Chapter 128: CH 128

While I was preparing to study abroad, time passed quickly, and it was the day of Kir’s birthday. In the meantime, we haven’t really met, so I haven’t been able to tell Kir about the news of my study abroad yet.

I was trying to figure out when to say it, but since today is Kir’s birthday, I decided to say it later, so I postponed it again. Instead, I handed out a gift I had prepared for Kir.

“Happy birthday.”

Kir snatched the present from my hand with a reluctant expression of accepting it. His lips tight. If I don’t give you a gift, he’ll be angry, but when he accepts the gift, he would seemed so sullen.

“Can I open it?”

“Of course.”

Still, he knew his manners and opened the gift right away. Since it was a small box, it could be opened quickly. Kir, who saw another high-end box inside the box, raised his eyebrows.

Was he showing that he already doesn’t like it just by looking at the box? Both of my cheeks swelled with embarrassment.

“Wasn’t it expensive?”

“That’s right.”

It was expensive for me, but maybe not for Kir. I couldn’t give him a birthday present for a while, so it was a gift I prepared with a big heart. However, disapproval spread across Kir’s face, as if he didn’t like my answer.

A well-raised guy who usually doesn’t use anything other than high-end products didn’t like it when I gave him something expensive. I know he was considering my pocket, but he kept on ignoring my sincerity.

“Still, it’s not an exorbitant amount. Hurry up and open it.”

Kir only opened the box after my urging. Overall, it was a black pen with golden decorations on the front and tip. The moment I saw the pen with a simple yet antique look that exudes an adult atmosphere, I thought this was it. Would Kir like this one?

Glancing at Kir, I could see that he was trying hard to tighten the corners of his mouth that were about to go up. That’s a really good expression. Every time I give a present, I feel a sense of accomplishment when I see such a reaction.

“Do you like it?”

“Kuhm, yes.”

I laughed when I saw him coughing and pretending nothing was wrong.

“This just came out. I bought it because it was pretty and I thought it would suit you. It’s good, right?”

I swallowed the words, ‘I bought a pen this time because you need a pen to study.’ Kir picked up the pen and held it here and there.

“Nice.”

Actually, that pen wasn’t that high-end. Kir would have used many better ones. But it was a gift that I saved up from the pocket money my father gave me. It was just a child’s pocket money, how much would I have?

I don’t have anywhere to spend pocket money, so I collect most of what I receive, but I can’t afford really expensive gifts. So that pen should be cheaper than the ones Kir uses, but I’m glad he liked it.

If he likes it, would he use it this time?

Just as I was bragging about my excellent gift, Kir’s personal attendant, Todd, entered.

“The food is ready.”

“Shall we go?”

Instead of answering Kir’s question, I nodded. It was not polite to keep the adults waiting.

Just because it was the grand duke’s son’s birthday, it wasn’t like holding a banquet like in the novel. It wasn’t as huge as the empire, so instead of being ostentatious, they served food to the people for three days before and after the birthday in a designated place. Although it was a city where no one was very hungry, the people of the country accepted Kir’s birthday like a festival, where they could eat, drink and enjoy together.

The vassals were divided into lunch and dinner and ended up having a meal together. At first, I attended the event as Kir’s only friend, and since I was young, I participated every year.

Upon entering the dining room, I realized that we were the last. When everyone’s eyes were on me, I immediately apologized.

“I’m sorry. It’s a little late.”

“No. It’s okay, we came early. Have a seat.”

With the Grand Duke’s words, I looked for an empty seat. Looking at the empty seat at the long table, I sighed. I expected it, but it’s always my spot. Of course, there was an empty seat for the Grand Duke at the top of the table, an empty seat for Kir to his right, and only one right next to it was empty. That was my fixed seat.

And on the left of the Grand Duke, in order, from my father to Uncle Roel, Uncle Holt, and Uncle Byrne. In other words, they were seated in order of position… I don’t know why I have to keep sitting in that burdensome seat where only the family members of the Grand Duchy would sit. Not by my father’s side.

“Come on, have a seat.”

“Ah yes.”

Dazed in my thoughts, I quickly went to my seat and sat down.