Chapter 54 The Present And Another Party
"Rifine, I'm back..."
I returned to the venue where Rifine was waiting, trying to catch my breath after running at full speed.
As I approached her, sitting in a prominent chair on a slightly elevated platform, she greeted me with a bright, blooming smile.
"Yumie! You looked unwell, but are you okay?"
"Yes, thanks to Elder Brother, I'm completely fine now..."
Just as I said that, the earlier scene flashed in my mind, and my face began to heat up again.
I quickly turned my gaze away, and Rifine tilted her head in confusion.
"Yumie?"
"It's nothing! More importantly, how's the greeting going?"
"Ah, it's going as planned. Most of the Nobility here are friendly towards me."
"So that means... the real event is about to begin."
The guests at Rifine's birthday party weren't just the Nobility trying to celebrate her; there were also some from the Royal Family who had come to show their faces.
"I would like to extend my greetings to Your Highness. I am Alvine Neithardt, head of the Neithardt Marquis family. Congratulations on Your Highness's birth."
"Y-yes. Thank you for coming."
It was likely the first time Rifine was facing someone from a clearly opposing faction.
I could sense her strong tension in her voice.
"It's okay," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder, and I felt her slightly tense body relax.
"Hehe, I've heard the rumors, but you two really do get along well."
"Yumie is my friend, so of course!"
When the Neithardt Marquis mentioned our relationship, Rifine puffed out her chest proudly as if it were obvious.
Despite being so nervous earlier, she could speak so confidently when it came to me...
It made me genuinely happy to think that it meant she considered me special.
"Of course. Hehe, that's good to hear, really──it's a good thing."
"...?"
The Marquis Neithardt agreed with Rifine's display of friendship, but there was something about it that felt off to me.
It was like he was smiling, but his eyes weren't... Hmm?
"Ah, I shouldn't take up too much of your time. I mustn't keep you waiting. It's a shame, but I will take my leave here."
With that, the Marquis pulled out a box from his pocket.
When he opened it in front of us, there were 2 earrings inside.
"These are special earrings engraved with magic that allows those wearing the same pair to communicate over a distance. I would like to present them to Your Highness on your birthday and to your dear friend, Lady Yumie."
"Oh, so I can match with Yumie."
I heard that the Neithardt family was skilled in creating magic tools and was quite famous for it.
Rifine was clearly intrigued by the gift from the head of the Neithardt family.
Not only did they look good as accessories, but the fact that we could wear matching ones seemed to resonate with her.
"Lady Rifine, shall we try them on together?"
I suggested to Rifine, who looked at me as if asking if it was okay.
I nodded, assuring her it was fine, and took the earrings from the Marquis.
"Lady Rifine, please hold still."
I parted her golden hair and put the earring on her cute ear.
Smiling at her blushing face up close, I gently patted her head.
"All done. You look cute, Lady Rifine."
"Ah, thank you, Yumie... Now, it's my turn to put it on you!"
With that, Rifine took the earrings and reached for my ear.
It was probably her first experience putting accessories on someone else.
Her slightly hesitant movements were endearing.
"Done! Now we're matching, Yumie!"
"Yes, we are matching."
Forgetting that the person in front of me was from an opposing faction, Rifine smiled brightly.
Her cuteness made the Nobility watching from a distance all smile as well.
It seemed safe to say that this party was a great success──.
"I'm glad you liked it. Well then, I will take my leave."
After bowing, the Marquis walked away.
In the brief moment before the next Nobility arrived, Rifine, who was gently tracing the earrings with her fingers, suddenly murmured.
"I wish my brother could see this..."
Sigurt wasn't attending this party.
Even if he did, he would have to act like they were on bad terms, so it seemed he decided it was better not to come at all than to hurt Rifine with that attitude.
I understood that in my head, but I could see that Rifine still wished her real brother would celebrate her birthday, so I whispered softly to her.
"After this party is over, come to the usual basement. I'll be waiting."
"...? Oh, I understand."
As I gently stroked Rifine's head while she nodded, time passed without any major troubles.
Thus, Rifine's birthday party came to a smooth conclusion.
After the party ended, I waited for Rifine in the basement.
Soon, the sound of a knock at the door was followed by Rifine entering the room.
"Yumie, I'm here. What's going on..."
""""(Lady) Rifine, happy birthday!!""""
At that moment, I, along with everyone gathered—Lisa, Mei, Elder Brother, Monica, and Sigurt—greeted Rifine with words of celebration.
Caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, Rifine's eyes widened in surprise.
"Yumie... What is this...?"
"Yes! This is a private birthday party venue we prepared for you, Rifine, so that Sigurt could participate comfortably without concern for formalities! How is it?"
The room, which had been thoroughly cleaned when Sigurt had a tea party with Rifine, had been further transformed into a party venue by everyone.
Though it couldn't match the glamour of an official celebration, we put our hearts into creating a space that would make Rifine happy, with everyone pitching in ideas to perfect it.
Did it bring her joy? I glanced at Rifine to see her reaction... and saw tears streaming down her face, overflowing with emotion.
It must have made her truly happy.
"Yumie... Everyone... Thank you for me...!"
"Rifine, don't cry. Your cute face will be ruined."
"Sniff... Big brother..."
Sigurt gently wiped Rifine's face with a handkerchief.
Smiling wryly as Rifine continued to cry, Sigurt took out a brooch from his pocket.
"Again, happy birthday, Rifine. From now on, there may be days when we can't meet as we wish... but I want you to remember this."
Sigurt knelt in front of Rifine and pinned the brooch on her chest.
Then, he gently kissed her forehead.
"No matter how far apart we are, I'm always thinking of you, Rifine. I love you, my only sister."
"Huff... Ugh...!"
As if she couldn't hold it in anymore, Rifine hugged Sigurt tightly.
Pouring out all her pent-up feelings, strongly──very strongly.
"I love you too, big brother...!! From now on, forever... forever...!!"
Rifine's loud crying echoed in the basement for a long time──.
And so, Rifine's first birthday party came to a successful close.
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