TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 76
The Darkness crept into Olivia’s Room.
After dining out at Friends of Forest for the first time in a while, Olivia patted her Full Stomach and gazed at the door.
“Heuut… I’m so full.”
Wearing a Pointed Hat.
Olivia had a Pleasant Smile on her face.
With the world shining brightly due to her fullness, Olivia was waiting for the gift presentation that would mark the end of her birthday.
“Hmnnya.”
Olivia had little expectation for the gift.
Knowing well the dire state of finances, Olivia guessed that the only gifts Ricardo, who earned money alone, could afford would be a Scarf or Gloves.
Even so, Olivia was extremely satisfied with today.
She had eaten at Friends of Forest, and Ricardo had bought her everything she wanted.
Having spent a day eating everything she desired rather than receiving an expensive gift, Olivia resolved not to linger on or expect anything from the gift.
Olivia was ready to be happy with even a small gift.
“Why isn’t he coming…”
The Butler, who had gone to fetch the gift, had not returned even after 10 minutes.
-It’s going to be a surprise, so please wait.
With those meaningful words, the Butler had gone down to the first floor. Though she didn’t want to expect anything, her heart couldn’t help but flutter with anticipation.
Now, the only person who celebrated her birthday was the Butler.
The friends who used to shower her with expensive gifts left her side after her Downfall, and the Nobles who had wagged their tails to gain favor with her Household stopped sending even One Letter once their ties were severed.
There was no family left either.
The only person left to celebrate her birthday was Ricardo.
Ricardo, who always celebrated her birthday.
Ricardo, who would greet her with “Happy Birthday” in the morning and give her a Wrapped Gift he had prepared himself, remained steadfast by her side over the years.
‘I really treated him so badly…’
Ricardo had consistently celebrated her birthday.
Even the birthday of a cruel Villainess who shoved his Wrapped Gift into the Wardrobe without unwrapping it.
She had even coldly rejected the Scarf he had knitted himself, yet Ricardo, undeterred, appeared the following year with another gift.
-Happy Birthday.
-It’s cheap.
-I spent a bit more this time.
-With what money…
-Then please raise my salary.
-Eeeek…!
Her Past Self must have known.
How sincere Ricardo was about her birthday.
Ricardo, who, despite being on a salary, gave her extravagant gifts like Gold Bracelets.
Gem-studded hairpins.
Hand-knitted Scarves.
Solid gold rings.
Ricardo, who gave gifts far beyond what was reasonable.
Even though he spent a month’s salary—or even three months’ salary—on gifts, she never wore them.
Because she was embarrassed to show them to others.
It was humiliating for a Noble like Desmond to wear them, and they weren’t flashy either. Olivia would always shove Ricardo’s Gift into her Wardrobe.
‘How foolish.’
It was by the sixth year of Ricardo celebrating her birthday.
Ricardo’s Gift began to change.
Not into more expensive gifts.
Not into flashy accessories.
But into things like perfumes or snacks, gifts that wouldn’t be visible to others. Though she never said she was embarrassed to wear them, he must have been disheartened by her never once wearing his gifts.
Olivia knew her Past Self had been terrible.
Even now, she couldn’t claim to be kind, but she acknowledged that she had been far harsher when she proudly bore the name Desmond.
She had grown up like a Greenhouse Flower, surrounded by people who praised her unconditionally instead of offering Sharp Criticism.
Her personality was bound to be twisted.
Not that those people were to blame.
It’s just… a little regret lingered. If there had been even one more person like Ricardo to offer Sharp Criticism, she wouldn’t have treated Ricardo so cruelly.
“…What a bad woman.”
Olivia spent some time reflecting bitterly on her past mistakes.
She resolved to take good care of things from now on instead of discarding them.
If she received Chocolate, she would eat it happily, and if she got a gift that wouldn’t disappear, she would cherish it.
-Thud… Thud… Thud!
The Sound of Footsteps climbing the Stairs echoed from beyond the door.
With loud thuds as if carrying something heavy, Ricardo set something down at the door with a ‘thud.’
Without pausing, he hurried back down the Stairs, only to dash back up again, repeating the process busily.
“What is he doing…?”
At Ricardo’s bustling footsteps, Olivia tilted her head and clenched her skirt tightly in her Fist.
With a shy Smile, Olivia lowered her head, thinking, ‘I can’t help but have Anticipation.’
She couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
-Phew… All done.
From beyond the door, she heard Ricardo muttering that he had finished preparing.
Knock. Knock. Knock. With a knock, Ricardo opened the door.
“Young Lady, I’m coming in.”
With a creak, the door opened.
“Puhaha…! What is this…!”
Ricardo’s face, adorned with the makeup she had seen in the morning, came into view.
Olivia burst into laughter, clutching her stomach.
Dressed in baggy red clothes.
Ricardo, with a ridiculous white Fake Beard and a red ball attached to Gomtangi’s nose, was so funny.
“Ahahaha… Haa… Puhahahaha!!! What is that!”
Pointing at Ricardo with a happy Smile, Olivia exclaimed.
“Ahem… I’m Santa.”
In a solemn Voice, Ricardo declared himself.
Santa.
Olivia didn’t know what Santa was, but she thought it was an incredibly amusing figure.
Ricardo sighed and set down the Red Bundle he had been carrying on his back, saying.
“Hohoho… Merry… no, Happy Birthday.”
Ricardo, dressed ridiculously, celebrated her birthday. Seeing Olivia’s eyes filled with Anticipation, he gulped nervously.
Feeling the pressure from Olivia’s Softly gazing eyes.
“Ahem! So, uh…”
Perhaps finding the situation amusing himself, Ricardo stifled his laughter.
Olivia spoke honestly to Ricardo, who was awkwardly acting.
“Ricardo, you forgot your Dialogue.”
“Don’t make me laugh. It’s hard to stay in character.”
Ricardo stayed committed to his role.
Pushing away Gomtangi, who was jumping up to lick his face, Ricardo opened the Red Bundle.
He pulled out Chocolate shaped like Gold Coins.
“Oh…!”
Then he brought out a Scarf to fend off the cold winter.
“Hiiiik!”
And finally, he pulled out thick Fur Clothes.
With a solemn expression, Ricardo began to speak to Olivia.
“Olivia.”
“What?”
“You should speak formally to Santa Claus.”
Olivia glared at Ricardo with a Sullen Expression.
“No.”
“…Then, I suppose there’s no helping it.”
The Butler was struggling to maintain the concept.
Ricardo, looking at the Gift placed on the floor, began his year-end review, recounting the wrongdoings and disappointments of the year.
“Do you remember stealing Chocolate in March?”
It was a ridiculous Joke.
Olivia played along with Ricardo’s banter and nodded.
“Yes. I stole one.”
“That’s a Lie—you stole three. I’m confiscating 10% of the Gift.”
With the word “confiscate,” Ricardo put the Gold Coin-shaped Chocolates back into the Bundle.
When Olivia protested, asking how he could deduct from her Birthday Gift, Ricardo’s commitment to the concept was surprisingly firm.
“Hmm… In June, you stole the Gold Coins I left on the Desk, so I’m confiscating 50%.”
“Eeeek! That’s Violence! Resign!”
“No.”
Thanks to Ricardo’s sharp memory, Olivia’s Gift started to dwindle. Now, all that remained were three Gold Coin-shaped Chocolates.
Olivia glared at Ricardo with a Sullen Expression full of annoyance.
“You’re mean!”
“It’s the fault of the Young Lady who lived as a bad adult.”
Ricardo offered words of advice, telling her to live kindly from now on. As he put the three remaining Chocolates into the Bundle, he spoke.
“Overall, this year…”
“Gulp…”
“You cried far too much, Young Lady.”
“No..! That was because you made me upset, Ricardo…”
“Shh. I won’t listen to excuses.”
Seeing Ricardo put all the Gifts into the Bundle, Olivia pouted and held out her hand.
“Give it.”
“No.”
“Giiiive it!”
“Our company’s policy is not to give Gifts to crying adults…”
Returning to the concept, Ricardo looked at her outstretched hand and said.
“However.”
Ricardo gently took her pale wrist and smiled faintly.
“The Butler’s prepared Gift is still left.”
Holding her wrist, Ricardo began searching his Pocket with a small smile.
And then.
“Huh?”
Something shiny began to be placed on her wrist. As the cool sensation touched her skin, a familiar Bracelet design came into view.
A Bracelet adorned with Diamonds.
“Oh… Oh, this…”
Flustered, Olivia stammered like a Fool. She needed to ask why this was here and how he had obtained it, but her choked-up emotions left her unable to speak.
Ricardo released Olivia’s trembling hand and said.
“It suits you well. It really suits you…”
Removing the Fake Beard, Ricardo smiled happily as he looked at the Bracelet on her pale wrist.
“Happy Birthday.”
“This… This is really expensive…”
With tears welling up in her eyes, Olivia looked at the Bracelet and spoke.
In a choked Voice, Olivia spoke.
Ricardo Shaking One’s Head lightly, as if it were no big deal, answered.
“I put in a little effort.”
Ricardo, who always gifted her heartfelt emotions.
Olivia, on the verge of tears, shouted.
“It’s expensive…!”
“Precisely because it’s expensive, you should wear it often.”
“This… Sniff… Hic…”
Sniffling as she drew back her Runny Nose, Olivia looked at Ricardo and said.
“It’s really… expensive…!”
“So, do you dislike it?”
“No…! I… I’ll wear it… really… sniff… often…”
Looking again at Olivia’s pale wrist adorned with the Bracelet, Ricardo spoke. He said he was glad it suited her, glad she liked it.
Holding her pale hand tightly, Ricardo said.
“Next time, I’ll prepare an even better Gift.”
“This one… is already amazing!”
Olivia hugged the Bracelet to her chest and cried.
This year’s Birthday felt unforgettable.
***
Ricardo, with an awkward smile, glanced at the wooden Box hidden behind the door.
[Fairy Unit 1]
‘I’ll give it to her in a little while.’
Ricardo smiled happily.