The Emperor never paid proper attention to Cassard after Queen Viviana went mad.

“Why did she go mad?”

The reason was unknown, but the fact was her mental illness had made his childhood lonely.

“I want to make it a special day for you.”

I held his hand and shouted.

“Of course, you have to receive birthday gifts too!”

More than anything, what mattered was the warm birthday meal and time spent together on this special day.

“……I’m looking forward to it.”

His eyes, now bright, were fixed on me.

Gathering my hair, Cassard revealed my nape.

“I don’t know if you’ve already chosen a gift.”

His lips moved down my neck.

He always seemed to have a fixation on necks.

“I have simple tastes. For example.”

Cassard’s gaze lingered momentarily behind me. There stood Ludvion.

His icy look sent warnings in a place unbeknownst to me.

My mouth felt dry.

The gaze that returned entrapped me.

“The gift is me, for instance?”

He gripped the pendant I was wearing and activated a spell.

A bright light enveloped us.

“……Gasp!”

I suddenly found myself lying on Cassard’s bed.

He quickly climbed atop me and pressed his lips against mine.

“It’s okay to give it in advance.”

“Hold on……!”

Only 8 hours remained until Cassard’s birthday.

My body tensed at the sensation of his lips covering mine.

Time flew by so fast, I couldn’t catch my breath. I was overwhelmed.

Then at midnight.

“Happy Birthday.”

The bell signaling midnight rang.

A chime that heralded the long dawn.

Thus, dawn broke on Cassard’s birthday.

Upon opening my eyes, I saw Cassard holding me.

His welldefined chest and abs were visible below his collarbone.

I woke up from the extreme euphoria.

“……Yesterday.”

I had underestimated what 19+ meant in the book. It was my first such experience.

“I didn’t know it would be like this.”

Everything felt too vivid.

Even the sweet words he whispered to me.

And the phrase I used the most was,

“Stop……!”

My face flushed red.

“Is this really your first time?”

Could it all have been lies?

Feeling like I might never wake up, I struggled with all my might.

It was about time to think that freeing myself from the arm around my waist was an achievement.

“Why are you struggling so much?”

He, whom I thought was asleep, was watching me.

I blushed again at his eyes, which showed no sign of sleepiness.

“I’m busy!”

“Busy in the morning?”

“Because it’s morning, I’m busy!”

A shout of determination.

Though my body ached, I escaped his embrace using willpower alone.

“The birthday person isn’t supposed to do anything. You’re not allowed to wander until breakfast!”

Before leaving the bed, I pecked his cheek.

“Once again, Happy Birthday!”

I heard his laughter as I dashed away.

“See you at the restaurant later!”

As I made my escape to the kitchen, the servants there greeted me.

“Welcome, future Madam!”

“Everything is ready for your preparation!”
“Thank you, everyone!”

Quickly donning an apron, I stood in front of the stove.

There were many dishes to prepare.

Because.

‘I’m making a 12course birthday feast!’

Japchae, bulgogi, and seaweed soup—each menu was sure to tantalize the taste buds.

With the help of people in the kitchen, the pace of cooking picked up.

‘It’s good I taught them Korean cuisine beforehand.’

I decided to focus on the seaweed soup, the star of the birthday meal.

The dried seaweed soaked in water had become mushy.

After greasing a large pot with sesame oil, adding beef brisket and seaweed pretty much sealed the deal.

‘When it starts to boil, seasoning it with minced garlic and soy sauce for soup will do!’

A clear beef and seaweed soup was complete.

Having finished all the cooking, I transferred the food into appropriate dishes with busy hands.

It was exactly 5 minutes before breakfast was to start.

“I’ll serve it.”

“Please do!”

I went to the dining hall to greet the children and Cassard.

From afar, Louis was walking toward me, holding Eshtra’s hand.

“Aileen!”

“Lord Louis!”

Louis ran up and hugged me tightly.

Louis was cute and charming today as well.

However, Evan was nowhere to be seen.

“Where is Lord Evan?”

“Hmm? Evan went down earlier.”

“I’ll go look for him.”

He couldn’t have gone far, being within the castle.

‘Did he go for a quick walk?’

I thought it would be better to wait a bit.

After Eshtra left the dining hall, the table was fully set with prepared dishes.

‘Hehehe, perfect.’

As I admired the breakfast table I had prepared, today’s protagonist Cassard entered the room.

“……What is this?”

Steam rose from the seaweed soup.

Contrary to my pleased expression, Cassard’s face hardened as he stood by his seat.

“What’s wrong?”

“What’s the name of this dish?”

The moment he asked the name of the seaweed soup, a massive tremor shook the palace.