~Chapter 62~
“You can ask her, or His Highness can just give it to her as a surprise.”
“What’s with that vague answer?”
Johann frowned.
“Both are really fine, Your Highness. I do the same when I give gifts to my younger siblings.”
Samuel lowered his eyebrows like he felt wronged.
“Looks like I’ll have to ask Mother.”
Ignoring Samuel, Johann left the room.
With long strides, he quickly made it to the garden where Isabella was.
Seeing her son, Isabella placed her book on the table.
“Oh, Johann.”
“Mother, did you know?”
“Know what?”
Isabella took off her glasses and asked.
“Raphaella’s birthday is in May.”
“Wait, don’t tell me you didn’t know either?”
Isabella’s eyes widened.
“Actually, I just found out a little while ago too.”
“You didn’t know either?”
Johann felt a bit relieved knowing he wasn’t the only one.
“Penelope asked me earlier today—she was wondering what to get Raphi for her birthday.”
“So Penelope knew…”
“Seems like she’s known for a while. She thought everyone else knew, so she didn’t bring it up.”
Isabella let out a deep sigh.
“To think I’m a grandmother and just now learning about my granddaughter’s birthday. I feel so ashamed I can’t even lift my head.”
She shook her head as if genuinely embarrassed.
“Mother, I feel the same way.”
Johann sighed and sat across from her.
“What are you thinking of getting her?”
“…”
Johann didn’t answer.
“Oh dear, there are only two weeks left and you haven’t decided yet?”
“What about you, Mother? Do you have something in mind?”
Johann asked with a gloomy expression.
“…I’ve got nothing yet either. I was hoping to hear what you had planned.”
“…”
Both of their faces turned dark.
They were both worried about what gift would truly make Raphaella happy.
From a distance, Raphaella tilted her head while watching them.
“Aunt Pepi!”
“Hmm?”
Penelope, who was playing tag with Raphaella, came over to her.
“Is Daddy and Grandma fighting?”
Raphaella pointed to Johann and Isabella with a worried face.
“Umm…”
“They look really scary. Like they’re mad or something…”
Raphaella scrunched up her forehead to imitate them.
“You’re right. Their faces do look scary.”
Penelope patted Raphaella’s head.
“But I don’t think they’re fighting. I think they’re just thinking really hard about something.”
On the way to see Raphaella, she thought of how surprised Isabella had been about the birthday.
“What are they thinking about?”
“Well, maybe something that would make our Raphaella really happy?”
Penelope smiled.
“Me? Why?”
“That’s a secret.”
Penelope leaned in and tapped
Raphaella’s nose with her finger.
—
In the carriage on her way back from the Magic Tower, Leah was deep in thought.
‘…Did the Empress or her maid really use dark magic to kill me?’
There was no proof, but all signs pointed to it.
If they were the ones who advanced that kind of magic, it would kind of make sense.
‘Who would ever suspect that a dark magician is hiding in the imperial family?’
Especially the Empress and her closest people.
Whoever it was, it was a very dangerous and bold move.
Did they really think they wouldn’t get caught?
Sigh
If only she still had that perfume from before the regression, she could show it to Dorothea.
But with no evidence, she couldn’t tell Dorothea anything.
Saying, “The Empress’s maid killed me.
Not now, but in my past life,” would just make Dorothea think she was crazy.
‘I need proof they’re actually using dark magic…’
If they were really strong enough to kill, they might try again—either her or someone around her.
‘Since I showed up earlier this time, they might act faster too.’
Leah bit her lip hard without realizing it.
The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth, mixing with her fear.
She arrived home still lost in those thoughts.
As soon as she arrived, Johann called her to the parlor.
‘What could be so urgent?’
She didn’t even have time to change before heading to him.
Knock knock
“This is Leah—”
Clunk
“Come in.”
Before she could even finish speaking, Johann opened the door.
“What’s the matter?”
She cautiously asked, seeing how anxious and uneasy he looked.
“Sit down first.”
“Okay.”
“Why didn’t you tell me Raphaella’s birthday?”
As soon as she sat down, Johann asked in
a sharp tone.
“Her birthday?”
Now that he mentioned it, she had forgotten to tell him when they made their contract.
“It’s May 13th. Did you know?”
Maybe Raphaella had told him.
“Now that you say it, that’s just two weeks away.”
“Just two weeks? It’s only two weeks away—that’s why I’m freaking out.”
Johann frowned.
“Why are you freaking out? Two weeks is plenty of time.”
Leah was genuinely confused.
“Normally, nobles prepare a birthday party more than a month in advance.”
A whole month?
“We’re not inviting guests for Raphaella’s birthday, but even so, a month’s prep would’ve been ideal…”
“You’re not even inviting anyone and it takes that long?”
She blinked in disbelief.
“We have to decide on the cake, the main dish, decorations for the mansion… The butler, head maid, and chef all have to coordinate. It’s a lot.”
Leah was stunned to see Johann ramble on like that.
‘Wait, he can talk this much?’
He usually spoke so little, but now he was just a worried dad stressed over his daughter’s birthday.
“…Picking the gift is the most important part.”
He said seriously.
“A gift?”
“Yeah, it takes time to order and get it made.”
“What kind of gift takes that long?”
As someone who lived a normal life, Leah didn’t understand.
“Anything.”
Johann mumbled, not having decided yet.
“Whatever you’re getting, it doesn’t need to be a big deal. Rafi would be happy with anything…”
“You’re saying I should just give her anything?”
“…No, not like that.”
He was so worked up over a birthday gift.
Even if he lost his memories, some parts of him hadn’t changed.
“She’s my daughter. The only heiress of the Blumhardt family.”
He clearly didn’t want to give just anything.
“…Sorry. I got a bit worked up.”
Seeing Leah’s surprised face, he apologized.
“Well, it might seem over the top, but it’s kind of nice to see.”
It was much better than when he used to be indifferent.
“Have you picked a gift yet?”
His voice had calmed down now.
“Not yet. I was just about to start thinking.”
She had been so focused on the dark magic stuff that she’d totally forgotten her daughter’s birthday was coming up.
“Just now?”
But she didn’t think a gift was that big of a deal—unlike someone else.
“Yeah. You haven’t decided either, right?”
“…It’s my first time. I don’t know what to get.”
Johann finally spoke after a long pause.
The look in his eyes reminded her of her old husband.
“Try thinking about what Rafi’s been into lately. That might help you figure out the perfect gift.”
She offered him a hint.
“That makes sense… But what if she doesn’t like my gift?”
“Rafi would love anything from you.”
“How can you be sure?”
He narrowed his eyes.
“Because she always has.”
“…She did, huh.”
Johann sank into thought, unable to recall those memories.
Leah held them all close in her heart.
Seeing how seriously he took Raphaella’s birthday, she was reminded of her daughter’s very first one.
“Leah, Rafi’s turning one soon. What should I give her?”
“Hardt, she’s just a baby. She’ll love whatever you give.”
Seeing her husband seriously worrying about a first gift, Leah had gently said:
“Still… I can’t just give her anything.”
He shook his head.
“I want her to smile when she sees my gift.”
“She’ll feel the love behind it, no matter what it is. So don’t worry.”
Leah hugged him and patted his back.
“Yeah… I hope so.”
He’d buried his face in her shoulder and murmured.
Though he seemed different now, his reaction was the same.
Watching him get worked up again over Raphaella’s birthday, Leah smiled softly—with tears glistening in her eyes.
