On the third day after Reus left the Grand Duke’s mansion, I had become somewhat accustomed to life without him.

I woke up late and headed to the dining room for a delayed breakfast. But unlike usual, the butler, Loteo, stood firmly behind me and didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving.

This was a first, and I was a bit startled, trying to gauge the atmosphere, when the servants entered the dining room and placed something on the table.

It was a cream cake, elaborately decorated with white mini angel statues made of chocolate and edible flowers.

“Your Highness, I sincerely congratulate you on your birthday.”

“Ah…”

Right. Today was my birthday.

I had completely forgotten about it. Would I have been planning another escape attempt at this time normally? It felt like such a long time ago, though it was just recently.

As I stared at the cake, Loteo spoke.

“This cake was prepared under the Duke’s orders.”

“Oh, it’s beautiful.”

The butler nodded, seemingly moved by Reus’s instructions, but I immediately realized.

‘Dewin must have prepared it.’

The logo of Lorance Bakery was on the cake – a shop that had recently become very popular among young ladies.

Dewin, capable and well-informed about everything in the capital, must have arranged it.

It was unlikely Reus knew about it, and even if not for that reason, Reus…

‘Doesn’t seem to like me much…’

I thought to myself and then realized something suddenly.

Reus never liked me from the start, did he?

The cold glances and responses I had received from Reus from the beginning to the end flashed through my mind.

‘Right… He never liked me.’

I had grown accustomed to him not treating me harshly because I was his benefactor, and I had completely forgotten that fact.

‘I need to forget what should be forgotten.’

How could I forget such a fact so quickly and feel inwardly hurt by every one of Reus’s responses?

The silence of the Forest of Tranquility before had always been the same, and even now, Reus still didn’t welcome me…

I resolved not to be deluded or forgetful in the future. Reus has always disliked me, and now he’s just maintaining the minimum courtesy due to me as his benefactor.

The servants’ loud applause brought me back to reality, and I quickly blew out the candles. They each offered their congratulations.

“Congratulations, Your Highness.”

“Happy birthday!”

“Thank you all so much… for the cake and for preparing the meals. You must have worked hard.”

“Don’t mention it, Your Highness! We hurriedly prepared it after receiving the order and regret not being able to set a proper birthday table for you. We’re more grateful that you appreciate it.”

“No, really, thank you. I’m so grateful to everyone for celebrating…”

It was a genuine sentiment.

This was the first time a cake was prepared for me on my birthday.

In the Ibelr Count’s house, Feria detested my birthday so much. If it wasn’t celebrated quietly with only Eni and me, there was no chance at all.

Even then, it was just modestly celebrating with leftover sweets or bread from Feria and Briella, shaping them like a small cake without candles.

But receiving such a fancy cake and sincere blessings and warm wishes just for being born… it was overwhelming.

I felt an indescribable emotion between joy and sadness, stirring in my heart.

‘Had I not made a contract with Reus, such moments would never have existed.’

If Reus hadn’t decided to persuade me, I might still be locked in a basement, begging for Feria’s mercy.

But I was no longer at the Ibelr Count’s house.
On the third day since Reus left the Grand Duke’s mansion, I had somewhat adapted to life without him in the mansion.

I woke up late in a bed where the warm sunlight pours in daily, not in a prison or a storage room in an annex.

Gone were the days when I barely managed to get some leftover food from Feria and Briella, and sometimes even starved.

Now, I had warm meals, a variety of menus, and the ever-attentive care of the servants of the Grand Duke’s mansion.

All of these were always new and overwhelming for me, but receiving such sincere blessings just for being born… I had never imagined such a thing happening to me in my life.

I wished I could have preserved this moment in some form to cherish for a lifetime.

I felt suddenly grateful to Reus. Although it was an offer with an ulterior motive, it allowed me to leave the empire with good memories.

It was the first birthday in my life that I felt was peaceful and unforgettable.

I was diligently trying to familiarize myself with what Dewin had taught me, as tasks and lessons for the Grand Duchess still awaited me. Yet, I didn’t feel burdened.

In fact, it was better than doing nothing in the Grand Duke’s mansion. Actually, it was interesting and fulfilling.

‘I’m making a fuss in a place that’s not even my home.’

But while I was here, I wanted to do my best not to be a burden to Reus and the people who had worked for the Rocheter Grand Duchy.