BR 3.1

The unprecedented ruling brought about one single, and most significant, change: the title.

Everyone now addressed Erons as Young Master. No one called him Erons anymore. Even those who had previously shown slight displeasure now treated him with the utmost respect. 

Though no definitive ruling had been made, it was already decided that Erons would be added to this family’s registry. 

Aside from that, daily life remained unchanged.

“A letter…? It wasn’t here before I went to sleep.”

Erons had just awakened when he found a letter clutched in his hand. Beneath the red wax seal in the center was a name, seemingly indicating the recipient.

[To the Master of Roden Palace]

“The palace belongs to His Majesty the Emperor. Guess it was sent to the wrong place.”

It clearly wasn’t meant for him.

He didn’t even bother pretending to break the seal and was about to place it on the shelf. But the seal fell off by itself, revealing parchment of the same material as the envelope. It fluttered before Erons’s eyes, as if begging to be read.

“So it was mine. Was it sent by magic?”

[Happy Birthday, Brother Erons. I really wanted to see you on your birthday, but I couldn’t make it. I prepared a gift, but it’s too big to include with this letter. I’ll show it to you later when you come to the palace. You’ll probably be so surprised you won’t be able to speak! I’m ready to kiss you for doing well.]

[May divine blessings always be with you.]

“Prince Rune…”

The sender was Rune. Erons found himself smiling at the brief letter. Starting the day with a letter felt fresh, and it was nice that the first one he received was from him.

“Your Highness is adorable.”

He called him brother, yet the closing was uncharacteristically formal. It was nothing special, but it seemed cute, making him smile for no reason. Erons, who once thought Rune was older than him, now found him endearing. 

Knowing that Erons was the senior, Rune always used respectful speech.

“Do Brother and Lord Fedor feel this way too…”

No way. I have nothing but good feelings for Rune, that’s why he seems cute. 

They’re different. 

Could I get a gift from them? No, that’s too much to hope for. Could I at least hear congratulations?

“…Do they even know it’s my birthday?”

Just then, Lelis cautiously opened the door. It seemed it was already time to rise.

“Oh, my Lord. Are you already awake?”
“Yes, my eyes opened early.”
“I see. That’s perfect timing. Take a look at this.”
“What is it?”
“It was sent by the Young Duke.”
“The young Duke? Urno?”
“Yes.”

The gift Lelis handed over was tightly wrapped in cloth. A gift like a bundle of goods, without even the common ribbon. 

It was a gift that perfectly reflected Urno’s blunt nature.

The black object, wrapped in many layers of cloth and expected to be heavy, was lighter than anticipated. 

Unwrapping the cloth revealed a scabbard. When the black scabbard was removed, a sword with a silver blade gleamed. The handle, seemingly tailored to Erons’s hand, was not large and was set with a blue sapphire. 

The gray tassel at the end swayed and fluttered.

“It’s beautiful. It’s a good thing I don’t know how to wield a sword.”
“Why is that?”
“How could I bring myself to use such a beautiful sword?”
“Haha. If the young Duke heard that, he’d be pleased.”
“Where should I keep this? It would be nice to have a weapons vault like His Grace’s.”
“Hmm, how about hanging it on the wall? I’ll have a servant install a hook.”
“Perfect. Please hang it in the spot where it’ll be seen best from here.”
“Of course. And would you mind taking a look at this, too?”

Lelis had brought not only Urno’s gift but also a small jewel box. When she opened it, a simple yet elegant bracelet revealed itself. A large amber bead sat at the center of a slender silver chain, surrounded by small, clear gemstones.

“I sincerely congratulate you on your first birthday celebrated at the mansion.”
“Lelis prepared this? Surely not?”
“Yes. It’s a sacred artifact specially requested from the temple for you, my Lord. They say the gem in the center holds divine power. From now on, it will protect you.“
“… A sacred artifact? Is it really okay for me to receive something so tremendous?”
“Of course. Since you seem to hold great affection for the Goddess Theos, we prepared it together with Jowen and a few others. Please, do not refuse and accept it.”

For a moment, tears nearly welled up, but he felt a little puzzled. Those whom he thought only hated him had prepared such a precious gift for him. 

Were they truly preparing it to celebrate his birthday? No, had they even really participated?

“Thank you… I’m truly so grateful.”

Though doubt lingered, Erons said nothing more to Lelis. What did it matter if they had truly prepared it together, or if it was a lie? The most important thing to Erons was that Lelis had prepared a bracelet for him.

“Not at all. Would you like to try it on?”
“Yes! I’ll put it on right now.”

As Lelis pulled out the bracelet, its long, long chain swayed. It was clearly long enough to wrap around Erons’s wrist three times over. Though taken aback, he thought he could just wrap it multiple times. 

When he held it to his wrist, the bracelet shrank to fit perfectly, closing around his skin.

“… It moved on its own?”
“I didn’t expect that either… It truly is a sacred artifact. And the fact that it moved like this… doesn’t that mean it has accepted you as its Master?”
“Is that so? How fascinating.”
“Perhaps because this amber resembles Master’s aura, it suits you perfectly.”
“Thank you, Lelis. Please convey my regards to the others.”
“I will. Breakfast should be ready by now.”
“Already? Then let’s hurry down.”

Following Lelis downstairs, Erons’s jaw dropped the moment he stepped into the first-floor lobby, his feet refusing to move. More accurately, he couldn’t lift them. Boxes piled higher than his own height blocked his path.

“… What is all this?”

Nike responded, “They said it’s a gift for you.”

“A gift for me? Who sent it?”
“That damn… They said it was sent by the young Masters of other families.”
“Ah…”

They were probably the ones he’d seen the day he went to the palace. Even if not exactly them, there would be gifts from those who’d heard the rumors about Erons. 

As Nike had said, he hadn’t expected them to just sit idly by. He’d anticipated they’d come for him eventually, but he hadn’t expected to see this scene before he’d even made up his mind.

“Is it okay to open them slowly?”
“Of course. They probably won’t all fit in your bedroom anyway. I’ve instructed them to place them in the empty room on your floor.”
“Yes. Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Right. The food will get cold. Let’s go.”

Once, four people had sat at the table, but today, it was only Nike and him, a modest gathering. 

He didn’t feel disappointed, though. 

Each had their own reasons for not being able to come. 

And having received so many delightful gifts since morning, he was rather pleased. It was a gathering where he felt no sadness at all, yet something puzzled him.

Why hasn’t he said a word?

Breakfast ended like that. Nike rose from the table the moment the meal finished. Lunch and dinner were the same. 

He never once said a single word of congratulations. 

It wasn’t that he wanted a gift. He just wanted to hear those words, Happy birthday, from him. 

He’d naturally assumed that Nike’d be the first to hug him and congratulate him, but acting like he didn’t even know it was his birthday made him feel hurt, and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Hah… What did I do wrong this time?”
“The floor’s gonna cave in.”
“Huh?”
“Long time no see.”
“Fedor!”

Turning at the sound behind him, Fedor had entered the room. The way he came in without a sound suggested he hadn’t used the door normally. He’d obviously used magic to get in.

“When did you come? Are you back for good?”
“No. Those damn old fools won’t let me. I have to leave again before they catch me.”
“Ah…”
“Why? Disappointed?”
“Yes. It’s been so long since we last met. Of course I’m disappointed you have to leave soon.”
“You were the one who refused to come before.”
“That was…! It wasn’t my fault. You were the one who messed up first, Fedor. And why bring that up now? That was ages ago.”

Fedor snorted lightly and ruffled Erons’s hair. He suddenly thrust his hand toward Erons’s face, and soon a small box appeared on it.

“Here. A gift.”
“A gift…? You mean it’s for me?”
“Yeah. You said it was your birthday.”
“It’s really for me? My birthday present?”
“Then whose else would it be? Take it already. My arm’s getting tired.”

Taking the box from him, Erons carefully lifted the lid. Inside were ten jewels. Purple gems, identical to his own eyes. They were beautifully and meticulously cut, radiating their own light even without any external source.

“They’re beautiful. They’re gems. Can I leave this box open and display them?”
“What are you talking about? They’re magic stones. Use them when you need them. They can handle pretty much anything magic can do, except for things magic can’t.”
“Really? Then can I make books with these?”
“Of course. But don’t waste them just summoning books. That precious magic power is too valuable.”
“Ah, right. I’ll be sparing and only use them when it’s truly important. Thank you.”
“Yeah, that’s how it should be.”

It seemed he’d gotten quite into books now that he could read. Seeing him ask if it was okay to use those precious magic stones – stones Fedor himself had infused with his magic – just to make a mere book. 

Discovering how the world works, things he never knew before, must be fascinating.

“The Book of Traits. Finished reading it?”
“Yes! I enjoyed it.”
“… Enjoyable? That?”
“Yes. It was romantic, you know?”
“Are you completely insane? Did you get hit in the head or something?”

What kind of nonsense is this? The Book of Traits is a textbook. The illustrations are just cross-sections of the human body at best. The rest is just a book packed with tiny, dense text. 

And not only did you say it was fun, but you called it romantic?

“What part exactly?”
“The part about how if you’re near someone you’re infatuated with when they’re in heat, you go into heat too, regardless of your cycle. And the part about how only your mate can resolve the heat once you’re imprinted. Isn’t that kind of romantic? It means your body only reacts to the person you like.”
“… No. My goosebumps seem to be reacting to you.”

Seriously. I get that no matter how much you learn about writing, you’ll find anything you read interesting, but where on earth does that sensibility come from? Fedor clicked his tongue in utter disbelief.

Come to think of it, today is Erons’s first heat. On the first day, the medicine barely worked, so it was obvious who would be spending that time with him, the time when most people spend the night with someone. 

Though he himself probably didn’t realize it.

“Do you know what ‘Riman’ means?”
“Yes, I know. His Grace the Duke told me.”
“Uh, well… it’s really beautiful… He said it meant a beautiful person, but…“
“Ha… ”

I knew it.

How could he be this wrong? 

There was no way Nike would have told him the real meaning, but he’d explained it in such a ridiculous way.

“Well, I guess. It’s not exactly wrong… Stick your neck out.”

As Erons slightly lifted his collar, Fedor’s hand lightly brushed over his neck. It seemed like a faint red glow emanated from that hand, but he only felt the touch itself, nothing else.

”What are you doing?“
”Yes, a shield to protect that raging, unbridled lust for romance.“
“I don’t see any shield.”
“Here comes the old man. I’m going.”
“Wait, Fedor –!”

Fedor suddenly covered his eyes. The momentary disorientation from the blocked vision passed quickly. A soft, light peck followed.

“Happy birthday,” Fedor whispered.

When the covering hand withdrew, Fedor was already gone. Erons, who had unconsciously offered his lips, was dazed. 

He felt like he was spending all the kisses he’d ever have in his lifetime right here. Especially with Fedor.

“… Thank you.”

A smile spread across his flushed, pink face. 

He’d resolved to never kiss him again, but just for today, he’d let it pass.