The very last page of the diary. I stared intently at his birthday, written in tiny letters in case Theo happened to see it. The birthday of Theo, which I had asked Orca about the day after Ricardo's birthday banquet, was already less than a month away.
Because I had to keep my identity a secret, I wasn't free to go out, so it was hard to even prepare a gift. I was just pacing back and forth, watching his birthday get closer and closer. But now that my identity was revealed, I could leisurely prepare for his birthday.
According to Orca, Theo had never celebrated his birthday even once. Before he established himself as a prince, everyone was wary of the Empress, so he couldn't even receive a proper congratulatory greeting, let alone a banquet.
After he settled down, Theo didn't want to celebrate it. All he got were formal congratulatory letters and gifts, but even those were burned by Theo's order, and the gifts were just thrown into the warehouse.
In fact, birthday banquets were not just a place to be congratulated, but also a place to show off power. The Second Prince's faction protested, but Theo didn't listen, and the Emperor, as always, just watched from across the river, so it had always passed without any special events.
Of course, I didn't want to make a fuss because Theo might not like it, and my only goal was to spend it intimately with him.
First of all, I needed a cake. Even if Theo didn't like sweets and wouldn't eat it, a cake was like a symbol of a birthday... First, I decided to learn from Eden in advance and make it myself on his birthday.
I wish I could go and learn every day, but Theo would be suspicious and I would get caught, so I couldn't visit often. It's okay, I've become smarter since I became a divine beast, so I'll make a good cake!
'...Is that different?'
Anyway, I haven't asked Eden for his opinion yet. He's as scared of me as Theo is, so if I have to do it anyway, it's better to just notify him suddenly rather than telling him in advance and making him tremble in fear all the time. Sorry, Eden.
Next, I had to decide on a gift, but that was more ambiguous than I thought. Of course, Theo had allocated me an allowance, and Orca was managing it, so I could ask for as much as I wanted, but I had never received it because I didn't have anything to spend it on.
I thought about using my allowance for the first time, but when I thought about it, my allowance was ultimately Theo's money, so I didn't really want to buy a gift with it.
"I can't go anywhere to earn money..."
If I secretly worked part-time and Theo found out, I'd probably be banned from going out. I could easily picture him getting angry, so my heart shrank on its own.
Well, anyway, Theo would be happy to receive anything I gave him, whether I bought it with the money he gave me or just picked it up on the street.
But since it was his first birthday party and there were only two attendees, I wanted to take care of it properly. It would be even better if the gift had a special meaning, rather than just buying it with money.
Isn't there anything I can make myself, like a flower crown...? I've made enough flower crowns to stain my hands with flower sap. Should I fly around as an eagle for a while and pick up something? But I'm a divine beast, so that seems too shabby.
"No, wait. Eagle?"
Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. I quickly transformed into an eagle, spread my wings, and looked down at the densely packed feathers. What if I made something out of these feathers that have never fallen out before? Then it would be okay even if I spent money...
But can I even pull them out? It seemed like a good idea, but I was scared to pull out the feathers. They're so strong, it'll hurt a lot if I try to pull them out, right...?
"Screech..."
After hesitating for a long time, I closed my eyes tightly and grabbed one feather with my beak and pulled it out. But it came out easier than I thought, and it was no different from pulling out a strand of hair. I'm glad it doesn't hurt! I can pull out several, right?
I transformed back into a human and touched the feather I had pulled out. It was much tougher and stronger than I thought, and it felt like it could draw blood if I pressed it hard against bare skin. Well, it's better to be strong when making something! The problem is what to make with it...
I thought I should consult with Orca next, so I rushed into his office. Fortunately, there were no other aides. It would have been very uncomfortable and awkward if there were. Orca greeted me warmly and led me to a seat, then brewed me some tea himself.
"You can even make tea?"
"Yes, somehow."
There's nothing Orca can't do. If it weren't for Orca, Theo wouldn't have been able to establish himself to this extent. I felt a newfound appreciation and wondered if I should get him something too.
"Orca, when is your birthday?"
"My birthday? It's passed."
"It's passed? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I don't celebrate my birthday either, so it's okay."
Why are there so many people here who don't celebrate their birthdays...? I should make one for Orca while I'm making Theo's.
"Orca, are you busy right now?"
"I'm fine."
"Theo's birthday is coming up soon. So I'm going to give him a gift. So I was thinking..."
I handed Orca the feather I was holding.
"Is there anything I can make with a feather?"
"Hmm..."
Orca pressed down on the feather and stroked it with his fingertips. He seemed surprised that it was tougher than he thought.
"It's quite strong. Is it because it's a divine beast's feather..."
"Is there anything I can make as a decoration?"
"Well, in fact, the most common thing to make with such a complete form is a quill. And it's strong, so it can be used for a long time."
"Ah, a quill would be good too."
I'm glad I asked Orca!
"Is there anything else I can do besides a quill?"
"Then first, we should call a designer and discuss it. I'm ignorant in this area. Anyway, you'll need additional decorations when making a quill."
"Okay."
After that, Orca immediately called Theo's exclusive designer to his office. I was amazed by his incredible execution, but only for a moment.
The designer froze with tension at having a divine beast in front of her, and I froze with aversion to people, as always, so the atmosphere in the office was terrible.
"H-Hello, I'm Lia Guonne, the Second Prince's exclusive designer. Please call me Lia..."
I thought the exclusive designer would be quite old, but I was surprised that she was younger than I thought, and I was surprised again by her strange way of speaking. When I made a shocked expression, Orca sighed as if he had a headache and said,
"That way of speaking... Lord Shuian is uncomfortable with it."
"T-Then how..."
"He's merciful, so just do it as usual."
"I understand..."
She seemed to have some doubts about "as usual" for a moment, but soon nodded in agreement.
"Lord Shuian is preparing a gift for His Highness, and I think Lia's help is needed."
"Yes, just give me the order!"
Orca sighed again. It was fortunate that my aversion subsided at her disciplined attitude.
"I'm going to make a quill with my feathers, but is there anything else good?"
"Oh, a divine beast's feather...!"
Orca handed Lia my feather. She was very moved and carefully touched the feather with a cautious hand, as if it would break. Orca coughed as if giving her a hint, and Lia finally raised her head again.
"Would it be okay to change the shape a little...? If you try to use it in its original form, it's limited, so there's almost nothing you can make."
She was talking about work like a professional, so her eyes changed, and she looked trustworthy. I quickly nodded.
"I don't care."
"Then how about making a tassel for sword decoration? You need several, and it's made by layering feathers, so it's not a typical shape, but it might be special."
"Good."
"A handkerchief would also be good. You can use it like an accessory these days, so you can make it with just feathers, or you can add it to a regular handkerchief."
"Then do both."
Even though her workload was increasing, Lia's expression brightened as she became more and more excited. I should be glad that her job satisfaction is high...
"And it would be very pretty to grind the silvery feathers slightly and make cuff buttons."
"Do that too."
"Yes!"
Cuff buttons, a handkerchief, and a quill should be enough for a gift, right? I was satisfied because the gifts that would be completed seemed pretty good.
"Then make two of everything I've said so far."
"Oh, then you'll need a lot of feathers..."
"It's okay."
Theo would definitely try to put the gift I gave him in the display case, so it would be right to prepare two of each, one for the display case and one for him to use. Well, the feathers will grow back. It didn't hurt much to pull them out, so I could pull out as many as I wanted. Surely... they won't not grow back...?
"Ah, Orca. Cover your ears."
"...Yes?"
"Quickly."
At my urging, Orca panicked but covered his ears with both hands. After confirming that, I whispered to Lia.
"Make one more quill for Orca."
"Ah, I understand!"
"And if you make Theo's gift pretty, I'll give you a feather too."
"Oh, the greatest honor...!"
Lia was so moved that she got up from her seat and was about to bow on the bare floor, so I quickly waved my hand. I'm feeling generous because I'm in a good mood.
"I'm not saying I'll give it to you unconditionally. Only if I like it."
"I'll do my best!"
I nodded and repeatedly told Orca and Lia that it was a secret from Theo. The taste of a birthday party is surprise.
Okay, that solves the gift!
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