I was sleeping soundly and comfortably, but the faint rustling nearby woke me up.

Judging from the state of the room… it’s already morning!

“Ugh… Huh? Morning…”

As I rubbed my eyes and poked my head out from the futon, Seriana had already changed clothes.

…I thought I heard something moving, but it wasn’t the sound of someone getting out of bed—it was the sound of someone getting dressed.

“Oh my, good morning. You’re up early.”

Seriana widened her eyes for a moment when she saw me getting up from bed, but then quickly smiled softly.

See? Once I’m awake, I can get up early.

…Anyway.

“Just for a change! Heave-ho… Happy birthday!”

Autumn, January 14th.

Today is Seriana’s 20th birthday.

I got out of bed and walked over to her, offering my congratulations.

Come to think of it, it’s been nearly six years since we met… it’s been a long time.

When we first met, she seemed so mature that I thought she was around 15 or 16, but I remember being shocked to learn she had just turned 14 at the time.

“Yes, thank you. …You’re always so proper about this every year.”

Seriana smiled as she placed her hand on my cheek.

As she said, in this world, it’s not common for subordinates to celebrate their employer’s birthday.

But… we’ve known each other for a long time.

Besides, I only recognize my own birthday as “sometime around late February in autumn.”

The orphanage didn’t have a calendar, and I didn’t even know the exact date of my birthday until I got the Holy Coins.

And even after I obtained them, I was too busy preparing to escape the city and testing out the 【Hideout】 to bother checking the date regularly.

In my current life, I rarely pay attention to the calendar, so I figure I should at least remember the birthdays of those important to me.

By the way, Alec’s birthday is March 25th in summer.

This year too, he’ll probably be busy around that time, and we might not get the chance to celebrate.

I haven’t gotten around to asking Zighart, Fiora, or Teresa about their birthdays either.

Even close relationships need a little etiquette, huh?

◇

“Good work, everyone—”

Calling out as I entered the kitchen, I carried a small box in both hands.

Lunch had already finished, and it was currently break time before prep for dinner began.

“Sera? What’s up?”

Responding to me was the ever-imposing head chef.

“Yeah. Is everyone here today…?”

I counted the number of people in the kitchen and placed the box on the table where everyone had gathered.

They probably already guessed what this is, since it’s a yearly tradition, but I made sure to say it anyway.

“This is from the madam to everyone. As always, thank you for your hard work. Could you hand it out for me, chef?”

Inside the box I brought was a large bag, and within that, enough gold coins for each of the chefs.

Seriana distributes these every year on her birthday to show appreciation for the staff’s usual efforts.

It’s common practice in noble households, but in our house, both Seriana and Liesel each give out one gold coin.

In addition to their regular salaries, getting two gold coins every year as a bonus is quite generous, I’d say.

There’s no event this year due to the current situation, but she still makes sure to do this properly.

Of course, she can’t go around handing them out personally, so I’m the one delivering them to each department head.

It might feel a bit less special that way, but hopefully, they’ll understand.

The head chef, used to the routine, lifted the box and gave me a respectful bow.

“I’ve received it. Please convey my thanks to the madam.”

“Sure, sure.”

With that, I turned to leave the kitchen—delivery complete—but the head chef called out to me.

“Hey, Sera. We’re not calling in the craftsmen before the rainy season this year, right? Just wanted to double-check…”

“Ah…”

Normally, both in spring and before the autumn rainy season, we bring in craftsmen to inspect the entire estate, and the kitchen prepares meals for them too, but this autumn, the inspection has been canceled.

Every time, quite a few craftsmen come in for that job.

While the workshop is manageable, it’s just not feasible to properly vet everyone coming in and out during the work. It can’t be helped.

Of course, we didn’t say that outright.

Instead, we told them that due to the war, the number of soldiers in town has decreased, and if heavy rains cause damage, rescue efforts may be delayed—so the city inspection is being prioritized over the estate.

A bit of crafty PR for the residents, huh?

In any case, there’s no inspection this autumn, and thus, no need to prepare meals for the workers.

If we prepare food when it’s not needed, it’ll just go to waste, but if we don’t and it turns out we do need it, preparing that much food on short notice would be difficult. It’s a tough spot for the head chef.

No wonder he asked.

“Yeah. Don’t worry. We’re not doing inspections this year, so we’re not calling the craftsmen.”

“I see… Got it. Sorry to stop you.”

“Mm. …More importantly, why not hurry up and hand those out? Everyone’s watching, you know?”

“Huh?”

Turning around at my words, he seemed to finally notice that all the kitchen staff were staring at him.

With me here, I guess they’re too shy to celebrate freely.

Time to make myself scarce!

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Sera・Blessing・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Garment】Blessed Item・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】+1【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】【Monkey’s Arm】・8 cards

Seriana・【Range Identification】・【】・0 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Power Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・10 cards