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（To think I've come to think this
way, my past self would have flipped……）
Besides,
it is also strange how I naturally felt an attachment to my belongings and
wanted to cherish them.
「There, preparations are complete!」
「You are incredibly adorable today
too!」
「Fufu, but of course!?」
Candice reflected in the mirror was
adorable like an angel. The special pink dress and the gifted ribbons
accentuated Candice's charm. When the preparations were finished and she
opened the door to her room to head to the breakfast venue…….
「Candice-oneesama, happy birthd-shh!」
「……!」
Candice's field of vision was suddenly
completely filled with pure white flowers. From behind the flowers, yellow-gold
wavy hair could barely be seen. Even the fact that he bit his tongue from
having too much momentum was adorable. Wasn't he handing the flowers to Candice
as if bowing, with his eyes squeezed tightly shut? It was just like a proposal.
「Arthur, these flowers?」
「From me, to Candice-oneesama,
a birthday present……!」
Candice received the flowers from Arthur,
who handed them over as if pressing them onto her. There were many lovely
marguerite flowers. The sweet and gentle fragrance of the flowers reached her.
「This is for me……?」
「Yes!」
If
it were the previous Candice, she would have thrown the flowers right at
Arthur's face saying, "Such a present is not suitable for me."
But now, looking at the flowers received from Arthur, she couldn't help
but feel overwhelmingly happy.
（Arthur gave me a present……）
This
was the first time in her life she had felt such a gentle feeling. From behind,
Jeanne explained that he had received them from the White Palace's
gardener. Candice didn't have much interest in flowers, and had never
even met the White Palace's gardener. However, she was told that the
flowers could be seen well from Arthur's room.
「When I become an adult, I want to
make Candice-oneesama happy and give you more sparkling things.」
「……!」
Arthur was always trying to make Candice
happy. Finding his full enthusiasm cute, she patted his head.
「Arthur…… thank you.」
She
somehow managed to say her thanks while holding back the urge to cry once
again.
（I've been acting strange since
earlier. I wonder why I feel like crying so much……）
Candice, who somehow managed to hold back
her tears, stroked her chest in relief. However, perhaps noticing Candice's
unusual state, wasn't Arthur looking at her blankly? Arthur
wrapped his arms around Candice's back and hugged her.
「Because I will be by Candice-oneesama's
side forever!」
「…………Eh?」
「I'll give you a present on Candice-oneesama's
birthday every year!」
Arthur's words, 『I
will be by your side forever』, felt like they gently wrapped
around the deep, cold, prickly, and painful parts of Candice's heart.
The depths of her chest grew warm, and she hugged Arthur's small body
back.
「Candice-oneesama……?」
「…………Arthur, I love you.」
「I love you too. Candice-oneesama.」
Candice felt a sense of security from Arthur's
body heat. Mysteriously, the fact that he had put on some healthy weight
compared to when they first met made her as happy as if it were her own body.
She had never thought she could build such a relationship with Arthur,
whom she had previously loathed. Now, Eva, Rose, and Arthur
were indispensable presences to Candice. She was grateful that they
called her name and acted out of consideration for her. To be able to think
that seeing each other's faces and calling each other's names every day was
such a happy thing. It was a great learning experience for Candice, who
had always been alone.
（……I wonder if this is what a family
feels like.）
Jeanne looked apologetic about not being
able to prepare a satisfactory present for Candice.
「I am terribly sorry. Candice,
Imperial Princess-sama.」
「It's fine, Jeanne. I love
these flowers.」
「If only I could be of more use……」
Hearing
that, Candice slowly shook her head side to side. Jeanne, the
veteran maid, was raising and training Eva and Rose. Besides, she
also taught Candice the things she shouldn't do, just like with Arthur,
and guided her toward the right path. Because Candice being able to be
like this was also thanks to Jeanne.
「Please continue to stay by our side
together with Arthur from now on.」
「…………!」
「I want you to tell me if I am about to do something wrong, Jeanne.」
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