Chapter 58
What is this? Why is Alice’s portrait here?
It wasn’t just a resemblance—it was uncanny. Apart from the hair color, everything else was identical. The long, wavy hair, the slanted eyes, even the position of the beauty mark beneath her eye.
Gremory stared at the portrait, almost mesmerized. The blue-haired lady beside her spoke, but her words didn’t register.
At the same time, memories of things Alice had said before flashed through Gremory’s mind.
“This kind of thing is easy. I’ve spent 200 years on rough lands… no, I’ve spent 20 years on rough lands.”
“Humans here are quite warm, much like the witches 200 years ago.”
“Witches were really kind 200 years ago.”
Alice often mentioned 200 years ago. And now, the portrait of Alice Marbellion, the late Countess, who died 200 years ago. Was the 200-year gap just a coincidence?
Could it be that human Alice turned into a witch? …No way. Humans don’t become witches. Witches are born as demons in the demon realm, right?
It was unheard of for a human to become a demon. They must just look alike by some strange coincidence.
With that thought, Gremory cleared her mind and left the gallery with the blue-haired lady.
When they returned to the table, Cheshion, who had briefly stepped away, was discussing official matters with other nobles. Sitting alone at the table, Gremory sipped her apple juice and looked around.
As she admired the pretty decorations and sculptures in the open area, someone quietly sat in front of her. It was one of the noble ladies who had attended Isollen’s tea party.
“Mori! How have you been?”
“Yuris, long time no see.”
“Did you come to enjoy a date with His Grace the Duke today?”
“Date? That’s something lovers do. We’re not like that.”
“Really? Everyone thought you two were a couple. I did too. After all, there was that big incident at the royal banquet. Isollen and Mori fought over the partner issue…”
Yuris lowered her voice carefully. Gremory answered casually.
“Are you talking about the love drama? Don’t worry, that’s been sorted out.”
“Really? I was worried that you and Isollen’s relationship might have soured because of that.”
“It was just a misunderstanding. I get along fine with Isollen.”
“In that case, it means I can invite both you and Isollen to my family’s estate!”
Yuris, relieved, smiled innocently.
“Mori, I’ll send you an invitation soon! I’m planning to hold a party at the beginning of next month, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t overlap with His Grace the Duke’s birthday.”
“His Grace’s birthday is next month?”
“Yes, didn’t you know? Well, His Grace is famous for not celebrating his birthday separately.”
“Birthday… a birthday.”
Gremory’s gaze deepened slightly.
I’ve heard humans give gifts on their birthdays.
They gather their family and friends to celebrate the fact that someone was born, throwing a party to show appreciation.
Anyway, birthdays were very important to humans. Gremory thought she should at least get a gift for Cheshion.
But what do humans give each other as birthday presents? She had never bothered with gifts, so she didn’t know.
“Excuse me, Yuris. When exactly is His Grace’s birthday?”
“It’s on the 1st of next month.”
“What would be the most suitable gift for His Grace?”
“Hmm, the best gift is something His Grace would want! Or you could go with something trendy in society, like handmade handkerchiefs or sword decorations. Ho-ho.”
Yuris answered earnestly, chuckling lightly at Mori’s cute attitude as she immediately began thinking about gifts. Gremory’s intense focus on the matter was obvious.
“Handmade handkerchiefs and sword decorations…”
“Making them isn’t hard. If you go to a workshop, skilled craftsmen will teach you step by step.”
“Then the gift wouldn’t be from me, but from the craftsman.”
“Do you want to prepare a gift filled with your own sincerity, Mori? Be honest, you’re really not dating His Grace, right?”
“No, dating is when people confirm their feelings for each other and then make a contract. We only like each other.”
Yuris burst into laughter.
“Mori, your way of expressing things is so cute. So, you two like each other, huh? Oh, I’m excited!”
“Is it cute?”
“Of course! You’re really cute and lovable, Mori. By the way, be careful of Catherine. I overheard her talking with her new friends earlier, and it seems like she’s preparing an enormous gift for His Grace’s birthday.”
“…Really?”
For a moment, Gremory’s eye twitched. What was that woman doing? No matter how much she was crushed, she kept coming back for more.
“Anyway, Mori, if you want to give a gift, it’s better to prepare it in secret. A surprise gift is always more touching than a publicly prepared one.”
“Is that so? Thanks for the advice.”
“Oh, look, His Grace is coming. I’ll get up now!”
Yuris quickly stood up and left. Once she was some distance away, she glanced back at Gremory and Cheshion.
It’s obvious they’re a couple.
Gremory’s gaze toward Cheshion was filled with intensity. She looked like starlight was about to sparkle from her eyes. Cheshion, who was looking at her, couldn’t stop smiling.
I didn’t know His Grace could smile so brightly like that.
Yuris smiled warmly and wished them happiness as she headed back to her table.
And Gremory continued to think. What would be the best gift for Cheshion? She was determined to give him something better than Catherine’s gift.
After the wedding ended, in the carriage heading toward the Duke’s mansion, Gremory’s thoughts continued.
What should I give him? He doesn’t really need anything.
Would it be best to give him a beautiful, high-quality gem? No, Cheshion didn’t seem to care much about appearances. Looking at the mismatched accessories he wore, it was clear he just wore whatever was available.
Even now, look at those mismatched accessories. They didn’t seem obvious at first glance, but when you took a closer look, they were just thrown together.
“Mori, what’s wrong?”
When Gremory silently stared at him, Cheshion asked.
“It’s nothing.”
“But why are you staring at me like that?”
“I just… wanted to look at you.”
Gremory casually gave that response, influenced by Yuris’s advice to prepare a gift in secret.
What does Cheshion want? If I could see through the darkness, I’d know right away.
She wanted to look into his mind and read his true feelings, but because of Cheshion’s noble bloodline, that was impossible. Even if she could, she didn’t want to intrude on his mind. It would be rude to pry into someone else’s thoughts.
Gremory didn’t come to a decision about the gift by the time the carriage entered the Duke’s estate. Meanwhile, Cheshion, completely unaware, had to endure Gremory’s persistent gaze, his face turning red.
Her struggle continued even after they arrived at the Duke’s estate. As a black cat, Gremory sat on the windowsill, tail flicking, staring at the sunset.
The sky looks so red today. …I wonder if Cheshion likes red? Come to think of it, I don’t know what Cheshion likes. He knows what I like, though.
Gremory decided that she would have to start observing Cheshion more closely from tomorrow. Just then, Alice, who had been sweeping, spotted Gremory and walked over.
“Mori, what’s been bothering you?”
“I’m thinking about a birthday.”
“Whose birthday?”
“Cheshion’s.”
“Wow, then you’re going to throw him a birthday party! I’ve never been to one! How exciting!”
Alice excitedly plopped down next to Gremory.
“You’re over 200 years old, and you’ve never been to a birthday party?”
“I’ve never had the chance to attend a human birthday party! In the demon realm, we don’t celebrate birthdays. Witches don’t even know when they were born!”
“You don’t know? Why?”
“Witches born 200 years ago don’t know when or how they were born. One day, they just woke up and found themselves in the demon realm.”
Gremory’s eyes narrowed slightly. The portrait of Alice at the Marbellion estate suddenly came to mind.
“Wait, witches appeared 200 years ago?”
“Yes. Witches are usually born among demons, but the witches ruled by the Demon King are different. They suddenly appeared 200 years ago. You were born through childbirth.”
Just when Gremory thought something was suspicious, Anna rushed over.
“Mori! I’ve found you! You need to come to the garden right now!”
“Why?”
“Princess Ivelia has sent a gift for you.”
After spending all day thinking about gifts, an unexpected one fell into Gremory’s lap.
