The Female Lead Takes Care of Everything - Chapter 94

“My daughter…”

Caleo’s eyes began to glisten with emotion.

“You’ve gotten so much smarter this year, and you’ve become such a good speaker.”

“Stocks aren’t presents. I’m just getting back what I invested.”

“You’re so sharp. No one’s going to fool you now.”

“Yes. I’m very sharp.”

Nivellia nodded firmly, having a rough idea of what “sharp” meant.

It seemed to mean not letting anyone take what was hers.

Being sharp must be a good thing.

So Nivellia acted even sharper.

“Then get me one more present.”

“You really have grown sharp.”

Caleo wiped away a tear of pride at how much his daughter had grown.

As soon as they arrived at the estate, Nivellia headed straight to the kitchen.

“Show me the birthday cake.”

“You cannot.”

But the head chef and kitchen staff immediately refused and shooed her out.

Nivellia stood in front of the tightly closed kitchen door, staring blankly.

Just then, the door creaked open a little, and the head chef poked her face out.

She was a stern-looking woman with sharp features, and she gave Nivellia a firm look.

Nivellia tried her best to return the look with a stern expression of her own.

All she managed was a pout and tightly pressed lips.

“Young lady.”

“What?”

“Did you wash your hands?”

“I washed them in the morning.”

“No one may enter the kitchen without washing up.”

“If I wash them now, will you show me the cake?”

“No. The birthday cake is a surprise until the very end.”

“Hmph…”

In the end, Nivellia had to walk away with slow, disappointed steps.

But the head chef kept watching her.

Nivellia kept glancing back, giving her the saddest eyes as if to ask, “Are you really not going to show me? I really want to see it.”

Eventually, realizing her cuteness wasn’t working, Nivellia stomped her feet in frustration and walked off in a huff.

The head chef finally relaxed and gently closed the kitchen door.

“Alright, let’s get back to work.”

Nivellia had failed to see the cake, but her excitement was far from over.

“Leti.”

“Nini.”

As the birthday girl, Nivellia greeted her guests herself.

The two girls threw their arms around each other.

“Happy birthday, Nini. Now we’re only one year apart.”

“I’m five now. I can use all five fingers.”

“I’m six, so I use five fingers and one more.”

“That’s so cool. Only big girls can count their age with both hands.”

Leticia pointed to a gift the maid beside her was carrying.

“I picked this one myself. Can you open it first later?”

“Aref’s gift is the one I’m opening first. So, no.”

“You’re so mean. But Aref is your boyfriend, so I’ll let it slide. Just make sure you love my gift too, alright?”

“Okay. I’ll love it a lot.”

Of course, Leticia’s family had also prepared several other gifts separately.

The servants carried large boxes from the carriage into the estate.

Only a few of those presents were brought to the party room for display.

Nivellia’s birthday party was planned for the small banquet hall on the first floor of the mansion.

“We’re going to blow out candles, open presents, eat delicious food, go on a treasure hunt, and ride horses.”

“That sounds so fun.”

“The treasure hunt has prizes too. You’ll join, right Leti?”

“Of course. I’m curious what the prizes are.”

The banquet hall was small in size but elegant in every way.

From the expensive decorations placed with a perfect eye for style, to the tower of gifts stacked almost to the ceiling, everything was flawless.

Soft carpet made it safe even if someone fell while running, and the rounded edges of the furniture showed careful thought for the children.

“Hey,” Leticia whispered.

“Who else did you invite?”

It wasn’t usually polite to ask directly who was invited, but she asked anyway.

Leticia could not hold back her curiosity. She leaned in and whispered.

Nivellia also lowered her voice and whispered back.

“You, Al, Rubens, and Azel.”

“Azel? Who’s that?”

“She’s a witch I saved. She’s fourteen, really smart, and a girl. She’s great at growing herbs. She even planted some in our garden.”

Nivellia said this proudly, explaining that she had made Azel her follower.

After guiding Leticia into the banquet hall, Nivellia quickly ran back to the front entrance.

She had to greet more guests. It was her birthday, but she could not just stand around. There was no time to rest.

“You could have left this to me or the other maids,” said Deter, following behind her.

But Nivellia answered firmly.

“They’re my guests. I have to take care of them myself.”

Her parents always greeted guests in person, and so did her grandparents.

“I’m five years old now.”

She stood tall as she said it.

“And I’m the owner of a trading company, so I have to handle it myself.”

Deter felt her chest tighten.

She had left behind her life as a holy knight and put on a maid’s uniform before Nivellia was even born, all to serve her.

What had started as Muniel’s command had become something more. Now, Deter truly took pride in every moment she spent with Nivellia.

The girl who used to be mischievous and full of attitude had just shown surprising maturity.

That contrast, so different from her usual behavior, was a clear sign that Nivellia was growing up.

With quiet emotion, Deter watched the young girl running ahead.

Nivellia, meanwhile, was just excited to see who had brought the most presents.

Just then, more guests arrived.

As soon as Nivellia saw the crest on the carriage, she called out.

“Al! Rubens!”

The sons of the neighboring Duke of De Gladius family stepped down from the carriage.

Their black hair was neatly combed, and their clothes looked carefully chosen for the occasion.

They were dressed more finely than usual and looked very polished.

But something felt off.

“Huh?”

Nivellia tilted her head.

Al and Rubens were not the only ones getting out of the carriage.

After stepping down, they both turned back and reached into the carriage.

A hand reached out and held onto theirs. A girl stepped out.

Wait.

That pink color was familiar.

Nivellia suddenly remembered the antler-shaped poisonous mushroom Soles had found during their camping trip last spring.

She also remembered the pink, thread-like strands in the shed where Azel had been trapped.

She remembered the same color being smeared on Aref, Al, Rubens, and even on the body of the Duke of De Gladius.

It was that color.

A shade of pink that looked like it had been stained with blood.

Nivellia could not take her eyes off the unfamiliar girl who had just stepped out.

Just then, Deter gently raised her hand and blocked Nivellia’s view.

She stepped in front, shielding Nivellia as if by instinct.

“Deter?”

Deter gave her a small smile, as if nothing was wrong.

“She’s not on the guest list. We must be cautious around unfamiliar faces.”

“I didn’t invite her either.”

“I don’t know why the Duke of De Gladius family would do something so rude, but until we find out, you should not get involved.”

Al and Rubens looked like they wanted to explain that it was fine because she was with them.

But Deter’s gaze remained fixed on the strange girl. Her expression was serious and unshakable.

Nivellia felt the same.

She could not explain why, but something inside her told her to stay away.

“Okay.”

She nodded quietly and stepped back.

“Nini.”

Rubens smiled and waved, walking over to greet her.

But before he could reach her, Deter stepped in between them and stopped him.

Deter greeted them with perfect posture.

“Welcome, young masters.”

She completely ignored the guest they had brought with them.

“I would love to say we are happy to welcome you to Miss Nivellia’s birthday celebration, but unfortunately, this is a situation that needs to be explained.”

It was not just Deter.

All the nearby staff were watching the moment carefully.

Even if the guest was a child, House Deiamor did not allow anyone into the estate unless their visit had been arranged in advance. This was a rule meant to protect the family’s neutrality.

“I’m sorry. This is clearly our mistake.”

Al admitted their fault without hesitation.

But with a casual tone, he asked for understanding and introduced the girl who had come with them.

“Nini, do you remember Rima?”

“Rima?”

What was that?

Nivellia blinked and thought hard.

“I don’t know.”

She had completely forgotten. Nothing came to mind.

“What is that?”

“She’s from the same orphanage as Aref. Just like House Deiamor supports Aref, the Duke of De Gladius is supporting Rima.”

“Rima.”

Rubens turned and called her name.

At last, the girl with bright red hair who had been quietly waiting behind them slowly stepped forward.

“H-hello.”

Rima gave a small bow.

She had a gentle look. Her soft features were slightly flushed from nervousness, which made her appear innocent and sweet.

Nivellia stared at her without saying anything.

She suddenly thought of Aref.

“Why did you think Rima might have hit someone?”

Back when they were all at the De Gladius estate, Al had once said something like that to Aref. Aref had said nothing in reply.

But Nivellia remembered that moment clearly.

She remembered the way Aref had looked that day. His expression was full of pain.

This had happened more than once. Each time, Nivellia had noticed and remembered the same expression.

Aref does not like Rima.

Because of that, Nivellia quickly reached her conclusion.

“Rima is someone very important to us,” Al said, continuing the introduction.

Rima fidgeted shyly and looked unsure of what to do.

Her face looked honest and open.

“She went to the temple today and said you looked very pretty. When she found out it was your birthday, she wanted to come and say happy birthday to you.”

“No.”

Nivellia interrupted him.

She looked directly at Rima and repeated herself.

“You cannot.”

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