up being driven out instead.
He was deeply favored by the Grand Duke and capable enough to handle all affairs of the estate.
Jeff gathered the vassals’ opinions and reported them to Vincent.
“There’s no need to report every detail.”
“Then, may we proceed as it is?”
“I said there’s no need to report it.”
“Understood. I will handle everything at my level.”
With a grin, Jeff left the office and went to find Licia.
Licia was just coming out of the bedroom after putting Ivelotte to sleep.
“Licia. Do you have a moment?”
“What is it?”
“I came to let you know that we have decided to hold the Young Lady’s birthday party.”
At the mention of Ivelotte’s birthday party, Licia widened her eyes.
“The Young Lady’s birthday party?”
“Yes. His Grace has also approved it. This year, we are thinking of inviting only the vassals’ children and holding a party.”
“I was actually worrying about that, so that is a relief.”
“The venue will be the Garnet Hall in the East Wing. So I would like you to think of a party concept that suits the Young Lady.”
“Of course. Leave it to me.”
Full of enthusiasm, Licia then asked carefully.
“Then, will the late Grand Duchess’s death anniversary not be observed?”
“I am planning to suggest to His Grace that starting this year, it be replaced with donations.”
“Will the two Young Masters accept that?”
“They will have to. Leave that to me.”
“It will not be easy. Do your best.”
Even if Alex was one thing, Valdes wouldn’t be easy to deal with.
It would be fortunate enough if he didn’t cause a scene.
***
Early in the morning, Licia came to wake me up with a very cheerful expression.
“My Lady, His Grace is going to hold a birthday party for you.”
“What?”
“A birthday party. He said he will hold it at the Garnet Hall in the East Wing.”
“I don’t even have anyone to invite, what kind of birthday party is that?”
“Do not worry. The vassals’ children will come to celebrate. It would be nice if you could get closer to them through this opportunity.”
I felt uneasy.
“My birthday is my mom’s death anniversary, is that really okay?”
Seeing my face darken, Licia pulled me into a tight embrace.
“Of course it is fine. A birthday is a blessing for everyone. You are no exception, my Lady.”
With a gentle smile, Licia said,
“I will make your birthday party truly wonderful. You can look forward to it.”
Hearing her words, I felt a slight flutter of excitement.
The problem was Alex and Valdes’s reactions.
That was what worried me the most.
***
But contrary to Ivelotte’s expectations, Alex’s reaction was indifferent.
Jeff, who went to meet Alex, brought up Ivelotte’s birthday party, and Alex responded as if it didn’t matter.
“Don’t mind me.”
That was the end of it, and Valdes’s reaction was unexpectedly refreshing.
“You’re holding a birthday party for that brat?”
“Yes. Since she has not been celebrated for seven years, we plan to start this year.”
“Then just do it, do you need my permission?”
“Pardon?”
“Go ahead and do it.”
Jeff tilted his head.
“That is unexpected.”
“What do you mean?”
“I thought you would get angry, Young Master.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Since that day is also the late Grand Duchess’s death anniversary.”
“Even so, you can’t just let a birthday pass by. My brother and I have parties every year, so it wouldn’t make sense to not hold one just for her, would it?”
“Oh.”
Jeff let out a sound of admiration.
Valdes frowned.
“What’s that gross look?”
“I have just realized that you are such a considerate person, Young Master.”
“I’m not someone who only goes around causing trouble, you know?”
“Yes, it seems so.”
Jeff smiled faintly.
“Then, Young Master, you will also attend the Young Lady’s birthday party, right?”
“Why would I? You know I hate parties. I’m someone who even hates having my own birthday party.”
“Understood. Then I will take it that you will not attend. Young Master Alex also seemed uninterested, so I suppose it is the same for you.”
“What’s with that disappointed expression?”
“Please do not worry about it. Then, I will take my leave.”
As Jeff turned his back, Valdes frowned.
“What the… that’s unsettling.”
Valdes’s gaze turned toward the upper floor where Alex was.
He immediately ran off and went to Alex’s study.
Alex, who liked reading, spent most of his day in his study.
When he pushed the study door open and entered, as expected, Alex was reading a book.
“Brother.”
“What is it?”
“Th-That brat’s birthday is coming, so I was wondering if you would give a gift.”
“I was thinking of just picking something and sending it.”
Valdes widened his eyes. It was something he hadn’t expected at all.
“You are going to send a birthday gift?”
“Why are you so surprised? I sent gifts for your birthday and Father’s as well. Just because she’s the youngest doesn’t make her any different.”
Alex looked at Valdes quietly.
“But you, your way of addressing her has changed.”
“Way of addressing?”
“You always used to call the youngest ‘defective thing,’ didn’t you?”
Valdes flinched and scratched the back of his head.
“Well, they say calling a person a thing is bad. I thought I would feel bad if someone said that to me.”
“You thought that?”
Alex’s eyes widened slightly as if surprised.
Valdes made a sullen expression.
“Why, am I not allowed to think that?”
“Think back on your usual behavior. Would anyone believe that?”
“I can be like that sometimes.”
“It seems getting beaten in a spar by the youngest had quite an impact.”
At those words, Valdes flared up.
“I didn’t get beaten by her. I got beaten by the ancient spirit she contracted.”
“Isn’t that the same thing?”
“You just don’t know. She’s weak herself. I definitely didn’t get beaten by her. I lost to her spirit, that’s what I’m saying!”
As he shouted and looked at Alex, Valdes’s eyes suddenly sharpened.
“But Brother, did you get stronger?”
“I did grow somewhat. It seems you can feel it too.”
“The aura I feel from you is much stronger than before.”
“If your sharp senses felt that, then it must be so.”
Valdes had always had sharp senses. It was a talent he was born with.
With his innate senses, Valdes could gauge his opponent.
“It seems you have grown as well.”
“You think I’ve just been playing around? One day I will catch up to you.”
“I look forward to it. Though that won’t happen.”
The faint smile on Alex’s face was extremely irritating.
***
The East Wing of the Grand Duke’s estate was busy.
Because Ivelotte’s birthday party was going to be held in the Garnet Hall.
Under the direction of Licia and Sebastian, the Garnet Hall was being beautifully decorated.
The space, painted mainly in sky blue, looked even cooler because it was summer.
When they asked Ivelotte what color she liked, she said sky blue, so that color was chosen.
The curtains in the banquet hall were changed to sky blue, and the tables were also unified in sky blue.
“Have you decided on the flower decorations?”
“We are planning to decorate with white roses and blue roses.”
“Then we should set the tableware with a rose pattern.”
“Yes, that would be good. Oh, and the birthday cake will be ready on time, right?”
“I have made sure to tell the patissier properly, so do not worry.”
Everything was going smoothly.
There were maids and servants who were dissatisfied, but for some reason, at a single word from Mariam, they all fell silent.
Mariam disliked bringing personal emotions into work.
So she tended to tell the servants to set aside their personal feelings while working.
Because if personal emotions were brought into the workplace, mistakes were bound to happen.
“I’ll go check on the Young Lady’s dress.”
On the day Ivelotte’s birthday party was decided, Licia immediately commissioned the Ducal House’s exclusive designer to make a party dress for her.
To match the atmosphere of the party, the dress code was set in sky blue tones.
And today was the day for the dress fitting.
