I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

6 – 6. Repayment

So, having finished preparing for the party and taking a break to be at my best for a day, I finally welcomed my birthday.

Of course, that didn’t mean there was something special going on.

No, it was more like the last break before gearing up for the entrance to the academy.

But, if there was one thing to look forward to, it was Ariel’s promised gift.

Given that she said she’d personally take care of it, the likelihood of Ariel bringing something impressive was high enough not to dent her reputation.

“Of course, I had no interest in just about any ordinary item, as I could easily obtain anything I desired. What mattered were the things Arielle herself prepared for me.

‘What on earth could it be?’

Even though I couldn’t know, something unimaginable might come to mind.

Thinking that to myself, I sat in place.

As the time for the party was drawing near, I rose from my seat and looked around.

There was no flaw to be found in any corner, no matter where I looked.

And then, someone approached me.

“Hmm? What’s the matter, Belle?”

It was Belle, one of the maids serving our household. She nodded to me and spoke.

“Miss Cerise Derin is looking for you.”

Upon hearing those words, I furrowed my brow.

Cerise Derin. The girl who had the highest likelihood of becoming my wife.

But since my engagement to Arielle, our relationship had distanced significantly.

That girl… perhaps she had feelings for me in the past. That much I could say for sure.

When you’re entangled with someone, directly or indirectly, from a young age, you realize that you and the other person will be linked in the future.

So, she and I spent a lot of time together from a young age.

Although we weren’t officially engaged, it seemed quite natural for us to consider each other as prospective spouses.

In that process, Cerise had shown a lot of fondness for me.

It’s only natural. Isn’t it a common thing for noble girls to dream of a prince on a white horse?

However, she and I did not continue.

My father chose the alliance with Siellane, disregarding the internal bonds, and as a result, Cerise and I became completely distant.

Being already engaged, getting involved with someone of similar age could cause a scandal.

Hence, Cerise chose to distance herself from me rather than maintain a relationship.

So, upon the sudden news of Cerise seeking me out, I couldn’t help but feel doubtful.

“Why? The party is about to begin. Is there a reason you must see me now?”

In response to my inquiry, Bell chuckled and replied, “Well, I’m not entirely sure either.”

I furrowed my brow upon hearing those words. Turning to Bell, who was watching me closely, I said, “Alright. I’ll go check it out for now. We still have about an hour until the party starts, right?”

“Yes. Then, this way…”

…

Seris, with her orange-tinted hair tied in a single strand and adorned in a vibrant yellow dress, was waiting for me.

I greeted her as I took a seat in front of her. “Hello, Seris.”

Upon seeing me, Seris nodded her head slightly and responded, “Hello, Eden-nim.”

Acknowledging her greeting, I looked at her and asked, “Why did you want to see me? If there’s something important, you could have told me during the party.”

After hearing my words, Seris closed her lips for a moment before reopening them. “…I wanted to give you a gift before the party started.”

I expressed doubt at her words. “Huh? If it’s a gift, you could have given it during the party, couldn’t you?”

In response, Seris shook her head and explained, “…No. It wouldn’t have the same meaning then.”

No meaning, huh. What kind of meaning was she referring to? I gazed at Seris, and in her eyes, only the light of truth shimmered.

Well, at least that’s how she sees it, I thought. Without further questioning, I nodded my head.

“…I’ll give it to you during the party anyway; it’ll probably just end up being a spectacle.”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. So, here…”

What she handed me was a jewelry box. As I looked at her, Seris spoke.

“Here, you can open it.”

I opened the jewelry box. Inside, there was a golden bracelet adorned with emeralds.

“…Seeing the color made me think of Eden… It’s a bracelet that helps control magic.”

I fastened the bracelet around my wrist upon hearing that. It did seem to make controlling magic more comfortable.

“Thank you.”

Smiling, I expressed my gratitude, and Cerise blushed as she replied, “Oh, it’s nothing, really.”

After briefly admiring Cerise’s gift, I asked her, “So, is this all there is?”

Upon hearing my question, Cerise closed her eyes, then opened them. Her chocolate-colored irises shone upon me.

“Yes. This is all there is.”

I rose from my seat upon her words.

“Thank you for coming to give me this gift in advance. The party will start soon. Where would you like to wait?”

I deliberately drew that line. Cerise smiled, dipped her head, and left the reception room, her dark eyes gleaming.

“Perhaps I went a bit too far.”

There was a hint of reluctance in adhering to the line drawn. But it was inevitable. After all, my fiancée was Arielle.

…

After some time, my birthday party began.

The mansion’s hall was already bustling with the footsteps of numerous guests. As the host, I greeted the people.

And amidst the buzz of many, I sensed a particular presence. Instinctively, people made way. And I knew who it was.

“You’re here?”

I asked her, looking into her eyes. Arielle brushed her silver hair aside and looked back at me.

“Yes, I’m here.”

I inquired, looking at Arielle, “Was there anything uncomfortable about coming here?”

Then Ariel made a sound, a sigh, and looking at me, she said, “Well, there’s no need to worry. I just came riding on a magic-charmed carriage along a pre-packaged road. What’s there to ask about my well-being?”

After saying so, Ariel glanced at me and hesitated before continuing, “…Well, thanks for caring, at least.”

I smiled at her gesture, and in response, she frowned, looking at my expression.

“Again, that expression.”

“Why?”

Was there something odd about my expression? In response to my question, Ariel answered, “You’re making the same face as when you teased me last time.”

I chuckled at her words and said, “Well, it’s just because I’m pleased.”

Ariel still stared at me with narrowed eyes.

“Noisy. You haven’t forgotten what you said, have you?”

“What did I say?”

She swept her hair in a somewhat annoyed manner and replied, “As much as you embarrassed me, I promised to pay you back. Be prepared.”

“I don’t know when that’ll be. Anyway, understood. Since there are a lot of people around now, how about we find a more private place to talk comfortably?”

“You’re the party host. Is it okay for the party host to leave this early?”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. If I’m with you, it might as well be something important. And I can deal with the consequences later. You’re the most important, after all.”

Ariel, after hearing that, stared at me for a while, sighed, and said, “Alright, let’s go.”

…

Ariel and I sat alone in the room, taking a comfortable break. And then, she was the first to speak after a while.

“Hey.”

I asked in response to her words.

“Why?”

“Do you remember what I said about repaying you?”

I chuckled at her words.

“Of course, I remember. I’ve been eagerly anticipating it since before the party started. I was wondering what you meant by ‘giving’—that’s all.”

Upon hearing my words, Ariel blushed.

“You, you were only waiting for my gift?”

I shrugged in response.

“Well, is there a problem?”

Ariel hesitated before speaking.

“…No, it’s not a problem.”

Having said that, Ariel seemed to make up her mind and spoke to her servant waiting outside the room.

“Bring the gift.”

The servant brought in something tightly wrapped in a large bandage.

“What’s this? It looks elongated.”

“Untie it and see.”

Ariel said, covering her mouth with a hand. I didn’t hesitate and unwrapped it.

“…A staff?”

What she gave me was a staff shining in silver. At the front, a large diamond was embedded, giving it an overall luxurious appearance.

“…I had it made with gemstones from our territory. Other territories don’t have gems imbued with such rich magic.”

I stared at it blankly. Even though I didn’t know, the creator must have been an exceptional artisan.

It was a well-crafted piece that even I could appreciate for its exquisite finish.

“…Is the value of this gift appropriate for what I gave you? This is too…”

Precious. I was about to say that but stopped myself.

It was an item that money couldn’t buy. Although what I made was not something to be embarrassed about in terms of value, if we were to compare, this item might be worth more than a small territory.

In response to my question, Ariel lifted her head and said.

“The value of the gift you gave is measured by me, not by anyone else. So, don’t say this and that. The words you should say are different.”

“It’s what I should say,” I said with a smile at her words.

“Thank you.”

Something of this level couldn’t have been made overnight. It must have been a gift prepared at least a few months ago.

Despite pretending not to know, Ariel’s cuteness in doing so made me smile; I couldn’t help it.

Ariel, hearing my gratitude, blushed, turned her head away abruptly, and said, “… It’s enough if you know.”

Externally trying to be rational, I could easily tell that Ariel’s inner self was in turmoil.

I hugged Ariel and said once again, “Thank you, really.”

Ariel, as if slightly surprised, shivered her body a little and then opened her mouth in my embrace.

“Yeah. I said I’ll repay even the gifts received…”

“Will you also repay the embarrassment of making it?”

Ariel looked at me, smiled with an unknown thought, and said, “Yes.”

And, something soft touched my cheek.