SHC_C75_ARCHIVE_CHAPTER 75: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO.....!

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Thank you so much Tempeh for the dono!! I'll try to post an extra chapter today 

Chapter 75: Happy Birthday to……!

“Sorry we’re late.”

“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

“Thanks for waiting!”

“Welcome back, everyone!”

The three elves, glowing with dazzling smiles, returned, and with that, the New Year’s party officially began.

Grabbing glasses filled with lemon water or wine, everyone raised them high.

“Thank you for everything last year! Let's have another fantastic year together!”

When I shouted, “Cheers!” the others echoed back with their own cheers: “Let’s do our best again this year!” or “Cheers to a new year!”

Under the glow of the chandelier, we ate, chatted, and laughed. It was a modest party, but everyone looked like they were having fun.

Quietly, I slipped out of the room and returned to mine. I picked up the birthday present I had prepared—a handmade rosette—and came back to the party hall.

I walked over to where Regulus-kun was being fed by Utsunomiya-san.

“Regulus-kun.”

“Yes!”

“Happy birthday.”

 

I pinned the rosette to his chest, designed like a medal with gold fabric and embroidered silver thread.

Startled, Regulus-kun immediately put down his spoon and tugged on Utsunomiya-san’s skirt.

“Uchy! Uchy-nomiya, that!”

“Yes, just a moment!”

From beneath her apron, she pulled out a rolled-up paper tied with a crimson ribbon and gracefully handed it to Regulus-kun, who then solemnly presented it to me.

“Big bro... I mean, elder brother—happy birthday!”

“Huh…?”

“I drew a picture of you and me!”

When I untied the ribbon and unrolled the paper, a child's drawing of Regulus-kun and me was revealed.

I blinked a few times.

“T-thank you…”

 

I was genuinely surprised. My eyes started to feel hot. My cheeks too. I started to panic when Kanade-kun approached.

“Happy birthday, Young Master. Hiyo-sama, happy birthday to you too.”

“Th-thank you…”

“Happy birthday to you too, Kana!”

“Thanks.”

I handed him the rosette I had made for him—this one in silver with gold embroidery. He looked stunned but accepted it.

 

“I-I actually brought you both a present too!”

“Rē’s gonna give Kana a present too!”

Kanade gave us matching braided leather bracelets—one for each of us in different colors. Regulus-kun gave Kanade a portrait as well.

“Do I really look like this?” Kanade asked, laughing as he accepted it.

“Happy birthday, Young Master, Regulus-sama, and Kanade-kun,” said Utsunomiya-san.

She handed each of us a gift—mine and Regulus’s were fabric-covered hair accessories, and Kanade’s was a matching badge.

“I have something for Utsunomiya-san too...”

“For me!? Wow, thank you so much!”

The rosette I gave her was pink with floral embroidery on the tail. She pinned it to her apron with a proud and embarrassed smile.

I then headed over to where Elise was chatting with Yosef and Genzō-san.

“Um, Elise, Yosef, and Genzō-san—happy birthday! I have something for you…”

“Oh my, for me too?”

“M-m-me?”

“For me, really?”

Elise received a yellow rosette with a white butterfly, Yosef got an orange one embroidered with Poniko, and Genzō’s was green with a carrot design.

In return, Elise gave me a lace-embroidered handkerchief, Yosef gifted handmade reins, and Genzō gave me seeds from a rare morning glory plant.

My cheeks burned, and my chest tightened with emotion. My eyes stung a bit.

I wandered next to the chef and Rottenmeier-san.

To the chef, I gave a deep crimson rosette with a little chef’s hat embroidered on it. I presented Rottenmeier-san with a purple rosette, complete with tiny glasses.

The chef grasped my hand firmly.

“Thank you, Young Master. I look forward to more wonderful meals with you.”

“Me too. Thank you.”

“I’ve prepared a new apron for you. Please stop by the kitchen anytime.”

“Th-thank you…!”

He gave a hearty smile and left to mingle, leaving Rottenmeier-san quietly staring at the rosette.

Had I done something wrong? She’d told me not to celebrate my birthday…

But then she cupped my cheeks gently in her hands.

“Young Master… Happy birthday. I’m so sorry I didn’t have the courage to celebrate it for you until now…”

“Please don’t say that. I’m already more than happy just to be celebrating with everyone.”

“From me… please accept this.”

She handed me a book. I tilted my head, confused.

“This is a diary… from your grandmother, the former Countess Kiyo-sama. I thought it might help you with matters of the estate.”

 

“How do you have this…?”

“It was given to me as a keepsake. But I believe it would serve you far better than it does me.”

True, reading it might help me avoid the same mistakes and understand how things came to be.

But to be given something so personal meant Rottenmeier-san and my grandmother had shared a deep bond. I didn’t want to intrude on that.

Still, she shook her head gently.

“The memories are here, in my heart. And the Madame’s only wish was for you to grow strong and happy. If this helps you, then I’m sure she would be pleased.”

“I understand. I’ll treasure it.”

I hugged the book tightly to my chest and thanked her before turning away.

Oh no. My eyes were burning again. My nose was stinging.

And I hadn’t even finished giving out all the presents yet.

Trying to pull myself together, I gave my cheeks a light slap to refocus.

Then my shoulders were seized—and I turned to see the three elves in their ceremonial uniforms crouching down and surrounding me.

So, I struck first.

“Happy birthday,  Romanov-sensei, Viktor-san, Lara-san!”

I handed them each a rosette: blue with the elven crest for Romanov-sensei, white with musical notes for Viktor-san, and red with a lily for Lara-san.

“You beat us to it,” Viktor-san said, smiling.

 

“Can’t remember the last time I got a birthday present—maybe a hundred years ago.”

“Same here. It’s a little embarrassing,” Romanov-sensei and Lara-san chuckled softly.

Feeling flustered, I tried to make my escape—but Romanov-sensei gripped my shoulder tightly.

“We’re not done yet. We have presents for you too.”

“Here’s mine,” said Viktor-san.

He handed me a rectangular box. When I opened it, I found a beautiful pair of scissors—gold handles carved with ivy, a clear crystal set at the center, surrounded by multicolored gems.

It fit perfectly in my hand.

“Made by the most renowned dwarf craftsman of our time. Sharp enough to cut through dragon scales without a chip.”

“Th-th-that’s incredible…!”

“I got matching letter openers for Reitan and Kanatan too.”

“W-wow!”

Still stunned, Lara-san cleared her throat.

“Mine’s a magical embroidery pattern book from my aunt, once called the best seamstress among elves. It even talks—ask it a question, and it’ll answer.”

“Wh-what!?”

As I opened the thick, well-bound book, it spoke: “Hmm, you have quite the talent, don’t you?”

My jaw dropped so hard it might have unhinged. Romanov-sensei gently closed it for me.

 

“And this gift is from me.”

He handed over a lovely rattan basket.

Lara and Viktor gasped in unison.

“Wait, THAT’S where that sewing box went?!”

“Oh, so that’s why the store owner gave me advice like, ‘You can never have too many scissors—fabric scissors, thread scissors, paper scissors…’!”

“I told her you two might stop by, just in case. It worked out, right?”

 

“You sly dog!”

“You sneaky genius!”

 

While they bickered, I opened the basket to find an exquisite set of tools—needles, thread, scissors, chalk, thimbles, all of them beautiful and high quality.

“Please… let me call her ‘Master.’”

 

“I’ll be sure to tell her,” Romanov-sensei said, smiling gently.

In their warm, kind eyes, I saw my reflection.

The sight moved me so much that my voice dwindled to a whisper.

“Thank you so much…”

I had so many gifts now I couldn’t even carry them all.

My eyes stung, my chest ached, and my nose itched.

As if sensing this, a small pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.

“Niini… Re loves you. Everyone does.”

No matter what happens from here on out—

As long as I never forget this day, I know I’ll be okay.

EUN: It's Ageha's first birthday you guys!!! I mean its the first time he was actually able to celebrate his birthday together with the people who do care for him and again Tempeh thank you so much for the kofi dono~ 

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