I Did a Good Job For the Villain's Early Education - Chapter 50.1
Chapter 50.1
Cheza Ragrachio stood awkwardly in the doorway, his tall frame almost filling it. ‘Well, a little lacking in presence is fine. As long as he doesn’t kill anyone.’
Avel pulled the hesitant Cheza inside.
“We can’t have a dog here.”
“Hmm?”
“Not unless it bathes itself, prepares its own meals, and takes its own walks.”
“Should I assign a dedicated servant, then?”
“That’s tempting… but no. You can’t just bring a living creature into the house without discussing it.”
“Would a smaller breed be better?”
“It’s not about the breed. That doesn’t matter. Besides, if we’re going to have a pet…”
“Achoo!”
Cheza’s normally stoic face flushed slightly.
Sananeth, subtly averting the gazes directed at him, guided the Count’s servants. “Just put everything over there, please. This way.”
“See? If they’re going to live here, no furballs.”
“We could designate a separate area for the dog?”
“Let’s stop with the ‘clueless rich girl’ talk.”
Cardel nodded glumly at Avel’s swift rebuttal. The scattered pile of gifts was quickly organized.
“Oh… oh my… what… what… what is all this?” Noltie was utterly dumbfounded by the sheer volume of presents. Except for one person, that is. Naturally, Avel had no intention of satisfying Noltie’s excited curiosity.
Left hand, right hand. The girl, with the First Prince and the lady each clasped in one hand, took a cheerful step forward. “Dinner isn’t quite ready yet. Would you like some tea first?”
***
The grandly termed “birthday feast” was, in reality, just a slightly larger dinner party than usual. Only very slightly. Dane seemed a little surprised by the unexpected guests, but he didn’t show it. “I didn’t expect to see you here. It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”
“I’ve heard you’ve been working hard in the North.”
“It’s my duty as a knight. Lady Lucio, you’ve come as well.”
“Of course. It’s someone’s birthday.”
“It’s reassuring to see you’re still close with my daughter.”
The walk to the dining room was filled with pleasantries. However, the moment they saw the long table, both guests’ eyes narrowed.
‘The Baron will sit at the head. Avel will sit on his left or right, which means…’
‘There’s only one seat next to her.’
Their gazes locked.
“I heard there was a homecoming banquet recently. I’m sorry I missed it.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“I heard you were Avel’s partner then, too?”
“It was just one dance. By the way, you’ve been friends with Avel for years, haven’t you, lady?”
“Over six years, in fact.”
“I’ve known her even longer.”
“A few months’ difference is hardly significant.”
Sparks flew beneath the polite back-and-forth.
Then, a cheerful voice rang out across the dining room.
“It’s my birthday!”
The birthday girl unhesitatingly took the seat of honor—the very center of the table, usually reserved for the head of the household. But the Delaphion family was hardly known for rigid traditions.
“Why are you so happy about it? You always sit there when I’m not around.”
“Oh, but the feeling is different. The feeling.”
Dane and Sananeth sat on either side of Avel. The seating arrangement ended up with Dane, Cheza, and Noltie to Avel’s right, and Sananeth, Cardel, and Sedna to her left.
“I apologize for the sudden invitation, Teacher.”
“No… it’s… alright.” Sedna had been invited to dinner after a chance encounter with Dane in the hallway. His hazel eyes stared blankly at the tablecloth.
“Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday.”
‘Even though it’s only two of you.’
Avel’s dark eyes flicked between Cheza and Cardel. After a few brief celebratory words, the meal began in earnest.
“By the way, what’s this about a personal physician?”
“I thought it was necessary.”
