“Ah, Demian.”

Arasila, who found him coming to greet her, slightly widened her eyes and clasped his hands.

At the moment Demian’s smile brightened, she said.

“I haven’t told you to come out of the office yet. Go back in.”

“……”

With that, Demian was sent back to the office.

Leaving him dumbfounded, Arasila went to her room. Having ordered the gift and sent out invitations, only one thing remained.

Writing a letter.

She sat down at the table with paper and pen, wearing a solemn expression. In fact, as she didn’t often write letters, she was pondering what to say and how to write it.

‘I want to write something touching too.’

Just as Demian had lifted her spirits with a single line, Arasila wanted to convey heartfelt words to him.

To capture her emotions, Arasila sent Audrey away and remained alone, groaning as she wrote and erased her writing repeatedly.

Outside the window, darkness had already fallen completely. With a lamp placed right beside her, Arasila continued to wrestle with the letter.

‘This phrase might sound confrontational when read as a sentence, right? Then I’ll remove this……’

Failed attempts at the letter were crumpled up and tossed away. A pile of paper was accumulating under the table.

Arasila’s hand, writing down letters once again, gradually slowed. Her eyelids began to close more frequently, and her head nodded repeatedly.

Still gripping the pen tightly, Arasila unknowingly closed her eyes.

Just as even breathing began to fill the room, someone knocked on the door.

“My lady, are you in there?”

Worried that Arasila hadn’t shown herself even though dinner time had passed, Demian had come looking for her.

Knock knock.

“What are you doing in there? May I come in?”

No matter how long he waited, there was no answer. After some hesitation, Demian carefully opened the door. Audrey had definitely said she was in the room, so she should be here.

As he entered the room, he paused at the scene before him. Paper was strewn all over the floor and table, and Arasila was sound asleep leaning against the sofa in front of the table.

“My lady.”

Even calling out loud didn’t make her stir. Demian slowly approached her.

He couldn’t help but focus on her peacefully sleeping face rather than the messy table covered in papers. Seeing her cheek slightly pressed against the sofa headrest, he let out a small laugh.

He gently lifted her small head and placed his hand as a pillow. As the warm touch met her skin, Arasila naturally nuzzled her face into his hand.

The breath tickling his palm made Demian flinch for a moment.

“Locking your husband up in the office all day while you run around.”

Soon, a soft murmur flowed from his lips.

“If you’re so tired, why not sleep in bed instead of uncomfortably like this?”

Despite his affectionate scolding, Arasila didn’t wake up. Demian quietly gazed at her face, which he couldn’t bring himself to resent even though she had completely deprived him of his freedom for the day.

He felt he couldn’t hate her even if she locked him up in some remote cave instead of the office.

‘Sleeping like an angel like this……’

He let out a light sigh as he looked for a cushion. Finally, he carefully placed the cushion under Arasila’s face as if handling a glass artwork and withdrew his hand.

As Demian straightened up, his head turned towards the table. Papers were messily spread out, showing whatever she had been working on.

“I wonder what she’s written on all these papers……”

Thinking it might be better to clean up, he muttered to himself as he reached for the table. At that moment, a hand shot out from the side and grabbed his arm.

Arasila, who had woken up at some point, was staring at him intently. Perhaps due to fatigue, her eyes were slightly bloodshot as she glared at him, giving her a strangely manic look.

“My lady, you’re awake……”

“You shouldn’t be here right now. Get out.”

“……Pardon?”

Demian, who was about to greet her kindly and ask if she slept well, responded with a bewildered face. But Arasila, without any explanation, led him towards the door.

Following along in confusion, Demian stopped in his tracks and asked.

“Wait a moment, aren’t you going to have dinner?”

“I’m not hungry today.”

“Still, you shouldn’t skip meals.”

His face was so earnest as he said this that Arasila seemed to ponder for a moment before nodding.

“I’ll ask Audrey to make something simple and bring it.”

“……Won’t you eat with me?”

“No, I have some urgent business. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

Arasila, who needed to finish the letter, was merciless.

The door closed unceremoniously in front of him. This was already the second time he was being kicked out today.

Demian stared at the closed door with a vacant expression. What on earth was she so busy doing all by herself?

If it’s for my birthday, she really doesn’t need to go to such lengths.

But knowing Arasila’s nature of seeing things through to the end once she set her mind to something, he had no choice but to return to his office and wait patiently.

The Marigold Jewelers met the deadline. Arasila smiled with satisfaction as she examined the beautifully delivered brooch and cufflinks.

Holding the prettily wrapped gift box, she left work much earlier than usual. As tomorrow was Demian’s birthday, she intended to make a cake in advance.

As soon as she arrived home, she changed into indoor clothes and went down to the kitchen.

“I’m counting on you.”

“Yes, my lady. I will teach you to the best of my ability!”

The chef who had agreed to help Arasila make the cake responded energetically. Audrey stood behind them, watching the two with an uneasy expression.

Our lady really struggles with anything hands-on except magic…… Will this be alright?

Unaware of or ignoring the maid’s worried thoughts, Arasila rolled up her sleeves and began making the batter according to the chef’s instructions.

And so, baking the batter, spreading the whipped cream, topping with fruit. The whole process went more smoothly than expected.

“Oh, you’re doing really well!”

“Am I?”

“Yes! It seems there’s nothing you can’t do, my lady.”

Arasila’s shoulders rose proudly as she received a barrage of praise from the chef. Even Audrey’s anxious heart began to relax a little.

That’s right, just because she’s not good at embroidery doesn’t mean she can’t do other things. She might have a hidden talent for cooking that we didn’t know about.

And finally. It was time for the last step, decorating the top of the cake with syrup and writing a message.

“Shall I do it for you?”

“No, I need to do it myself until the end for it to have meaning.”

Adamantly refusing the chef’s help, Arasila alternated between chocolate and strawberry syrup as she flamboyantly decorated the cake.

The chef and Audrey waited for the cake, hidden from view by Arasila, to be completed.

“Whew, it’s done.”

Arasila put down the syrup bottle with a satisfied face. She had been so focused that a light flush had risen to her cheeks.

She stepped aside to show the completed cake. The chef and Audrey approached the cake.

Their expectant gazes turned downward. On top of the cake, surrounded by luscious strawberries along the edge, was a drawing along with the words ‘Congratulations’ written in four letters.

Although it was impossible to tell what the drawing was supposed to be, and the letters written in strawberry syrup on top made it look like it was dripping blood.

“……”

“……”

Faced with a visual completely different from what they had imagined, the chef and Audrey were at a loss for words. Arasila spoke up triumphantly.

“How is it?”

“Uh, um, ah….. My lady, may I ask what you drew?”

“Can’t you tell just by looking? Audrey, you know, right?”

“……Me?”

Audrey glanced at the cake, unable to continue speaking. To her, it looked like an evil demon stained with blood…..

Barely swallowing the truth that had risen to the tip of her tongue, she smiled awkwardly and said.

“I’m sorry, my lady….. I’m not sure either. Could you tell us?”

“You all have no eye for art.”

Arasila shook her head as if she couldn’t help it, then continued.

“It’s Demian. Don’t you think the sharp jawline looks quite similar?”

“Huh? Ah……”

Isn’t this sharp like a knife rather than just defined?

The same question popped into the heads of both the chef and Audrey, but they couldn’t voice it. Arasila looked too pleased with the completed cake.

She personally put the cake in a box and even cast a protective spell on it. Her attitude was nothing short of devoted.

“……I guess what’s important is the thought, right?”

“Of course. The thought is what matters, the thought.”

The chef and Audrey nodded and kept their mouths shut after exchanging words behind their mistress’s back.

Believing that Demian would know how to react appropriately after receiving the birthday cake.

Friday arrived.

The servants of the Vandermir mansion were bustling about from dawn. It was to prepare more perfectly for the master’s birthday party.

Demian, who had received meticulous grooming after a long while, awkwardly stared at his reflection in the mirror, dressed impeccably in his formal uniform.

The collar of the snow-white uniform was delicately embroidered with golden thread. The combination of the gray vest worn under the jacket and the red cravat looked quite splendid.

The handsome face beneath the brilliantly parted silver hair was strangely stiff, as if tense.

While he could count on more than ten fingers the number of times he had attended others’ birthday parties, his own birthday party experiences were fewer than that.

‘……I’m not sure if this is the right thing to do.’

He sighed lightly as he rubbed his mouth. He was still questioning the necessity of holding his own birthday party.

If it were for networking or other interests, that would be understandable. But isn’t this purely out of Arasila’s goodwill?

How enjoyable and good could his useless birthday party possibly be…..

At that moment, along with a light knock, Arasila’s voice came from beyond the door.

“Demian, are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m coming out now.”

Demian immediately turned and went out the door. There stood Arasila, wearing a cream-colored dress embroidered with silver thread and decorated with a red ribbon.

A smile naturally rose to Demian’s lips as he faced his beautiful wife. Suddenly, the birthday party seemed to gain meaning.

“You look beautiful today as well.”

“Well, that’s only natural.”

Arasila, who had playfully responded with a prim expression, soon held out her hand to Demian with a grin.

“Shall we go?”

“Yes.”

He obediently took her slender hand and began to walk.

As they got closer to the hall where the party was being held, faint murmurs of conversation could be heard.

There seem to be more attendees than I thought. Making such an assumption without any expectations, Demian stood at the entrance of the hall.

He resolved as he watched the slowly opening doors. Still, since Arasila had put in the effort, he should try to show the best reaction possible.

Reflecting on his childhood memories, birthday parties were only noisy and bothersome, but for Arasila’s sake, he could certainly act like he was enjoying himself.

‘Should I be smiling from the moment I enter?’

That would look better. As he stepped through the open door, Demian consciously pulled up the corners of his mouth.

Pop! Pop pop!

“Happy birthday, Commander!”

“Happy birthday, Lord Vandermir!”

Colorful flower petals burst above his head and congratulatory wishes flew from all directions.

Demian’s expression crumbled in bewilderment at the unexpected situation. His eyes scanned the interior of the party hall.

The hall was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and filled with people.

Members of the Crimson Hawk Knights, Colin, Prince Lucas, Duke Hugo’s family, Arasila’s friend Paula and other acquaintances…..

People who had gathered to sincerely celebrate his birthday greeted Demian with bright smiles.

Just like Oscar’s birthday parties he had envied as a child.

Realizing this fact, Demian felt strange. Clearly, until just a moment ago, he hadn’t felt any emotion at all.

As he stood still, not knowing how to react, Arasila took his hand and whispered as she pulled him along.

“Let’s go, Demian. This party is for you.”

Demian followed her as if entranced. The peaceful and warm scene he had thought would never be allowed for him naturally enveloped him.

It was his first birthday party solely for him.