Chapter 35
“Hello, the young ladies and gentlemen will be arriving shortly.”
The maid curtsied and scanned the surroundings with a careful eye, likely checking if it was safe for the children.
After a thorough inspection, the maid brought in the children. Four girls and two boys.
All of them were dressed in ribbons and frills, except for one girl whose dress was quite plain. She seemed to be wearing a dress designed like a miniature adult gown.
“Hmm.”
A girl with brown hair and red eyes surveyed the cocktail bar interior with a satisfied expression.
“So this is where adults drink alcohol…”
This red-eyed girl admiring the scene was none other than today’s star, Rubiana.
“Happy birthday, Lady Rubiana.”
I placed a flower crown I had prepared onto Ruby’s head.
Bang!
Right on cue, Chris set off a party popper. Colorful paper and glitter rained down on Rubiana.
Even if idolizing adults, she was still a child at heart. I couldn’t neglect a seven-year-old girl’s tastes.
“You must have worked hard preparing this. I appreciate the welcoming gesture. Well done.”
Rubiana praised with a composed tone. It was oddly mature for a child.
“Wow, are we having Ruby’s birthday party here?”
“Amazing! I’ve never been to a place like this.”
The other children looked around excitedly.
When a girl in a dress with a huge back ribbon started jumping about, Rubiana frowned.
“Rebecca. Conduct yourself like a proper young lady. Adults don’t run about in a tavern.”
“Mmm.”
The girl called Rebecca straightened her posture.
‘What nonsense. Adults can become total wrecks when they’re drunk.’
Not just running—they break out into impromptu dancing, strip off their clothes while singing, and more.
But I didn’t feel the need to say that out loud. Their illusions about adults were part of being children.
What concerned me more was how Rubiana kept glancing furtively at Chris.
“Are you perhaps…”
“What?”
“Are you a prince?”
A prince? Do handsome boys all look like princes to children?
Yes, with that shining silver hair and ruby-like eyes, he does give off a noble aura.
That illusion would be quickly shattered if he opened his mouth, though.
“No.”
“Who are you?”
A green-haired boy interjected between Rubiana and Chris.
“And who are you?”
Chris replied with an indifferent face, making the boy flinch. But he quickly clenched his fists and shouted as if nothing had happened.
“I-I’m a prince! Don’t you dare flirt with my girlfriend!”
Ah, it’s him. Rubiana’s boyfriend.
“But that child has become infatuated with some scruffy punk!”
Remembering the regent’s conscious look made me laugh.
‘The children of this world are quite precocious.’
A thump came from the kitchen.
We had hidden a large gift box there, with the regent lying in wait inside.
Since Rubiana wouldn’t accept his gift, he had decided to give it to her himself and climbed into the box unbidden.
‘I wonder what it truly means to be a father?’
I glanced towards the kitchen, lost in thought.
The regent, who had lived like a bulldozer for the kingdom, changed after his daughter was born.
He elevated child welfare, which had been neglected, to the highest priority and even built a nursery in the royal palace so he could see his daughter often.
For his daughter, he would do anything. Truly anything.
‘Do parents change when they have children?’
Just as my parents, who used to dote on me as the prettiest, changed once they had their own child.
“Mom! I want to wear the sweater you knitted too.”
“Jihee hasn’t had a chance to wear a sweater made by mom yet. Sena, you’re all grown up now, so you should let your brother have it.”
But Mom, today is my birthday. You’ve never knitted a sweater just for me.
I couldn’t bring myself to voice the words lingering in my mouth.
My mother later knitted me a pair of socks so I wouldn’t feel hurt, but I could still sense the difference in warmth.
I suddenly felt envious of the little lady.
‘Now is not the time for that.’
I forced a smile and continued on with the birthday party.
“Happy birthday!”
We gathered around the table, singing the birthday song, and cut into a three-tier cake topped with a sugar doll resembling Rubiana.
In the lively atmosphere, the gift-giving ceremony took place.
“This was made by the finest artisan in our territory.”
“Thank you.”
A smile never left Rubiana’s face as she unwrapped each present.
Exquisite dollhouses akin to craft pieces, intricately carved jewelry, and large dolls.
Right on cue, cocktails were served as the gift-giving ceremony ended.
“I’ve prepared these cocktails for you all.”
“Wow!”
The addition of cocktails topped with colorful ice cream balls brought the already high spirits to a peak.
“It looks like there are lots of pearls piled up.”
“Wow, this is delicious!”
The children drank their cocktails amidst chatter.
“Here you go.”
As I handed Rubiana her cocktail, her face lit up brightly.
It felt like I was finally seeing the real Rubiana—not the awkward mimicry of an adult, but the inquisitive nature of a seven-year-old girl.
However, as soon as our eyes met, Rubiana hurriedly composed herself.
“It’s okay to smile when you’re happy.”
“What nonsense? A proper adult shouldn’t grin foolishly.”
Rubiana replied stiffly before turning away to drink her cocktail. Then Rebecca lightly tugged at my clothes.
“Why are you doing that?”
“Rubiana’s always like that.”
“That’s right! Don’t worry about it too much.”
The children reassured me with their chatter.
‘How sweet of them.’
I made another round of cocktails for the kind children. The colorful pearl ice cream sodas were a big hit.
Watching the happy children eat and drink, I began preparing for the next stage.
‘A party can’t just be about food and drinks.’
If today’s guests were adults, I would have prepared a dance floor, but Rubiana was likely the only child here who would want that.
Yet I couldn’t exclude Rubiana, the star of today, so I needed an entertaining but not too childish activity.
‘Board games are perfect for this!’
Games like pulling sticks out of a tree without letting the attached monkey figures fall, or stacking chairs while keeping the balance, were ideal.
I had received them as prizes right before getting hit by that motorcycle accident, and Chris found them while cleaning up.
‘I never thought I’d get a chance to use them.’
The reaction was so positive, I considered giving them as return gifts when we departed.
“I won!”
“Wow, Ruby is amazing!”
“Of course. I’m all grown up.”
As the children were occupied playing with the maid and Chris, I went to prepare the next round of cocktails. Suddenly, the atmosphere grew raucous.
I turned to see what was happening.
“Prince!”
“I’m the real prince!”
“There can be princes in different kingdoms.”
The children had surrounded Chris, fawning over him being a “prince.”
‘So children like handsome people too.’
Only Rubiana’s boyfriend pouted sullenly in the corner while the others clamored for Chris to play with them.
The rambunctious Rebecca even leaped onto Chris, clinging to him. His face hardened menacingly, leaving the maid flustered.
‘Take good care of our precious guests.’
If someone ended up crying and the cocktail bar caught fire, who would take responsibility?
I tapped the shaker with a bar spoon to signal him. Chris then swiftly scooped up Rebecca.
“Kyaa!”
As she was lifted high, Rebecca excitedly flailed her limbs in delight.
‘If you’re going to carry a child, you should give them a piggyback ride.’
I sighed seeing Rebecca slung over his shoulder like a sack, but…
“It’s so high! You all look so tiny from up here!”
“Really? Give me a ride too!”
“Me first!”
Well, if they were satisfied, I supposed it was fine.
Chris took turns giving the children shoulder rides. Eventually, it was Rubiana’s turn.
“Such a childish game…”
“You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”
When Chris didn’t insist further, Rubiana flinched before tugging at his clothes.
“I’ll join in just once.”
“If Ruby’s doing it, I will too!”
Her boyfriend then chimed in.
“Very well.”
Chris hoisted Rubiana onto his right shoulder and her boyfriend onto his left. Then he spun around quickly.
“Guards! Guards! Come save me at once!”
“Kyaa!”
Their contrasting reactions drew a laugh from me.
‘He’s surprisingly good with children.’
🥂
Thank you for reading! ♡
