Chapter 14

“It’s amazing. I just tied the way my hands went! Hehe. Oh, anyway. I gave the gift to the Princess first, but I prepared one for everyone, so I’ll hand them out.”

I picked up the first bag in front of me which had a yellow ribbon.

This was to be given to Cedric with the gold eyes.

I only chose specific colors for the Princess, Prince, and Jake.

But what a coincidence this is!

The color of the ribbons wrapped around the rest of the gifts were the same colors as the eyes of Cedric and Alice, respectively.

It seems that luck really is on my side today.

I handed over the bag with a more careless attitude than I had done with the Princess.

I would never say that it was revenge for that ridicule earlier.

“Here, take it. Esteemed son, Cedric.”

“……Tsk. Who said it’s esteemed son.”

Even though his words were harsh, the act of gently extending his hands made me laugh.

However, I had a feeling that if I laughed now, I would never be able to get close to Cedric, so I put the bag in his hands.

Cedric looked at the bag and suddenly asked a question.

“Is this a yellow ribbon? I have yellow eyes, so is that why?”

“Well, I’m not sure I just tied any ribbon that I had.”

“……What?”

‘I’m not interested in you?’ Cedric frowned when he understood what I meant.

Watching his bewildered response, I laughed on the inside.

Again, it is by no means petty revenge.

‘Look at that. Your mouth protrudes five feet.’

However, since it’s not good to lie to kids, I corrected myself right away.

“It’s a lie, actually. Hehe.”

“What!”

“It’s a lie. It is the color of your eyes. Oh, anyway…… Hey, Alice?”

At this point, I decided to turn away and I quickly spoke to the beautiful blonde child who was standing the furthest among the children.

Alice glanced at me and stammered.

“……Yes? Yes? I, I…… you mean?”

I could barely see her forehead and eyes through the children since Alice was short for her age. I jumped out of my chair, squeezed through a gap, and approached Alice.

“That’s right. I prepared a gift for Young Lady Alice as well. Look, it’s a pretty silver ribbon that resembles the color of your eyes.”

The bag I handed Alice was a really pretty bag tied with a silver ribbon.

Is it because the ribbon seems to be made from thin silver threads that it gave off the illusion that it was shining.

“……Pretty.”

It seemed like Alice didn’t expect to receive a gift.

She looked at the bag with the silver ribbon blankly and then took it from me and held it tightly in her arms.

“Thank you…… it’s my first time getting a gift.”

At that moment, I felt my heart crying at Alice’s response.

I knew Alice’s past as a reader who has read all the novels, no, it’s a reality now. Anyway, it was all the sadder because I knew Alice’s situation well. But I replied brightly, pretending not to know anything. I had to do this here.

“Hehe, I’m glad I gave Young Lady Alice her first gift.”

Alice soon blinked her eyes and bowed her head.

But in that short moment, I saw it.

Alice’s big silver eyes were filled with tears like dew.

‘Oh, did I make you cry……’

I hesitated for a moment then took my handkerchief out of my pocket.

Fortunately, I didn’t use it for anything today so it smelled warm and nice because it was washed.

“Here, Alice. Please accept it.”

I covered the handkerchief with my body so that the other kids and teacher couldn’t see Alice.

There are people who don’t like to show others their crying.

Alice would always secretly cry in the corner.

I didn’t want Alice to feel ashamed.

Alice wept silently without the usual whimpering and took the handkerchief without saying a word. In a small voice, I thought she said, ‘thank you……’

“What, is Alice getting more presents? That’s bad.”

From behind, I heard Cedric’s babble and it seems he misunderstood my behavior, but I kept covering Alice until her tears stopped. Well, it took about a minute. Alice fiddled with the handkerchief and glanced at me wondering what to do.