Author: Nikss

Thanks to sending the carriage ahead first, Merria’s juice delivery operation was successfully completed.

She handed Reukis a glass, placing it directly in his hand.

Then, with a light clink, she tapped her glass against his.

Reukis pressed his lips together, seemingly lost in thought, before finally lifting his gaze. When their eyes met directly, Merria had a sudden realization,

‘This isn’t it.’

Despite striving for perfection, a major flaw had emerged in her carefully planned birthday surprise.

Just as Merria had that thought, Reukis finally spoke.

“I’m truly surprised.”

“…?”
“I never expected you to prepare such a gift…”

Even as she noticed his trembling eyelashes, Merria couldn’t fully share his joy. Because, for reasons different from his, she was at a loss for words.

This juice was nothing more than a trivial, passing delight—yet Reukis was acting as if he had already received the ultimate birthday gift.

Despite owning mansions, private villas, mines, and every rare treasure imaginable,
he became endlessly humble in front of her.

What was she supposed to do with him?

‘Even so, how could he think this is the birthday gift…?’

Merria found herself facing an unexpected situation.

And it became a moment for her to reflect on her usual behavior.

How could he react like this over a simple glass of juice?

‘Did he really have so little expectation for my gifts?’

She had given him various presents before, but now that she thought about it, she had never actually seen him use any of them.

The realization struck her like a shock.

‘Maybe he didn’t like what I gave him before but couldn’t say it…’

Of course, this was nothing more than Merria’s misunderstanding.

Then and now, Reukis was the kind of person who would cherish even a trampled leaf if it came from her—displaying it proudly in a glass case.

There was just one thing she didn’t know.

As the time the two spent together grew longer, the number of gifts exchanged increased.

Those gifts eventually filled the display case in Reukis’ bedroom to the brim, leading to the creation of a separate ‘gift room for Merria.’

The grand ducal residence was spacious, and since Reukis usually met Merria outside, she still hadn’t noticed the existence of that room.

So, in a way, it was only natural that she began to doubt her own worth.

Reukis was the kind of person who would obediently chew on a rock if she told him to.

Even if he had to get his wobbly front teeth treated later, in front of her, he’d just grin and bear it.

Their expressions of affection were so unrestrained that he thought they had simply grown comfortable with each other.

But the tender-hearted Reukis couldn’t bring himself to say anything, all out of consideration for her.

Behind her smiling face, Merria let out a silent scream. She quickly shook her head and spoke.

“No, no. This isn’t a gift…”

Well, it wasn’t not a gift if she called it one, but—The real gift was something else entirely!

She couldn’t possibly let him accept this as a gift. Just as the word ‘gift’ began to feel awkward in her mind, Merria continued.

“I just… brought it because I wanted to drink it too.”

Yes. That was the best way to put it.

This was Merria, completely denying her past self who once claimed cranberry juice didn’t pair well with meals.

Having reached the best possible conclusion for the current situation, Merria firmly pressed her lips together.

Reukis pulled out her chair and naturally took the seat beside her. While facing each other during meals had its charm, sitting side by side was still the best for him.

When he wanted to cut her meat, he only needed to stretch his arm slightly, and he could watch Merria’s munching profile up close.

Most importantly, he could hold her hand whenever he pleased.

Merria had said that as long as they weren’t outside or in front of too many people, he could do as he pleased.

It was when he was cheerfully tearing into a piece of bread with a bright smile.

“Reukis.”

“What is it?”

Reukis asked, a smile lingering on his lips.

Merria, who seemed to be deep in thought, looked at him with determined eyes.

“About the party we planned for this evening.”

It was a party scheduled according to her belief that on one’s birthday, they should play all day and receive congratulations in the evening before blowing out the candles.

The location, of course, was the small hall attached to the villa.

The sunset view over the beach was beautiful and pleasant, which was why the staff here had unanimously recommended it.

Merria had chosen everything—from the flowers decorating the hall to Reukis’ outfit. But there was one thing she had left in someone else’s hands.

‘The birthday cake.’

As much as she loved desserts, she was also sensitive to their taste.

So, when planning Reukis’ birthday, the first thing she had paid attention to was the birthday cake they would enjoy today.

Bringing a cake along was as difficult as carrying juice in a bottle, and even with preservation magic, she believed nothing could match the fluffy freshness of a freshly made one.

In the end, her solution was to have a recipe for heavenly flavors specially delivered and entrusted to a patissier invited to the villa for the occasion.

Only in moments like these did she fully rely on her connections. She immediately requested a tea time with Her Majesty the Empress.

The ever-gracious former Lady Delphi, now the Empress, laughed brightly and gladly introduced her to the perfect person—someone from the Delphi Marquisate who had once belonged to their household but was now in charge of desserts at the imperial palace, originally from Eriene.

Merria promptly informed him of Reukis’ preferences.

The recipe, guarded as tightly as cranberry juice, had been delivered to the patissier currently invited to the villa.

But now, she was planning to snatch it back.

‘I’ll make it, gift it, and feed it to him myself.’

This morning, Merria, struck by a shocking realization, finally made up her mind to touch his birthday cake.

It was because she wanted to see her gift reach his lips intact.

At this point, she couldn’t tell whether it was stubbornness or sincerity.

But hadn’t Reukis said it himself? That her happiness was his joy.

If this was what made her happy, Reukis probably wouldn’t mind.

Having settled her thoughts, Merria slowly opened her mouth.

“After we come back from going out, can you give me a little time alone?”

“Why…?”

Reukis blinked and asked in return. He had planned to spend the whole day glued to her here, where neither Altheon’s nagging nor Kalix’s pleading could reach them.

Yet Merria was the one trying to ruin that plan, leaving him at a loss for how to respond.

Noticing his reaction, Merria hastily added, “Just an hour! Will you do that for me? There’s something I need to prepare…”

She even set down her utensils, speaking with unusual earnestness.

In the end, Reukis had no choice but to nod.

💫

The two, bundled up warmly, headed toward the shopping district.

Unlike the capital, the street lined with shops wasn’t particularly large, but there were many things that caught Merria’s interest.

For instance, the warm, nutty-flavored drink, the pigment made from crushed shells, or the mermaid-shaped statue standing in the middle of a store.

But what drew her attention the most were the blue flowers she had seen all along the way.

The blue lily-like patterns appeared on decorations, paintings, and signs everywhere.

“What kind of flower is that?”

Seizing the moment, Merria asked.

“It’s called the ‘Blue Roen.’ They say it blooms on cliffs by the sea.”

“How fascinating. Does it only grow here?”

A blue flower blooming on a cliff facing the azure sea.

Just the thought of it was surely breathtaking. It hadn’t been seen along the shore yesterday—perhaps it wasn’t yet in season.

At Merria’s question, Reukis began to answer but then raised an eyebrow.

“From what’s known, yes. But it blooms only briefly before vanishing, so very few have actually seen it.”

“What about you, Reukis?”

“I’ve only heard of it.”

Then perhaps that flower doesn’t truly exist.

Mysterious as it was, every place had its own legends.

Merria gave a half-hearted nod. Having taken in the sights for a while and with the sun high in the sky, they decided to have lunch.

The place, called ‘Azure Coral’—’Aurobis’—was one Reukis had frequented as a child when visiting his family’s villa.

But since his last visit, the marketplace had changed so much that even he seemed lost, about to ask a nearby merchant for directions.

“Wait here just a moment. I’ll be right back.”

While Reukis was away, Merria let her gaze wander.

The sky was vast, and though the sharp sea breeze stung her face, her body stayed warm.

As she breathed in the salty air, something caught her eye.

A stall spread out right in front of where she stood.

“Excuse me.”

“Welcome.”

A boy who looked slightly older than Derek greeted her. He wore an apron and a glove on one hand, seemingly crafting trinkets between customers.

“Is this a Blue Roen?”

She pointed to a framed decoration—a blue flower set in a square silver frame—and found it utterly charming.

With a pale face, he smiled faintly and answered, “That’s right.”

“Can I have this one?”

There was nothing restrained about her spending.

The boy nodded and continued speaking.

“Fifteen coins will do.”

As Merria held out her hand, the boy promptly took the coins and brought out a frame.

“Are you giving it as a gift? Blue Roen is often given to lovers.”

“Oh?”

“It blooms only for a fleeting moment before vanishing, so it’s also called the Flower of Miracles. With such a lovely name, it’s perfect for someone you love.”

At his words, Merria’s eyebrow twitched slightly. Her mind had been preoccupied with the party tonight, so her thoughts naturally drifted in that direction.

Blue Roen was undeniably fitting for an occasion like today.

“Then, if you could choose a ribbon color…”

He held out a small wooden box.

Inside, white, blue, and pale gray ribbons were neatly arranged in order. But Merria shook her head firmly.

“Wrap it as shabbily as possible.”

“Huh?”

The boy tilted his head at the strange request.

Still, his hands moved skillfully, slipping the frame into a bag—a true merchant’s expertise.

“Can you make it look like a book or something? No decorations.”

Merria whispered, glancing sideways to see if Reukis had returned.

Catching her meaning, the boy quickly placed the frame in a paper bag, folding the top tightly before handing it over.

“Merria.”