Chapter 223: 14th Birthday

Another year had passed, and my 14th birthday was approaching.

“Will is already 14, huh. Time flies.”

“Do you think so, Father? A lot has happened this past year, so it felt long to me.”

“Fufu, little Will is right. The Empire’s delegation came, a massive swarm of monsters attacked, and our family became Dukes; a lot truly did happen.”

Mother smiled, but at the same time, she wore a slightly lonely expression.

“But you know, from a parent’s perspective, it makes you wonder how you got to be this age already. It feels like you’re growing up into an adult in the blink of an eye.”

Is that how it is?

Both Father and Mother say I’ll understand once I become a parent.

By the way, up until now, my birthday parties had been held in Northernford, but this year it was decided to hold it in the Royal Capital.

Even though I actually frequently visit the Fairchild territory and the undeveloped lands using Teleportation Magic, officially, I am attending the Royal Academy.

Therefore, it would apparently be strange to hold the party in the Fairchild territory.

Public facade is important in the noble world, so it’s quite troublesome.

And so, at the Fairchild mansion in the Royal Capital, the servants were running around preparing for the party.

I’m really putting a burden on them.

It must be especially tough for the head chef and his team.

“Head Chef, thank you for your hard work preparing for the party. I’m sorry to put such a burden on you.”

“What are you saying? There will be many guests at William-sama’s birthday party. As a chef, it makes showing off my skills all the more worthwhile.”

“I’m grateful to hear you say that, but…”

The head chef smiled warmly.

“It’s the truth, William-sama. I consider this party to be my greatest stage since I began serving the Fairchild family.”

I see, it seems I hadn’t understood the pride of the head chef and his staff.

The other servants also seemed highly motivated.

Everyone is doing their jobs with pride.

The party will be held on the last Sunday of April.

Father and Mother’s idea was that we should prioritize school on weekdays, and since there were preparations to make, it would be better to have as much leeway in the schedule as possible.

For the party preparations, first, we had to send out the invitations.

The servants went to deliver invitations to the Southern Ducal family where my brother’s fiancée is, the Northern Ducal family where the Student Council President—whom both my brother and I are close with—is, and the Royal Family where my fiancée is.

Looking at it like this, I realize we’ve built relationships with quite a few of the major houses of the Albion Kingdom.

I brought the house steward, Smith, from Northernford to the Royal Capital using Teleportation Magic so he could take command of the party preparations.

It was Smith’s first time experiencing Teleportation Magic.

And yet, he didn’t even show a surprised face and simply said, “This is quite convenient,” which deeply impressed me.

Smith checked the guest list and briskly began giving instructions on the reception arrangements for the day. Having Smith, who is used to handling guests from the Royal Family and Ducal families, is reassuring after all.

On Saturday, the day before the party, I went to Northernford and teleported to the mansion in the Royal Capital together with Father, Mother, Brother Eddie, and my sister Sophie.

With preparations progressing like this, the day of the birthday party arrived.

Clad in an unfamiliar formal dress suit, I headed near the reception area to welcome the guests.

I’ve gained quite a bit of experience, but I still can’t easily get used to appearing in front of people. As expected, I feel nervous.

“You look very handsome in that, Brother.”

“Thank you, Sophie. You look very lovely in that dress yourself.”

“My, you’ve become able to say things like that, Brother. It must be thanks to your fiancées, Sister Letty and Flora-san.”

“No, I think I had at least that much common sense to begin with, though…”

Sophie laughed, saying, “I’m just joking.”

But thanks to that, I feel like my tension eased a little.

The first to arrive were Letty and the Cardiff Margrave couple.

Then, starting with Viscount Woodpole, the nobles of the West also arrived.

Today, Mabel is also participating as a noble daughter, not as a workshop staff member.

Colsen, who joined the same club as me, also arrived with his father, Viscount Walterford.

“Hello, Lord William. Happy birthday.”

The one greeting me so refreshingly was the Royal Academy’s Student Council President, young Lord Luke.

“Congratulations, William-san.”

Elva also showed her face from behind the President.

Speaking of people related to the academy, Vice President Francois-san also came.

Although, after giving me a brief greeting, she spent the whole time talking with Brother Eddie.

My sister-in-law had been saying she was lonely because she couldn’t see my brother very often, so I guess the birthday party served as a good opportunity.

After the nobles, the merchants came to give their greetings.

“It’s been a long time, William-sama. Happy birthday.”

“Thank you, Alex-san. It has been a while.”

Chairman Alex of the Levant Company also came.

“Has Oliver been of use to you?”

“Without Oliver, our workshop wouldn’t function, and the development of the undeveloped lands wouldn’t progress either.”

“I am relieved to hear you say that.”

Chairman Alex laughed, looking a little embarrassed.

Alex-san is a highly capable merchant, but I can tell he’s also a good father.

The Apostles Theo and Oliver, and from the workshop, Carpenter and Aire also came.

Oliver was complaining to his father, saying, “You’re saying unnecessary things again.”

And then, just as I noticed the guests causing a stir, an unexpected person had arrived.

“Happy birthday, William-san.”

“Thank you, Luna. Is it okay for you to come to a place with so many people?”

No wonder everyone was surprised that an Elf would come to a crowded party.

“Fufu. While interacting with the people of the Fairchild family, my apprehension toward humans has faded quite a bit. Even Grandmother wanted to come, you know.”

“Really? If so, I’m happy to hear that.”

I’m glad if I can close the distance between Elves and humans even a little.

Even so, when I think about it, I’ve really formed connections with all sorts of people.

Just as I was thinking that, the chatting guests suddenly went completely silent.

What happened?

“I have come unofficially today, so pay no mind to me.”

No, to think His Majesty would actually come.

“Welcome.”

Even Father was unusually a bit flustered.

“Sorry, Theodore. It’s the birthday of my daughter’s fiancé, who is also a hero of the country, so I thought I would just pop in to show my face.”

“Father, I heard the Prime Minister tried to stop you.”

“Ugh, Flora. How do you know that?”

“You are being a nuisance to everyone, so please go home early.”

His Majesty looked sad at Flora’s cold words, but Mother also came out, and as they talked for a while, his expression turned cheerful.

He did leave without overstaying his welcome, though.

I guess you could say it was a flood of guests.

I’m tired, but I was happy that so many people came to celebrate.