Chapter 406 9th Birthday III
"Miss Sara, you look really cute today!"
Yes, today Sara is dressed up even more "adorably" than usual. Instead of focusing on being "beautiful," she emphasizes her cuteness to highlight her youth.
When Sara ordered this dress from Lucas, she asked for a gothic lolita style inspired by a famous character from her past life. She pictured something dark and mysterious, but whether it was her lack of drawing skills or Lucas's great sense of style, the dress turned out cute, with no gloomy vibes at all. Given the trends here, the design is actually pretty advanced.
Sara wanted a deep red dress with black lace trim, but Lucas couldn't find the right red fabric. When she asked for black instead, Rebecca vetoed it, saying, "You can't have black for a birthday dress!"
Lucas then suggested a rich green fabric. He layered a green overskirt over a white underskirt and even made a matching cape. Sara thought about adding a headpiece, but Lucas went with a small tiara. To satisfy her wish for black accents, he tied on a black satin ribbon.
And thanks to Rebecca's suggestion, Sara is holding Musashi──a stuffed animal! It's dressed in a tiny jacket and trousers that match Sara's outfit, complete with leather boots.
"Hey, don't drag me into this!"
"I can't help it. Mother told me to take you with me."
"Come on, give me a break. Is it normal to still be hugging a stuffed animal at 9 years old in this world?"
"Now that you mention it, I might have never seen a stuffed animal. I've seen dolls, though. Anyway, it's definitely a prop for my childish appeal. Anyway, you're not allowed to talk or move until I say so."
"What do you mean childish appeal? You're just an old lady inside."
"Muuuuusashi, did you say something?"
She grabbed one of Musashi's legs and started swinging it around.
"Guahhh! Something's coming out of my mouth!"
"Nothing's coming out! It's just filled with magic stones and sawdust."
"My soul container is in there too! Stop it!"
Sara stopped swinging and lifted Musashi upside down to meet her gaze.
"So, did you say something?"
"No, I didn't say anything."
"That's good to hear."
She smiled brightly and adjusted her hold on Musashi.
After a maid told them Sara was ready, Alfred went to the room set up for her. The attendant knocked and announced him, and then he was invited in. While he waited in the reception area, the door to the preparation room opened.
"Sara, you look really cute."
"Thank you, Alfred."
"I told you to call me Al. You call my sister Genie, right?"
"That's true. Al."
Alfred moved closer to Sara with a childlike honesty. But Sara remembered her past life, when she'd go out with friends who had kids. Even without those memories, to 9-year-old Sara, a boy 3 years younger seemed like such a kid. At this age, a 3-year gap feels big. And with girls growing up faster, standing next to each other, Alfred really did look like a little kid.
"Well then, milady, let's head to the venue."
The cute 6-year-old noble boy held out his hand to Sara. When she placed her hand on his, Alfred pulled it close and brought his lips near her fingers. He wasn't actually kissing her; just mimicking the gesture. Proper etiquette says you don't touch lips unless it's with a fiancé or someone you've vowed to. Clearly, the Duke Arbal family takes this training seriously.
When Alfred gently placed Sara's hand on his arm, he looked a bit short, but he still had a Grazia-like charm.
"I didn't expect so many guests to be here."
"Are you nervous, Al?"
"A little, yeah."
"I heard you did well at the hunting tournament tea party."
"I just played some instruments and wrote a poem. It was more like a side show."
"I haven't participated in the Grandchester hunting tournament yet."
"Really?"
"I really want to go, but my father says I'm still too young for hunting."
"If Duke Arbal says so, then it can't be helped."
"But I plan to go next year. I'm training to use a crossbow while riding a horse."
"Are you planning to join the hunt too? It's mostly adults there. Very few kids participate. Even my cousin, who grew up in the Grandchester territory, said he only joined for the first time when he was 10."
"Arbal is a family of warriors. We've been raised with wooden swords as toys since we were toddlers, and we start serious training in swordsmanship and archery at 5. In royal hunting grounds, kids often join at 7 or 8."
'Hmm. Compared to the well-managed royal hunting grounds, the Grandchester hunting grounds seem pretty tough.'
The popularity of the Grandchester hunting tournament comes from not over-managing the hunting grounds. Of course, since it invites nobles, the paths are well-maintained for riding horses, but beyond the hunting ground, there are untouched forests where various game can enter the hunting area.
It seems unlikely that Alfred will be able to join even next year, but she doesn't want to dampen the boy's excitement.
"Well then, Al is training a lot. I'm still just starting out."
"At Arbal, only boys learn martial arts, but do girls learn at Grandchester?"
"Basically, it's just boys. But if they want to, girls can learn too. Nowadays, Grandchester is famous for wheat production, but it's also a land rich in nature with vast forests along the Aklar Mountains. So, naturally, there are many skilled hunters. Even women sometimes hunt birds and rabbits with bows or crossbows."
"That's why strong knights like Sir Jeffrey are raised there!"
"Next year, I hope we can get Duke Arbal's permission. I can show you my horse, and maybe Sir Jeffrey can see my sword skills!"
"Sir Jeffrey!? I absolutely have to go!"
Seeing Alfred's sparkling eyes, it was clear that Jeffrey was this boy's hero. Sara felt proud, as if it were about her, that Jeffrey was so admired.
'That's right. Sir Jeffrey is super cool!'
Alfred wanted to get closer to Sara, so he should probably say something like, "I want to be alone with Sara," but that was way too hard for a 6-year-old boy. For him, a hero he looked up to was really something special.
As they chatted lightly while walking, Sara's nerves eased, and by the time they arrived at the venue, she was completely relaxed. In that sense, Alfred seemed like a great partner, even at such a young age.
"Sara Grandchester and Alfred Arbal, please enter."
At the signal, the orchestra began to play a lively tune.
'It feels like entering a wedding reception... I've never been the main character, though.'
Sara remembered the wedding reception from her past life, where she entered with spotlights and smoke effects. She had only experienced it as a guest.
'Speaking of which, I made dry ice to put out a forest fire. I think I could use that to create some smoke. Maybe I could even use magic stones for spotlights. And a disco ball too!'
As Sara quietly entered the venue, her mind filled with random thoughts. She thought, "This is too much for a kid's birthday," fully escaping reality. Of course, she kept her "elegant smile," thanks to her lady-like training.
Since it was a kid's birthday, it wasn't a formal evening party but a big tea party. Guests started arriving around 11 AM, and it was set to end by 5 PM.
The party had a buffet with light snacks, but it wasn't a standing event. Tables and sofas were placed around so guests could sit and enjoy tea. Outdoor seating was available too, but few would want to eat outside in December.
There was a main table, but unlike a dinner party, there were no strict seating rules. People could chat freely, without worrying about rank or status──this style of party was getting popular lately.
Today, Sara planned to move around the venue, chatting with different people. The golem, Sophia, was there too. At first, Sara thought about turning herself into a golem, but Rebecca had firmly refused that idea.
"They're here to celebrate Sara's birthday. It would be too rude to entertain them as a golem. Besides, you might make friends your age, right?"
Rebecca's point was valid. Trusting that the multiple golems mingling in the venue, or Sedrick and his followers, would support her if anything happened, Sara decided to attend the party in her original form.
As a result, Rebecca's judgment was very correct. After all, many powerful nobles approached to talk to Sara instead of Sophia.
"Lady Sara, we couldn't talk much at the hunting tournament..."
One by one, they called out to Sara. Alfred, who was watching in amazement, couldn't hide his surprise and could only stand back in shock. It was definitely a tough situation for an ordinary 6-year-old boy to handle.
'What should I do, Mother? There are so many old men around that my friends my age can't even come near!'
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