Episode 58

“Both of you have birthdays today?"

Lapis, who appeared to have just woken up, ran a hand through his messy hair and said.

"We cannot simply ignore a lady's birthday. We must celebrate it with all our hearts."

"…”

“Well... you can just loiter in the corner or whatever.”

The boy gave Ute a sidelong glance and solemnly declared.

"I shall host this birthday."

---

“Ta-da!”

That evening, after all the work was done, Lapis gathered everyone in the dining room and triumphantly shook a long bottle.

"Everyone, take a look at this!"

“It's alcohol.”

“So you do know what it is.”

“I've seen it a few times before, but never had a drink.”

Green eyes scanned the label with indifference. The one who prepared the alcohol lamented that while it was one of the better choices on the island, it was still too cheap.

‘That looks pretty expensive.’

I was the only one who seemed a bit anxious. That brand of alcohol was always reserved for guests at the mansion where I worked.

The wealthy boy lined up five bottles of the expensive liquor, smiling broadly.

“Alright then, let’s start with a toast to Sonnet’s—”

“Not happening.”

The boy's lips jutted out in a pout.

Ute sternly shook his head and ignored him.

“What if we don’t sober up by tomorrow? If we get caught, we will be disciplined, and a letter will be sent to our families.”

“What, are you scared?”

“That’s not the issue.”

“You’re just afraid of getting drunk. Today’s duties are over, and as long as we’re sober by morning, it’s fine, right? If you’re that scared, drink juice instead. Juice.”

“It’s not that—”

The argument dragged on, spurred by the irritating provocation.

In the meantime, I cut the cake Ute had prepared earlier and placed slices on everyone's plates.

“Haa... fine. One cup of water for every glass of alcohol, okay?”

“Deal. Happy birthday, Sonnet.”

The boy smirked and filled his glass to the brim.

Before drinking, I asked something I had been curious about.

“Lapis, why did you join the military so early?”

“Because of my older sister.”

“Sister?”

The supposed other female lead.

Lapis grumbled, oblivious to the glances Ute and I exchanged.

“It's embarrassing... She's famous in the capital. Even street thugs are more well-behaved than my elder sister.”

“…”

“She once stalked a royal because she wanted to marry him, poured tea on a friend for wearing a prettier dress, and she’s still a student because she’s failed the academy so many times! Still a student!”

The boy pounded his chest with his fist, appearing genuinely aggrieved.

Ute patted Lapis's shoulder and gently asked.

“What about the rest of your family?”

“The rest?”

“What are they like? Are you close?”

“My mother died when I was very young, and my father is a respectable man. Very busy, though. My brother... well, we’re not very close, but other families are eager to have him as a son-in-law.”

Ute extracted quite a bit of information on Lapis’s sister and their family atmosphere.

It would be useful later, of course, but...

I had my own pressing question.

“I have something I want to ask too.”

“If it’s from a lady, I’m all ears.”

“It might be a sensitive question.”

“You can ask me anything, Sonnet.”

“Then, at your mansion... what’s the average wage for new employees?”

“Yes?”

“What are the working conditions like? How many have been there for more than five years? Has anyone ever been fired on their first day?”

“Wait, wait! What’s all this, everyone?”

“…”

“Come to think of it, you've been asking about my sister a lot. Could it be...?”

Sharp golden eyes narrowed.

‘Perhaps I was too blunt.’

But what came out of Lapis’s mouth was anticlimactic.

“Are you interested in my older sister?”

“Huh?”

“No matter how much I dislike that person, I can’t introduce you to her. Why would a decent face like yours make such a choice...”

“You once said I wasn't beautiful, didn't you? No, that's not the point. It's not like that at all.”

Ute denied vehemently, like someone rumored to be in love with their mother.

“Sure, my sister is pretty. But so what? She's incredibly vicious. The day before I enlisted, she terrorized the maids because she wanted some jewel or something!”

“I said, I’m not interested in your sister.”

“Do you know how many teacups she’s broken...?”

It was hopeless.

No matter how much Ute explained, Lapis continued listing ‘101 Reasons Not to Get Involved with My Sister.’

“So, my sister is absolutely out of the question...”

He gulped down his drink, looking desperate.

“By the way, Lapis.”

“Yes?”

“You enlisted right after graduating, didn’t you?”

“You remember? I’m so happy to know I left an impression on you.”

“So did you even have time to drink before enlisting...?”

Thud!

The golden head slumped onto the table.

Ute and I exchanged a glance, then looked at the one who was knocked out after one drink.

“...I’ll move him.”

“Let’s do it together.”

“I can handle it. He’s not that heavy.”

Lapis, completely passed out, was carried to his room in Ute's arms.

‘It’s my birthday, so why is he the one receiving a present?’

After Ute returned, the alcohol quickly disappeared.

It wasn’t bitter and went down smoothly, probably because it was expensive.

“You drink well, Sonnet. Are you a heavy drinker?”

“I haven’t drunk often, so I’m not sure. I’ve never been drunk, though. You?”

“Same here.”

Ute's lips stretched into a smile.

Ute, who had been drinking at a similar pace to mine, didn’t seem drunk either.

“It’s your birthday too, but we didn’t celebrate for you.”

The alcohol Lapis prepared and the cake Ute made.

I felt a bit guilty that I enjoyed the birthday perks and couldn’t reciprocate for Ute.

“You should have told me. I would have prepared something. Do you want anything or need anything... except for something expensive like a camera!”

“It’s fine.”

Ute smiled kindly like he always did.

“Really, it’s fine. Just tell me. If it’s not too much, I might be able to manage...”

Would it be okay? It’s not like it’s anyone else, it’s Ute Velvet.

It might be a big expense, but it was his birthday, after all.

‘I’m not offering my entire fortune.’

‘He’s my friend...’

Moreover, it wasn’t just any day; it was the day an angel descended to Earth.

“It’s not a big deal. It’s not like it’s a major celebration day.”

“Why do you say that?”

My busy mind came to a halt, feeling heavy as if the alcohol had gone down the wrong pipe.

I stood up and sat next to Ute.

“Why isn’t it a big day?”

Creak, the heavy wooden chair was pushed away.

“You said happy birthday to me.”

“Sonnet.”

“You gave me a gift, with embroidery you did yourself.”

“…”

“Didn’t that mean anything?”

“Of course it did. Sonnet, I’m truly glad you were born. I think it’s wonderful we can celebrate this day.”

“Then why say that?”

“Well, I... I’ve never been celebrated much here. So. I’m sorry. I misspoke.”

“Don’t apologize.”

I reached out to hold Ute's hand but stopped. The realization that he was so close made me feel embarrassed.

Neatly arranged eyebrows, a tear mole, jaw, Adam’s apple, reddened elbows, short nails.

My eyes darted around, unable to settle on one spot.

“I told you.”

“…”

“Don’t apologize. You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Why did this child have so much to apologize for?

It seemed like he thought every bad thing that happened to me was his fault.

‘Is he like this with everyone?’

I hoped not.

“Have you committed a crime? Honestly, if you did, I think the world should forgive you once! Or maybe... ten times? No, that’s too much.”

“Sonnet?”

Even if I liked Ute a lot, I had to draw a line.

I thought hard, counting on my fingers. Eventually, only my index finger remained.

“Once.”

“…”

“I think the world should forgive you at least once.”

No matter what you do.

---

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