How The Sub-Male Lead’s Stepmother Teaches Love Chapter 357

“That’s right. Rake is Titi’s big sister.”

 

—Then what about me and Noah?

 

“We’re friends.”

 

Rake tilted her round head.

 

—Not family?

 

“We’re family *and* friends.”

 

—Oh, I see.

 

Family *and* friends!

 

Rake liked that too.

 

Both family and friends were good, and with Noah, she got to be both.

 

—I’ll be both with Titi too. I’ll be her sister *and* her friend.

 

“Then Rake will be Titi’s first friend.”

 

—First friend…!

 

Now Rake wasn’t just wagging her tail feathers—she was wiggling her whole bottom side to side, almost like dancing.

 

—Titi is so lucky. Her first friend is a great dragon like me!

 

“Super lucky. My first friend was a great dragon too, so I know.”

 

—Hehe.

 

In sync with her laughter, a chirpy, song-like sound flowed from Rake’s beak.

 

Titiana seemed to like it, smiling brightly in Noah’s arms and reaching out her hand.

 

“Bwa, ah!”

 

—What is it? Do you want to play with your big sister?

 

“Ah!”

 

—Try to catch your big sister!

 

Rake fluttered up and began flying in circles above Titiana’s head like a mobile toy.

 

Titiana reached out to grab her, but of course, she couldn’t catch her.

 

“Aua, au!”

 

—If you catch me, I’ll give you a ride on my back!

 

“Auuh!”

 

Even as Titiana started to whine in frustration, Rake kept flying around the room without stopping.

 

Her teasing big sister didn’t understand her feelings at all—

 

but that was okay.

 

Because her big brother, who always comforted her, and her sister were both always by her side.

 

* * *

 

Two months left until Titiana’s first birthday.

 

“Since it’s her first birthday, shouldn’t we hold a grand banquet?”

 

“It would be nice for many people to celebrate, but she’s still so young. I’m not sure her stamina could handle it.”

 

“Oh, I didn’t think of that.”

 

There were still two whole months left—

 

but Leonhard and Noah were already seriously discussing how to celebrate.

 

“Then maybe it’s best to invite only close people and keep it fun and simple, like my birthdays the past two years.”

 

“That does sound better. We definitely need a gift ceremony, blowing out candles, and maybe even a walking demonstration…”

 

—Since it’s a special day, we should have a 9-tier cake!

 

Rake, who got an 8-tier cake on her last birthday, was now demanding a 9-tier cake for Titiana.

 

It almost felt like she was building up to demand a 10-tier cake for Noah’s birthday and an 11-tier cake for her next one.

 

“One slice each is enough. Titi can’t even eat cake yet.”

 

—I’ll eat Titi’s share for her!

 

“Titi says she doesn’t need that kind of favor, right?”

 

“Auu…”

 

While her dad, brother, and sister talked about her birthday, Titiana was busy practicing walking, holding both my hands and struggling to stand.

 

“Good, good. Just put a little more strength into your legs.”

 

“Uaa…!”

 

At that moment, Titiana managed to stand up on both feet while holding my hands.

 

“That’s it! Now just take one step toward Mommy.”

 

“Uaa, ah.”

 

“Just one step, just one.”

 

“Titi, you can do it!”

 

—Imagine there’s cake in front of you!

 

Despite everyone’s encouragement, Titiana plopped back down.

 

It seemed she had no intention of trying again. Instead, she let go of my hands and stretched her arms out, asking to be picked up.

 

“Uwa, auu!”

 

“Alright, alright. Let’s stop here for today.”

 

I picked her up and gently patted her back, then said to Leonhard,

 

“Maybe we should skip the walking demonstration.”

 

“There are still two months until her birthday.”

 

‘Ah, so he *did* know there was still time.’

 

With how seriously he was planning, I thought he’d forgotten.

 

“Oh, there’s something I want to do for Titi’s first birthday.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“Well…”

 

* * *

 

A wide platform was specially made to prevent any accidents.

 

Soft, thick silk was laid over it, and various items were neatly arranged at equal distances.

 

A sword-shaped doll made of cloth and stuffing.

 

A blunt-tipped fountain pen.

 

A twisted skein of yarn.

 

A wand-like toy rod.

 

A round ocarina.

 

Along with gold coins, jewelry, and more—there were a total of 14 items prepared for the selection ceremony.

 

“Now, the next event is the item-picking ceremony. It’s similar to the earlier gift-picking event. Baby Titi will choose the item she likes most from those placed in front of her…”

 

Having hosted so many birthdays—Rake’s, Noah’s—Robert had become quite the professional host as he explained the meaning of the tradition.

 

Alexander and Violet couldn’t come this time because their baby, born last winter, was still too young.

 

And Lily and Benjamin also couldn’t come, as they had finally held their wedding and were expecting a child.

 

Instead, the older brother attended on behalf of the Howard family and clapped louder than anyone.

 

“It’s meaningful and fun. If it’s alright, may I add one more item?”

 

“Of course. What would you like to add?”

 

Smiling, he had a servant bring over a clover bookmark Noah had made.

 

“Who knows? Maybe Titi will carry on the Howard family line.”

 

“Now that I think about it, the clover *is* the symbol of the Howard family…”

 

At someone’s remark, people’s gazes subtly shifted toward Layla, who sat wearing a mask.

 

By now, most people knew that Layla was pursuing the eldest brother—

 

and that the reason she wore such a large mask was to present a more mature image of herself.

 

“Honestly… she’s trying so hard…”

 

Most people were looking at Layla with that kind of expression.

 

They all thought that on the long-awaited third year, she would get rejected by my older brother.

 

To be honest, I thought that was pretty likely too.

 

‘Well, they’re serious about it, at least.’

 

I quickly signaled Robert to start, trying to help the two of them who were avoiding even glancing at each other.

 

“Now then, we will begin the doljabi. Young master, please bring the young lady over here.”

 

Noah carefully placed Titiana—dressed beautifully for her first birthday—onto the platform.

 

“Ah-oo.”

 

Even though she had just successfully finished her walking demonstration, Titiana still found crawling more comfortable, and she looked down at the items with curious eyes.

 

“Alright, Titi. You pick just one from these. Just one.”

 

“Da-oo-ah!”

 

What would our Titi choose?

 

Just as I was about to whisper to Leonhard beside me, Titiana suddenly stretched out her right hand and grabbed the toy sword.

 

“Huh?”

 

“Oh!”

 

“Wow, the young lady chose the sword—!”

 

But that was only preparation to throw it away.

 

Before Robert could even finish speaking, Titiana tossed the toy sword aside. Then coins, a jeweled pin, and even a storybook flew through the air one after another.

 

“My lady… is doljabi usually done like this?”

 

“…I don’t think so?”

 

It’s not like I’ve ever seen it before.

 

While we whispered uncertainly, Titiana crawled around busily, picking things up and throwing them.

 

“At this rate, the last item left must be the one she chooses, right?”

 

“…Probably?”

 

“Young lady, well done! Throw them! Throw everything!”

 

“The young lady will be my disciple, after all. It would be great if the wand is the last one left…”

 

“It’s the fan, young lady! Take the fan and rule northern society!”

 

“It’s a shame about the sword. With the Duke’s blood, she must have talent for it…”

 

“Oh! The brush stopped rolling—does that count as staying?”

 

“And now it fell too. Five left.”

 

– Nooo! Titi threw the cake! That delicious thing!

 

“It’s not a real cake, it’s a doll, Rake.”

 

– Still! It has strawberries on it!

 

Amid everyone’s hopes and regrets, Titiana kept laughing as she threw everything she could grab.

 

It seemed she thought this was a new game—throwing things.

 

‘Well… as long as Titi is having fun.’

 

In the end, everything she picked up was thrown off the platform. Books, dolls—everything.

 

Everything that reached her hands.

 

So the only thing left on the platform was—

 

“Wow, only the bookmark is left.”

 

Perhaps because it was flat, Titiana didn’t recognize it as an object.

 

After finishing her throwing game, she lay flat on her back—on top of the bookmark—and closed her eyes.

 

“She must really like it, blocking it with her whole body so no one can take it.”

 

“…Is that what it looks like to you?”

 

“Isn’t it?”

 

‘I don’t think so…’

 

“Titiana Howard… Titiana Howard… It actually sounds pretty good.”

 

My older brother nodded to himself, murmuring.

 

Leonhard quietly—but very quickly—moved and picked up the now-asleep Titiana.

 

As if he was afraid my older brother might declare right then and there that he would take Titiana away.

 

* * *