I Will Become the Villain’s Childhood Friend - Chapter 22

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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22

I leaned against the bed at an angle, composed my emotions, then got up.

Only then did I notice the birthday cards and gift boxes piled high on the console table beside the bed.

“Right, today is my birthday.”

Cards and gifts with the names of relatives were stacked up. Even at a glance, it was fortunate and amazing that all the names had become familiar to me now.

Among them, a small light pink box caught my eye. The emblem engraved on the card stuck in the box was definitely from the Diern Ducal House.

‘There’s no way Kail would have sent this…’

Looking at the beautiful blue butterfly pendant inside the box, I immediately knew it was a gift from the Countess. I pushed away the subtle disappointment and opened the card.

‘Dear Miss Rieze. I heard it was Miss Rieze’s birthday. I sincerely congratulate you. It’s already been over three weeks since we last had a chat together. I’m sorry that when Miss Rieze visited me before, I was in such a hurry that we missed each other.

I plan to stay at the ducal residence all week next week, so please visit if circumstances allow. I’d like to introduce you to a new pair of butterflies I brought in. They’re children with transparent wings, no less.’

Even the great Countess needs someone to talk about her hobbies with…

If I’m going to continue visiting Darius occasionally, I should maintain my friendship with the Countess. I should make up my mind to go around the week after next.

And if I encounter Kail…, I should properly apologize as I resolved last night.

After spending some time unwrapping gifts and letters like this, I felt hungry and looked up at the clock to find it was already past ten in the morning.

‘What’s going on? It’s past the time when Milly usually comes to wake me up.’

Today I had skipped morning classes to rest fully in celebration of my birthday.

But I hadn’t planned to skip breakfast too. Was this consideration to let me sleep in?

When I left my room, I saw servants busily going back and forth in the corridor. They all looked flustered when they saw me, and Milly quickly ran over and pushed me back into my room.

“What’s wrong, Milly?”

“Miss, you’re awake! Your meal will be brought up soon. Let me help you get ready first!”

“What’s going on? Everyone seemed busy from this morning.”

“Oh, no. Nothing special is happening!”

Milly, who was hurriedly dragging me to the bathroom, was radiating suspicion. I followed her touch while suppressing the laughter that was about to escape.

It was obvious she was trying to surprise me with a birthday cake and candles or something. The fact that there were no congratulatory words even though she clearly knew it was my birthday was proof of that.

After washing and having a light snack, I changed clothes.

“The weather is completely like summer today! You could dress lightly.”

Milly brought out a bright light yellow dress with lots of decorations. It was a much more cheerful style than the clothes I usually wore.

Milly, who was concentrating on adjusting my outfit, finally began braiding my hair by dividing it into several strands.

“Isn’t this too much when I’m not even going out anywhere?”

It was obvious she was trying to buy time, but I teased her anyway.

“Oh, Miss. The roses bloomed in the garden, so how about having lunch there with us today? Like a picnic.”

“Sounds good.”

I cheerfully went along with the clumsy act. They must have set up a birthday table in the garden.

Since no one had ever worked so hard to celebrate my birthday in my previous life, I felt excited.

After hesitating for a moment, I decided to reveal my condition to Milly first, who was like family to me.

“Milly. My memory has returned.”

“…What?!”

“Thanks to the report you wrote for me. While reading it, all my memories suddenly came back.”

It wasn’t entirely due to the report, but it had been a catalyst, so I decided to express it that way. Milly, who had stopped touching my hair, hugged me tightly and burst into tears.

“Oh, Miss! That’s so wonderful…! If I had known this would happen, I would have written it for you much earlier!”

I hugged back and patted Milly, who was sniffling and rejoicing even more than I was. Milly, who was wiping her tears and regaining her composure, gasped and turned pale.

“Then, then Miss’s birthday is…”

“We can celebrate it appropriately, and on the anniversary we can commemorate our family and mother. Mother wouldn’t be angry about something like that.”

Milly seemed relieved, thinking it would be okay to proceed with the surprise she was secretly preparing. After that, we continued getting ready while chatting about old times, and before we knew it, it was almost noon.

Milly glanced at the wall clock, let out a satisfied breath, then made me stand up.

“Phew, I got to show off my skills after a long time. You look so beautiful, Miss!”

My hair, braided stitch by stitch with small jeweled decorations inserted, was twice as glamorous as usual.

“You worked hard. Thank you, Milly.”

“Not at all! Shall we go now?”

As Milly and I hurried down the stairs toward the garden, I began to hear the sound of murmured conversations.

The buzzing voices seemed to be quite a number of people, which suddenly felt strange.

Even if Father, Brother, and the Count’s servants gathered together, it would only be about a dozen people, so why was it so noisy?

But I didn’t have time to wonder further. As soon as I turned the corner, confetti burst from all directions, nearly making me faint.

“Happy birthday, Miss Rieze!”

“Congratulations, Miss Brante!”

After Milly’s lead, congratulations and cheers from people followed.

On the round dining table in front of me was a large three-tier cake, and behind it, a long table was set with a feast. The arched gate decorated with flowers and ribbons reminded me of an outdoor wedding venue.

I surveyed the strangers applauding and calmed my fluttering heart.

There seemed to be about a dozen young ladies around my age.

Such a proper party was unexpected. I thought I would have a cozy meal with family and a few servants.

“Th-thank you.”

Father gently pulled me over as I stood frozen in bewilderment.

“…Did Father plan this surprise party?”

“Yes. I sent invitations to all the families in this area that have young ladies your age.”

“…Thank you.”

He looked very satisfied as he grinned and winked.

So this is why Milly dressed me up so carefully. She had an ulterior motive besides trying to buy time.

Even though it wasn’t as grand a banquet as Darius’s birthday party, just a rich tea party scale, to think this many people gathered to celebrate the birthday of someone they’d never met.

Brother, who had been standing in the corner, walked to the dining table and lit the large candle on top of the cake. When I blew out the candle, another round of applause followed.

After the applause died down, everyone quietly focused on me as if waiting for a word from me. I quickly put on a smiling mask with the experience from my previous social life.

“It’s a great honor that so many people gathered to celebrate my birthday. I’m truly grateful. Please eat, drink, and enjoy to your heart’s content.”

Only after receiving cheers and congratulations for quite a while longer could I settle into the seat of honor at the long table. The girls sitting around the table took turns reciting congratulatory speeches and self-introductions.

Most had youthful faces that appeared to be in their early to mid-teens, but having been thoroughly educated as noble children, they acted more dignified and mature than their age.

Although it was a sudden surprise party, I thought I should try to make friends since it had come to this.

Since these people came to congratulate someone they didn’t even know, they must all be good people.

Just then, the young lady sitting next to me tapped my arm and greeted me.

“It’s been a while, Miss Rieze.”

When I turned my head, a girl in particularly sophisticated and mature attire smiled at me.

When I met her reddish hair and hazel eyes, her identity emerged from my memory.

“…Miss Kien.”

“You remembered me. I’m happy.”

I also created an artificial smile and returned it to her.

Kien Rastin.

A girl of the same age whom Count Brante had invited a few years ago to help Rieze make friends.

She was also the child who had unhesitatingly hurled harsh words at the quiet and passive Rieze, calling her frustrating and pathetic.

Although it was a time when social skills were underdeveloped and their personalities didn’t match, I couldn’t help but feel negative emotions.

Kien must have disliked me too, so it was surprising that she was sitting here. Did she come because she couldn’t ignore the invitation?

After the scheduled ceremonies like the cake cutting and gift presentation ended, free conversation began.

Father and Brother stepped aside so the children could chat comfortably, and the servants also withdrew to a distance. Some of the young ladies, who seemed to already be close friends, began chatting among themselves.

Having no one I knew except Kien, I just stuffed cake in my mouth and blankly listened to their conversations.

“Miss, a guest has arrived.”

Milly announced that an unexpected guest had arrived just as I was tasting bitter doubt.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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