I stared blankly at Vivi for a moment before asking,
“…A birthday banquet?”
“Yes, a birthday banquet!”
“My birthday… so it’s….”
“It’s soon!”
At Vivi’s exclamation, I froze momentarily as if buffering, then swallowed a sigh that threatened to escape.
As far as I knew, Eloise’s birthday fell at the start of autumn—late September, to be precise. I knew this because in the original story, Eloise’s birthday occurred not long after Diana returned to the capital. Ian, aware of this, had pointedly ignored Eloise’s birthday, which was briefly mentioned in the narrative.
‘Now that I think about it, the original Ian was consistently insufferable.’
Raising one eyebrow at the thought, I mentally calculated. It was late August now, so there was barely a month left until Eloise’s birthday. Turning my gaze to Vivi, who was still staring at me expectantly, I spoke nonchalantly.
“A birthday banquet… right, it’s about time to start preparing.”
“Pardon? What are you saying? My lady, I know you’ve been busy lately, but… it’s not ‘about time’—we’re already way behind! You’re supposed to start preparing at the beginning of summer for it to be ready in time!”
It was me who was taken aback by her words.
…Do they really start preparing three months in advance? Wasn’t that just a storytelling embellishment?
In one of the side stories, Ian, after falling for Diana, had been described as going overboard with birthday preparations three months in advance. I had assumed it was just a bit of exaggerated flair to highlight the heroine. But now that it was my reality, I felt bewildered.
Just when I thought I could finally relax, it seemed I was about to get busy again. Swallowing another sigh, I forced a small smile, conscious of Vivi watching me.
‘Alright… but how exactly does one prepare for a birthday banquet here?’
From what I knew, birthday banquets in this world were traditionally organized by one’s spouse, or in the absence of a spouse, by immediate family members.
But as described in the original story, Ian naturally hadn’t bothered to celebrate Eloise’s birthday. Thus, it was obvious that even after marriage, Ian wouldn’t have acknowledged her first birthday as his wife.
‘So how did last year’s banquet happen?’
As I pondered a question I couldn’t possibly ask Vivi, she blinked her brown eyes fervently and grumbled discontentedly.
“In any case, we’ll make sure to prepare properly this time! Last year’s banquet was so small because you specifically requested it, my lady. I was so disappointed. Back at the Marquisate of Alphius, your birthday banquets were grand enough to make the capital buzz with excitement!”
I tilted my head and regarded her sideways as she spilled the information unprompted.
“…I see. I didn’t realize it was such a letdown.”
“I’m sure most of the staff were disappointed! It was your first birthday since getting married!”
Perhaps still holding onto her frustration, Vivi stamped her foot in protest. Well, considering how Eloise must have been before marriage, her birthday banquet would have drawn enough attendees to circle the capital twice over.
After all, the birthday banquets of marriageable noblewomen often served as opportunities to scout potential spouses.
“And back then, you personally prepared for your birthday banquet, my lady. It didn’t sit well with me at all.”
Vivi’s muttering brought an abrupt end to my shallow reflection.
I’d suspected it, but to think Eloise had truly prepared her own birthday banquet! Ian ignoring his wife’s birthday was one thing, but for Eloise to go so far as to handle the arrangements herself—she really was an extraordinary woman.
‘At this point, I’m genuinely curious about the original Eloise.’
A birthday banquet in the Cloud Ducal household wasn’t just a simple celebration. It was a stage for political maneuvering and gauging social standing among other nobles.
‘You can’t just skip it because you feel like it, so she must have found a way to manage somehow….’
Typically, one might turn to their family or close friends for help. But Eloise had handled everything herself. Even then, her duties as the Duchess seemed to have outweighed any consideration for personal pride or comfort.
The more I learned, the more it struck me that Eloise had dedicated herself entirely to the role of Duchess.
For someone like that to have considered running away…
‘It’s a hundred percent Ian’s fault, isn’t it?’
I felt strangely unsettled as I redirected my wandering gaze back to Vivi.
“Well then, Vivi, this year…”
“This year, of course, we’ll have to ask the master to prepare it!”
Before I could finish speaking, Vivi suddenly let out a loud exclamation and immediately clamped her hands over her mouth, her face pale.
“I-I’m so sorry, my lady! I got too excited and—”
“It’s fine, don’t worry.”
When I reassured her calmly, Vivi’s face crumpled into an expression of regret.
“But, we can’t let it be like last year again. Besides, things have gotten so much better between you two. Surely, the master wouldn’t ignore your birthday this time?”
“Hmm.”
Maybe this year would indeed be different.
As I vaguely conjured up Ian’s face in my mind, I found myself shaking my head slightly. Meanwhile, Vivi clenched her fists tightly with a resolute expression that went beyond determination.
“The master has to be the one to handle it this time. Otherwise!”
“Otherwise?”
“…I’ll do it!”
“Yes, you will.”
When I teased her with a suppressed smile, Vivi, now red-faced, darted her eyes around before muttering dejectedly, her eyebrows drooping.
“I’ll be upset….”
Her sudden shift to a sulky demeanor almost made me burst into laughter, but I managed to hold it in.
“Don’t worry. You can expect something different this year.”
Even Ian wouldn’t go as far as to make a big deal about liking me and then ignore my birthday.
Vivi’s face immediately brightened.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
Honestly, if anyone saw us now, they might think it was her birthday, not mine. Feeling both amused and touched, I patted her head lightly.
“Let’s just wait and see what happens.”
But my words didn’t get the chance to become reality.
The very next day, someone barged loudly into the duchy, causing a commotion.
“Duchess! I’ve been waiting for this day!”
Standing proudly with her hands on her hips, taking over the lobby, was none other than the princess.
❖ ❖ ❖
“…So, you’re saying, Your Highness, that you’ll personally host my birthday banquet?”
A few minutes later, in the drawing room.
The well-lit space by the windows was occupied by me, Ian, and the princess. While I was still bewildered, and Ian looked like he found the entire situation highly displeasing, the princess’s face was brimming with excitement.
“Exactly! I told you, I’d give you something grand as a birthday gift.”
“Well, you did say that, but…”
You didn’t mention that the gift would be a birthday banquet.
“Ha! Just so you know, I’m the trendsetter of the capital. A banquet personally hosted by the princess is a rare event, so you should feel honored, Duchess!”
She grinned as she picked up a cookie in front of her and popped it into her mouth.
“Ah, yes….”
It was true that a banquet organized by the princess would carry significant weight.
“But, Your Highness, this feels like too much of a gift. I haven’t given you anything to—”
“No!”
The princess’s sharp voice cut me off, leaving me momentarily speechless.
“I must do this for you! Even my sister—no, the Emperor—has given her approval!”
“…The Emperor?”
She probably thought it would be entertaining and approved without hesitation, didn’t she?
As I silently cursed the image of the Emperor that flashed through my mind, I swallowed a sigh. From the start, I knew I didn’t stand a chance against the princess when she was like this.
While I stayed quiet, resigning myself to the situation, Ian, who had been sitting crookedly next to me, glaring at the princess, finally spoke.
“Princess.”
“Yes, brother?”
“There’s no need to trouble yourself with unnecessary matters.”
I inhaled sharply at the cold, emotionless tone.
‘Just listen to how he talks!’
Would it kill him to speak to the princess the way he does to me?
“Ian.”
I rebuked him incredulously, but the princess seemed entirely unaffected.
“And why would this be unnecessary?”
“By tradition, birthday banquets are organized by the spouse or immediate family of the person in question—”
“But you didn’t organize the Duchess’s banquet last year, did you?”
The princess cut him off with a pointed remark, leaving Ian momentarily stunned.
Squinting her eyes at him, she smirked, her lips curling into a faintly mocking smile.
“…Duke, let me ask you one thing.”
The fact that she addressed him as “Duke” now meant she was fully prepared to ridicule him.
“Have you ever planned a birthday banquet before?”
Ian’s silence stretched on. It seemed he wanted to respond but had nothing to say.
Not surprising, really.
On the other hand, the princess’s victorious smile grew wider.
“See?”
And I saw it—the subtle defeat that crept onto Ian’s face.
• • •
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