Chapter 24
“I heard that you had an argument with Leon, and you were looking for advice on how to make up with him.”
“So that’s why both Leon and His Grace keep sending you letters.
Our poor Ebony stuck in the middle like a sandwich.”
“If my small sacrifice can help them reconcile, then so be it.”
Ebony finally had the chance to use an excuse she hadn’t used before.
“I knew it! His Grace hasn’t replied to a single one of my letters, yet he writes to you every day.”
Irene closed her eyes, and her long, thick eyelashes briefly disappeared.
“Of course, I’m happy just knowing my letters reach him… but still, he could at least reply once in a while, since he’s already sending you letters anyway.”
Her clear, jewel-like voice carried a distinct hint of disappointment.
“Every morning, the first thing I do is ask the postman if there’s a letter from His Grace. But there’s always one for you and never one for me. Even feeling sad about it every day is getting tiresome.”
She sighed, gazing wistfully at the letter in Ebony’s hands, looking as if she might faint from years of unrequited love.
“Are you upset that I keep exchanging letters with His Grace?”
Ebony cautiously asked.
At that moment, the hint of tears in Irene’s brown eyes vanished.
“Of course not!”
She playfully tapped Ebony’s shoulder and laughed.
“If anything, I’m happy that you and His Grace are getting along. My lovely Ebony will be our Cupid of love!”
“So you’re okay with it? I’m relieved. I was worried you might be upset.”
Ebony’s words made Irene’s smile grow even brighter.
“There’s nothing to worry about. No matter how much you and His Grace exchange letters, what could happen?”
It was clear that Irene didn’t even consider the possibility of anything significant happening between Ebony and Diego.
Ebony smiled inwardly.
“You’re right. There’s no way someone like me could be anything to His Grace. I’m just glad you’re not bothered by it—I don’t want us to fight over something silly.”
“Of course! We’re family, after all.”
Irene winked cutely, squeezing Ebony’s arm.
As they climbed the stairs, continuing their conversation, Irene suddenly clapped her hands as if she had just remembered something important.
“Oh! Father’s birthday is coming up soon!”
Unlike her enthusiastic tone, Ebony’s reaction was slightly delayed. She had been so busy lately that she had completely forgotten about it.
“Wait… did you forget?”
“I’ve just been really busy. I haven’t had time to think about it.”
“Even if your relationship with him isn’t the best, how could you forget your own father’s birthday?”
“I told you, I was just too occupied to remember.”
She knew Irene was teasing, but it still stung a little to be made out as an unfilial daughter.
Edward, their father, probably didn’t even remember Ebony’s birthday, much less care to celebrate it. To him, her birthday was just a reminder of the disaster that was Violet’s end.
“Anyway, I was thinking we should throw a birthday party for him.”
“I see.”
“What kind of reaction is that?”
“Huh?”
“You don’t sound excited at all! We’re planning the party together, you know.”
Irene pouted and stared at Ebony.
“Isn’t this usually something Herman and you organize?”
“Herman is busy with imperial matters and will be leaving on a sudden trip. So this time, it’s just us sisters planning it.”
Ebony found it odd. Irene always left her out when planning Edward’s birthday, so why was she suddenly including her now?
“I’ve already told Father that we’re preparing something special. It has to be an unforgettable event!”
Irene clenched her fists with determination.
“I’ll take care of finding a great gift for Father. Why don’t you handle writing the invitations?”
“Alright.”
And just like that, Ebony realized the real reason she was being included.
Someone had to write the invitations.
Since it was Edward’s birthday, the nobles would naturally attend. But having the invitations come from “Ebony Dominique” would look better than having them come from a mere common-born adopted daughter.
To the aristocrats, bloodline was more important than even the Duke’s favoritism.
***
Even though Irene had insisted they were hosting the party together, she made all the decisions by herself.
From the theme to the guest list, the menu, the orchestra’s playlist, and even the wording and design of the invitations—she controlled everything.
“Wait… the main dish is lobster?”
Ebony muttered in disbelief after reading the detailed plan Irene had prepared.
According to the menu, the main course of the banquet would be butter-roasted lobster.
Irene, completely unconcerned, casually dismissed Ebony’s shock.
“I heard seafood dishes are trending right now. Lobster is much more impressive than the usual steak, don’t you think?”
“Sister, did you forget that I’m allergic to shellfish?”
“Of course not! How could I forget something like that?”
Irene raised an eyebrow, acting as if Ebony was being unreasonable.
“But a true host should be willing to make sacrifices. We need to think about what our guests would like, not just our personal preferences.”
She gave a haughty lecture as if she were some kind of high society expert.
Ebony found it laughable but decided it wasn’t worth arguing over.
Especially not for his birthday.
“You’re right. Let’s go with your plan.”
She chose to be the obedient little sister once more.
***
As the party approached, Irene was busy picking out the perfect dress and hairstyle, but Ebony had little interest in such things.
“Lady Irene is preparing a special gift for His Grace.”
Amy, the maid, informed Ebony as she helped fix her hair.
Looking at Ebony through the mirror, Amy hesitated before asking,
“Are you not preparing a gift as well?”
“Irene said she would take care of it, so there’s no need for me to do anything.”
“But in previous years, you always put so much thought into your gifts.”
“And every year, His Grace never cared for them.”
Amy hesitated, sensing the bitterness in Ebony’s voice.
It was true.
Ebony had once spent a whole month knitting a scarf from the purple thread Edward liked. She had painted a portrait of him. She even practiced playing his favorite piano piece.
But Edward had never once acknowledged her efforts.
“…Purple is the color of Violet. That child, who inherited her mother’s life, dares to give me this color? How cruel.”
Later, Ebony found the carefully knitted scarf tossed in the trash.
She had dug through his office trash bin, unable to believe it.
The stale, musty smell of the discarded scarf made it painfully clear—her gift meant nothing.
And that night, she had cried until she couldn’t breathe.
“It’s fine. That’s all in the past now.”
She swallowed the lingering bitterness.
***
A few days later, Edward’s birthday banquet began.
As expected, many influential figures attended to celebrate the powerful Duke.
Wanting to impress him, they competed to present the most extravagant gifts—luxurious foreign silks, rare scented oils, and even an enormous diamond from a newly discovered mine.
But the grand finale belonged to the Duke’s daughters.
Irene, dressed elegantly, confidently stepped forward with Ebony beside her.
With a nod, her attendants revealed a life-sized statue of Edward.
“I commissioned the famous sculptor, Monsieur Riemhart, to capture His Grace’s noble presence.”
The guests gasped in admiration, and Irene beamed as Edward embraced her in approval.
Then, she turned to Ebony with an expectant smile.
“Ebony, now it’s your turn to present your gift.”
Seeing that Ebony remained still, Irene tilted her head in confusion.
After a moment, realization struck her. Covering her mouth with her hands, she feigned shock.
“Oh my… don’t tell me… you didn’t prepare a gift?”
