Chapter 171. A spring day in May 2021.09.21.
It was a spring day in May, with a warm breeze blowing gently. Depending on the owner’s temperament, Duke Donovan’s mansion, which had been quiet as if no one lived in it, came alive. Because today is Oscar Alle Donovan’s birthday. Early on, invitations were sent to several families in the capital, including influential ones. However, the number of people invited was so small that it was full of people who wanted to accompany them as partners. In particular, the Donovan hat was gaining popularity among the ladies of the Empire.
‘The gaze of the arrogant Duke Donovan. I don’t mind being stabbed to death…!’
‘Go away fiancée. I want to marry Duke Donovan!’
‘If you’ve heard of Duke Donovan’s vitriol…’
Youngsik slowly avoided Duke Donovan, but the ladies always looked at him with admiration, so they only looked for opportunities to get closer. Oscar was popular because of his cool demeanor, handsome face and high status. While preparations were in full swing for the evening banquet, Oscar welcomed a close friend who had visited earlier.
“Oscar Saint-.”
“no.”
Enrique, who was about to say happy birthday, was interrupted. Oscar smiled lightly and continued.
“that word. There is someone else I want to hear first.”
“I will know who it is even if you don’t tell me.”
The two young men had one person in mind at the same time. Enrique and Oscar, now 20 years old, have completely shed their boyhood and become full-fledged men. The strong muscles that can be felt even when wearing a uniform with wide shoulders and high height, and the veins on the forearms that naturally protrude without exerting any force are enough to shake the hearts of many women. Usually, there was a custom in Ermano to have a fiance from a young age, but the fact that they did not pay much attention to the opposite sex, let alone engaged, was one of the reasons for their soaring price in the marriage market. Isn’t it attractive to be an opponent like a lofty fortress that no one has captured? But their interests were always the same. It was a girl who was a workaholic. of a very high status.
“I heard rumors that His Majesty is extremely busy, but did you say that you will attend today?”
“well. I wish I could come, but I don’t know because I’m so busy. They said they started developing new magic tools this time. …It’s a location, so it’s going to be hard to come out officially.”
“I thought I could see you today…”
Enrique smiled mischievously. There are some things that do not change over time, but there are, of course, things that change completely. Things that were tolerated when you were young are things that are not taken for granted as time goes on. Differences in social status, formality, distance between people, flow of power, genuine generosity and forgiveness hidden behind laughter.
‘I want to get closer and closer, but it’s impossible in reality.’
Enrique tapped Oscar on the shoulder and stepped into the hall. Oscar gazed briefly at the evening sky as it was gradually setting, then followed Enrique inside. It was time for the birthday party to begin soon.
***
Oscar looked out the window of a room on the top floor of the mansion. I could see the carriages of the invited families coming in one by one. But the carriage he was waiting for was nowhere to be seen. Then someone knocked lightly on the door. He was the butler at the Donovan Mansion.
“His Excellency Duke Donovan contacted me saying that he is absent from this banquet as he is inspecting the estate. You said you’re working hard to come even if it’s late…”
“It’s okay, butler. Because work comes first.”
Compared to the heavy butler’s words, Oscar’s answer was refreshing. It was so casual that the butler was even more concerned.
“…are you sad?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t upset. But understand. Your mother is busy.”
There are no more children who are sad because their mother did not attend the birthday party. Oscar laughed and drew the curtain back. As soon as the number of invited guests seemed to have arrived, Oscar, the main character of the banquet, appeared in the hall. Exclamation burst out from everywhere.
“Don’t you think you’ve grown taller?”
“It’s like watching His Majesty Situation’s youth.”
“You are very devoted!”
Oscar had a dazzling look that caught everyone’s attention and kept them there. The silver hair inherited from Hwang Sang-je shone brightly under the chandelier, and the green eyes unique to the Donovan family were as fresh as the lush greenery of early summer. However, despite his beautiful appearance, who was easily liked, he felt a strange wall. Even though he was the main character of the banquet, few people had the distribution to approach Oscar, who did not smile and had a cold face.
“Brother Oscar.”
Except for the young Duke Javier.
“Long time no see Emily.”
sixteen. Emily, who had her coming-of-age ceremony this year, looked so grown up that she couldn’t look like a child. The youthful face of a young girl still remains, but the breast meat has long since fallen off. In order to maintain her dignity as the head of the Javier family, Emily was perfectly dressed from head to toe today.
“What for a long time. We met last week. In front of the square fountain.”
“iced coffee.”
“Remember at least who you met and when. It seems like the only thing in my head is His Majesty.”
Emily’s criticism was not wrong, but Oscar smiled lightly.
“that’s right. I only heard of Mabel.”
“I am seriously ill.”
“Emily, you only look for Mabel.”
“It’s um… force majeure.”
Emily thought of Mabel, who was still working in the imperial castle. How could I not like Mabel? It wasn’t easy even if I tried to hate it on purpose. Then Emily suddenly remembered the purpose of today’s banquet and changed the subject.
“Oscar’s birthday anyway.”
“I hear you are looking for a fiancé. that’s right?”
No, I couldn’t change the subject. Because Oscar brought up a different topic. I searched for it secretly, but it seems that rumors spread again.
“I have to get married too, Brother Oscar.”
“Still, taking an idiot as a son-in-law is against it.”
“Wouldn’t it be better than a stupid guy who doesn’t know anything and doesn’t even know the subject because he has something in his head, and treats the duke as his own?”
Emily was laughing, but the words that came out of her mouth were brutal. Oscar was worried about his only sister hanging out with Emily.
“You don’t play with Mabel.”
“Your Majesty agrees.”
“Hugh Mabel….”
With an innocent face, Emily always spits out sly words, so Emily’s words are probably the truth.
“Emily, you say it’s because of the family, but then what if Mabel says she’s going to marry an idiot?”
“With Brother Oscar and His Majesty the Situation, would that be possible?”
“but.”
Oscar raised an eyebrow and smiled. There was no way she would ever let Mabel get involved with someone like that. After Emily left, Oscar’s uncle, Lisandro Donovan, came next.
“Oscar’s birthday choo-.”
“It’s been a while, maternal uncle.”
“Yes, birthday-.”
“Are you off work today?”
“uh? oops His Majesty has a special vacation. No, more than that, happy birthday-.”
“I prepared a special drink for my uncle.”
Lisandro’s eyes twinkled.
“alcohol!”
“I put it over there.”
“Hurray!”
Lisandro went on a long journey in search of alcohol as if possessed. Enrique shook his head, observing from nearby as Oscar avoided the two without hearing their congratulations for a short time.
“Oscar, you are too….”
“I am a person who does something if he has to.”
Even after that, Oscar deftly avoided the birthday greetings. At the bewitched speech, people ended the conversation without even knowing what they were talking about. After a few hours, the atmosphere of the banquet was ripe. The time was already approaching midnight. All the guests of the family that had sent out the invitations had arrived. Except for just one person.
“It seems that His Majesty the Emperor is absent today.”
“I’m sorry. I thought I would be able to see His Majesty’s John An when I came here.”
“His Excellency Duke Donovan hasn’t come either.”
From some point on, Mabel became an existence that was hard to see unless it was an official statue. But it has become the norm now. Because it was Emperor Mabel who brought the unprecedented golden age of the Ermano Empire. So, it’s natural to be busy. However, what I missed most of all was Oscar, the birthday party.
‘Looks like he’s very busy.’
Oscar looked out at the black sky over the balcony. Why? Even though I was surrounded by people, I felt lonely.
‘Because you’re not there.’
With only one person by my side . . . that time. On the balcony on the side, the heads of families famous for being investors were gathering and exchanging heated information about the latest trends in the commercial district.
“Did you hear? Opening up a new sea route.”
“Other than that, of course. That’s an investment, I put all my slush funds into it. cluck.”
“Then what if my wife gets caught?”
“It’s okay. Wouldn’t you keep your mouth shut if I told you that His Majesty the Emperor is pursuing a project?”
The landowners gave their unspoken consent. In aristocratic society, the existence of ‘His Majesty’ was now passed as a guaranteed check. Isn’t it the god of business that leads all national projects to a jackpot march?
“So what business are you eyeing this time?”
“Whoops, this is it. It is something that captures a picture and holds it on paper.”
As someone confidently opened up the business plan, his eyes naturally focused.
“Oh oh! This is the ka ka that I heard only through rumors…”
“Camera.”
The heads of households clapped their hands in admiration at the unfamiliar voice that suddenly interrupted from behind.
“camera! Yes, it was a camera!”
Then, suddenly, he turned his head and was startled.
“Lung Lung-!”
“Are you surprised? I’m sorry. I was in a hurry and didn’t think to come in through the front door.”
There was a woman with a cloak covering her face above her eyes. Next to him was Count Aidan Aserad, more famous as the Emperor’s personal escort than the Imperial Count. Aidan hugged the woman by the waist and gently lowered her down the railing. She greeted me lightly, waved her hand, and went in alone.
“Your Majesty…?!”
A shrill voice followed her behind.
***
“What is it?”
Oscar suddenly realized that the balcony was noisy and headed there. As we got closer, we could see the cause of the commotion. there was someone Someone wearing a long robe whose face I couldn’t recognize. But Oscar recognized the man at first sight. Dang dang-! At that time, the grandfather clock in the mansion, announcing midnight, rang softly. right at that moment.
“Happy birthday Oscar.”
When I took off the cloak I was wearing, the light pink hair that was covered first was revealed. It had grown quite a bit and was curving just above the waist. Next, her light blue eyes, like clear lake water, shone intelligently under the light of the chandelier. People were stunned for a moment. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. He was dressed in simple clothes, probably because he had come in a hurry, but he didn’t even notice his clothes. She was a shining being in her own right. Although the girlishness was still evident, the relaxed smile hanging from the corner of her mouth created an atmosphere that could not be ignored. After the birthday banquet in February, Mabel had turned 15.
“Mabel.”
Oscar strode towards Mabel. Mabel scratched her cheek, averting her gaze as if embarrassed.
“You congratulated me too late. In my heart, I wanted to congratulate you first.”
Mabel let out a sigh. But Oscar smiled brightly.
“Don’t worry Mabel.”
“huh?”
“Because you are the first.”
“Is it midnight?”
“Even at midnight.”
Mabel tilted her head.
‘Does this mean that I congratulated you for the first time today?’
I don’t know what that means, but it worked because Oscar looked happy. Mabel also smiled brightly along with Oscar. It was a warm spring day in May.
