The aristocratic society is a troublesome one, but it is a path that I have prepared myself to take. I guess I have no choice.
After about ten minutes of waiting, my mother came out of her room wearing a dress. She seemed to be struggling with the heels and the dress, which she was not used to, but she looked different from my usual gentle mother, and I thought she was very beautiful.
I took my motherâs hand and escorted her to Annaâs room.
The maid opened the door for me, and we went in. The Duke, Elisabeth-san, and Friedrich-san were already there, chatting happily beside Anna, who was still asleep in bed.
âI am late.â
âThank you for having me here today.â
Mom greeted them politely, while I was in my usual self.
âHahaha. Itâs not even time, yet weâre all here.â
I glanced at my watch and saw that the Duke was right, it was still 10 minutes ago. I guess everyone was looking forward to Annaâs birthday after all.
âOh, thatâs true.â
âThen, letâs start a little early.â
When the Duke said this, he coughed once and then spoke softly to Anna.
âAnna, happy 17th birthday!â
With the words of the Duke as a cue, we quietly convey our congratulations, one by one.
âWell, Anna. I thought Iâd give you a proper update today.â
The Duke took Annaâs hand and said so, a look of prayer on his face.
However, when Anna continued to sleep like a statue, I nodded my head in disappointment.
âBesides, Weâve prepared a lot of Annaâs favourite foods for you today. Eat as much as you like, okay?â
That said, he points to the gorgeous dishes lined up on the table, but Anna didnât respond and continued to sleep.
âHappy birthday, Anna. Iâve prepared a homemade cake that youâve loved since you were a child.â
âAnna, happy birthday. I got you that white horse youâve been asking for. Itâs outside. How about it? Wouldnât you like to ride it?â
âAnastasia-sama, happy birthday. And thank you so much for choosing my son, who is still lacking in many areas. I heard that you like this.â
Elisabeth-san gave her a memorable cake, Friedrich-sanâs gave her a horse that Anna wanted of which I had no idea, and my mother handed her a wrapped confectionery, but Anna was still asleep.
Next is my turn.
âHappy birthday, Anna. Iâm sorry I put you through all this because I wasnât good enough. Here, this is the ăSky Knight swordă that I promised to you.â
With that said, I pulled out the sword and showed Anna the beautiful, slender, sky-blue blade. Her beautiful face was reflected in the blade.
I gently put the ăSky Knight swordă in Annaâs hand.
It was then.
A dazzling light shone from the ăSky Knight swordă.
âEh? Anna!â
I hurriedly reached out and grabbed Annaâs hand, but it was so dazzling that I closed my eyes and turned away.
Then, just as the light went out, I heard a faint voice.
âA, lleâŠ.n?â
It was the voice I had been waiting to hear for so long.
Thatâs what Iâve been hoping to happen for so long.
I couldnât control my emotions and hugged the sleeping Anna as hard as I could.
âAnna! Anna!â
Tears flow endlessly.
Ah, damn it. Even though I was supposed to smile!
Anna answered me gently in a weak voice.
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ââŠlen. Donât, cry.â
That said, she put her left hand, which was not holding the sword, around my back, but it was terribly weak.
I feel joy and security, and at the same time, my heart is tightened with sadness.
âAnna, Iâm not letting you go, ever. I wonât let you go alone, no matter what anyone says.â
âAâŠ..llenâ
We hugged each other. But after a while, I heard a coughing sound from behind me.
âAhâ
I kissed on her forehead and slowly and unwillingly moved away from Anna.