The Female Lead Takes Care of Everything - Chapter 95

That morning, Rima went to the temple simply because Al and Rubens had suggested it.

“Do you want to come to the temple with us?”

“The Saintess is going to bless the witches today!”

That was why Rima visited the temple.

And there, she saw Nivellia.

While everyone was focused on Saintess Muniel and the witches receiving her blessings, Rima kept her eyes only on Nivellia.

She was sitting at the very front.

Right next to the Duke of Lé■, acting as if she belonged there.

Rima continued watching Nivellia.

All the way until the mass ended.

By then, she was nearly certain that Nivellia was possessed.

She had her own reasons.

“She’s young and pretty.”

This world was based on a childcare story. That meant the possessor had to be a beautiful little girl.

“Like me.”

After the mass, the Saintess and the witches approached Nivellia, smiling warmly as they spoke to her.

“So you’re the mastermind behind all this.”

That must be why the adults were crowding around her with praise.

It was disgusting.

“So shameless.”

Rima was certain Nivellia was possessed, yet she kept acting like an innocent child without any shame. It was unbelievable.

“Let’s get going now.”

That was when Duke Kallaroff de Gladius spoke.

“If we don’t want to be late for Nini’s birthday banquet, we need to hurry.”

Today was Nivellia’s birthday banquet.

Rima could not afford to miss it.

She asked if she could go too. The men of House de Gladius looked troubled.

But Rima quickly began to tear up and spoke in a trembling voice.

“R Rima just wanted to call her big sister…”

Her eyes welled with tears as she pleaded. In the end, Al and Rubens agreed to bring her along.

They did not notice the silent exchange of glances between the de Gladius men.

Rima hurried to prepare a birthday gift.

“No.”

But Nivellia rejected her.

Not once, but twice.

“You cannot.”

Her firm tone made everyone go quiet.

Even Detter looked down at his young lady with surprise.

Through the neatly styled hair prepared for the banquet, her chubby cheeks were puffed up with determination.

“My admirable young lady.”

How could she act so clearly and confidently?

Detter felt chills all over his body from how moved he was.

“Ah…”

Meanwhile, Rima, who had been rejected so plainly, lowered her head slightly and clasped her hands over her chest.

“I I’m sorry…”

She apologized in a voice that sounded like she was about to cry.

“Rima just wanted to wish you a happy birthday…”

Huddled in on herself, Rima mumbled in a sad voice.

“I knew it. She really is a possessor.”

But inside, Rima was already planning her next move.

Because she had discovered another possibility.

“Could she know who I really am?”

If that was true, then whose side was she on?

To find out, Rima was certain that she had to attend the birthday banquet no matter what.

But her identity as the missing daughter of the duke had not yet been revealed.

As a commoner, Rima had only one option left.

“Lord Al, Lord Rubens…”

Rima called them softly, her voice full of sorrow.

“I’m sorry. You brought Rima here, but maybe she really should not have come…”

“See? What did I tell you?”

Rubens let out a tired sigh.

“Rima, you weren’t invited. We told you we’d try to ask next time and make a place for you.”

“She’s just too kind. She even rushed to prepare a gift for Nini’s birthday. You didn’t have to do all that.”

“Nini, we’ll apologize for her. But since she brought a present, can’t you let it go just this once?”

“We promise we’ll keep an eye on her. Rima can’t do anything without us anyway. She can’t even go down the stairs by herself. We always have to carry her. Right?”

Al and Rubens looked back at Rima and gave her gentle smiles.

Rima blushed and gave a shy smile.

“It’s really not that much…”

“Not that much?”

“Rima is just a baby who can’t do anything without us.”

“Come on! You’re treating me like a baby again!”

Rima puffed out her cheeks and pouted.

“No.”

But Nivellia refused her again.

“Because you are Are…”

“Nini!”

At that moment, Soles came running after hearing the commotion at the entrance.

Aref was right behind him.

“Ah! Oh no!”

Surprised, Nivellia quickly jumped in front of Aref and began hopping in place.

“Young lady…?”

“No! You can’t see!”

She stretched out both arms high, trying to block his view of Rima.

She couldn’t let Aref make that painful face again.

Whether Rima was at her birthday party or not didn’t matter at all.

What mattered most to Nivellia was Aref’s happiness. For him to feel joy and peace today. That was all she cared about.

But even with all her effort, Aref’s expression quickly turned serious.

His eyes met Rima’s. Then, without saying a word, he gently pulled Nivellia into his arms and moved her behind him to shield her.

“Is that girl Rima?”

Soles took a quick look at the situation and asked quietly.

Aref didn’t answer. He just gave a small nod.

Soles shut his eyes tightly.

What on earth is happening?

He was about to get angry. It didn’t make any sense.

Today was Nivellia’s fifth birthday. It was a special day for his beloved little sister. He couldn’t let it be ruined like this.

But what made Soles truly upset was Al and Rubens.

They had brought a girl who hadn’t even been invited. Worse, she was someone Aref had clearly shown discomfort around. And they didn’t even ask for permission.

That was what disappointed him the most.

“Aref!”

Rubens suddenly called out.

“How have you been? Is the snowman we made still there?”

Aref’s tense expression slowly softened.

The snowman…

It had been a few days after the Red Star Festival ended.

Rubens had visited the mansion, and they built a huge snowman together.

While rolling the big snowball to show Nivellia, they had talked about all sorts of things.

Those memories came back clearly.

“At first, I didn’t understand why you didn’t like her. But now I think I get it.”

“Did you two fight?”

“No. We’re just pretending to get along.”

“…”

“I can’t explain everything. My brother even told me to be careful about asking you. But we’re friends, right?”

Of course, the snowman had melted.

“It’s still there.”

But Aref understood what Rubens really meant.

He wasn’t asking about the snowman itself. He wanted to know if Aref remembered their conversation while building it.

That meant Rubens had a reason for bringing her here.

Aref replied.

“The snowman is there. But it melted, so it’s gone now.”

“Then it’s not there! But it was really big, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

Their conversation flowed naturally, even though others had no idea what they were talking about. People around them looked on with confusion.

“Young lady.”

Aref turned to Nivellia.

“I’m alright now.”

“Really?”

“…Actually, I’m not okay.”

Aref spoke honestly.

“But today is your birthday. You’re the main character today. So, it’s your choice to make.”

“…”

“Just stay by my side, alright? You’re the leader, so you’ll protect me, right?”

“Yes!”

Nivellia nodded and turned to Detter.

“Let her come too.”

“Young lady…”

“Aref said it’s okay. So, it’s okay.”

Having settled the situation, Nivellia personally guided the guests to the banquet hall again.

“Aref.”

Soles lowered his voice and asked.

“What was that conversation with Rubens just now?”

“…”

“Are you really alright? I can still ask them to leave…”

“Brother.”

Now it was Aref who spoke quietly so only Soles could hear.

“Those two…”

There had been a bit of a commotion, but Nivellia’s fifth birthday banquet finally began without any more trouble.

There were fewer than ten people invited. Considering the Deiamor family’s wealth and reputation, it was a surprisingly small number.

But everyone present was someone who truly cared for Nivellia.

“Happy birthday to you!”

“Happy birthday to you!”

Their voices filled the small banquet hall as they sang the birthday song.

Wearing a party hat, Nivellia danced along happily, just like the birthday girl she was.

All she did was stretch out her arms and legs with small movements, but everyone clapped and cheered, singing even louder.

“Dear beloved Nini…!”

Then, suddenly, the song came to an abrupt stop.

The banquet hall went dark at the same time.

“Huh?”

Nivellia, who had just tried to include her new dance move using her fists, froze in place.

Then it happened.

The closed door began to open slowly.

From the bright light spilling through the crack, something rolled in with a heavy sound and an overwhelming presence.

“Happy birthday to you!”

The song resumed, and what entered was a huge chocolate cookie-shaped cake.

Nivellia’s eyes, nose, and mouth all opened wide in shock.

“Young lady! Happy birthday!”

“Our kitchen team made this just for you! Were you surprised?”

The head chef stepped forward proudly, showing off their creation.

“We’re sorry for blocking the kitchen earlier. We were under orders to keep this a secret from the young masters and young lady.”

“…”

“It’s made from your favorite chocolate cookies…”

Thump.

Overwhelmed with joy, Nivellia fainted on the spot.

Thankfully, she recovered in just two seconds and clapped both tiny hands over her mouth.

“You did all this… for me…?”

The head chef hesitated for a moment, thinking, “Should we keep going? What if she faints again from excitement?”

But the young masters, who hadn’t even blinked when she collapsed, just smiled calmly as if everything was fine.

“Yes, that’s right!”

Encouraged by their reaction, the chef continued cheerfully, pretending the two-second faint never happened.

“This cake was made just for you, young lady!”

“I love it!”

Nivellia suddenly hugged the chef tightly.

Aref, who had just witnessed his girlfriend hugging another man, jumped to his feet in shock.