Chapter 124

unedited

“Next time, I will send you a formal invitation. Our birthday banquet will be held in a month.”

Ninaina said don’t be sad, and patted us.

But I didn’t feel particularly sad.

Rather, we secretly hid to watch the banquet, and even danced, which became a thrilling memory for us.

We rode our carriage out through the hole as we had come the first time.

Then I got off at Jake’s house and went back to the Marquisate with the carriage of my family that was there.

‘It was a fun palace banquet.’

I grinned with satisfaction.

But I didn’t know it then.

What will happen in the future because of today’s events!

***

It was exactly two weeks after we went to the Imperial Palace banquet.

Early summer has passed and the real summer has arrived and the air is quite hot.

However, the inside of the kindergarten was just as cool as the autumn weather thanks to the magic stone that spews cold air.

‘I hear summer sounds outside the window.’

The sound of cicadas crowing and the sound of the air being cooked and steaming.

Even though I was in a cool room, I could hear the sound in my ears just looking out the window.

I sat blankly with my chin on the window sill and looked forward.

Today’s lesson was about the imperial capital.

Among them, it was about where the major commercial facilities of the capital were located.

Of course, it wasn’t difficult because we were still little kids.

“Now, would you like to see this picture? Does anyone know where this picture is?”

The teacher held up a picture drawn in the sketchbook.

Tents, shops, and street vendors. noisy guests.

Well, I don’t know the exact name, but I guess that’s a market?

As I was about to tilt my head, Nicholas, who was sitting next to me, raised his hand and answered.

“Isn’t it the Elova day market, right in the center of the capital?”

“You got it right, Your Highness.”

As expected, smart Nicholas.

I shook my head slightly.

After that, the teacher’s explanation began, and I opened my eyes and focused on the class.

However, there was a person who seemed to have been completely absorbed in other thoughts from before.

‘Cedric, why are you smiling like that?’

His gaze was not in the sketchbook or the teacher, but in the air, and the corners of his lips were raised.

I tilted my head at Cedric’s unfamiliar behavior, then returned to focus on class.

It wasn’t until the afternoon after class that I realized why Cedric was smiling so meaningfully.

***

“So… you want to go to the market together? To the Elova day market you learned today?”

Cedric had suggested to me, no, not only me and the other children, to go to the market with him.

Cedric answered in a very excited voice.

“Yes! Wouldn’t it be fun?”

“Are you just going to take a look?”

At my question, Cedric had a slightly irritated expression on his face, but he took care of his expression and managed to keep a straight face.

“……Well, how could that be possible? Of course, it looks fun, there are also things like that…! It’s because there are things to buy there.”

“What would you buy?”

But isn’t it possible to get all kinds of items through the other markets?

Cedric made an excuse when I gave him a puzzled look.

“Of course I know. No need to go to the market. But I mean, sometimes there are things in the family that you have to keep secret.”

“Is it something so important that you keep it a secret?”

Cedric smiled slightly shyly at my question.

‘No, Cedric could smile like that?’

When he couldn’t say anything in embarrassment like I had never seen before, Cedric answered.

“Yes. It’s really a secret, because I’m going to buy my eldest brother’s birthday present.”

“……Well, that’s true.”

I was convinced.

If you’re going to buy a birthday present, isn’t it better to keep it a secret from everyone as a surprise?

‘No, but wait.’

It was only later that I was surprised to recall what Cedric had said.

“By the way, if it’s your eldest brother, is it Sir Ceyden? Is it Sir Ceyden’s birthday soon?”

“……Yes, that’s right.”

Cedric nodded his head.

But somehow, his expression hardened a little.

‘What’s wrong?’

I was puzzled. And Cedric gave the answer.

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of going to my mansion to throw a party for my eldest brother’s birthday?”

“……Um, well. I would like to go if Sir Cedric or Sir Ceyden invites me?”

I shrugged.

Then Cedric abruptly stood up and gave me a threat.

“Never come.”

“Yes?”

“I won’t invite you, so don’t come.”

“…?”

Why all of a sudden?

I was taken aback by Cedric’s sudden change of attitude, so I only rolled my eyes.

Cedric continued.

“You are my friend, not my eldest brother’s friend, are you? So it’s only right to just congratulate me on my birthday.”

“……!”

No, what kind of absurd thing is that?

There’s no law that says you have to be friends to celebrate your birthday!

“Of course, older brother or second brother might tell me to invite you too. Maybe they’ll send you an invitation without me knowing.”

“……Yes.”

“But don’t forget. You must absolutely refuse.”

“Umm. Let me think about it…”

Cedric replied as if dumbfounded by the ambiguous remarks.

“What’s there to think? Burn the invitation. And don’t come.”

“……”