That's when I instinctively took a step back.
“Ta-da! Surprise party!”
As soon as Lamia shouted, candles were lit here and there.
The room became bright as candles were lit on the table, the walls, and the candle holders on the furniture.
Then, things hidden in the darkness came into the light.
“What is this...”
There were several people in the room.
Callius and Granada, Mainz, Alex, and even the chef.
It was the first time my room had been this crowded, except for the first day.
Lamia took me, who was looking confused, and sat me down at the table.
On the table were beautifully decorated dishes and delicately crafted silverware, and in the center was a vase of night-blooming Leknes flowers, their beautiful golden petals in full bloom.
"Ah..."
I couldn't help but be amazed by the beautiful sight.
“When on earth did this happen...”
My throat was so choked up that I couldn't continue speaking.
It's been in the bedroom across the door the whole time, so when did they secretly prepare something like this?
As I sat down at the table, the others also sat around, each taking a seat.
“What is all this? What kind of party is this?”
When I asked, barely able to control my trembling voice, Mainz answered with a chuckle.
"The master has prepared it. He said he would like to make a special occasion to thank you for all your hard work in Ronheim."
I looked at Callius with tears of emotion in my eyes.
“Thank you so much...”
A party just for me? It was something I never imagined.
Callius took out a handkerchief and wiped my tears, smiling affectionately.
“Thank you, Chloe. Do you like it?”
“Yes, I really, really like it!”
“That’s fortunate.”
I looked around at the people gathered here.
Everyone was looking at me and smiling happily.
Even Granada, who usually has a stern expression, had a warm smile on his face today.
They rejoiced with me when I rejoiced.
I never knew so many people loved me.
It wasn't just that I was rejected in Ronheim.
It felt like the emptiness I felt after what happened at the restaurant was being filled to overflowing.
Before I knew it, I forgot about it and smiled brightly.
“It feels just like a holiday!”
The chef stood up cheerfully, cut a large roast goose with a knife, and placed it on my plate.
"We eat roast goose on holidays in Ronheim. Try it. The meat is incredibly tender. It's roasted whole, made with a special recipe."
As I cut the meat into small pieces and put it in my mouth, the chef looked at me with an expectant face.
“It’s very delicious.”
"As expected! This is a dish I learned from my mother when I was six. My mother's roast goose is amazing."
The chef also put meat on other people's plates.
Mainz nodded.
"The roast goose, made with Latina's mother's recipe, is the pride of Ronheim Castle. By the way, Latina, how is your mother?"
“I hear she is doing very well.”
“I still remember the hot onion soup your mother, Panima, used to make for us for a late-night snack.”
Granada explained it to me.
"Latina's family has produced chefs at Ronheim Castle for generations. Panima was the previous chef, but when she got older, she retired and handed over the reins to Latina."
“Oh my. That’s amazing.”
The conversation continued like that without any particular topic.
Then, Latina put mashed potatoes and sweet beans on my plate and spat out a word to Callius.
"Master, are you still straining out your green beans? You've been doing that since you were little. Even my three-year-old grandson eats them well, so you're a grown man! Picky eating is bad, bad."
I clearly saw Callius' arm tremble as he held the fork.
Callius responded politely.
“It’s something to be treasured and eaten sparingly.”
At that poor excuse, Lamia, who was hastily chewing and swallowing goose meat next to me, burst out laughing.
“Lamia, what are you doing so rudely?”
Granada tried to warn Lamia, but to no avail.
Callius changed the subject.
"By the way, this dish is truly exquisite. Did the knights bring it this time?"
Mainz answered.
“There were no eggplants among the groceries the knights bought, so they must have been grown in a greenhouse.”
Latina asked me with a proud face.
“Have you been to the greenhouse at Ronheim Castle, my lady?”
“Oh, I went there once last time.”
"That greenhouse was built by my grandfather! It allows us to grow various fresh vegetables in Ronheim for a couple of months when the weather is milder."
After hearing that, I looked back at Callius.
“If we build greenhouses like this all over the territory, wouldn’t the residents be able to eat nutritious vegetables more often?”
Callius shook his head as if he were disappointed.
"Building a greenhouse requires a lot of glass, but frankly, I don't have the budget to buy it. Plus, it's not cost-effective. It's much more efficient to source it from outside sources."
"Ah..."
I nodded, and Callius lifted the napkin and leaned toward me.
"For a moment."
It seemed like the food had been sloppily buried.
He wiped my lips thoroughly.
I saw Lamia, who had been watching it blankly, snickering.
Before I could stop her, Lamia started making a fuss.
"Oh, how sweet you are. The Master's gaze is fixed on you, Madam, and you can't take it off! How wonderful! You're newlyweds, you're newlyweds."
Then she whispered to Alex, who had been sitting there smiling silently the whole time.
“Shut up, Sir Alex. You're going to drool.”
Even though it was whispered, no one heard it.
Alex, who had been blankly watching Callius and me, suddenly started to panic and wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Alex's face turned bright red.
When I stepped under the table, hoping to get Lamia to stop, she jumped.
“Why are you stepping on my foot! My dear, my lady seems shy.”
Then she looked back at Mainz and the chef and chuckled.
Ironically, Mainz and the chef, instead of trying to stop Lamia, laughed along with her.
Alex also noticed everyone else laughing and ended up laughing with them.
“Lamia.”
It was when I couldn't stand it any longer and blushed and glared at her.
“Phew.”
Granada, who had been eating silently, burst into laughter.
I felt betrayed by the woman I trusted.
But this time, everyone burst into laughter, perhaps because they found my betrayed expression funny.
“Everyone...! Everyone, don’t laugh! Why, why are you laughing!”
I had to stop people who were laughing for a long time.
“Why on earth are you laughing...!”
It felt really weird that people would laugh whenever I made a sad face.
Then Lamia picked up the bottle of wine on the table.
“You left this out for me to drink, right?”
The atmosphere became even more enjoyable when good wine was added to the delicious food.
When the food was almost ready, Latina clapped her hands together as if she had forgotten.
“Oh, and there’s also pumpkin pie with meringue for dessert, so don’t eat too much!”
We had a really long conversation.
Stories about each other's families, light childhood stories, food stories, etc.
I looked around at the people laughing and chatting and felt a strange, inexplicable, strong feeling.
It was a strange feeling I was experiencing for the first time, but it was not awkward or burdensome at all.
I was so amazed at myself sitting in a place where I could laugh and have such small talk.
In my past life, I had countless images of myself laughing and hanging out with people.
I wonder what it will feel like, what kind of conversation we will have.
But I died never knowing it, because that fantasy never became reality.
But now, at this moment, my imagination has finally become reality, and all my questions from the past have been answered.
'I never knew this feeling of joy could be so enjoyable. A trivial conversation could be so delightful.'
My heart was full.
Tonight was the most beautiful night of my life.
'I will continue to love Ronheim.'
Since I came here, every day has been like a wonderful gift.
It was a dreamlike time.
I was drunk on sweet wine and happiness, wishing this moment would last forever.
I prayed that every day would be filled with only happy things like this.
Little did I know what would happen to me the next day.
“Ta-da! Surprise party!”
As soon as Lamia shouted, candles were lit here and there.
The room became bright as candles were lit on the table, the walls, and the candle holders on the furniture.
Then, things hidden in the darkness came into the light.
“What is this...”
There were several people in the room.
Callius and Granada, Mainz, Alex, and even the chef.
It was the first time my room had been this crowded, except for the first day.
Lamia took me, who was looking confused, and sat me down at the table.
On the table were beautifully decorated dishes and delicately crafted silverware, and in the center was a vase of night-blooming Leknes flowers, their beautiful golden petals in full bloom.
"Ah..."
I couldn't help but be amazed by the beautiful sight.
“When on earth did this happen...”
My throat was so choked up that I couldn't continue speaking.
It's been in the bedroom across the door the whole time, so when did they secretly prepare something like this?
As I sat down at the table, the others also sat around, each taking a seat.
“What is all this? What kind of party is this?”
When I asked, barely able to control my trembling voice, Mainz answered with a chuckle.
"The master has prepared it. He said he would like to make a special occasion to thank you for all your hard work in Ronheim."
I looked at Callius with tears of emotion in my eyes.
“Thank you so much...”
A party just for me? It was something I never imagined.
Callius took out a handkerchief and wiped my tears, smiling affectionately.
“Thank you, Chloe. Do you like it?”
“Yes, I really, really like it!”
“That’s fortunate.”
I looked around at the people gathered here.
Everyone was looking at me and smiling happily.
Even Granada, who usually has a stern expression, had a warm smile on his face today.
They rejoiced with me when I rejoiced.
I never knew so many people loved me.
It wasn't just that I was rejected in Ronheim.
It felt like the emptiness I felt after what happened at the restaurant was being filled to overflowing.
Before I knew it, I forgot about it and smiled brightly.
“It feels just like a holiday!”
The chef stood up cheerfully, cut a large roast goose with a knife, and placed it on my plate.
"We eat roast goose on holidays in Ronheim. Try it. The meat is incredibly tender. It's roasted whole, made with a special recipe."
As I cut the meat into small pieces and put it in my mouth, the chef looked at me with an expectant face.
“It’s very delicious.”
"As expected! This is a dish I learned from my mother when I was six. My mother's roast goose is amazing."
The chef also put meat on other people's plates.
Mainz nodded.
"The roast goose, made with Latina's mother's recipe, is the pride of Ronheim Castle. By the way, Latina, how is your mother?"
“I hear she is doing very well.”
“I still remember the hot onion soup your mother, Panima, used to make for us for a late-night snack.”
Granada explained it to me.
"Latina's family has produced chefs at Ronheim Castle for generations. Panima was the previous chef, but when she got older, she retired and handed over the reins to Latina."
“Oh my. That’s amazing.”
The conversation continued like that without any particular topic.
Then, Latina put mashed potatoes and sweet beans on my plate and spat out a word to Callius.
"Master, are you still straining out your green beans? You've been doing that since you were little. Even my three-year-old grandson eats them well, so you're a grown man! Picky eating is bad, bad."
I clearly saw Callius' arm tremble as he held the fork.
Callius responded politely.
“It’s something to be treasured and eaten sparingly.”
At that poor excuse, Lamia, who was hastily chewing and swallowing goose meat next to me, burst out laughing.
“Lamia, what are you doing so rudely?”
Granada tried to warn Lamia, but to no avail.
Callius changed the subject.
"By the way, this dish is truly exquisite. Did the knights bring it this time?"
Mainz answered.
“There were no eggplants among the groceries the knights bought, so they must have been grown in a greenhouse.”
Latina asked me with a proud face.
“Have you been to the greenhouse at Ronheim Castle, my lady?”
“Oh, I went there once last time.”
"That greenhouse was built by my grandfather! It allows us to grow various fresh vegetables in Ronheim for a couple of months when the weather is milder."
After hearing that, I looked back at Callius.
“If we build greenhouses like this all over the territory, wouldn’t the residents be able to eat nutritious vegetables more often?”
Callius shook his head as if he were disappointed.
"Building a greenhouse requires a lot of glass, but frankly, I don't have the budget to buy it. Plus, it's not cost-effective. It's much more efficient to source it from outside sources."
"Ah..."
I nodded, and Callius lifted the napkin and leaned toward me.
"For a moment."
It seemed like the food had been sloppily buried.
He wiped my lips thoroughly.
I saw Lamia, who had been watching it blankly, snickering.
Before I could stop her, Lamia started making a fuss.
"Oh, how sweet you are. The Master's gaze is fixed on you, Madam, and you can't take it off! How wonderful! You're newlyweds, you're newlyweds."
Then she whispered to Alex, who had been sitting there smiling silently the whole time.
“Shut up, Sir Alex. You're going to drool.”
Even though it was whispered, no one heard it.
Alex, who had been blankly watching Callius and me, suddenly started to panic and wiped his lips with the back of his hand.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”
Alex's face turned bright red.
When I stepped under the table, hoping to get Lamia to stop, she jumped.
“Why are you stepping on my foot! My dear, my lady seems shy.”
Then she looked back at Mainz and the chef and chuckled.
Ironically, Mainz and the chef, instead of trying to stop Lamia, laughed along with her.
Alex also noticed everyone else laughing and ended up laughing with them.
“Lamia.”
It was when I couldn't stand it any longer and blushed and glared at her.
“Phew.”
Granada, who had been eating silently, burst into laughter.
I felt betrayed by the woman I trusted.
But this time, everyone burst into laughter, perhaps because they found my betrayed expression funny.
“Everyone...! Everyone, don’t laugh! Why, why are you laughing!”
I had to stop people who were laughing for a long time.
“Why on earth are you laughing...!”
It felt really weird that people would laugh whenever I made a sad face.
Then Lamia picked up the bottle of wine on the table.
“You left this out for me to drink, right?”
The atmosphere became even more enjoyable when good wine was added to the delicious food.
When the food was almost ready, Latina clapped her hands together as if she had forgotten.
“Oh, and there’s also pumpkin pie with meringue for dessert, so don’t eat too much!”
We had a really long conversation.
Stories about each other's families, light childhood stories, food stories, etc.
I looked around at the people laughing and chatting and felt a strange, inexplicable, strong feeling.
It was a strange feeling I was experiencing for the first time, but it was not awkward or burdensome at all.
I was so amazed at myself sitting in a place where I could laugh and have such small talk.
In my past life, I had countless images of myself laughing and hanging out with people.
I wonder what it will feel like, what kind of conversation we will have.
But I died never knowing it, because that fantasy never became reality.
But now, at this moment, my imagination has finally become reality, and all my questions from the past have been answered.
'I never knew this feeling of joy could be so enjoyable. A trivial conversation could be so delightful.'
My heart was full.
Tonight was the most beautiful night of my life.
'I will continue to love Ronheim.'
Since I came here, every day has been like a wonderful gift.
It was a dreamlike time.
I was drunk on sweet wine and happiness, wishing this moment would last forever.
I prayed that every day would be filled with only happy things like this.
Little did I know what would happen to me the next day.
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