Gift

“Speaking of which, Ailena.”

In the morning, as I was arranging the young lady’s hair as usual, she suddenly asked a question.

“What is it, my lady?”

“I had my birthday last month, didn’t I?”

“That is so.”

“So I’m ten years old now, right?”

“That is so.”

“So we’re the same age now, right! Since we’re the same age, you can’t treat me like a child anymore!”

Through the mirror, I could see her triumphant little face.

It was very cute, but it wouldn’t last for long.

“…That is not so.”

“What?”

Just as I expected, her triumphant smile vanished, replaced by several question marks floating above her head.

…There’s a certain cuteness to this as well.

“If you had said this a few days ago, it would have been fine, but it’s not correct now.”

“…Why?”

Even if you ask me why…

“Because today is my birthday.”

(Katarina’s Perspective)

Bang!

Without even knocking, I threw the door open and barged into the room.

“This is a disaster—”

“…My dear sister, what could possibly be so urgent that you hadn’t the time to knock?”

Sitting at his desk, the handsome young man held a teacup in one hand, looking at me with a resigned expression.

“Did you know?! Today is Ailena’s birthday!”

“I know.”

His answer was completely unexpected.

“…How do you know my exclusive maid’s birthday?”

“Shouldn’t the question be why you, her master, don’t know your own exclusive maid’s birthday?”

“…”

His retort left me speechless.

“What should I do then? Is there still time to go out and buy a gift?”

“There’s time, but if you go out, wouldn’t Ailena find out easily? By the way, I’ve prepared some of my treasured black tea for her. And Father has prepared an apron, which he entrusted to me to give to Ailena.”

“…”

I can’t believe Father and Brother have even prepared gifts.

…Am I the only one who hasn’t prepared anything?

If I’m the only one who doesn’t give her a gift, won’t Ailena be terribly disappointed!

I cast my gaze toward my brother, my eyes screaming ‘Help me’.

“Even if you look at me like that, it’s no use… A gift is only meaningful if you choose it yourself.”

“…But I really don’t know what to get!”

“I think Ailena would be happy with whatever you give her.”

“That’s exactly why I have to choose carefully!”

Since it’s my first gift to Ailena, I want to pick something with commemorative value!

“Do you have any recommendations? I’d like a reference!”

“Hmm…”

My brother lowered his head, sinking into deep thought.

“How about some small accessories? Like a hair ornament, or earrings… Ailena is a girl, too, so she should like things like that.”

“A hair ornament… that sounds nice.”

“Don’t buy anything too expensive, though. She’s a commoner’s child; a gift that’s too pricey will make her feel burdened.”

…So there’s that to consider as well.

“I understand… Brother, I have one more thing to ask of you.”

I placed my hands on the desk and stood up abruptly.

“Help me keep Ailena busy, so she won’t know I’ve gone out to buy a gift!”

After breakfast, the young lady disappeared somewhere.

There were no lessons scheduled for today… I had assumed she went to the knight’s order for practice, but after cleaning her room, I went over there for a look and couldn’t find any sign of her.

The knights in training also said they hadn’t seen her.

Where could she have gone then? The gazebo in the garden? But to be honest, ever since I began serving her, she has rarely gone to the garden…

As I was pondering this, a young man with a face resembling the young lady’s approached.

“Ah, Young Master Claude.”

I quickly curtsied.

“With the relationship between us, you don’t need to be so formal.”

Young Master Claude gestured for me to rise.

“Very well… Young Master Claude.”

After rising, I immediately asked him:

“Young Master Claude, do you know where my lady has gone?”

“I’m not too sure about that. That child has always been one to appear and disappear without a trace. I only found out later that she often used to sneak out of her room to play in the garden. Perhaps she’s run off to play somewhere today as well?”

“Then I’ll go check the garden.”

“Wait a moment, Ailena.”

Just as I was about to leave, Young Master Claude called out to me.

“Speaking of which, today is your birthday, isn’t it, Ailena?”

He asked mysteriously, his hands behind his back.

“Ah… yes, that’s right…”

“Ta-da~!”

Suddenly, he revealed the hands he had hidden behind his back… in them was a small, exquisitely wrapped gift box.

“This is my gift to you~ It’s a black tea I’m very fond of.”

“Wow…! Thank you, Young Master Claude.”

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt what it’s like to receive a gift.

Come to think of it, I haven’t received a birthday present in two years.

The first year after my parents’ death, my relatives didn’t care about me at all, so of course there were no gifts… After being taken in by the Duke’s kindness, I had just joined the ducal estate and was so busy every day that I forgot my own birthday.

“I will be sure to savor it.”

“Ailena’s reactions are truly adorable.”

“Ahem, please don’t tease me, Young Master Claude.”

I put the gift box away safely.

“Well then, I’ll be taking my lea—”

“Ailena, wait just another moment.”

Just as I was preparing to leave again, Young Master Claude called out to me once more.

“Actually, Father also prepared a gift, but you know his situation, it’s not very convenient for him to give it to you, so he asked me to deliver it…”

“I see…”

“But his gift is a bit large, so it’s not convenient for me to carry around. Could you come with me to retrieve it?”

“…Can’t we get it later?”

To be honest, I’d much rather find the young lady first.

I haven’t seen her for so long, and I’m starting to worry.

“My apologies, Ailena, but I’m quite busy myself. I might not have time for you later, so it’s best we get it now.”

Considering that Young Master Claude handles most of the affairs of the ducal estate now, he probably doesn’t have much free time.

“Alright.”

I didn’t want to add to his burden, so I agreed.

After that, Young Master Claude led me all around the vast ducal estate, to the point where we had nearly looked into every single room.

“Ah, look at my memory. It’s not here.”

That was the sentence I heard most often today.

Every time he opened a door, he would say that, then move on to the next room.

Once would have been fine, but after multiple times, it was hard not to suspect it was a prank.

In the end, we found the gift in the Duke’s office. It was a very beautiful apron.

“I never would have thought that Young Master Claude had such a… childish side to him…”

After putting the gift away, I finally stepped into the garden.

“Ailena!”

I hadn’t taken more than a few steps when a familiar voice called out from behind me.

I turned around, and there was the lovely person I had been looking for… though she was a little out of breath.

“My lady? Where have you been?”

“I haven’t been anywhere… More importantly, Ailena!”

Without another word, she thrust a gift box in front of me.

“Happy birthday! Ailena!”

As I took the gift, ripples spread through my heart.

How should I describe it? It was like the joy and emotion of a father seeing his daughter grow up.

…No, wait, in this case, it should be an older sister seeing her younger sister grow up?

In any case, I was so happy I could hardly contain myself!

“Why don’t you open it?”

I unwrapped the gift box. Lying inside was a pale green ribbon.

“You usually tie up your hair, don’t you, Ailena? You can use this ribbon.”

“…Thank you!”

I was so moved I was almost at a loss for words, able only to express my simple gratitude.

“Oh, right, Ailena, let me borrow the ribbon for a second.”

After taking the ribbon, the young lady said softly:

“Turn around.”

I did as she asked.

The band tying my hair was removed, and my long hair instantly fell down my back. Then, my hair was gently stroked; I could feel her tenderness through the strands.

…She’s probably combing my hair for me.

The complete reversal of our usual roles felt incredibly novel.

“…It’s done!”

I took out a small mirror… one I use to check my appearance before seeing the young lady.

“Pfft.”

Looking at the lopsided ponytail in the mirror, I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“…Wh-what is it!”

The young lady blushed and said with a pout:

“I’ve never tied anyone’s hair before! If you don’t like it, you can do it yourself!”

“No… it’s nothing. I’m very satisfied.”

I smiled, gently stroking the ribbon on my head. The smooth, silky texture flowed through my fingertips.

“Thank you, my lady. This ribbon… I will treasure it for the rest of my life.”