Chapter 106
“You’re having the engagement ceremony together with the birthday party?”
“Yes, but I think it would be better to have the engagement ceremony first and then celebrate the young master’s birthday the next day.”
Since they had already received Leonhard’s permission, Hestia gathered Luciard, Hilde, Gillian, Daisy, and Nova—all the high-ranking employees of the Duke’s household.
“The main event is, of course, the young master’s birthday party.”
Seeing Hestia’s determined expression, Gillian already felt a headache coming.
What kind of lady cares more about someone else’s birthday than her own engagement?
“Gillian, help me make a list of people to invite.”
“…Understood.”
Leaving the exhausted-looking Gillian behind, Hestia looked around at the others.
“I want to give the young master an unforgettable memory. If anyone has any good ideas, please share them.”
“Good ideas, huh…”
Everyone thought hard.
“How about inviting other noble children around his age?”
“Children his age?”
“Yes. Before, the invitations didn’t specify bringing children, so most guests came alone or with their spouses.”
“That makes sense. It’s probably difficult to bring kids along.”
“Hm… That’s not a bad idea. The young master said he never had friends his age before meeting Eric.”
“Make sure to include in the invitations that their children should come as well. If they really can’t, then we can’t force them, but it should be a priority.”
“Understood.”
“Then we should make the birthday party fun for the kids. The adults can enjoy themselves at our engagement ceremony the day before.”
“How about creating a play area in the garden for them?”
“The time is a bit tight, but… it’s possible.”
Once one idea was suggested, others followed quickly.
“This should make the young master happy!”
Hestia looked at the long list of birthday party preparations with satisfaction.
“Wait a minute. We haven’t even discussed the engagement ceremony yet.”
As Hestia tried to get up, Gillian quickly stopped her with a sharp look.
“…Isn’t it basically covered while preparing for the birthday party?”
The guest list and general event structure were pretty much the same, right?
“Are you even listening to yourself? This is your engagement ceremony! You should be as passionate about it as you are about the young master’s birthday.”
Was she being too careless? Hestia scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“You need at least two outfits—a dress for the ceremony and one for the banquet. You also need to decide if the ceremony will be held indoors or outdoors, the color scheme, and the type of flowers and ribbons for decoration…”
Gillian fired off a list of preparations like a machine gun, and both Hestia and Luciard felt overwhelmed.
“T-That much…?”
“Why does it feel like there’s more to do than for Leon’s birthday?”
“Of course! This is just the basics. You’ll have to prepare for many events like this in the future, so you should learn properly now. This will affect your reputation.”
“Hestia, have you never hosted a party before?” Daisy asked.
Hestia, who had been stunned, quickly snapped out of it.
“No, my mother usually took care of those things. I was always too busy to attend parties, let alone organize them.”
“That’s unfortunate in times like these.”
“This is part of managing the household,” Nova added.
Nova, the head maid and Flora’s former nanny, was someone Hestia found particularly intimidating.
“Someday, you will marry the young master and become the lady of this house. You can’t avoid household affairs forever just because you’re busy with outside work.”
“I will personally teach you about household management. Since the young master has been taking over outside duties lately, you should have some time, right?”
“A-Ah, well…”
“If you follow my guidance, at least no one will criticize you.”
It wasn’t a request—it was an order. Hestia had no choice.
“I’ll help too. I’ve learned a lot from watching my mother prepare for events.”
“…I’ll help as well. Don’t worry.”
Daisy and Luciard tried to reassure her, but their statements were barely heard.
‘Hah… I’m doomed.’
Hestia was going to have restless nights until both events were over.
“Hestia, are you okay?”
“The engagement ceremony is coming up, but your skin looks so dry.”
“You need to get proper sleep.”
With both the engagement ceremony and Leonhard’s birthday approaching, Hestia had sent an urgent request for help from Byron’s artisans.
She had to get her dress fitted quickly, among many other things. Fortunately, they responded positively and came to assist.
Currently, she was trying on her dress.
“Your waist has gotten smaller since last time. Have you been eating properly?”
The designer looked at her with concern, but Hestia only had a blank, tired expression.
“…I wish I had two bodies.”
Even the designers, who had seen Hestia handle a lot of work before, had never seen her this exhausted.
“The fitting is finished. You still have some time—why not take a short nap?”
“…Maybe I should.”
Just as Hestia was about to lie down on the couch and close her eyes—
Knock, knock—
“Hestia, it’s Basil. Do you have a moment?”
As if sensing the perfect timing, Basil came looking for her.
With a sigh, Hestia got up like a ghost and left the room.
Watching her disappear, the designer muttered,
“…She’s going to collapse at this rate.”
The others nodded in agreement.
After quickly handling Basil’s business, Hestia changed into her outdoor attire and went downstairs.
She ran into Luciard and the Blaze Mercenary Group, who had just returned from outside.
“Where are you going?”
“Oh… Just to check how things are going.”
Hestia had planned to visit the abandoned mine she had purchased from Baron Sears.
“Hestia, are you okay?”
“Your eyes are half-closed.”
Hearing Lavio and Brina’s worried voices, Hestia forced a weak smile.
“I’m fine. People don’t die from this much work.”
“…That sounds concerning.”
Luciard frowned and said,
“Go another day. You’re overworking yourself.”
“…I can’t. I promised to visit this week. I’ve been exchanging letters with Mr. Gus, but I need to see the situation myself.”
“Then what’s that in your hands?”
“I’ll be in the carriage for two hours, so I brought some documents to review.”
Seeing the thick stack of papers, Luciard’s frown deepened. As Hestia trudged toward the carriage—
“Tsk.”
Clicking his tongue, Luciard followed her.
Just as she was about to step into the carriage, she stumbled slightly.
Luciard instinctively grabbed her waist.
“You can’t even step up properly.”
“…I don’t have the energy to argue with you.”
“Just get in already.”
Hestia, a bit dazed, blinked as she watched Luciard climb in after her.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m coming with you.”
“Don’t you have work?”
“I can do it later. I have more free time than you.”
“…Really?”
As the carriage started moving, silence filled the space.
Hestia rubbed her tired eyes, trying to shake off her exhaustion.
When she reached for her documents, Luciard grabbed her hand.
“Sleep.”
“I can’t.”
“The trip takes a while. Just sleep for 30 minutes.”
“….”
“I’ll wake you up in 30 minutes. Don’t worry and get some rest. You’re going to collapse at this rate.”
Hearing the genuine concern in his voice, Hestia slowly blinked.
‘…I really have been pushing myself too hard these past few days.’
She prided herself on her stamina, but even she felt completely drained.
‘And honestly, I’m at my limit.’
As soon as she got into the carriage, sleepiness suddenly overwhelmed Hestia.
Probably because she finally sat down.
“…You really have to wake me up in 30 minutes?”
“Yes, I will. Now hurry up and sleep.”
Giving in, Hestia leaned her head against the window and closed her eyes.
‘I don’t know if I can sleep with all this shaking…’
But before she could even finish that thought, her consciousness drifted far away.
In less than three minutes, soft breathing filled the carriage.
Her hands lay limply, and despite the bumpy ride, she didn’t stir at all—she had completely passed out.
Luciard gathered the papers slipping from her hands.
Bump, bump—!
The carriage rattled over an uneven road, making Hestia’s head knock against the window.
She was so exhausted that she didn’t wake up, but at this rate, she might.
Sighing, Luciard moved closer.
He carefully removed her bag and papers, then gently guided her head onto his shoulder, keeping her from hitting the window.
“Mm…”
Hestia frowned in her sleep, making Luciard freeze for a moment.
But soon, the sound of her steady breathing reassured him.
It seemed much more comfortable than hitting the window, and she stayed completely still.
“Really… You could take it easy once in a while.”
Lately, she had been pushing herself dangerously hard.
Ever since he started helping with work, at least she had stopped getting nosebleeds once a week. But now, they had returned.
Not only that—she wasn’t eating or sleeping properly. Every time she stood up, she wobbled.
Once, she even collapsed suddenly, making his heart drop.
The doctor had said she was overworked and needed rest, but…
“She never listens anyway.”
Luciard sighed. He couldn’t understand why she was pushing herself so hard.
Shh—shh—
Her soft breathing filled his ears, and he glanced down at her.
Gently, he brushed aside the strands of hair that had fallen over her face.
“This doesn’t look like the face of someone about to get engaged.”
Her skin looked dry, and dark circles hung under her eyes.
Even so, she was still beautiful.
“At this rate, those dark circles will never go away.”
Luciard lightly brushed the shadows under her eyes, murmuring to himself.
“Mmm…”
Hestia’s lips moved slightly, and without realizing it, Luciard’s gaze landed on them.
A strange warmth spread through his chest.
Flustered, he quickly turned away.
“Ahem. I should just work.”
Forcing himself to shake off unnecessary thoughts, he picked up the documents she had brought.
He had never planned to wake her up.
He just wanted her to rest—at least a little.
And so, all the way to the abandoned mine, Luciard silently lent her his shoulder.
Eles começando a se apaixonar😍😍