She gradually explained her plan. Everyone had a strange look on their faces as it was the first time they were doing it, but they quickly agreed.

After a while, Dalia sat at the far end of the table where the three-tiered cake was at. The cake was in the middle and everyone was seated around it.

Hikan put candles on the birthday cake equal to Dalias age and lit it.

She was debating whether or not to sing the birthday song, but decided not to. Dalia was too embarrassed to teach them that.

Dalia put on a polka-dot party hat and pulled herself closer to the cake. And blew out the candles. Everyone clapped their hands in joy.

Thank you all for coming here. Now lets have fun together.

Dalia smiled widely.

However, it wasnt long before a fight started. Merida, sipping her tea, asked Dalia.

Miss Dalia, have you picked out the dress and accessories for the coming-of-age ball?

Yes. Adrisha helped me.

I want to see it too, will that be okay?

Merida said with a smile.

She was voted as the most fashionable lady in the society every year.

For the first time at the New Years ball, she achieved the feat of changing the trend from high heels of over 8cm to flat shoes.

There was even a time when she appeared at the ball in horseback riding clothes. At that time, people criticized her for being irrational, but gradually, a modified dress of horseback riding clothes appeared at the ballroom.

Dalia was also perplexed at her suggestion.

Shall we?

Yes, please come here.

Merida naturally helps Dalia up with her unique cheerfulness.

Adrisha, who was talking to someone else, saw the scene in horror. She jumped up from her seat.

Ill go with you too!

Will you? I dont think itll help that much.

Then Merida smiled.

Adrishas mouth twitched slightly, but she quickly calmed down. Instead, she holds Dalias arms.

Lets go, Dalia.

Merida, of course, didnt even snort.

* * *

Did you really intend to go like this?

Merida tilted her head when she saw Dalia change into the dress in the dressing room.

Its not bad, but its a design that doesnt take advantage of Miss Dalias strengths at all. Miss Dalia is now an adult. The person who chose this outfit seems to see you as a fourteen-year-old. And if you tie your hair like this, it doesnt look right. It would be a hundred times better to untie it.

The corner of Adrishas mouth twitched again.

Miss Merida, Im the one who chose it. You are being too rude.

Its up to me, Miss Adrisha. I think youve become arrogant now because youre close to Miss Dalia, but youre only a young lady from a count family and Im an Artus. Be careful with your words and actions.

.

Since were talking about clothes, you can just trust your face and body and wear whatever you want, but dont spread your strange art philosophy to others.

Wh, what did you say?

You can just trust your appearance and wear whatever you want. Miss Dalia needs a more delicate touch.

Adrisha gritted her teeth.

Dalia hurriedly tried to help to defend her.

Please stop it, Miss Merida. The dress that Adrisha picked out for me last time was really pretty.

Ah, is that the one that Sir Cedric ruined by attaching the back?

Dalia looked at Merida in surprise. She shrugged her shoulders.

I also receive the catalogs too. I admit it. It would have been pretty if the back wasnt attached. But its useless since it was stuck together.

Adrisha chewed her lips.

I

Come here, Miss Dalia. Now that it is too late to receive the catalog again, we need to find a way to improve it.

In the end, Adrisha had a gloomy expression. Dalia was also hurt when she saw her friends heart broken.

She refused Meridas hand that was trying to pull her.

Miss Merida, if youre going to keep criticizing Adrisha, you dont have to look at the dress.

.

Merida flinched slightly.

Of course, she was always quick to grasp the situation and change her attitude. She bowed her head with a hurt expression.

I did it because I was thinking of Miss Dalia.

Seeing Merida with that expression for the first time, Dalia was confused. Merida then apologized to Adrisha.

I understand. Miss Adrisha, Im sorry. Lets not fight.

Yes.

Adrisha nodded helplessly.

You can take a look at Miss Dalias dress. Its because Im not good at it.

As expected, she was depressed again.

Dalia looked at Adrisha and eventually, as Merida said, she tinkered with her dress and accessories little by little. She also decided to just let her hair down and decorate it with a diamond crown.

She felt sorry for Adrisha butit was much better. Even though the dress was a bit revealing by Dalia standards.

I should at least take revenge on His Highness.

Merida murmured as she slightly opened the front part.

As Dalia left the dressing room and showed the people her modified dress, Cedric glared at Merida as if he were going to kill her. Merida smiled nonchalantly at Cedric.

* * *

After unwrapping the presents and doing this and that, it was time for the party to end. Dalia was greatly satisfied.

Meldon and Merida left first, saying they had somewhere to go. Beolde hugged Dalia and rubbed her head to purify, and then left without saying anything.

Adrisha was quickly sent away by Dalia. When she whispered, but that dress was really pretty, she nodded with determined eyes for some reason.

I hope she doesnt do anything similar to the gun store this time.

The Emperor also rose from his seat after whispering to the Empress.

We should get going too. I had a great time today. The foreign custom of putting candles on cakes matching how old they are was quite fascinating. It would be nice to try it out at Leonards birthday ball.

Oh my, that sounds like fun.

Cedric, are you coming with us?

I will go back on my own.

When Cedric said so, the Empress laughed.

Yes, yes. I hope your love bears fruit.

Mother.

Oh my, am I not supposed to say it? If you succeed in winning Miss Dalias heart, Id like to push for an engagement.

Hikan hastily intervened at her remark.

Dalia will not be engaged to anyone, Your Majesty.

What? But Dalia is old enough to get married in a few years. Its not good to be too overprotective, Duke. It may be blocking Dalias marriage for no reason.

.

Hikan closed his mouth with an expression that he wanted to refute. Then he repeated the same words like a parrot.

Anyway, she has no intention of getting engaged for the time being. Please dont suggest it anymore.

But

Mother, please stop now. No, thats it. Ill just go with you now

Cedric gave a very awkward smile. The Empresss smile grew slightly awkward at the several peoples defiance. She seemed a little intimidated.

However, when she greeted Dalia, she smiled brightly like a young girl. Then she took the Emperors hand and climbed into the carriage.

Cedric, are you really coming now?

The Empress asked from inside the carriage.

Cedric touched his forehead. He hurriedly whispered into Dalias ear.

Dont mind her, Dalia.

Dalia nodded and said.

Yes. Since were friends.

Cedric paused for a moment, then changed his expression and smiled again.

Yes, thats right.

He immediately climbed into the carriage without waiting for an answer.

Dalia absentmindedly saw off the people, returned to her room, barely changed her clothes, and flopped onto the bed.

Then her face turned red.

This was the first time she heard an official engagement suggestion from the Emperor or Empress directly. Of course, she heard a similar suggestion from the Emperor a long time ago Apart from that.

E, engagement?

Engagement with Cedric?

Dalia twisted her body wildly.

It felt so strange.

One day, Dalia will be engaged to someone, even if its not Cedric. Of course, if she doesnt have a partner, she may not get married for the rest of her life, but she had a dream to build a family with someone she liked.

Dalia pondered the image of herself married to Cedric. She then ripped off her pillow by herself.

Its weird!

No. Not yet.

In any case, they are not in a relationship yet, arent they?

Yes. Since were friends.

Yes, thats right.

For some reason, Dalia felt disappointed that she had said it.

Do I like Sir Cedric?

It was hard to say whether it was true or not.

Its probably because the situation was so chaotic.

But now.

She was thinking about it for a while before eventually covering herself with the blanket. She didnt want to think about it.

Besides, Sir Cedrics death flag isnt over yet.

Above all, she would be able to put her mind at ease once she was certain that she had completely saved him.

Lewayne Blueport is coming to the capital soon.

The point where Cedric dies is always at the climax of the original. It was before and after the war in the Aceras route, so maybe its around the time of this treaty discussion.

Cedric has changed a lot, unlike the original. His relationship with his mother has improved, and he knows what kind of affection a person gives to another person.

So she believes that hell never die, but.

If Sir Cedric really dies.

Miss! How can you go to bed without washing up!

.

Miss, miss? Are, are you crying?

Im not crying.

My, my lord!

Dont call my brother!

Dalia held on to the hem of the maids robe with tears in her eyes.

Translator Note: First chapter of 2023!!

TMI on my new years storyI can see the fireworks from my room and tried to record it untilI realize that I didnt press the record buttonso Ive been holding my phone throughout the fireworks show for nothing