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（Ah, what a terrible dream……）
Tears
streamed down Candice's eyes. Why was she having such a dream? That was
because today was Candice's sixth birthday.
（……Today is my sixth birthday.）
Ever
since regaining her memories, Candice had been spending turbulent days.
It seemed she had woken up earlier than usual because of the nightmare. Alone
in the dim room, Candice unconsciously gripped the sheets.
（All alone again…… I am not loved by
anyone.）
She
didn't know if she was being dragged down by the dream from earlier, or if the
memories of her first life had gotten mixed in. It was when tears were about to
spill and Candice bit her lower lip tightly.
「Rose, you mustn't make a sound!」
「It's fine, I know that perfectly
well. We have to make sure not to wake Candice, Imperial Princess-sama,
right?」
Whispering
voices could be heard sneaking about. Eva and Rose slowly entered
Candice's room. Not wanting her tears to be seen, Candice
reflexively threw her body down and pressed her head against the pillow.
Because the canopy was drawn, the silhouettes of the two could be seen vaguely.
（I wonder what Eva and Rose
are planning to do……?）
No
light was leaking from the curtains. It seemed it was still before the morning
sun had risen. The two of them were trying to do something while Candice
was sleeping. Candice's loudly beating, jumping heart began to calm
down. She realized now that what happened earlier was just a dream.
（I am no longer alone…… After all, I
have Eva and Rose, Arthur and Jeanne, and even Luca-oniisama
by my side.）
Even
during that time, the two were preparing something, weren't they. Her feeling
of being in a dark cave completely changed, and it felt as bright as if she
were being illuminated by the sun.
「Are the decorations…… fine around
here?」
「It seems Jeanne-san is going
to help carry the presents too, after all!」
「I wonder if Candice, Imperial
Princess-sama will be pleased……」
「Because we are always making
mistakes, it's exactly at times like this that we have to return the favor!」
Knowing
the feelings of those two, Candice's chest gradually grew warm.
（T-To do something like this for my
sake…… they're quite something, aren't they!）
Candice became happy and fidgeted
restlessly.
「Rose, we have to hurry. The morning sun
will rise soon……!」
「It's fine. Candice, Imperial
Princess-sama always sleeps soundly, after all.」
However,
with them making this much noise, wouldn't Candice have woken up even if
she had been sleeping? Seeing that Rose was about to lift the canopy, Candice
hurriedly kept her eyes closed.
（You should be grateful to me for
doing you the favor of pretending to be asleep, you know!）
Candice continued to pretend to be asleep
with a triumphant feeling, however…….
「It's strange for Candice, Imperial
Princess-sama to have good sleeping posture…… This might be a sign that she
will wake up soon. Rose, let's hurry.」
「Now that you mention it, that's
true. You're exactly right, Eva! Let's move quickly.」
「………………」
As
expected of Eva. It seemed she had completely seen through Candice's
behavior. Candice rolled over while groaning as if to gloss it over.
Listening to the sounds coming from behind her, she felt an emotion she had
never felt before. She didn't know the name of that feeling, but it was
certainly a good one. As Candice closed her eyes and listened to the
sounds of the two of them moving around, she eventually grew sleepy.
──A
few hours later.
「Candice, Imperial Princess-sama, Candice,
Imperial Princess-sama! Please wake up.」
「…………Muu?」
「It's already time to wake up, you
know.」
Candice sat up while rubbing her eyes. It
seemed that although she was pretending to sleep, she had ended up falling
right back to sleep. Yawning, as she dozed while still feeling sleepy, she
caught the familiar scent of black tea.
（Did I…… fall asleep again? I wonder
how much of that was a dream.）
As
she spaced out, Eva and Rose offered their hands out in front of Candice.
While taking their hands, when she raised her face, what reflected in Candice's
vision was something unbelievable.
「Wow……!」
Candice widened her eyes. It seemed Eva
and Rose had charmingly decorated the inside of her room. Birthday
presents were piled up behind the sofa.
「Today is Candice, Imperial
Princess-sama's birthday, isn't it. Happy birthday!」
「Happy birthday! May it be a
wonderful day.」
「……hk!」
Candice gripped both her hands tightly at
her chest. It seemed Eva and Rose were celebrating Candice's
birthday.
「This is from us.」
「We would be happy if you like it……」
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