Chapter 16
I Didn’t Get My Absolute Fave’s Hand-Me-Down Clothes, but I Got Matching Clothes

Translated by: IceCherryEdited by: kemostt

Today would be my ninth birthday party. Not only had I safely made it to my ninth birthday, but I was also able to celebrate it. I heard that this was an unusual feat for a ‘Launen’s Disease’ patient! This great achievement was all thanks to Father, Brother and Bruno-kun.

While wearing my beautiful, gorgeous clothes, I greeted the incoming guests alongside Father, Mother and Brother. In actual fact, the clothes I was wearing were the same design as the one Brother wore when he celebrated his ninth birthday. I had always really wanted to wear my brother’s hand-me-downs, but that dream could never be fulfilled since our sizes and our facial features were completely different; I wouldn’t look good in my brother’s clothes at all. 

So, although this time I had insisted on wearing Brother’s hand-me-downs, when they were brought out and I tried them on, they didn’t suit me at all; in fact, they had looked so bad on me that I had slumped down on the spot, feeling depressed. 

Father had tried to restrain his laughter as he said, “Then let’s make new clothes with the same design and have it made to look good on Alba.” 

Father, I see a halo shining above your head.

Bruno-kun’s new medicine turned out to be incredibly valuable when it was released to the public, way more than expected. The previous line of medicine even got discontinued because of it. This new medicine was then incorporated into Father’s business. Following that, Bruno-kun had led extensive research to see if Legare could be utilised for something else.

Bruno-kun’s birthday gift to me was, apparently, a free greenhouse expansion. Wait, but didn’t he already bring that uprooted tree? So, what was with this expansion? Did it mean that he was going to try and grow other kinds of fruits?

While I was surprised, Bruno-kun simply grinned and quietly told me, after I had finished greeting the guests, to come to the greenhouse tomorrow.

After the greetings were over, I was taken by Father to go round the venue to meet the people directly: I didn’t have to do anything, as only Father spoke to them. I was carefreely walking beside him when I suddenly noticed that Father had gradually been replacing his smile with a fake one—his bad mood was apparent. His facial expression didn’t change, but I felt that his genuine smile had become more  emotionless. 

I got a bit worried, so I tugged his hand in between his greetings to the guests; Father’s eyes lit up as he asked, “Are you tired?” He gave me his usual smile. 

Isn’t it you who’s tired? I thought inwardly, but spoke about a  new topic with him as a change of pace. “So today, it looks as though the former Duke and Duchess of Saliente haven’t come?”

“Just by the fact that they forced you to call them by those titles makes Father think that they don’t deserve to show their faces here, Alba.”

My brother’s grandparents, who were supposed to be living in the annex, had not been seen at all recently. They didn’t show up today either. Well, I knew they didn’t want to celebrate my birthday at all, but today I had been full of spirit, prepared to battle against them. 

When I asked Father about it, he answered with a very nice smile. “Your grandparents aren’t in good health, so they’ve moved to live their retirement life in our territory.”

“When was that…?”

“They moved about two years ago, I think. I’m more surprised that Alba hasn’t noticed up till now.”

“Well, they don’t show up here at all. I just forgot about them.”

It was difficult to even see their faces once a year, and when we met, they only spoke ill of me and said things sarcastically. It had never occurred to me that Father had banished them away. 

Although I didn’t want to interact with them too much, I had at least wanted to beat them thoroughly with words or something.

“It was the former Duke of Saliente and his wife who introduced me to that tutor. I am still grateful for that.”

The only good thing they had ever done was arranging that tutor for me. Thumbs up!! He really was a great teacher. 

When I said that, Father lowered his eyebrows as if he was a little troubled. “Alba… so you think he’s a good teacher… What part of him?”

“I could already tell he was good just by the fact that he was the one who had taught Brother before. And when I’m stuck, he always uses Brother as an example to encourage me. He gives me information about Brother that I previously wasn’t aware of! He tells me about sides of my brother that I never knew, and it really helps motivate me to study a lot!”1

Father squeezed his eyes once before picking me up.

I’m already nine years old! I’m already past the age to be carried like this!

“Alba’s so pure, my heart is overwhelmed! As expected of the kid Floro has lovingly raised…! I hope Alba keeps growing up like this!”

“Father! I can’t breathe…!”

Since we were having this exchange in the middle of the venue, we became the center of attention of the invited guests- I was a little embarrassed, so I wished he would put me down. See, Brother was also looking at us with a dumbfounded expression!

“Alba, Father loves you very much.”

“I already know that. I love you very much too. So please put me down, I’m too embarrassed.”

“You did well to live up to nine years old. Father is very happy.”

“It’s thanks to you, Brother, and Bruno-kun.”

“No, it’s because you’ve worked so hard.”

“I’ve always just been watching from the side. I want you to praise Brother and Bruno more than me.”

“Alba is such a good kid!”

Everyone was surprised to see Father nuzzling his head against me. He was someone who was always in the spotlight. Even if he wasn’t, Father had a good-looking face that could easily attract the attention of all the women and young ladies out there!

When I managed to get him to put me down, I found that the clothes I had been wearing properly were now sagging. As I stretched out my clothes, wondering if the greeting tour would resume with me in this state, Brother, who had been standing near me, took me by the hand.

“Come on, Alba. Let’s take a break and get you changed.”

“But, Brother, these clothes are the same as the ones you wore…”

“Actually, I’ve prepared some clothes for Alba that match the ones I’m wearing today. I’d like you to wear them too.”

“!”

I mightily reacted to my brother’s voice. I opened my eyes to see my ethereal, beautiful brother, wearing a classy coat with a delicate pattern embroidered on the collar, tempting me. 

A set of matching clothes with this one. The clothes I’m wearing now are the same design as the ones Brother wore when he was nine. Wait. What’s with today…  is it that? Is it because it’s the anniversary of my death that so many wonderful things are happening one after another? I’m so happy that I’m about to ascend to heaven. THANK YOU!

I was about to curl up, but Brother stopped me just in time and picked me up instead. I leaned on him as he steadily carried me, even though I was already nine years old. He then warned me, “You can’t curl up here,” and he brought me out of the hall.

The height gap between my thirteen years old brother and me was gradually increasing, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of stability while being in his arms. Ahhhh, he’s too cool.

After changing into matching clothes with Brother and returning to the hall, I walked through the hall towards Father, so he could take a look. On the way, I heard a lot of things like, “They look so close even though they are not related by blood.” or “It must be the Duke, putting on a show.” and “I can’t believe that Ice Duke would…” In short, everyone seemed surprised at how close Father and I were. 

But they didn’t know that was actually his normal face. Usually, his face—as Brother’s look-alike—would be overflowing with love. However, compared to when he looked at me, the face he had when he was with mother was something no one ought to see. How could I say it…  even I felt embarrassed when seeing his face in those moments. That was definitely not something that could be shown to others.